105.7 KISSFM Pete McIntyre Nov. 14
The BC government is providing funding for a new gathering place in Vernon, but the timing of the announcement is troubling to one political candidate. Tom Christensen announced a $250,000 grant for the Vernon Spirit Square. The project involves converting the area between city hall and the library into a gathering space for entertainment, ceremonies and relaxation. Mayoralty candidate Tony Stamboulieh attended the announcement, and wonders if the MLA is getting involved in the mayor's race by handing over the cheque just before the election. "I find the timing very suspect and the question is, is our MLA getting involved in our local mayoralty election. Why didn't he wait until Monday to make the announcement?"
Mayor Wayne Lippert doesn't think the timing is a big deal. "It doesn't hurt me but I don't think it really helps either. If it was any help to me, it would have been a week or two sooner. This has been a council accomplishment, not just mine. This is one that all of council should be proud of." Christensen says he's not taking sides in the mayor's race, adding the grant is something that's been in the works for some time. "This was a day that worked for everybody but it has been something we've been working on to actually make an announcement."
2 comments:
How about asking where that other $250K will come from?
You got it, the City's taxpayers, on the hook for another quarter million - too bad that wasn't announced!
Gotta hand it to the media to ask all those TOUGH questions... or is it much easier to just parrot the provincial press release?
You got it. The $250,000 will be coming from a matching Grants reserve set up a couple of years ago from excessive taxation. It is the taxpayers money. This is another reason why all Grant Applications should be open for public scrutiny and posted monthly on the City's Website.
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