A former Vernon politician is alarmed at what he believes is a waste of taxpayers’ money. Barry Beardsell, a councillor for four terms, filed a Freedom of Information request for documents that show how much current council members were paid for attending meetings late last year. “People are losing their jobs in the community and they (officials) are acting like this. It’s sick,” he said. In September, a new policy was initiated that pays council members $137 for each committee meeting they attend. Beardsell requested any claims filed between Sept. 16 and the end of 2009. He says there was only documentation for Councillors Buffy Baumbrough and Jack Gilroy. In the case of Baumbrough, Beardsell says she attended 21 meetings, accounting for 17 hours, and was paid $2,192. In one case, there was a five-minute meeting of the advisory planning board Oct. 27. “That works out to $1,528 per hour,” said Beardsell. “The other people who volunteer on the committee get paid nothing.” The documents show Gilroy attended nine meetings between September and December, and was paid $1,233. “That’s only for three months,” said Beardsell.
Beardsell’s comments have upset Gilroy. “I’m just doing what the mayor appointed me to do. I’m working my butt off for the citizens as is everyone on council,” said Gilroy. Gilroy also believes Beardsell should understand that there is more to committee duties than simply attending meetings. “You may only be there for 15 minutes but there is reading to do and I talk to people about the issues,” he said.
Baumbrough is also defending her actions. “A five-minute meeting is an anomaly and the majority of the meetings I attend are approximately two hours long. Also, there is prep work before and follow-up,” she said. “The number of committees has increased and they play an important role in the community. Committee members bring recommendations to council.”
Beardsell denies his claims are personal. “This isn’t sour grapes. This is about self-serving individuals at the public trough,” he said. Beardsell opposes pay for committee work. “Spread the responsibilities of council around on the different committees,” he said.
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