Unclaimed pay rolled into grants

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 13, 2011 6:00 PM
Money not spent on politicians will go right back into the community.  Unclaimed pay for Vernon council committees will be rolled into the community grants program, which provides assistance to local non-profit agencies.  “That means there will be money in there for community groups to access,” said Coun. Bob Spiers.  “At least it’s going to charity.”  There could be $23,000 available from 2010 but council members still have until the end of January to submit for committee pay.  The decision to direct the unspent money on charitable activities was unanimous among council.  “If we don’t put it into grants, it will just go into general revenue. I call it the black hole,” said Coun. Jack Gilroy.  Gilroy points out that a number of organizations are increasingly seeking funds from the city because more traditional financial resources have disappeared.  “The provincial government has put stress on the city by cutting funds to these groups,” he said.  Council recently decided to give money to two groups.  The Upper Room Mission will get $10,877 for a new dining room floor, while $15,000 will go to the Vernon Art Gallery to help with its financial challenges.  Gilroy believes it’s vital to support charitable efforts in Vernon.
“There’s groups out there doing tremendous work and we don’t want to see it end,” he said.