Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: February 19, 2011 12:00 PM
Vernon politicians won’t be hitting the road as much. As part of the proposed 2011 financial plan, the budget for council conventions and travel has been chopped by $3,000. “The amount left gives us enough money to attend the conferences we have to,” said Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe. The budget originally called for $18,000 but it is now $15,000. O’Keefe believes it’s necessary to reduce parts of the overall 2011 budget as a way of decreasing the tax burden during challenging financial times. In 2010, there was $22,613 for travel and conventions. Council has given Mayor Wayne Lippert approval to attend the Local Government Leadership Academy’s third annual chief elected official forum in Vancouver March 17 to 18. “This is for mayors and regional district chairpersons,” said Lippert. “There’s a chance to see how we stand with other communities. There’s a lot of work done and they keep you pretty busy.” The cost for the leadership program is $360, and with flights, Lippert expects the final bill could be $500 to $600. Although the city is trying to keep costs down and many residents are experiences financially, Lippert insists such a conference is a good use of money. “It gives us a chance to network and discuss issues we face as communities and to look at solutions,” he said. “We can come back and implement cost savings or services we can provide.” O’Keefe also defends the need for taxpayer-funded travel to conferences and meetings with senior government officials. “You lose the ability to find out about new initiatives and you don’t know where to apply for grants,” she said. “There’s a time and place where councillors have to go and be informed about various issues so they can be better governors.”
7 comments:
This is pathetic. If they're really serious about budget issues, try looking at staffing levels, salaries, and programs.
Elected official remuneration and travel are red herrings IMHO
Couldn't agree more with previous comment.Time for a service review; I'll gladly spend the money that Penticton did to get the savings that resulted!
They must be saying this as a joke-they are talking about peanuts when the City is in dire financial shape. We do not deserve this!
Surely it only costs $140 to $240 for a return flight to Vancouver, transportation and hotel, to attend what is billed as a 'legacy building' conference?
Shockingly, Councillor O'Keefe appears to be not quite familiar with this new-fangled thing called the Internet, where you can find out about new initiatives, and yes, even apply for grants.
People, people, people. Our elected officials just saved us $3K out of the total budget by capping their expenses for conferences. This is a victory to be celebrated. Alert the press! Order some champagne! Hoopla, hoopla!
Election time is November. If this is what passes for progress, let your vote decide whether you continue to deserve such representation.
Come November the only candidates that I will even consider supporting are those who favour some kind of "external" service/core review. I sincerely hope there are many other like-minded folks in the city.
Saving 3k.....what a joke!
This is not a hardship post for excluded staff.
There is no isolation or lack of access to fresh food and culture.
There is no trauma, exhausting travel and subsequent loss of family time or shift work.
All in all, it looks like a pretty sweet work/life balance.
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