CTV NEWS: Monday, November 23, 2009
Even while it faces a $60-million budget shortfall, the City of Vancouver snatched up more than $300,000 worth of tickets to the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. Some say the mayor should ask for a refund. "There's no doubt in my mind the city should not be spending that kind of money on Olympic tickets given the economic situation that we're in," Ian Robertson, a member of the Vancouver Park Board, told CTV News on Monday. The board is contemplating shutting down two city landmarks -- the Stanley Park children's farmyard and the Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park - because of the city's budget woes. Fees for city services are also going up and hours at community centres are being reduced. A report from city staff says there would be no problem for the city to return the tickets to the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) to re-sell. Councillor Geoff Meggs said Monday that the city has tried to keep costs down to a minimum but the city also has an official responsibility to host visiting dignitaries. "If we go to their cities, we're usually afforded the same hospitality," he said. Meggs said if there are any surplus tickets, there will be an attempt to get some of the money back. "We've told staff to make sure they don't send out tickets for the sake of getting rid of them." Visiting the West End Community Centre on Monday, Helmuth Faulkner, said it's clear to him what the city should do. "Sell them back for whatever the face value was and recoup that money."
1 comment:
Trouble is, Gregor and the boys gotta keep up with the Joneses - Grodo and his gang. After all, it's a social obligation that really forces you into the position to lay people off and impact their livelihoods.
Based on the Global report on the telly last night, it seems that the majority of events have been booked by the fatcats, leaving little or nothing for Joe Schmoe.
Party for the priveleged, was a phrase used often during the last election. Funny, that.
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