Better way of doing things
Dear Editor: One of the major problems for taxpayers is control of the public purse. Over the years we have seen many politicians dip into the bottomless tax pit whenever they get the opportunity. We all understand how addicting this can be.
Local taxpaying citizens have a personal stake in whether school board expenses best serve the needs of our community. We elect school board members in the hope they will do what is best for us; not to give them an opportunity to schmooze with their friends and associates, guzzle goodies; go sightseeing or stay in luxurious Bayshore-style accommodation. Accommodation incidentally they would likely hesitate to consider an appropriate expenditure if it was coming out of their own wallets.
Members of School Board 67 have attended events in Florida and other exotic locations and orientation seminars at the Bayshore in Vancouver. And this is likely just the tip of the iceberg. How much does this cost province-wide?
After narrowly averting closure of a school in Osoyoos, School Board 53 is full of weak, disgraceful excuses for schmoozing on the tax dollar and why 10 members went on the two latest trips to San Diego: First trip $9,962. I guess they enjoyed it so much they decided on seconds. Second trip costs not known. Two trips and $20,000 is down the drain (Okanagan Saturday, Feb 25)
How many school boards in B.C. have gone on these trips? Likely millions of dollars have been spent over the years with individual school board members and staff trips.
If anyone from the provincial government on down to individual school board members had any respect for the hard-earned taxpayer dollar this practice would end and a means found to teleconference or Skype. If San Diego is so wonderful wouldn’t it be cheaper to have San Diego attend the annual Bayshore convention and demonstrate their superior technical capabilities to all B.C. school boards at one shot? Of course that would put a dent in the luxury trips and the luxury hotels and the cheap vacations on the taxpayer dime.
Business found better and cheaper ways to network with customers and clients and gain needed expertise years ago. But then again business has to pay their expenses or account to the shareholders why profits are down.
As moral financial responsibility to the electorate declines so does trust in government. Elvena Slump
Penticton