Questions on UBCM

Dear Editor: In 2017 the Penticton’s mayor, council and the CAO Peter Weeber attended the Union of British Columbia Municipalities conference.

Costs for this conference for each attendee were as follows:

Mayor Andrew Jakubeit: $1,777; Coun. Helena Konanz: $1,660; Coun. Andre Martin: $1,494; Coun. Maxwell Picton: $2,132; Coun. Tarik Sayeed; $2,054; Coun. Judy Sentes:$3,572; Coun. Campbell Watt: $1,905; City of Penticton CAO Peter Weeber: $1,236; Total costs: $15,830.

According to a statement by Peter Weeber at the June 19 council meeting, an error in booking resulted in higher expenses for Sentes. The five-day conference resulted in Coun. Sentes costing Penticton taxpayers’ $359 per day more than the mayor or $415.60 per day more than Coun. Andre Martin.

Councils are offered a block hotel booking offer for UBCM which allows for lower hotel fees. Did Sentes make the right decision to attend UBCM regardless of the significantly higher costs?

Would it have been a wiser decision to decline? After all, six other members of council were already attending.

Was Judy Sentes’ contribution more significant than the mayor’s? Would one vote have made that much of a difference amongst about 2,000 delegates?

We know Sayeed attended in 2016 because he wanted to vote against plastic bags and the Site C dam.

Sayeed seems to be missing from many council meetings lately. He missed an important vote at the last council meeting on the new parks bylaw. Recently I saw Sayeed on TV with Premier John Horgan at a function somewhere in the province.

Has Sayeed’s pay as a councillor and Gold Star medical and dental benefits been suspended?

My understanding is two months of missed meetings results in a suspension of remuneration unless an exception is granted.

If his remuneration has not been suspended what is the reason? Elvena Slump

Penticton