As I sat down at my computer to write this commentary, my mind was immediately filled with the cynicism which seems to prevail in the wonderful world of politics, be it at a national, provincial or municipal level.
As I sat down at my computer to write this commentary, my mind was immediately filled with the cynicism which seems to prevail in the wonderful world of politics, be it at a national, provincial or municipal level. For those of you not totally familiar with the word “CYNICISM&”, let me offer you the definition from the New Webster Dictionary. “Cynicism: an inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest&”. To say that in the Town of St. Paul cynicism is rampant among the citizens who have observed the behaviour of the present Town Council, would be an understatement.
It is not my intent to raise the many issues which have seen the light of day in St. Paul over the past 24 months. Instead, I will give you a point of view on a matter which has failed to come forth as an issue of real concern among the citizenry of our Town. That of which I speak, is the attendance by the 6 Councillors at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) 2017 Conference in Ottawa which I am calling the June PAID VACATION. Perhaps I should give you the ratepayers some background on this matter, after all it is your money which is bank rolling this holiday to Ottawa June 1-4.
For many years it has been the POLICY of the Town of St. Paul, that the Mayor, 2 Councillors and the Town Administrator would be allowed yearly to attend a major urban affairs conference such as the FCM Conference. This meant that over the term of office of the Council as a whole, EACH Councillor would have the opportunity to attend one such event during their term of office. Past Councils have also agreed that when times were difficult in putting together a reasonable budget for the Town, they would forsake attendance at such an event. Over the years, this policy has served the past councils well.
However, the present Councillors; Judy Bogdan, Edna Gervais, Ken Kwiatkowski, Norm Noel, Don Padlesky and Dwight Wiebe, voted to change the policy so that all councillors could and WILL attend this year's FCM Conference in beautiful downtown Ottawa. This change in policy was made in spite of the Councillors themselves stating how difficult it was to build this year's budget given the financial restraints which we are still all facing. A fact we are all aware of, but which the Councillors seem to wish to brush over.
While I'm not privy to the total budget and financial details about this SO CALLED WORKING VACATION, I would believe that the following expenditures would be included in the actual budget.
1. Per diem of $225.00 per day (that is the amount Councillors receive each day while carrying-out business on behalf of the Town);
2. travel costs (including airfare and mileage to and from the airports);
3. Subsistence (breakfast and lunch are included in conference package) and accommodation;
4. Delegate registration fees of $937.90 per councillor;
5. The proverbial miscellaneous expenses.
As stated previously, without seeing the budget, I can not be certain of the exact cost of this ESCAPADE, but I would submit that $25,000.00 would be a safe minimal estimate.
If you have NO concerns about this matter, read no further. However. if you believe that it is totally unconscionable for the Councillors of the Town of St. Paul to perpetuate such a travesty on the citizen taxpayers during these dire economic times read on. I recommend that each person who wants such poor decision making to come to an immediate end, to call each of the Councillors and express your disgust with what is going on. Together we may have a hope of bringing the Council to its senses. By the way, don't call Mayor Andersen, he is not taking part in this scheme.
Paul E. Boisvert
Long-time citizen taxpayer of the Town of St. Paul
For background on this story and council discussions, see the following stories -
https://www.spjournal.com/article/Town-council-debates-matters-of-pay-20161122
https://www.spjournal.com/article/Council-approves-remuneration-policy-20161206
The most recent versions of the Town of St. Paul's remuneration policy, in full, can be found here -
December 2016
https://www.spjournal.com/Assets/pdf/STP/Remuneration_Policy_Review_Dec_2016.pdf
January 2016
https://www.spjournal.com/Assets/pdf/STP/Remuneration_Policy_Review_Jan_2016.pdf
