Dear Editor:
As they used to say on Laugh-In, "Verrrry interesting."
West Vancouver's newly elected mayor, Michael Smith, speaks out against the waste of money with respect to Metro Vancouver meetings and your editorial jumps all over him for shorting value to his constituents.
When Goldsmith-Jones was first elected mayor she appointed me to the GVRD finance committee. I attended a couple meetings and was surprised to receive a cheque for about $500.
I met with our mayor and expressed my concern with the fact that we were being compensated for work that I assumed was part of a councillor's duties. I requested she raise the question, as the taxpayer was being unfairly charged, and also that the entire GVRD structure was unbalanced and should be reviewed.
Nothing was done as these meetings are viewed as a cashcow by councillors. The cost of parking was contentious. The meetings were typically under an hour, run by staff and a token to process. Staff reports were presented and the rubber stamps would fly. Opportunities for pontification were seized by those councillors who clearly enjoyed the sound of their own voice. Stipend for attendance was about $235 and has grown to more than $300. Times attendees, the cost per meeting is $2,000 - don't even think about staff costs - times the number of meetings a year. . . .
So don't beat up on Smith, he's on track. As far as the choice of the tree he should be, I'm stumped.
John Clark West Vancouver
