It Should Be Checks and Balances, not Cheque that Bounces

Wednesday, February 22, 2006 03:59 AM

-by Ben Meisner

If you are my age, you are reminded that horses commonly wore blinders to prevent them from bolting if they are exposed to frightening occurrences.

That’s what prompts me to raise the same scenario when talking about the new edition of City Council, where in the budget items that they have been discussing, taxpayers will be committed to a lot of money into the future. A future by the way, which is anything but certain.

Let’s get rid of the notion that the Mayor and Council were elected by a majority of the people. Quite apart from the number of people who voted in the election is the percentage that the Mayor, who by the way did not have the stamp of approval of those who voted, and the city council, which in many cases the vote represents a fraction of the people who went to the polls.

Somewhere along the line, those who were elected to office have adopted the stance that they received overwhelming support. In the five year plan the city has again dug into the credit card. If a new police building is a priority it will add still more debt to the credit card, a credit card that will have no room when we do hit the wall in the next 7 to 10 years.

We do need some government projects to off set the huge drop in the lumber industry. $10 or $12 million there another $5 mill for the UNBC sports complex, another $7 to $10 for a new Cameron Street bridge and we will find that the bank is calling, telling us not to charge anymore.

By instead of looking seriously at our debt in a time when both the province and federal government have cut spending, we are handing out the card as quickly as we can.

Its something called a failure to come to grips with reality.

I'm Meisner, and that is one man's opinion.

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Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 03:59 AM in Views by Ben Meisner

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Comments

Posted by: Norm on February 22 2006 8:50 AM

good point, when the elected officials become filled with their own self-importance, they lose sight of reality

Posted by: diplomat on February 22 2006 1:20 PM

Like Joe DiMaggio said: " A few dozens of millions here, a few dozens of millions there: pretty soon we are looking at some real serious money!"

Nothing is easier than spending other people's money while keeping your own wallet clutched ever so tightly.

Posted by: Palopu on February 22 2006 8:58 PM

I wonder sometime if our Mayor and City Council actually have the where withal to understand the workings of a Municipality. It seems to me that other Citys such and Kamloops, Kelowna, and those down south also Grande Prairie, Edmonton, Calgary, St Johns NL, have more Professional Politicians, who seem to have some concern about the Infrastructure of their Citys and do not go so far into debt.

Is it possible that our Mayor and Councillors are really not up to the task of running a City.

Im only guessing here but I would be willing to bet that Prince George with a population of 75000 people has the following.

The highest tax base for a City of this size in Canada.

The highest debt for a City of this size in Canada

More Police and Fireman per capita that other Citys of this size in Canada.

More staff, Union and otherwise, that any others.

More equipment than others.

More recreational facilities, civic buildings, etc.

In other words we are out of control.

Posted by: diplomat on February 23 2006 9:06 AM

pal: "Is it possible that our Mayor and Councillors are really not up to the task of running a City."

If you are inferring that "running a city" means running it efficiently, with attention to detail, with a longe range plan,
and with respect for the taxpayers' dollars the answer is:

Yes, it is possible.

I used to watch the city council sessions on Cable 10.

No more. There is a total lack of enthusiasm and little engagement with real down-to-earth issues.

Watching grass grow is more exciting.