Dear editor,
A few weeks ago Murray Presley wrote about the need for local governments to live within their means.
I and most taxpayers couldn’t agree more. Perhaps then, Mr. Presley, as chair of CVEDS should look deeply in the mirror. While everyone else is required to belt-tighten, it appears that CVEDS continually receives more and more of taxpayers' dollars to the tune of the most recently endorsed budget of $900,000.
All of the current candidates running for public office are stating they are going to strive for belt-tightening and fiscal responsibility. Some of these same people are the ones who endorsed the CVEDS budget increase.
Back on March 18 a letter to the editor was written by Craig Senn asking excellent questions about CVEDS.
Did any of the politicians pay attention? Have these questions been answered?
In addition to Mr. Senn’s questions, the taxpayers should have a full accounting of expenditures such as a breakdown of trips taken by staff and directors in the past five years.
What will the financial implications be to the taxpayer for the new visitor centre? How much will the proposed farmer’s market on Dyke Road cost and how much will the vendors be subsidized by taxpayers? Why does the CVEDS website still have Olympic Opportunities listed as a key directory?
CVEDS took over the responsibility of destination marketing of tourism from Comox Valley Tourism based on the fact that they could do a better job and it would be more cost-effective.
Has CVEDS in fact reduced their expenditures and improved on what CVT was delivering? Have tourism operators been pleased with the efforts of CVEDS? Has there been an increase in tourism?
And one last question.
Why did this taxpayer-funded position of the executive director of CVEDS not go through the normal hiring procedures such as advertising for the position and an interviewing process?
The mood of the electorate in the past year has clearly shown it will not continue to tolerate or support politicians and bureaucrats who do not listen.
Name withheld by request