The Editor,
There are three significant agricultural commodities produced in Richmond. Two are produced by traditional farmers who grow blueberries and cranberries in Richmond's fertile soil. Traditional farming involves high land, labour and input (fertilizer) costs for a lot of risk and uncertain returns. They could learn from city hall who farms its residents and businesses for taxes while fertilizing them with BS.
Fifteen thousand dollars to send four people to Onagawa, Japan for a photo opportunity. Really? No wonder people are cynical about contributing to worthy causes. Ten per cent of the value of the $150,000 contribution just to deliver the cheque?
The earthquake occurred over a year ago. Why has council been holding onto these funds? The people of Onagawa are not game show or reality show winners. They are the survivors of a tragic and devastating earthquake and tsunami. Cancel the trips and send the money by courier to the people of Onagawa who need to see a delegation from Richmond, B.C. like a fish needs a bicycle.
Further, the mayor, six councillors and three staff are set to fly to Xiamen, China to talk about where planes are going to land, "lucrative" foreign study and "culture" all for the bargain price of approximately $40,000 - final cost to be determined.
We are offered no firm budget, no detailed itinerary, no concrete objectives, just feel-good platitudes. The taxpayers are already advised by council's spokesperson that council has budgeted another $250,000 for similar trips before the next election in three years. Hopefully, the farmed residents will remember and hold the tax farmers accountable.
Reinhard Pekarek Richmond
