The Editor,
I am a progressive person who supports almost any action the city could take that would make life better for the residents of Richmond.
Please tell me how yet another sister city in China will help us? In a time when property taxes are rising and TransLink is scooping even deeper into our pockets, how can we afford such a fine perk for city officials?
I am willing to bet Richmond officials even find a way to make it to the Olympics in London.
From where does the money come?
This is the money that was left over from the RCMP budget because they are understaffed. So, money that was allocated to protect Richmond residents and businesses is being squandered on social trips.
Our mayor spoke out against the "surprise" wage increase that the treasury board gave the RCMP. Mr. Brodie, folks get raises.
Municipal police got a nice increase in their collective agreement just last year.
And, the RCMP are still in third place behind municipal police and the number one wage earners - the transit police.
But where will we find the money for the slight raise in pay? What about the surplus from last year's budget? Sorry, that has been converted to a travel budget for city council and friends.
It is a good thing they are running a city because if they were trying to run a business, they would fail.
Scott Stewart
Richmond
