THE EDITOR,
I'm sure I represent many voters when I state that I'm disillusioned with the state of affairs in Richmond!
The departure of one of our most respected councillors has just reinforced my feelings with his parting remarks.
As a result, I have a few questions which I place before the councillors seeking re-election, and also to those who look to be elected for the first time.
I must admit that I have little hope that any of the current bunch will deign to answer for their actions in the last few years.
But here goes nothing. First, how much is the "Big Owe-val" costing us to operate? The total amount, per year, over and above any earnings that this place is sucking out of civic funds.
Second, why is the top bureaucrat in Richmond being paid the third highest salary in the metro district - $284,097, versus Vancouver's top bureaucrat at $313,577?
Third, in the list of the 40 highest paid civic bureaucrats, recently published, TransLink has 12 of the top 40 earners, next is Richmond with nine of the top 40 salaries, then Vancouver with seven of the top 40.
All the rest of the cities place only one top earner each! Why this huge discrepancy, and how was it allowed to happen?
Fourth, when is the last time our councillors have conducted a line-byline examination of each departments budget, as opposed to merely approving the total budget on the assurance of one or more of our bureaucrats?
Fifth, who initiated the million dollar expenditure for the Tall Ships float fiasco?
The one that is of no use to anyone, that sits useless in the mouth of the Fraser, and why, when the Tall Ships didn't materialize, did they continue to construct this floating white elephant?
We need a commitment to an auditor for Richmond with no restrictions on the audits or investigations. Will you so declare?
Perhaps the answers will convince some voters how to mark their ballots, and a refusal to provide answers may convince even more as to how to vote.
Terry Murphy
Richmond
