Editor, The News:
Re: Councillors at odds over gala ticket (The News, Jan. 24).
Regarding the recent councillor dismay over expense spending, I’m sure that the $250 cost wasn’t the only differed expense from all councillor and mayor expenses from partying after 7 p.m. throughout last year.
The income in taxes collected from the institution located as a gainful employer and contributor to Maple Ridge’s bottom line outweighs this expense.
As for Corisa Bell sending her daughter for education does not propose a conflict of interest any more than using the hospital on district council.
What I see is tea party politics, dirt and dust being kicked up for election time.
Coun. Bell was one of two council people who responded to my concerns and was quite refreshing to speak with her then, and she bought the coffee, although I offered.
If council was so prudent with my dollars we wouldn’t see the increase in taxes yearly, larger amounts of local jobs obtainable through industrial tax base and urban sprawl with shortsightedness.
Part of the political process is networking, attendance, and, yes, expenses.
I would be upset if there was a trip to Israel, or a limo instead of a cab. It’s not like she’s thinking of work on multiple levels of governments or staying on to sway a vote.
Todd Turner
Maple Ridge
Beyond the realm
Editor, The News:
Re: Councillors at odds over gala ticket (The News, Jan. 24).
While I like her feisty attitude and a breath of fresh air on another wise boring council, many who have sat in the same chairs for too many years, Coun. Corisa Bell has gone beyond the realm of reality in claiming taxpayers’ money to attend a private function.
Her credibility is slipping and I would suggest she take a good hard look at herself if she is thinking of running for mayor. This is not a good start. I voted for her in the municipal election, but no way at the moment for mayor.
Perhaps I should think about running for council if private functions are included in expenses.
My son could start a fundraiser in Munich, Germany, where he resides, and I could attend.
Bob Kerfoot
Maple Ridge
Can’t catch break
Editor, The News:
Re: Coun. Bell considering run for mayor (The News, Jan. 15); Bell leads 2013 Maple Ridge council list of expenses (The News, Jan. 15).
How interesting that your newspaper chose to run two stories on Coun. Corisa Bell, the first building her up and the next knocking her down.
I tried to make sense of Page 3. Basically, I learned that Coun. Bell “might” become a candidate and run for mayor. Then Coun. Cheryl Ashlie dissed her at the end of the article.
In the next item, I found out Coun. Bell has been the biggest spender on council, attending educational conferences and seminars on a variety of topics pertaining to municipal governments. She’s a new councillor trying to educate herself on how to better serve our community. Then a council watcher dissed her at the end of the article. Wow, Coun. Bell, you just can’t catch a break.
Kim Pechet
Maple Ridge
Them, too
Editor, The News:
Re: Councillors at odds over gala ticket (The News, Jan. 24).
If the ceiling for councillors’ expenses is $5,000, all well and good. If they exceed that limit, it should be paid from their own pocket. The rest of us must budget, why not them?
Richard Ward
Maple Ridge