Politicians deserve holidays and getaway time from the pressure cooker of municipal politics. We wonder how they should get these breaks. As gifts from developers? As perks from lobbyists? As small tokens of a job well done? These are trying questions to consider.
Perhaps a certain expense level can be ignored: a bottle of wine seems small; a paid for lunch, minor; picking up the tab for a bar expense, negligible. These are undoubtedly are difficult considerations but at what point are they negligible and when should they not be ignored?
Every councillor likely receives many small tokens of appreciation, gifts of gratitude. Surely, these cannot all be lumped into a bin of duplicity and questionable conduct. However, there has to be a line drawn somewhere as politicians are in a position where they can receive gifts, token of appreciation with strings attached. The donor expects something in return and this moves us into questionable territory.
What is a ‘forgivable gift?’ Covering costs of a vacation? A holiday? Certainly politicians are deserving of such but the question bears repetition, at whose expense?
The MASTERS GOLF TOURNAMENT is a jewel of a sports event. The average price of a spectator’s ticket to the event is $5000. Attending this four day event, could easily cost a spectator over $10,000 exclusive of transportation costs.
It is hoped there is no reason to question Mayor Ashe’s attendance at the MASTERS. But the picture is unsettling.
POSTS somewhat related to the above post...
EDITORIAL: Disclosure rules need more clarity and more transparency
Politicians deserve holidays and getaway time from the pressure cooker of municipal politics. We wonder how they should get these breaks. As gifts from developers? As perks from lobbyists? As small tokens of a job well done? These are trying questions to consider.
Perhaps a certain expense level can be ignored: a bottle of wine seems small; a paid for lunch, minor; picking up the tab for a bar expense, negligible. These are undoubtedly are difficult considerations but at what point are they negligible and when should they not be ignored?
Every councillor likely receives many small tokens of appreciation, gifts of gratitude. Surely, these cannot all be lumped into a bin of duplicity and questionable conduct. However, there has to be a line drawn somewhere as politicians are in a position where they can receive gifts, token of appreciation with strings attached. The donor expects something in return and this moves us into questionable territory.
What is a ‘forgivable gift?’ Covering costs of a vacation? A holiday? Certainly politicians are deserving of such but the question bears repetition, at whose expense?
The MASTERS GOLF TOURNAMENT is a jewel of a sports event. The average price of a spectator’s ticket to the event is $5000. Attending this four day event, could easily cost a spectator over $10,000 exclusive of transportation costs.
It is hoped there is no reason to question Mayor Ashe’s attendance at the MASTERS. But the picture is unsettling.
POSTS somewhat related to the above post...