City officials and former politicians will continue to receive free tee times and other perks in 2015.
On Wednesday, the Parks, Recreation & Culture Commission approved its list of recipients for its complimentary passes, which grants city officials free access to city-owned facilities such as recreation centres, swimming pools and golf courses. The passes are issued to current and former councillors, commissioners, school trustees, library board members and freemen of the city.
Earlier this year, the NOW uncovered a breakdown of 2013’s pass spending: Use of the passes amounted to $47,275.78, the majority of which ($41,904.59) was for golf at the Riverway and Burnaby Mountain courses. The program has a yearly limit of $50,000.
The top spenders included parks commissioner Wayne Peppard ($7,898.24), former commissioner Jim Kozak ($6,354.51), Mayor Derek Corrigan ($5,717.65), Coun. Colleen Jordan ($4,674.20) and then-school trustee James Wang ($3,518.10). Current councillors and commissioners are permitted an unrestricted number of guests while other recipients are allowed one guest each.
Before approving the list, Coun. Pietro Calendino stressed that not all recipients make use of their passes, and that the passes are meant to acknowledge the work of current and former city officials.
“I think it needs to be said that even though we do provide the passes to past commissioners, councillors, etc., that not all of them take advantage of the pass,” he told the commission. “It’s just a courtesy we give them as recognition that they have served in our community.”
Coun. Sav Dhaliwal, who chairs the parks commission, agreed, noting the complimentary passes have been in place for three decades.
Most of the names on the 2015 list are repeats from last year, but there are a few additions. Newly elected school trustee Katrina Chen was added to the list, as was now former councillor Richard Chang.
Additionally, some names have been removed, including late councillor Doug Evans.
