We are usually one of the first to jump on the penny-pinching political bandwagon. Politicians should spend taxpayers' dollars as frugally and thoughtfully as possible. So, when a small brouhaha erupted this past week over Lower Mainland politicians spending the night in downtown Vancouver hotels during the Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention - we prepared to join the pile-on. However, this is one occasion when we believe that most politicians who stayed overnight in a downtown hotel on the taxpayers' dime, were justified in doing so.
Burnaby's politicians chose to com-mute and not ding the taxpayers, but as Burnaby city councillor Sav Dhaliwal said, the expense of staying overnight could be easily justified. When days can run from 8 a.m. to 11 at night, and many valuable connections can be made over dinners and breakfasts - it makes sense to avoid commuting time. (For the story, go to www.burnabynow.com)
Wayne Wright, New Westminster's mayor, chose to stay at the Pan Pacific Hotel for three nights - and rightly so. He hosted two evening events, attended the Big City Mayors' Caucus meeting on housing on Thursday and, we're sure, made some valuable connections and helped spread the word about New Westminster.
Now, if one is seriously concerned about wasting taxpayer money on hotels and trips - we suggest examining the true value of trips to sister cities. Both New Westminster and Burnaby have spent tens of thousands of dollars on these trips, earning, perhaps, pocketfuls of goodwill but tangible benefits are much harder to display - albeit the gorgeous tans and multitudes of photos taken with foreign city leaders should count for something, shouldn't they?
