By Armchair Mayor

ROTHENBURGER: Doesn’t every Legislature need a wood splitter?

Jan 23, 2019 | 3:33 AM

KAMLOOPS — WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL about the wood splitter?

Doesn’t every Legislature need one? You never know when a tree is going to fall down on the Legislative grounds.

And where did you think they would park it? At the clerk’s house, of course, where it would have to be tested to make sure it’s in good working order.

Seriously, though, nothing gets taxpayers madder than what we like to call the “culture of entitlement,” whether it involves politicians or bureaucrats.

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A couple of months ago, House Speaker Darryl Plecas was under the gun for his handling of the suspension of clerk Craig James and sergeant-at-arms Gary Lenz. Everybody wanted answers on what’s going on.

Well, he’s now provided those answers in a 76-page report, and opinions about Speaker Plecas have shifted pretty dramatically.

The $3,000 splitter is but one example of spending that Plecas found questionable, along with some trips, allowances, digital magazine subscriptions and a new suit and cufflinks.

It seems destined to rank right up there with the $16 glass of orange juice purchased in a London hotel by then-federal cabinet minister Bev Oda a half dozen years ago.

The legality or illegality of any of the expenditures outlined in Plecas’ report have yet to be determined — RCMP, auditors, independent special prosecutors and maybe the courts will decide that. James and Lenz, who haven’t been charged with anything, say the report is unfair.

But the legislative assembly’s management committee, which received the report from Plecas, should be commended for making it public. And, likewise, Plecas deserves credit for deciding that the old way of doing things isn’t always okay.

Maybe this time something will actually be done about accountability in government. I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and newspaper editor. He publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.