No witch hunt

Dear editor:
In response to the letter to editor in last week’s Times headlined “Witch hunt,” we will attempt to try to set the record straight.
Being elected members of council, it is our duty to act on issues in the best interest of the taxpayers. When council expense questions arose, the Administration and Finance committee consisted of Couns. Roy Avis, Tannis Drysdale, and Todd Hamilton.
We were advised by administration that expense claims were being paid without proper documentation (i.e., receipts, completed expense claim forms, etc.)
After a lengthy discussion, we asked administration to review the existing policies. Coun. Hamilton telephoned Mayor Dan Onichuk to advise him that expenses were under review.
Our committee then reviewed policy and decided to eliminate the credit card and issue a purchase card to eliminate credit card cash advances. All purchases then would fall under the purchase card policy.
In September, 2005, the committee was advised that a purchase card had been used for personal use and that approximately 60 days had passed and the money was not repaid to the town.
The committee decided to send a recommendation to council to call for an audit of all mayor and councillors’ expenses, and the recommendation was passed by council on Sept. 26, 2005.
The personal expense was repaid Sept. 26, 2005—the same day council passed the resolution.
In consultation with BDO Dunwoody, it was recommended to first conduct an internal review according to Revenue Canada Policies.
On April 10, 2006, this review was presented to council and became a public document. We must say there are discrepancies in the report and the mayor’s letter last week.
We will sum up by saying this was not a “witch hunt,” but only a means to make sure all elected officials are accountable. Since we asked for the review, all expense claims finally are being submitted according to policy.
We will sign off by saying: Should an account be paid without an invoice or an itemized statement?
Signed,
Couns. Roy Avis,
Tannis Drysdale,
and Todd Hamilton