Calgary Aldermen Expense Claims Under Scrutiny - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

ken0042 · 07-09-2009, 08:54 AM

You're footing the bill for aldermanic golf lessons and dry cleaning.

A review of the expenses claimed by the people who represent calgarians at city hall, has revealed how much aldermen are putting on the public tab

I heard this on the radio. Some of these are laughable- like $200 for alterations for a Stampede shirt.

I-Hate-Hulse · 07-09-2009, 08:59 AM

On one hand, I think this is much ado about nothing. I'm pretty sure most of the people here have expensed stuff wayyyyyy more heinous than drycleaning, and for far more than a few hundred bucks...

On the other hand, it's fun to watch the supposed Mr Fiscal Responsibility Ric Mciver hash up this lump of crap.

Ald. Ric McIver, whose cleaning tab totalled $450, said he charged for the expense because the policy allows it.
"In a city of a million people, I'm not sure people want their representatives looking shabby," he said.

starseed · 07-09-2009, 09:00 AM

It is time to pass a law giving out major fines/jail time for frivolous waste of public money. This is really getting frustrating to hear.

mykalberta · 07-09-2009, 09:01 AM

I read the article in the Herald. The only thing I have a problem with is personal websites. The City provides websites for them (they are laughable in quality but still). 99% of what they showed as outrageous should be allowed. I have no problem with them charging golf or dry cleaning.

The golf lessons sound bad, but a guy who has to go these functions who doesnt golf needs to learn at least how to hit the ball, its a job requirement. I have no problem with the dry cleaning.

The 2 things that stood out for me.

1 - iddiot said he needed a home router to connect for work. Who the hell spends 149 on a router - oh wait some old balls who doesnt know a lick about technology.

2 - some guy expensed a home security system

starseed · 07-09-2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

"In a city of a million people, I'm not sure people want their representatives looking shabby," he said.

He could go to work wearing a burlap sack for all I care, just dont make me pay for your dress and grooming.

moncton golden flames · 07-09-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

The golf lessons sound bad, but a guy who has to go these functions who doesnt golf needs to learn at least how to hit the ball, its a job requirement.

i kind of understand where you are coming from, but i also disagree. first, i know andre chabot, and he golfs regularly from what he tells me. second, he doesn't need to be a good golfer, he just needs to participate. he's a politician, not a golf pro, he's there to make network connections not to lower his handicap.

mykalberta · 07-09-2009, 09:21 AM

While Calgary Alderman are normally exempt from the below, I will group them in for the sake of argument.

Politicans simply dont get paid enough for the crap they have to put up with. If he is being asked to go to charity golf events and cannot golf that goesnt give a good representation of the City or himself vis a vi his ward if he cannot hit a ball off the tee.

I am only going with what he was quoted in the Herald. His excuse for the golf lessons was that basically he didnt play golf in his personal life, and only did it as a job requirement.

I cant believe I wasted time posting defeding Calgary politicans who run a city that wont allow me to get a street parking pass because I own a condo. sometimes I really hate this city, then I go visit my friends in Edmonton and I dont feel so bad - untl I come back that is and the power to my condo has gone out over a weekend. 11 times this year and counting. Thank you City of Calgary and you BS Enmax.

ken0042 · 07-09-2009, 09:24 AM

Just read the Herald article. Now the dry cleaning doesn't sound so bad. The way it came across on the radio this morning was that 11 aldermen each charged $4000+ per drycleaning; instead of $4000 between all of them.

Phaneuf3 · 07-09-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Ald. Ric McIver, whose cleaning tab totalled $450, said he charged for the expense because the policy allows it.
"In a city of a million people, I'm not sure people want their representatives looking shabby," he said.

Lol!
I'm sure my boss doesn't want me looking like a slob. Be right back. Taking the company credit card to Holt Renfrew - I'm sure he won't mind.

Cowboy89 · 07-09-2009, 09:43 AM

This is really nickel and dime stuff, as much as I rail on city council I can't get too angry over this stuff. The issues to sweat about are the money spending decisions that they make on a grand scale.

mykalberta · 07-09-2009, 09:45 AM

Personally I think the guy who expensed the home security system should be fired. Other than that no real problem with it.

Ozy_Flame · 07-09-2009, 10:17 AM

The Aldermen are constantly on camera, and have to look good.

Would you rather they charge for dry cleaning? Or charge the city for new suits to replace the old, wrongly-washed dirty ones?

Also, the City has an in-house drycleaning service.

Muta · 07-09-2009, 10:27 AM

I don't get it. Why is dryleaning expensable, when as Ozy says, they have an in-house drycleaning service?

Ric McIver, once again, makes himself look like an idiot.

Rerun · 07-09-2009, 10:29 AM

Looks like some people got caught with there hand in the cookie jar.

Unfortunately, the worst that will happen is that they get a good scolding and all will be forgotten.

SportsJunky · 07-09-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rerun

Looks like some people got caught with there hand in the cookie jar.

Unfortunately, the worst that will happen is that they get a good scolding and all will be forgotten.

Grammar! Don't be insulted.

Ozy_Flame · 07-09-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muta

I don't get it. Why is dryleaning expensable, when as Ozy says, they have an in-house drycleaning service?

Ric McIver, once again, makes himself look like an idiot.

Actually when I say in-house, it's a private drycleaner that is co-operated at the convinience store. It's not really in-house; it's just in-building, and therefore convenient.

calculoso · 07-09-2009, 10:47 AM

Many jobs allow for dry-cleaning to be expensed. I don't have an issue with that. It's common.

To me, this sounds like a slow news day and someone sniffing for and creating a story.

Rerun · 07-09-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Grammar! Don't be insulted.

Sorry Sir... my mistake.

But in my defense, here is what I posted in another thread...

Quote:

I blame the internet for poor spelling. In the old days, when everything was hand written, a person took the time to consider the spelling of each and every word.

Now with the advent of message boards, we (or at least I) tend to type everything so quickly that we (I) really don't read what we (I) just typed.

I know the difference between who's and whose, there and their, joke and jerk... but sometimes in the heat of the moment and trying to get our (my) thoughts posted as quickly as possible, the spelling of the words sometimes come out wrong.

CM ONE · 07-09-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

Tell me about it, I feel totally overtaxed, then my mother in-law told me they pay $3000 per month in city taxes in New Jersey, I guess my $300 per month ain't so bad.

3 grand a month!?! Do you have pictures of this house?

Rerun · 07-09-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

Tell me about it, I feel totally overtaxed, then my mother in-law told me they pay $3000 per month in city taxes in New Jersey, I guess my $300 per month ain't so bad.

I don't believe she pays $36,000 per year in property tax. She has obviously made a huge mistake.... or she lives in a mansion, in which case I don't feel sorry for her at all.