Council financial skills training inadequate
Ninety-one local politicians have now signed off on their 2021 budget, following a year when our lives and local government was turned upside down. Pandemic budgets were balanced mostly by…
Shake, rattle and roll on spring roads
The Bumpiest-Road-in-Greater Victoria contest, the third annual, finishes at the end of April, so get your nomination in asap, to grumpytaxpayers@gmail.com All winners gain fame: First prize is a set…
Be wary of wonky and wicked municipal taxation
All is fair in love and war, and, it seems, municipal taxation. To illustrate, here are a few stories about local taxation that we find wonky and wicked and worthy…
Mr. Premier, why didn’t my municipal vote count?
Governance undermined after many mail-in by-election votes left uncounted Grumpy Taxpayer$ calls on the province to amend legislation to establish an earlier nomination period that would enable mail election and…
What have we learned about dealing with a crisis?
Still no integrated emergency plan or rehearsal A year into the anticipated pandemic, what have we learned? Are there lessons to be had for dealing with crisis? The most basic…
Constant controversy swirls around local councils
Our municipal leaders seem to have turned governance into a blood sport that features better drama than anything found on Netflix. Local politics by its nature – there are strong…
Ombudsman complaint filed against Langford about transparency
Municipal watchdog files complaint against Langford, claiming lack of transparency, Times Colonist, Jan. 21, 2021. Grumpy Taxpayer$ has filed a complaint with the B.C. Ombudsperson against Langford over lack of…
When councils misbehave, there are remedies
Province urged to show leadership and bring in a council code of conduct with enforced penalties When a councilor or mayor misbehaves are there remedies for taxpayers short of an…
Langford finally approves council live-streaming
Langford funds council live-streaming – Feb. 22, 2021 Update Langford recently approved a motion to fund and proceed with live-streaming of council meeting. Agenda Item 7 (c) 5 Council approved…