Editorials
November 13, 2008 02:07 AM
Aurora taxpayers are owed an explanation as to how nearly $450,000 of their money can be spent without proper authorization.
The town is locked in litigation, trying to recover more than $442,000 spent by staff without the knowledge of council on bulkhead repairs at the Stronach Aurora Recreation Centre.
The fact this can happen shows the town is irresponsible and cavalier when it comes to protecting taxpayers from fraud and inappropriate use of funds.
Taxpayers must demand to know how staff, even someone with positions of authority, has unlimited access to public funds and the ability to write cheques without council’s approval.
It is not good enough for Mayor Phyllis Morris to say this staff member did not follow “procedures” she insists are in place.
It leads one to believe there is no system in place and, if there is, it is the most ineffective process on record.
This is taxpayers’ money, spent during a time of an economic turmoil and one when the town is crying the blues about having an operating deficit of more than $500,000.
The town must be held accountable for allowing this money to be spent without due diligence.
The mayor needs to stop sidestepping the issue and start explaining to residents what steps will be taken to ensure public funds are not wasted.
Perhaps it’s time for an independent audit to find out if there are other discrepancies in the town’s “processes”.
It is time to be up front with residents, to be open and transparent about the town’s inefficiencies. How many other cheques have left the building without council’s knowledge?
This question will be weighing heavy on the minds of residents who send taxes to the town and so it should.
Taxpayers have the right to know immediately what will be done to fix this blatant disregard for public funds.