To the Editor,
In direct response to last week's St. Paul Journal editorial and just in case you may have mistakenly thought that there wasn't a credible defense to this political “hostility:"
A total of approximately $6,000 since 2004 and 2005 is like $200/year per municipality. A single tank of fuel for my pick-me-up truck is routinely over $100.
A $500 table with dinner (for 8?) after expenses has a very small “profit margin."
A similarly priced team golf fee (with food) likely also has a similarly small profit margin.
As I know it, the LLB/St. Paul PC Ass'n has most often gone out of its way to undercharge for its activities to encourage affordable participation by everyday constituents.
Big and medium-sized business is regularly in the face of our politicians at nearly every opportunity, and that is not always bad, as they might be ethical rural employers and community contributors. (Recent news states that the top 30 companies in North America (USA) spend more money on government lobby efforts than they pay in taxes per year.)
On behalf of their personal interests, everyday Albertans need to compete clearly and effectively in government decision-making.
Municipal representatives that might attend and network and inform provincial officials at local event opportunities most likely do so on behalf of their commitment to their electors.
Everyday Albertans hope for, expect, and might correctly demand such participation from their municipal representatives.
Volunteers are quite often less knowledgeable of obscure technicalities than paid professionals.
Old laws need to be changed from time to time.
We must all, and to the best of our ability, abide with even questionable laws: that is the law.
We have the option, the hope, and even the responsibility to lobby to have such laws changed when they don't make good sense, especially while we continue to participate in government through good democratic process and activities.
Do I as a taxpayer want my elected municipal representatives networking with the important decision-makers of our province at every opportunity possible, and especially when we might get them into our constituency: absolutely YES!
Should it matter from which political party they or I choose to take part: Hell No!
In this upcoming Festive Season, I must say, let's go out of our way to give thanks to those that work so hard on our behalf that their very success might sometimes make them the biggest targets for criticism. A merry Christmas to those that volunteer to continue to generate the great energy that LacLa Biche/St. Paul (& Two Hills) has developed, to our elected and hired municipal officials, their (our) public service employees, and to Ray Danyluk, his family and his staff. Our small gift of thanks will never come even close to that which you bring to our greater Alberta community time and time again!
Jerry Bidulock
St. Paul
