It has just been reported that The Land Conservancy is broke and can’t pay their taxes for land around the Sooke Potholes.
There is something amiss when an organization can purchase land without a sustainable income. When you rely on the generosity of people, it can be an uphill struggle to continue to keep asking for more. Many may agree and fight for the cause, but words are cheap, it’s money that speaks the loudest.
Perhaps it is time to take a look at the pay packages. The audited financial statements for 2011 show $2.3 million for salaries, wages, etc. If they expect people to contribute their money then perhaps the paid executive should be contributing their time as well. After all, it is about saving the land isn’t it? The District of Sooke cannot run on idealogy nor should TLC. Everyone has to pay their taxes, whether it is a good cause or not. They never applied for any tax exemptions nor should they if they have well-paid staff.
The cause is a good one, it’s just one good deed and one good salary too many.