Juan de Fuca Regional Director Mike Hicks is holding his nose at the way some of the business at the Capital Regional District is done.
Hicks sits on the board of Westshore Parks and Recreation and CREST and because of this he was unable to vote on his budget at the last CRD board meeting on March 27.
Apparently a court ruling from a case on Salt Spring Island involving the Island Trust stated that a director was deemed in a conflict of interest and could not give money or okay budgets for a society they sat on.
“For that reason I am in conflict,” said Hicks. He said those budgets of the societies he sits on are bundled in with 65 others.
“I could not vote on my entire department.” These included the Port Renfrew and East Sooke Fire Departments.
“All my budgets had to approved by the CRD... this system stinks, it makes no sense. I am against taxation without representation.”
Hicks was also distressed that much of the CRD budget, including a $100 million loan authority for the sewer, was voted on by only three directors and a number of alternates.
“The bottom line is the regional director could not vote and authorize his budgets,” stated Hicks. “Out of 65 budgets, two of which are in conflict. Common sense would have seen them pulled but they are all in one bylaw. That’s another problem for Mr. Horgan to figure out when he’s in office.”
In Port Renfrew, Hicks said the move is on and the library which used to be in the school is moving to the rec centre which is undergoing some major renovations. The chamber of commerce office and post office will be moving there as well.