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Following the Remembrance Day ceremonies at 100 Mile Community Hall on Nov. 11, a Government of Canada wreath was laid at the base of the Cenotaph by Afghanistan Veteran Bradley Hartwell. From the left, Canadian Rangers Ranger Ian Sampson, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #260 - 100 Mile House past president Bev Torrance, Legion president Gord Martin, Hartwell, Lynda Krupp who represented Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod and the Canadian government, and Ranger Cherie Nickel participated in the wreath-laying ceremony.
Local government auditor chosen Chamber of Commerce comments irk Mayor Campsall
Carole Rooney Free Press
Premier Christy Clark has appointed Basia Ruta as British Columbia’s first Auditor General for Local Government (AGLG). The British Columbia Chamber of Commerce (BCCC) welcomed the announcement. BCCC president and CEO John Winter says it is evidence the provincial government has “clearly listened to the needs of businesses.” Winter adds local government was not previously independently audited, as other levels are, and “the AGLG will provide much needed transparency and accountability at the local level to protect the taxpayer.” 100 Mile House Mayor Mitch Campsall says he doesn’t have any
comments on Ruta’s selection, but ency, in reality, local governments he does take exception to Winter’s are probably the most transparent remarks. government out there.... We get Campsall explains the crux of his audited by the provincial governcomments isn’t true, and it gets his ment; we get audited by the federal “blood curdled” to see them circu- government, and every time we get lated around the province. a grant they come and audit every“It’s very disturbing when thing we do.” you see the president & CEO South Cariboo Chamber of BCCC making a false of Commerce president Tom statement that ‘local govBachynski says “auditor is ernment is the only level of such an evil title” but they government that isn’t subreally do help. ject to independent audit’. “If processes and policies I guess that’s what causes are being ignored or wrongTOM rifts between chambers of fully altered, the auditor can BACHYNSKI commerce and local governcorrect such things. ments.” “I’m sure it will be a level The district has an independent of discomfort for all municipalities audit done every year, he notes. to go through the process, but they “I guess [Winter] doesn’t under- will come out the other side more stand what a performance audit is. competent and ready to face other “When they talk about transpar- challenges with proper action.”
Bachynski adds he has no concerns about his community’s local government, noting it will be audited along with all other municipalities. “So long as they stay positive, I’m sure they will come away better informed and equipped to handle today’s challenges.” Ruta, a chartered accountant, has extensive experience working in the federal Office of the Auditor General, with more than 30 years’ experience in both the public and private sectors. She is reported to have valuable knowledge of local and regional governance gained through conducting audits of local government, hospital and community organizations. Winter notes the concept for the AGLG in British Columbia was developed by the BCCC in a policy paper.