Grand Forks Gazette, April 10, 2013

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2013

VOL 116 NO. 15

page 20

❚ Kick off

Soccer season starts

A little India in Grand Forks

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LITTLE OAK REALTY

Habitat for Humanity (HFH) Boundary held A Taste of India fundraiser at the Gospel Chapel last Saturday. For $20, people were able to enjoy some East Indian cuisine and $1,300 was raised. Proceeds benefit HFH Boundary’s projects. Here, Monica Coleshill heaps food onto a plate for guests to enjoy at the kitchen at the Gospel Chapel. More pictures on page 17 and at www.grandforksgazette.ca.

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❚ FUNDING

City scraps grant-in-aid system

SASCHA PORTEOUS Gazette Reporter

There was long debate amongst councillors during the Committee of the Whole meeting on April 2, whether the city should do away with the controversial grant-in-aid policy or come up with a fair system for handing out taxpayers’ money. “We need to get rid of the concept of grant-inaid, it gives people false hope,” said Coun. Neil Krog. “It is an old fashioned idea and I believe a mistaken one.” When groups come to the City of Grand Forks requesting funding, they are actually requesting funding from the taxpayers, Krog added. “When the city gives $10,000 it equates to approximately a one per cent tax increase,” he said. When it comes to giving out money, Coun. Bob Kendel says the city should not be “cherry picking” one group over the other. “If we have a pot (of grant-in-aid money) whether it’s $1,000 or $100,000, as soon as we

agree to that forum of handing out public money, it becomes a who’s first in line, who gets it (scenario),” said Kendel. “I think that’s a dilemma. I personally don’t like to be put in that situation, where I have to differentiate or support one group or the other.” Coun. Gary Smith agreed that the grant-in-aid process represents a lottery draw. “We take taxpayers’ dollars and make basically arbitrary decisions on who to give that money too,” he said. “We need a way better policy.” Coun. Michael Wirischagin said that some members of the community have voiced concerns about handing out money to specific groups. “From what I have heard people saying is, do not give event-specific money out to one hockey tournament when there are four other ones of different age groups every single year,” he said, adding that there are numerous other sporting events that happen throughout the year that never receive any grant-in-aid funding. “If you are going to give money out, give it to umbrella organizations like the Boundary

arts council, bigger umbrella groups and not to event-specific groups, where we have to start picking and choosing,” he said. Coun. Patrick O’Doherty said it’s hard to tell one group that you don’t have money for them after you have given money to other organizations. “I feel strongly that if you are going to give to one group and not the other, that you don’t give any at all, because it’s the taxpayers’ money. Councillors decided to rescind the grant-inaid policy at the April 2 city council regular meeting that evening. Doug Allin, chief administrative officer with the City of Grant Forks, said that the city staff will look at a few different options in terms of the grant-in-aid, one of which could be a fee-forservice. Staff are working to bring forth more options for council to look at for the May 6 city council meeting. For more Committee of the Whole and regular meeting news, go to page 7.

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