Gibsons Mayor Wayne Rowe fired back Tuesday night after Coun. Lee Ann Johnson criticized his decision to donate $1,000 during council’s August break to sponsor a Pro-voc-a-talks appearance in Sechelt by Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie.
Raising the issue under new business at council’s committee of the whole meeting, Johnson said it concerned her that the Town was “sponsoring an activity by an organization that is actively involved in political positions and lobbying.”
The Coast Community Builders Association organized the event, with the sponsorship and backing of Sechelt First Nation.
Another concern, she said, was about Rowe’s “authority to expend $1,000 without council being involved in the decision-making.”
Johnson said the sponsorship was “embarrassing to me, actually,” adding that her objections had “nothing to do with Chief Louie.”
In response, Rowe read an email he sent to Johnson on Sept. 3, explaining his rationale for granting the $1,000 sponsorship and inviting her to meet him to discuss concerns she had shared with the chief administrative officer.
“You didn’t give me the respect to come and talk to me about that and I’m really disappointed in you and I challenge your motives,” Rowe scolded Johnson.
“I would do this again,” he said. “The sponsorship was for Chief Louie in support of the Sechelt Band, that’s what it was.”
“I’m sorry you consider that disrespectful,” Johnson replied. “I’m sorry also that it hasn’t been raised publicly, and the reason that I wanted to raise it tonight is that I think it is a public issue, not just a private issue between us.”
Johnson said she recognized “bad timing” was part of the problem and appreciated Rowe’s efforts to work with the Sechelt Nation.
“But I am also concerned that the Town does not normally advertise or try to sponsor something that is a paid event … and a very expensive paid event for a lot of people in our community who can’t afford to lay out money for that.”
Rowe pointed out the Town had participated in two major events hosted by the Sechelt Nation, focused on economic development and cultural awareness.
“This was an opportunity for us to act and put our money where our mouth is, and co-operate with them in bringing something to the community that they thought was important.”
With the request coming during council’s August break, he said, he did not believe the matter warranted calling council back to discuss it.
“That was a decision I made and I stand by it.”
When Coun. Dan Bou-man asked how Rowe could authorize spending that was not budgeted by council, Rowe said every single expenditure does not come to council for approval.
“I sign over 50 cheques a week, hundreds of thousands of dollars, quite frankly — $2-million budget. So we make some judgment calls.”
Each of the Town budgets contains funds for general promotions and other items, he said, noting that he had consulted with the director of finance to ensure there were funds available before authorizing the contribution.
In his Sept. 3 email to Johnson, Rowe said the request for sponsorship was for $2,500 to $5,000 and organizers had indicated they were expecting sponsorships from other local governments on the Sunshine Coast.
The Pro-voc-a-talks event is scheduled for this Friday, Sept. 12, at the Rockwood Centre in Sechelt. Ticket prices for the general public were $65 for the event and $110 for VIP tickets that included admission to a reception before the event.
