As a resident, I was completely flabbergasted at Councillor Sheena Hughes’ motion to provide a direct $50,000 donation of public money to STARS. Let me first say, I appreciate STARS and the work it does across Alberta. In fact, I’ve already personally supported the organization through the purchase of its calendar and several Dream Home lottery tickets. With STARS already receiving provincial funding and in a financial position to hold Dream Home Lotteries and publish calendars to sell, I do question the need for a municipality to fund a provincial service.
However, my issue is not about STARS, it is about ethics, consistency and transparency.
Numerous worthy non-profit organizations right here in St. Albert must go through a significant application process annually to request funds for their programs and operations. Some groups even have to pitch a business case in person and be peppered with questions “on the stand” to hopefully obtain any support during the city’s regular budget process. In addition, a final report must be provided to the city to account and demonstrate how the funds were used. This comes with the territory in the charitable sector.
But, for a city councillor willing to just wave a wand and simply direct $50,000 to her preferred charity outside of all well-established protocols and processes, and without public input as is offered at budget time, raises questions about fairness, consistency, and whether a backdoor process is available for some select groups to receive money with no strings attached. It is an insult to all who follow the established protocols and work diligently in preparing business cases and proposals in hopes of maybe receiving city funding for charitable endeavours in St. Albert.
Tash Taylor, St. Albert
