This resort-like conference centre looks wonderful; the website shows photos of wooden bridges crossing scenic streams, of a kayaker spending a lazy moment on the water, and of games of every sort.
Is it also where our York Region politicians plan to spend a half of a week in January paid for by public funds.
Regarding what is expected to cost in the range of $15,000, York Region Chairman Wayne Emmerson is promising us that all the darts, pool tables, and other activities will lead to deep discussion on Regional priorities.
Chairman Emmerson can't give us an exact figure on the cost because he says it will depend on how many of the invited politicians will sleep over at Kingsbridge for the three days.
Excuse me? Sleep over?
Kingsbridge is located at 12750 Jane St. Here is a list of how far your politician will be commuting to this conference centre:
| Richmond Hill | 16 km | |
| Aurora | 16 km | |
| Newmarket | 23 km | |
| Vaughan | 10 km | |
| Stouffville | 27 km | |
| East Gwillimbury | 36 km | |
| Georgina | 59 km | |
| Markham | 34 km | |
(I didn't include King on this list because that is the municipality where Kingsbridge is located).
Nobody is travelling an unreasonable amount of time to get to Kingsbridge. There is nothing in the commuting time that would justify staying over for three nights.
However, an excuse could be made for those politicians who wish to drink to excess (paid for by the taxpayers of course). To avoid drinking and driving, perhaps a case could be made for spending the night. But even in those cases, where the politician plans on getting inebriated, the cost of a cab ride home seems far more reasonable.
Or better yet, how about not drinking at all? These politicians are supposed to working after all.
Look, let's call this Kingsbridge politician retreat for what it is. It is our local politicians once again living high off the hog paid for by you and me.
Remember this incident because your property tax bill for 2015 will be arriving in your mailbox within a few weeks. If you are wondering about why your taxes have gone up, it's because of incidents like this. The Gruesome Twosome - Tony Van Bynen and John Taylor - will be attending this event and, like piglets at the trough, will be enjoying themselves because the rest of us are paying for it.
Oh, and just in case you wanted to drop in and see what kind of work your politician is doing while at this conference? Well you can't. These January 28-30 meetings are in camera only meaning that they are closed to the public. We'll have to take their word for it when they tell us they are working hard on our behalf.
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