Re: “Speaker accuses two legislature officials of ‘flagrant overspending,’ ” Jan. 22.
Monday night, I could not sleep because I made the mistake of reading the 76-page report by Speaker Darryl Plecas on the alleged shenanigans by the clerk of the house, Craig James, and the sergeant-at-arms, Gary Lenz.
The report alleges that these two men had access to the public trough and used the cash in that trough to sweeten their lavish lifestyles. They were able to do this because there appear to be no checks and balances. This is a classic case of “I am entitled to my entitlements.”
I firmly believe that this is just the tip of the iceberg. How many more senior managers in government also have unfettered access to this trough of unlimited cash? It concerns me that the auditor general just signs off on these expenditures without seeing the “red flags.” Is the culture of entitlement so ingrained that she is not able to see the gross and flagrant abuses happening?
It is time for an in-depth audit done by an outside expert that excludes the current auditor general. Strict guidelines must be put in place governing legitimate billable expenditures. Taxpayers deserve nothing less.
Guy Hamel
Victoria
