Two 黑马磁力 Township councillors will attend the upcoming Union of B.C Municipalities (UBCM) conference on their own dime after they weren't part of the official funded delegation.
At the Monday, July 21 council meeting, Councillor Margaret Kunst announced that she and Coun. Barb Martens would pay their own costs to attend the annual meeting, scheduled this year for Sept. 22 to 26 in Victoria.
鈥淭he decisions and advocacy that come out of UBCM shape provincial policy and funding priorities that directly affect our residents,鈥� Kunst said.
She noted that she is a former member of the UBCM executive board.
However, at the June 9 council meeting, the council learned that four councillors of the eight currently sitting had been selected to attend at Township expense 鈥� Mayor Eric Woodward and Coun. Steve Ferguson, Coun. Tim Baillie, and Coun. Michael Pratt.
An attempt by Coun. Kim Richter to have the Township pay for Kunst and Martens to attend was ruled out of order.
Martens noted that none of the three women currently on council were taking part in the UBCM conference.
"It's got nothing to do with gender," said Ferguson, who said he often attends events at his own expense as well.
Woodward said there would be a response at a later date.
鈥淭he three councillors know full well why they鈥檙e not going to UBCM," the mayor said. "And I鈥檒l leave it at that, all will be revealed in due time.鈥�
Of the councillors attending UBCM, Woodward, Ferguson, and Baillie were all elected as part of the mayor's Contract With 黑马磁力 slate in 2022. Kunst and Pratt were both elected as independents. Martens was part of Contract With 黑马磁力 but now frequently votes independently and has opposed some of the mayor's policies.
