I am quite concerned about this situation of duplicate expense claims in our city. There are many in St. Albert right now who are asking for an investigation of the expense claims Mayor Crouse made in duplicate to the City of St. Albert and the Capital Regional Board. There are some who defend him by saying it was an accident this happened more than a dozen times. One council member, Mr. Osborne, said in council; “we need to give him the benefit of doubt, he has served the city well.”
As a taxpayer, I find it hard to believe that a person would claim funds from the city and taxpayers that he was not entitled to. In fact, he had be reimbursed by the proper organization he represented which is the CRB. He then submitted claims to the City of St. Albert for the same events, receipts and mileage. I would ask that an independent examination be commenced on expense reports for not only Mayor Nolan Crouse, but any other member of our council who serves also, in some capacity, on the Capital Regional Board.
The fact that Mr. Crouse said he has paid back the expenses does not excuse him in any way. He paid back those expenses after FOIP requests were made for his expense records to the CRB. If you or I were to be on a committee for the City of St. Albert or be a city worker for the City of St. Albert and submit a dozen duplicate claims for reimbursement, we would be fired and most likely be prosecuted. What makes our Mayor immune to this? Paying back monies for a wrong do not correct the act of making a false claim.
As a resident of this community, I demand a full investigation into this matter by competent sources such as the Office of Municipal Affairs along with the local RCMP detachment. If you or I would be caught doing this, we would be guaranteed a visit from the RCMP. Any council member who would even think of passing this off as a mistake and moving forward is not worthy of representing this city. Each member of this council needs to demand openness and accountability in this matter. If not, they become complicit and believe these kinds of actions are acceptable.
Ted Durham, St. Albert
