CAPE BRETON REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY – With former mayor Amanda McDougall having paid back over $17 000 in charges to her CBRM credit card, other council members’ expenses are also coming under scrutiny, with most being attributed to the purchase of drinks at the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Councillor Mary MacIsaac, who wracked up a whopping $900 in claims, explained her reasoning “If I’m going to stay in touch with my constituents, I need to be where they are, especially the ones who actually vote”. She continued “If I’m going to gain some insight in how Willy MacVicar from Brook St. feels about new busking bylaw I’m going to have to do so over an IPA, or the best friggin’ bitter in North Sydney!”.
Some councillors have noted that their claims represent broader needs than Ms. MacIsaac’s. Councilman Ashley MacDonald cited that his shocking $1300 in expenditures included other necessities. “I spend a lot of time outside, visiting residents door-to-door,” he noted, “which means I spend a lot on bear spray”.
“But I assure you, that’s it. If I find myself in need of a little more, I just take some out of the jar we keep in chambers for folks to toss a loonie into whenever they take the Lord’s name in vain. That frigger’s always overflowing”.
MacDonald also took a moment to defend his colleagues who were criticised for travel expenses. “Sometimes we get called in to Halifax for business”, he explained. “Sometimes it’s just plain more efficient to fly instead of waiting for the friggin’ Canso bridge to spin”.
When queried as to how their colleagues managed to wrack up over $10 000 in charges, both councillors expressed bemusement, with MacIsaac asking “Did, they buy the whole friggin’ island?!”.
