Re: Grump Taxpayers seek severance deal details (News, June 8)
The District of Sooke has refused to release the amount of severance given to Bonnie Sprinkling, one of four senior staff members that left earlier this year.
Interestingly, Michael Dillabaugh and Elisabeth Nelson both left district employment voluntarily and so no severance was paid, according to the results of a freedom of information request.
A fourth individual, Gordon Howie, left the district as his three-year contract had expired so no severance was paid.
Sprinking, the former corporate officer, earned $96,998 in 2014, the last figures available and noted in the June 2015 financial statement, according to the District of Sooke.
Grumpy Taxpayers of Greater Victoria has appealed to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner to review the District of Sooke decision not to release the severance amount Sprinkling received.
It’s argued the public has a right to know where its tax money is spent. As well, there is a need to add clarity for the public as opposed to creating speculation and fostering distrust of government.
Stan Bartlett, chair, Grumpy Taxpayers of Greater Victoria
