While nobody can argue with those guarding the taxpayers’ coffers, it is unfortunate that attempts by Lake of Bays mayor Janet Peake to hold her first charity golf fundraiser have been tainted by controversy.

Holding such fundraisers is a good way to raise money for community organizations in need of a funding boost.

But given the fact that it is Peake’s first attempt at such a venture, perhaps greater consultation with her fellow councillors, and municipalities that have managed to hold such events successfully, would have been prudent.

Had that occurred, perhaps councillors such as Ruth Ross, Ben Boivin and Nancy Tapley would not have capitulated when grilled by members of the fire boat committee, and the actual numbers would have made a lot more sense.

It is difficult to fathom that putting on a day-long golf tournament at the Bigwin Island golf course, with the support of its owners, would require a whopping $45,000. And then to say that you’re expecting to raise a mere $5,000 for your cause does not seem like a very good fundraising plan.

Last year, Huntsville mayor Claude Doughty’s golf tournament managed to raise just over $20,000 for Hospice Huntsville and, other than staff time, not a penny of taxpayer dollars was employed for the event that cost half of Lake of Bays’ projected $45,000.

Muskoka Lakes mayor Susan Pryke managed to raise an estimated $70,000 for Habitat for Humanity, with an amazing line-up of community partnerships.

For municipal heads to hold such fundraisers makes perfect sense. They must lobby senior levels of government for funding opportunities, they are chastised if the municipality’s spending gets out of line, so when they find ways to raise funds for community groups who need it, they should be championed.

In some municipalities such tournaments are a long-standing tradition that enable the mayor and elected officials to ‘work’ with community representatives in earnest to raise funds for the betterment of their community, all while enjoying a friendly game of golf.

We certainly hope this does not discourage the mayor from holding such events in the future, whether they involve raising funds for the area fire departments or area youth. They are both worthy causes. Contrary to statements made by councillor Ross, one is not more important than the other.

   
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