Comments on: Vancouver Council Member Sarah Fox questions cost for city’s trip to Japan

By: Peter Brown

Peter Brown — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 04:55:27 +0000

In these troubled times I absolutely endorse any chance we have to learn from others who, under difficult circumstances created projects that we should best emulate. It is not hard to learn new things and in the realm of climate change we are neophytes. We are th only nation to have signed the Paris Accords and then backed out of our responsibility to the world to attempt to save our planet. China took note, and when we blocked the Kalama methanol project has decided to build coal fire plants to compensate for their lack natural resources. We should have diverted th project away from tar sands and pursued a bio-solution. Our lack of knowledge cost us a leadership position in a brand new energy mix. Now we are doubling down on fossil fuels to load our grid to charge all those epheral wattsuckers Musk loves so much.

By: D Kazda

D Kazda — Sat, 01 Apr 2023 03:06:11 +0000

Let me introduce you to the world of video conference. Our mayor and city council are about 20 years behind!

By: Margaret

Margaret — Sat, 01 Apr 2023 00:35:01 +0000

The City of Camas has had 5 sister cities, 3 in Poland, and 2 in Japan. City staff have travelled to Poland, and citizens have travelled to Japan. How much has the City spent sending people overseas? Councilor Fox asks good questions, that are relevant for other cities, and perhaps the county too about taxpayer funds spent on travel. With so many classes and resources available remotely, perhaps the weeklong trips to Hawaii and other places with lots of tourist activities mixed in with a touch of administrative content don’t really serve the people very well.

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 17:52:14 +0000

In reply to John Ley. Well stated! And agree wholeheartedly about throwing the BS flag!

By: Amanda Blake

Amanda Blake — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 17:32:28 +0000

It would be nice to know more details. . .what was the purpose, what were the meetings about, was accomplished, why did so many need to go, and total cost. How many Sister Cities does Vancouver have and total cost of all. We are starting to be taxed to death in Washington including the City of Vancouver. Many of us are being priced out of our community.

By: John Ley

John Ley — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 17:05:50 +0000

These are mainly “feel good” trips that should NOT be done at taxpayer expense. If the Mayor truly believes there is “value” in visiting Japan, then she should expend her personal funds, as she will receive the “value” of learning the culture and meeting the wonderful people of Japan.

If the Mayor truly wanted to help local Vancouver firms with ties to Japan, she could enforce vagrancy laws, prohibit public camping and clean up the homeless camps. She could REDUCE taxes to allow firms to hire more employees, raise wages, and expand facilities.

This was a taxpayer paid boondoggle, plain and simple. Thanks to Sarah Fox and Bart Hansen for throwing the BS flag.

By: Kat

Kat — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 16:36:02 +0000

There is no justification for this trip on the city’s dime. They need to pay all expenses back.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 00:56:16 +0000

The City of Camas also has paid for visits to a sister city in Japan in previous years. And some staff have travelled to Poland too. In the past, it seemed the same citizens traveled to Japan repeatedly, not sure how much the city contributed, or if the sister city in Japan program is still active. Former Congressman Baird (D, 3rd)was known for his taxpayer funded junkets to tropical climates to scuba dive. When he went to the Galapagos Islands he claimed the trip was to study global warming. The Seattle Times wrote an article about it, and "Inside Edition" documented some of the trip. Baird, other lawmakers defend Galapagos Islands trip

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 20:50:08 +0000

What the heck is a sister city? and how does a trip to said sister city half way around the world benefit the tax payers of Vancouver?