Dear Editor,

I was appalled to hear this news about a councillor and also Mayor Gray’s assistant and the MBA issue. The taxpayers were within their rights to be angry.
Council knows it was their responsibility to inform the public earlier. Two years have passed. The question is why was this hidden from the public? They will be left with the cost of council’s mistakes.
I think our taxpayers deserve to have a tax protection clause and those who stole the money should pay back the money. Most citizens would go to court.
This is a crime. Mayor John Gray had the city manager and could have consulted at a higher level. He has advisers. There are no excuses.
We are dealing with money stolen from the taxpayers’ pockets.
It's alarming to think our people vote our mayors and councillors into office to serve the people only to learn their tax dollars are gone. They are supposed to use good judgment to protect their citizens.
What a waste.
There is also a recession, this should not be taken lightly.
Councillors and mayors are voted into office to serve, not to take advantage of the taxpayers.  Taxpayers are not to be taken for granted or their tax dollars abused, especially by those who are earning a paycheque.
Most people who take degrees plan ahead and should not think they can take advantage of mayors, council or the public. Those who pay for education feel good about themselves. No one should be above the law. It's a privilege to hold a political position, but not to abuse it because they are politicians. They are called to serve their people wisely.
I would like to thank Councillor Louise Parkes for bringing this issue to the public's attention.

Zena Burns