Kamloopsians can be VERY rough on city council - some perhaps deserved, some not so much. As far as I can see, this Mayor does not have the reputation of spending his time going to freebie events, so let's not blow it out of perspective. I look at it this way - I am very comfortable with our Mayor representing Kamloops at an event (largely supported by the Provincial Gov't) vs. being from a community that "snubbed" it. Not saying I fully support the Olympics, but it's called politics and sometimes it's better to be "included" than sitting on the sidelines to make a statement that most won't even notice. Just a side note - although some lotteries DO direct profits exclusively to health care, some distribute profits to various things (education, music, sports, etc.) There is no concrete mandate to direct all BC lottery earnings to the healthcare system. In addition, BCLC is a business and have to conduct "business" just like any other.

There are no such things as "free tickets", someone paid good money for them! In this case a gov't body paid for the tickets, where do you think they got the money from? Lottery tickets! Who pays for the lottery tickets? Taxpayers! Where is the money supposed to go? Healthcare! Now can anyone tell me why we are closing hospital beds and schools if the BCLC can afford to buy Olympic tickets and give them to friends?

They are free tickets...that's one of the perks of being mayor. If you're jealous, go and buy yourself some tickets or become a mayor. Whether or not he took free tickets shouldn't matter when it comes time to vote. I'm happy he gets to experience part of the Olympics. Cheers

Hey "Joe" I'm a good person, are you going to buy me thousand dollar tickets for the Olympics? I deserve them after all the volunteer work I've done over the years! I've helped get grants for kids to go to university when they didn't have the money, I've worked in soup kitchens and community outreach programs, I've performed hundreds of hours building playgrounds and the like for disadvantaged kids, I've done free service calls for friends, neighbours, and seniors. Where are my free tickets? Oh right, I'm just a working man who doesn't count with this government, just a tax payer that pays for the Mayor's perks and freebies. If the Mayor feels he can make a million in the private sector then why hasn't he? That's the typical rant from the uniformed, uneducated, and most likely unwashed ignorant minority! Who do you speak for Joe? Where are the lists of names that represent the "majority" you say you speak for? Uniformed, uneducated, unwashed ignorance.

Joe -

I thought you had to be joking. Ha! But you're not, are you? Mean-sprited? To ask that mayor pay for his own ticket(s)? Being the mayor isn't his only means of income, you know. But you do know that, don't you? He isn't only the mayor, he is also the head of the TNRD and he comes from somewhere, right? He's well to do, if not rich, an upstanding citizen, Joe. Does the fact, or your word, that he's a "good person" really matter here? If so, I know lots of people who should get tickets. Of course, I would sell them and donate the money, but that's just me. Does he care whether we vote for him? Hmm...Cheers.

How mean spirited can you get!?
You think the mayor is getting richer from his pay - wow!
You think he is afraid you won't vote for him - wow!
Probably can earn a whole bunch more in the private sector than in this absolutely thankless job.
Is it any wonder we have weak politicians when you treat a good person with such pettiness and meanness?

Thankfully, Mr Milobar, the majority have a clue.

In this economy and with the suffering and poverty going on in the world, if the mayor wants to attend the Olympics, no problem, then the mayor should pay for the tickets. Bottom line. The taxpayer dollars should go to tackling homelessness, and not just hiding it for a couple weeks, or some other serious social issue. Just another case of the rich or well-to-do getting richer.

Our Mayor should realize what a political hotbed he is fueling!
Unless you are an elected official who has a direct link to Olympics (e.g. Minister for Sport and Recreation etc.)you should decline politely and make the BCLC eat the cost! These tickets,I would bet,where made available to them free of charge in their sponsorship agreement. Ethically in accepting these tickets you should pay taxes on them as a benefit of the job.
I have a really hard time with a political leader setting this standard...if you are gonna talk about ethics you should be prepared to live by your own words and realize how the perception can color your voters minds...Kamloopsians do not forget at election time!

Agree or Disagree, at least he is honest and just came out with it, rather than accepting the tickets quietly and hoping no one would notice.

My wife and entered the draw for the tickets Kamloops won during GamesTown2010. If we win we want to auction the tickets off through the radio station(s) to the highest bidder. Money going to the local food bank here. (If they are non-transferable like these I guess eBay? - to someone as a souvenir and the food bank would get a smaller donation)

Julia
It seems the ones that can afford a ticket get a "free ticket". But isn't this the way it always is!!

Typical "pork-barrel" mentality of most small minded politicians, enjoy your visit Milobar because you won't make the elections next time. I wonder when Milobar has planned his next "trade mission" to China?

Didn't BCLC just offer ticket's to the Mayors of towns with casino's?
Isn't that unethical as well as being illegal?

No Peter, it stems from people seeing these free tickets as a waste of taxpayer dollars.

No Peter, it stems from people seeing these free tickets as a waste of taxpayer dollars.