David Hendsbee won’t be getting any taxpayer money to top up his pension
Regional council voted against the Preston—Chezzetcook—Eastern Shore representative’s motion asking for a staff report on whether the municipality could split the cost and help him buy back years on his pension.
The request was met with public scorn over the weekend, to the point that the councillor claimed during Tuesday’s meeting the media coverage in this outlet tainted his vacation plans.
“Jacob Boon kind of ruined my long weekend with that article in The Coast,” lamented Hendsbee.
But the idea wasn’t received any more favourably by Hendsbee’s colleagues.
“I do believe if we vote for this staff report, essentially what we’re saying is we’re OK with taxpayers paying for the poor financial planning of officials,” said Shawn Cleary.
“No way, no how, not on my watch,” said Lisa Blackburn.
“Most of our citizens don’t have pensions,” said deputy mayor Steve Craig. “We do have to take responsibility for our own affairs…The onus is on the individual, not the organization.”
The motion was eventually defeated, 13-3, with only Hendsbee wingmen Steve Streatch and Bill Karsten offering supporting votes.
“I want to stick up for my buddy here a wee bit,” said Bill Karsten. “This is being portrayed as so far out of left field that it’s ridiculous.”
Karsten, historically not a fan of this media outlet, said the outrage online was the result of “improper media attention.”
“It’s a sensational thing when the media starts to, I think, play games with things.”
Hendsbee told his colleagues he originally opted out of the plan two decades ago due to some combination of stupidity and naivety.
He claims it’s one of only two regrets in his political career. The second was asking for this staff report.
Perhaps sensing defeat, the councillor closed the debate by suggesting he’s been the “best bargain” at city hall because he hasn’t made HRM match contributions to his pension plan over the years.
“I’ve not been a drain on the public purse,” said Hendsbee. “Perhaps the public purse has been a beneficiary of me.”
This article appears in Aug 31 – Sep 6, 2017.
So, if I have this right, David Hendsbee is upset that the media wrote about his pension regrets instead of trying to sneak it through council without his constituents knowing about his plan to make us pay for it. It ruined his weekend, so sad. Hope he’s not planning to run for councillor because now everyone knows what he’s like.
As a constituent in his riding he does not represent me so the only disservice has been to me and my family.As for ruining his weekend poor plnning on his part does not absolve him of his actions
If this is news to anyone as to what this guy is like…then you must have spent the last 20+ years under a rock!
Don’t worry, the good sheeple will vote him in again.