Downtown Prince George (DPG) has postponed the acceptance of a report detailing its revenue and expenses in the wake of questions over expenditures that may have directly benefited businesses owned by board members.
At the society's annual general meeting on Wednesday evening set to highlight the past deeds of 2010 and elect directors to the board, a motion from the floor to delay accepting the Auditors' Report for 2010 sidetracked the proceedings. There were also several resignations from the board, including the president's, Gordon Langer. Heather Oland, Adele Yakemchuk, Mary Jane Hannah also stepped down or did not let their names stand for re-election.
Society member Ben Meisner questioned members being barred access to financial records and board members' companies receiving society funds. The motion was quickly seconded. However, a debate on whether the motion was out of order developed, which prevented a vote.
Meisner compromised with the board, allowing the report to be presented on the condition that his motion would stay on the floor and would be dealt with before a vote of accepting the report.
His motion was also amended so a committee of DPG members would be established to examine the expenses and expenditures of the society for 2010. It was then carried.
Downtown Prince George is the new name for the society formerly known as the Downtown Business Improvement Association.
The report showed that DPG had $224,651 of revenue in 2010 -- the majority of which was a $200,000 grant from the City of Prince George. Expenses for the year were $107,872 on projects, and $75,018 on general and administrative.
The new board members elected to the DBIA are: Alan Weeks (Beyond Benefits), Kate Roxburgh (Topaz Bead Gallery), Darren Low (City Furniture), Carla Johnston (BID Group), Garrett Fedorkiw (Shefield). Eoin Foley (Nancy O's), Kirk Gable (property owner), David Hillhouse (Majestic Management), Rod Holmes (Regional Security), John Irving (Integris Credit Union), Betty Bryce (property owner) and Allison Akehurst (Allison's Embroidery).
The remaining members with one year to serve are: Grant Zimmerman (Heather Sadler Jenkins), David McWalter (L&M Engineering), and Hugh Nicholson (PG Citizen).
