– Allegations of irregularities proven false –

(OSOYOOS TIMES — August 22, 2007 –

Destination Osoyoos (DO) has been investigated and cleared by a Town-commissioned audit after allegations of financial irregularities at the municipality-sponsored tourism organization, Osoyoos' Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) said in a press release last week.
The audit was conducted by chartered accountants Whittaker & Co. CGA of Penticton and paid for by the Town of Osoyoos, at a cost of $5,300.
It was incumbent upon the Town to provide accountability of the funds provided by the Town to Destination Osoyoos for economic development, community development, business revitalization visitor information and tourism services, CAO Helen Koning said.
She added the Town received a verbal report from the auditor on Aug. 9, stating that DO's books were in good order.
The audit showed that the allegations were false, she said.
Koning added that the audit will also bring DO into compliance with a recent Town bylaw requiring any society receiving $7,500 or more per year in funding from the Town to provide an annual audit.
Glenn Mandziuk, Executive Director for DO, said the reason DO participated in the audit of its books was in order to meet Council's new requirement that any organization receiving more than $7,500 per year must provide audited books.
We were very happy to do it, and we're very proud of the fact that we're the first organization to do so, Mandziuk said.
The director explained that DO did not have the budget to pay for the audit in addition to its regular preparation of financial statements, but added that each year the organization has an accountant review the financial statements.
Our board of directors looks forward to using these audited financial statements as a baseline for future years, Mandziuk said.
Mayor John Slater dismissed the allegations against DO as a pile of proverbial garbage.
You know what rumours are like, especially if they aren't proven false, Slater said. This was an expensive proposition “ we spent $5,300. It wasn't money well-spent, but it was in the best interest of DO and the Town. Let's get on with business.rnNo one would comment to the nature of the allegations.