Olympic Flame(out)

[frustrated1]

Ok, I know this cynical old bugger will step on some toes. Those toes are the ones I need to hear from 'cause I just don't understand. Can anyone tell me the actual dollar cost of carrying this torch across Canada? I'm sure there is a number, there always is. I'm also sure it will cost several times what the official number is. When I watch the news I see quite a display. Cool. Many, I know, are volunteers. I'm sure though the RCMP and city police escorts are not. And if the officers are volunteer, who's paying for the fuel to chase this flame across Canada. I have a hunch alot of the multicolored buses and motorcade along with the police escort is coming out of the public trough. The city officials and staff that show up at these events? Pretty sure they didn't punch their time cards. County and city buses taking the school kids? Doubt if that is free. What triggers my rant? There have been several incidents in our county that required police attention. There are never enough officers. Always the same response: no funds, no officers. I'm just quessing that what was spent on cruisers chasing this flame could probably have funded many officers for several years. Or the man hours spent by current officers? Can we even start on the security bill attached to the actual games? So other than being "cool" is there any cost analysis that can justify this flame in these economic times? Perhaps they should have just flown it in on opening day? But I'm sure the cost of the flame is only a flicker to the cost of the games. Let's not go there.

[per]

There is always somewhere better to spend money. Maybe keeping some officers busy now will mean they are there for when you need them. Otherwise we could fire them and hope they can be hired when we need them. I have fond memories of the torch run in 88 and I expect as the torch blows through here on Monday my kids will have fond memories of it too. It will also be fun to watch a few friends carry the thing. At the risk of not sounding my usual fiscally conservative self, some things turn out to be worth the cost. I don't remember what the Calgary torch run cost but I remember the fun of it.

[agstar77]

I believe it was only 25 Mill.

[cottonpicken]

Fun with numbers.
3000 died on 911.
10,000 children have died every day since then.

[skhadenuf]

As far as I am concerned just a waste of money and effort that has almost become a contest for the so called who's who of our country, don't get me wrong some very great people but silly concept. I just rather walk up with my 99 cent bic lighter and start the games, and put all those millions to the foodbank.

[frustrated1]

per, Think you missed my point. I live in a large county that at times has three RCMP available. They are run ragged and my hats are off to them. Our county should probably have 10 plus officers. We are told every year there is no money for more. It is not a matter of these boys needing something to do. They need help. I'm saying if the monies spent by the feds, cities, municipalities, etc on security and pomp for this torch run were directed to everyday need, it would go a long long way. No matter what everyday need. Cross Canada it's a lot of coin. And not just the securities. Look how much goes into the run through your community. Start to tally up the hours spent by publicly paid employees. The out of pocket expense of local securities, public employees closing roads, etc. That's just some of the direct taxpayers dollars. The costs go on and on and on. Lots of coin.

[agstar77]

Criminals will have a free pass up to and during the games, as a large number of police are tied up in training courses for the games and in the security during the games.

[per]

Frustrated I got your point. I just wanted to point out some of the good of the thing. My other point was that when these police are done with this they will need something to do and could fill the void you are referring to.(yes I know, not likely to happen) I can't really in good conscience argue against your reality and situation. It just points to the lack of support given to the hinterland for the enjoyment of others. Makes me thankful for where I live.

[checking]

Have you not heard that the cost of the run has been paid for just in red mitten sales!!!!

[crusher]

What a small price to pay to give so many people that "feel good" feeling. I think the run has been a great success. And don't worry, I pay enough taxes that I don't mind some of going toward something as frivolous as national spirit.

[frustrated1]

The red mitten website would indicate that money is going towards buying medals. "Own the podium" I believe is the slogan. The "net sales" from these mittens will be considerable less than the $10 pair they charge. No mention of paying for the torch run. I pay taxes too. Land tax, school tax, house tax, provincial tax, federal tax. With the amount of fuel we use we even get to pay a large amount of tax on tax. There are quite a few communities that did not see the torch run. Does it make them "feel good"? I've got relatives in Victoria. The last couple of years there has been a large increase in homeless people. Displaced from Vancouver in an effort to clean up for the games. Do you suppose they feel any extra national spirit? Do the people who watch the torch run by but go to an empty food bank feel any more special? I'm not saying the monies spent on this run could solve any or all of Canada's problems but there certainly is a large cost. If the private sector wants to back it, that's their business, I don't have to support them if I chose not to. My tax dollars however, I have no choice in.

[checking]

!!!! I happen to agree with you, F1. Just how much would that run matter if a 7.0 earthquake centered itself between Vancouver Island and the mainland?

Interesting numbers last news. 3000 troops deployed Afganistan, 2000 to Haiti, 5000 troops Vancouver games.

[frustrated1]

Not sure if this came through correctly. Jest of the story is Victoria police to bill Vancouver for $141,000 overtime for the Torch kick off security. Plus $60,000 extra in backup equipment. Day one of the torch run....

www.vancouversun.com/Victoria bills Vancouver Olympic organizers torch relay bills/...

Jan 18, Winnepeg Sun: RCMP to spend $4million on torch relay.


Costs Breakdown
February 22, 2009 - 23:45 — no2010
Olympic security squad talks Games bucks

By BOB MACKIN, 24 HOURS, Feb 20, 2009
RICHMOND, B.C.: The cost of personnel for the RCMP-led Olympic security force is just over the original $175 million estimate for all Games security.
RCMP Asst. Comm. Bud Mercer said the $491.9 million budget for the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit includes $177.5 million for regular and secondment pay, overtime and benefits. The operations portion dominates the RCMP share of the $900 million Games security budget at $306.3 million.