Further to the story published in iNews Cayman on November 25 2012 “Is councilor in the Cayman Islands?” this follow up story appeared in the Vancouver Sun.

Councillor resigns amid controversy over Cayman Islands job

By Christopher Reynolds, Vancouver Sun

A Central Saanich district councillor has resigned after it was revealed his paid leave of absence involved taking a full-time job in the Cayman Islands.

Terry Siklenka resigned, effective Monday evening, in a letter to the mayor and chief administrative officer, Coun. Cathie Ounsted told The Vancouver Sun on Monday night.

“It’s unfortunate that it’s come to this for him. He’s done a really great job for our community,” she said. “It comes with a bit of sadness for me. Things have changed in his life and I believe he’s made the right decision.”

Ounsted referred to personal reasons apparently cited in the resignation letter, which she said will be made public at a council meeting Dec. 3.

She said Siklenka requested a yearlong leave in late September. In early November, council granted him six months’ paid leave worth about $6,000. At the time, she said, “he did have every intention of returning, and thought that he would be back much sooner.”

Instead, Siklenka appears to have taken full-time work as a service coordinator at an air conditioning company in Grand Cayman.

He has a profile at the Polar Bear Air Conditioning website that describes him as well-travelled and self-motivated.

Ounsted said that on Nov. 20, council members and staff became aware that Siklenka was employed at Polar Bear.

Jordan Bateman, B.C. director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, said council erred in granting a paid leave under the circumstances.

“We called on Central Saanich council to reject the leave, and that Siklenka, since he clearly had no intention of living in Central Saanich any more, should resign immediately and trigger a byelection,” he told The Sun on Monday night.

“The idea that he’s listed as a fulltime employee at a Grand Cayman company, that his house is listed for sale at around $1 million, it’s pretty disgusting, and that he would continue to take his salary and not do any of the work involved in being a councillor.”

Siklenka’s resignation is expected to be finalized at the Dec. 3 council meeting.

For more on this story go to: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Councillor+resigns+amid+controversy+over+Cayman+Islands/7613965/story.html#ixzz2DQXQlxMv