Committee slammed for cancellation

The committee, which receives dozens of requests and has a large backlog, hears both large and small matters, ranging from builders wanting to construct residential towers to residents wanting to add an extension, a pergola or an extra story to their homes.

By MIRIAM BULWAR DAVID-HAY
The city's planning and construction committee is being criticized for cancelling its weekly meeting and heading down to the Dead Sea for a taxpayer-funded "conference" instead, reports Yediot Tel Aviv. The planners reportedly cancelled the meeting because none of the scheduled matters was urgent, but builders and residents anxious to have their cases heard were furious. According to the report, committee head Doron Sapir and members Arnon Giladi and Pe'er Visner - all them of them deputy mayors - decided to cancel the weekly committee meeting in favor of a real estate and building conference at the Dead Sea. Many residents and builders were furious, saying they often have to wait months to secure a hearing. The committee, which receives dozens of requests and has a large backlog, hears both large and small matters, ranging from builders wanting to construct residential towers to residents wanting to add an extension, a pergola or an extra story to their homes. "There were no urgent matters on the schedule, and because of this, we delayed it (the meeting)... Believe me that there is no subject that is really urgent," Sapir was quoted as saying.