Let Saanich residents speak on amalgamation

Times Colonist Letters
September 19, 2014 

I can think of only one reason that Mayor Frank Leonard and Saanich council refuse to pose the amalgamation question to their constituents — they do not want to hear what the residents have to say.

As a 25-year resident of Saanich, I have supported Leonard for years. However, without the opportunity to express my opinion, the support stops here.

The mayor and council have decided they know better than I, and every one of the 109,000 residents of Saanich.

We don’t know if amalgamation is the right choice. But it might be. And how could we possibly know if we are not forward thinking and open-minded?

I have always wondered what it would be like if this community had a common vision, and if we could harness that infectious collective spirit of community that is possible only with a common goal.

Amalgamation might never happen, but our elected politicians have a responsibility to provide a voice to their constituents and to do their due diligence by exploring every possibility to create a better community.

We have an obligation to take a stand on what we believe in and a responsibility to ask ourselves, and those who lead us: “Yes, we are good, but can we be better?”

Without a question on the ballot, we will never be able to explore the idea.

The mayor and councillors should set aside their personal opinions, ask us what we think and do the right thing for the greater good of our community.

Elaine Dagg-Jackson
Saanich