Municipalities seeing with yesterday's eyes
Times Colonist Letters
October 10, 2014
A trick is being played on the voter just before election time. Some municipalities are asking long, ambiguous amalgamation questions. There will be no right or wrong answer whether it be left, right or conservative centre. It could have been fixed over many terms of office but now they perceive it as the politically correct way to proceed in hopes of being re-elected.
The larger municipalities plan to confuse the voters once again with a referendum approach that mocks democracy. It is an attempt to avoid the real issues. Why can’t we receive exact and honest answers on expensive projects such as sewage-treatment locations, storm-drain costs, affordable housing, an efficient transportation network, Capital Regional District secrecy and the high wages given to municipal administrators and directors? The plan is to get the voters worked up over something that has to be driven and directed by the provincial government.
An enlightened crop of new candidates will be discussing issues requiring immediate attention that will make our neighbourhoods better places to live over the next four years. The public has grown tired of the waste of time and money. In hindsight, the incumbents are looking at their municipalities with yesterday’s eyes. This time, there are well-informed citizens looking for candidates with a sharp, clear vision.
Art Bickerton
Saanich
Times Colonist Letters
October 10, 2014
A trick is being played on the voter just before election time. Some municipalities are asking long, ambiguous amalgamation questions. There will be no right or wrong answer whether it be left, right or conservative centre. It could have been fixed over many terms of office but now they perceive it as the politically correct way to proceed in hopes of being re-elected.
The larger municipalities plan to confuse the voters once again with a referendum approach that mocks democracy. It is an attempt to avoid the real issues. Why can’t we receive exact and honest answers on expensive projects such as sewage-treatment locations, storm-drain costs, affordable housing, an efficient transportation network, Capital Regional District secrecy and the high wages given to municipal administrators and directors? The plan is to get the voters worked up over something that has to be driven and directed by the provincial government.
An enlightened crop of new candidates will be discussing issues requiring immediate attention that will make our neighbourhoods better places to live over the next four years. The public has grown tired of the waste of time and money. In hindsight, the incumbents are looking at their municipalities with yesterday’s eyes. This time, there are well-informed citizens looking for candidates with a sharp, clear vision.
Art Bickerton
Saanich