Ward system less responsive
Times Colonist Letters
November 5, 2014
Re: “Ward system would bring better government,” letter, Nov. 4.
The letter-writer’s idea of amalgamation seems to be one person representing each municipality, similar to what the Capital Regional District is now. Hmmm — we all know how well that is working.
It might make for a lovely little government, but I think nothing would get done and the lesser wards with smaller financial contributions would probably be ignored. For instance, if we need a new road sign or sidewalk in our ward, it would require the approval of all the other wards before it could be put to committee for study.
Like the CRD sewage plant, 20 years later we would know if we might have what we had requested. Then we would probably be told that road signs or sidewalks are not on the agenda for that particular year.
I might be in favour of reducing some councillors per municipality, but not our area representatives. Yes, it would be easy to reach our ward councillor, but since you can only influence one councillor for your area, it won’t be of much use.
I really don’t care what Oak Bay or any other “ward” does, but under the suggested scheme, I definitely would care — since my tax dollars are being spent for something I might not ever see or use.
Please stop and think of how amalgamation into one big government would affect you and your “ward” before jumping on the bandwagon just to save money.
M.E. Holden
Esquimalt
Times Colonist Letters
November 5, 2014
Re: “Ward system would bring better government,” letter, Nov. 4.
The letter-writer’s idea of amalgamation seems to be one person representing each municipality, similar to what the Capital Regional District is now. Hmmm — we all know how well that is working.
It might make for a lovely little government, but I think nothing would get done and the lesser wards with smaller financial contributions would probably be ignored. For instance, if we need a new road sign or sidewalk in our ward, it would require the approval of all the other wards before it could be put to committee for study.
Like the CRD sewage plant, 20 years later we would know if we might have what we had requested. Then we would probably be told that road signs or sidewalks are not on the agenda for that particular year.
I might be in favour of reducing some councillors per municipality, but not our area representatives. Yes, it would be easy to reach our ward councillor, but since you can only influence one councillor for your area, it won’t be of much use.
I really don’t care what Oak Bay or any other “ward” does, but under the suggested scheme, I definitely would care — since my tax dollars are being spent for something I might not ever see or use.
Please stop and think of how amalgamation into one big government would affect you and your “ward” before jumping on the bandwagon just to save money.
M.E. Holden
Esquimalt
