We should not remain prisoners of dysfunction
Times Colonist,
July 11, 2014
Re: “Battling a behemoth from within,” July 6.
“We’re close to dysfunctional,” Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard says regarding our lack of effective regional government. He and University of Victoria professor Michael Prince are both calling for regional district reform. This might involve direct election of regional directors and a Capital Regional District with enhanced authority for certain functions, according to Prince.
The idea of adding more elected officials to the legions already serving us in our multiplicity of municipalities will cause many ratepayers to choke on their coffee. But this could be a step to more efficient and effective governance. After experiencing this model for a few years, ratepayers could be given the opportunity, on a municipality by municipality basis, to eliminate their municipal governments and fold their responsibilities into those of an expanded regional government. This would reduce government, elected officials and some costs, while allowing those municipalities that wish to remain exclusive to do so.
I’m surprised to be talking this way. But the CRD’s controversial sewage-treatment project and the management of other local government issues (e.g., Blue Bridge replacement, policing) suggest that in many areas, we need a fresh start.
“The biggest challenges in local government in the next 25 years … the environment, climate change, waste management, transportation, transit, emergency planning … [will] be best served by regional solutions,” Leonard says.
If we remain prisoners of dysfunction, the paradise we’ve been given will pay the price.
Patrick Wolfe
Victoria
© Copyright Times Colonist
Times Colonist,
July 11, 2014
Re: “Battling a behemoth from within,” July 6.
“We’re close to dysfunctional,” Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard says regarding our lack of effective regional government. He and University of Victoria professor Michael Prince are both calling for regional district reform. This might involve direct election of regional directors and a Capital Regional District with enhanced authority for certain functions, according to Prince.
The idea of adding more elected officials to the legions already serving us in our multiplicity of municipalities will cause many ratepayers to choke on their coffee. But this could be a step to more efficient and effective governance. After experiencing this model for a few years, ratepayers could be given the opportunity, on a municipality by municipality basis, to eliminate their municipal governments and fold their responsibilities into those of an expanded regional government. This would reduce government, elected officials and some costs, while allowing those municipalities that wish to remain exclusive to do so.
I’m surprised to be talking this way. But the CRD’s controversial sewage-treatment project and the management of other local government issues (e.g., Blue Bridge replacement, policing) suggest that in many areas, we need a fresh start.
“The biggest challenges in local government in the next 25 years … the environment, climate change, waste management, transportation, transit, emergency planning … [will] be best served by regional solutions,” Leonard says.
If we remain prisoners of dysfunction, the paradise we’ve been given will pay the price.
Patrick Wolfe
Victoria
© Copyright Times Colonist