Editor:

There’s been considerable criticism and negativity directed at Sechelt mayor and council of late. Of course, there’s always a certain percentage, in any group, of complainers and whiners. They’re the ones whose ancestors would still be living in caves, but for the efforts of a few more ambitious and forward thinking Neanderthals.

This mayor and council were strongly appointed a year ago to right the ship and move forward to enhance and strengthen various aspects of our community. Unfortunately, they inherited many dysfunctional components and problems from our previously elected group. They also inherited situations, completely unexpected, such as Sechelt golf course, Target Marine, sea wall destruction, sink holes and the previous council’s myopic approach to the new sewage treatment plant.

From my observations of two and three years ago, we had a governing body with no vision and various staff who were rude and arrogant at public meetings. They are supposedly civil servants. Servants, perhaps not, but at least civil they should be. Various people have “retired” or been let go. It takes time to “right the ship” and as they say “a new broom sweeps clean.”

I observe that the broom shouldn’t yet stop sweeping. The mayor and council have a very time-consuming and demanding job for little remuneration. I commend them. We should be more supportive of their efforts.

Geoff White, Sechelt