Editor:
As reported in your July 13 issue, several current local council members have declared their candidacy for re-elections. Others are in the process of considering the matter. Others still will declare their candidacy in the weeks ahead.
The B.C. government Community Charter provides “Ethical Standards for Locally Elected Officials,” a set of rules that address matters such as conflicts of interest, inside and outside influence, exceptions from conflict restrictions, gifts, contracts, and use of insider information. These rules provide clear instructions as to what declarations elected officials must make and when.
While these rules are certainly necessary, I submit that they are not necessarily sufficient. In particular, it would be appropriate for any and all potential candidates to take the time to fully consider whether they may reasonably find themselves in conflict of interest should they be elected, and if so, that they make that known as part of their election campaign (if they are so inclined to seek election notwithstanding said expectation of potential conflict).
Decisions are made by those who show up. Electors have a right to know which candidates expect to be at the table when council votes are taken.
Alan Donenfeld, Gibsons
