Skip to content

Milne record dismal, says former mayor

Letters

Editor:

For the last four years I’ve sat on the political sidelines in Sechelt – choosing not to respond to Bruce Milne’s ongoing, unsubstantiated allegations and barbs about me and my council from 2011 to 2014. He won the election and I felt it was his right and responsibility to direct the activities of council, without comment from me.

However, it’s now late 2018. This election is not about re-fighting the 2014 election and it’s most certainly not about me. It’s about Mr. Milne and his council’s record over the last four years. Unfortunately, for the people of Sechelt, that record is dismal.

Water, housing, transportation, affordability and much more – these are the things that needed concrete action, not just talk and process. Sadly, they haven’t.

Since taking office, the mayor and council have seen an unacceptably large number of senior staff resign. Why have people left their jobs, often within a few months of joining? Why do positions stay vacant for many months?

From what I’ve seen during the current election campaign, it seems the best that Mr. Milne can do is take credit for business licences and building permits (neither of which council are directly responsible for). Clearly, he would rather not explain why he and his council spent almost half of the $4.4-million district’s unrestricted cash reserves that he inherited in 2014. What did we receive for this $2 million of spending? He also promised to control what he called “reckless spending” during my time in office. Yet, his council has spent far more than mine or previous councils, resulting in us being burdened with double digit tax and fee increases.

A true leader has the capacity to accept responsibility. They talk about what they’ve learned and what they will do differently – they don’t seek out others to blame, something Mr. Milne has done consistently.

I hope this election will be about the future well-being of Sechelt and electing new people who are motivated and qualified to do what is needed to make our community more livable, affordable and prosperous. We are fortunate to have good, strong people running – people with integrity, experience and proven leadership and management skills.

It’s time to let a new team take the helm.

John R. Henderson, Sechelt