Editor:
What a breath of fresh air to have a group that presents another perspective to the somewhat stale and myopic world of Sunshine Coast politics (Sunshine Coastal Environmental Sustain-ability Society - SuCESS).
Many events call into question the leadership of local governments and presented concerns are not always taken seriously. Many times it appears that people get elected and then push their own beliefs and agenda without bothering to fairly gauge the public will. The vocal minority appears to prevail in many cases.
Ever wonder why the last initial budget of the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) was so alarmingly high, even right after an unprecedented building boom and increasing revenues?
Could it have anything to do with creating a redundant local health board, SCRD directors voting themselves a 300 per cent raise for associated committee meetings, taking legitimate business owners to court on the public purse, competing with local business on the taxpayers hook (without even a business plan), railing for years about taking the province of B.C. to court (us fighting us), and empire building?
Questions about how much these things cost are often met by stonewalling or direction to get a costly freedom of information request.
These are just a few reasons why I believe we need scrutiny of all levels of government and not just from the chosen groups we hear from a lot pushing the "nobody moves, nobody gets hurt" scenario.
We need efficient, innovative, environmentally friendly and professional solutions that work with minimal government intervention, and we should congratulate people who care and are willing to speak out in advocacy of same.
Best wishes to SuCESS and all others that endeavour to watchdog the public purse and offer synergistic solutions.
Paul Tingley
Elphinstone
