Editor:
We in Gibsons who take issue with and stand up to our municipal government are being unfairly vilified for exercising our democratic rights. Unlike bigger governments where there is an opposition party, we are having to do that task at no personal gain. This is democracy in a small town.
Our new mayor and council have a lot of stick handling to do after the previous group approved three huge, controversial projects. This new group has their hands full, what with opposition from different citizens groups who care to get engaged as well as staff who are complaining about workload and pesky citizens wanting info when they are so overworked and stressed.
Mr. Machado’s frustrations and inaccurate statement on June 4 was just a symptom of this bigger issue and played into the hands of those who want to blame those who dare to ask questions and want answers. Once the mayor saw where the speech was headed he should have shut it down and tabled it for an in-camera session. That might have prevented more of the division that we have since witnessed.
Now there is talk of bringing in a mediator, more expense when the town is already having to borrow for infrastructure. In my opinion we have spent so much money bringing all of these projects forward that we have insufficient reserves and we cannot afford more consultants.
A mediator alone with still a lack of transparency in the town will not heal the wounds. Open government and fair negotiations honouring our OCP, making the developer pay for our infrastructure, listening to the citizens and reaching a fair deal for both sides might be what it will take to get a more harmonious town working with local government.
Judith Bonkoff, Gibsons
