Editor:
Compared to many countries, we experience freedom such as a democratically elected government, and freedom of speech. Such freedom is not guaranteed to have longevity.
We must never take it for granted and assume it will always be here for us and future generations. We must guard it.
We still have a democracy, but it seems to be slipping away.
Recently in government at both the federal (Ottawa) and municipal (Sechelt) levels, there has been a trend to attempt to silence citizens who speak against current actions of the elected representatives.
For example, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his government attempts to push omnibus legislation through without discussion, silences critical voices in science and labels those who voice concerns about the environment as radical.
Here on the Coast, Sechelt Mayor John Henderson labels the voices of those who disagree with his actions as negative.
You can voice your opinion as long as it is supportive of current mayor and council. Supporters of Henderson write that they are tired of hearing opposing views. They use labels such as negative and peanut gallery. Again this attempt to silence those who have a different view point does not belong in a democracy.
As Coast Reporter staff writer Christine Wood wrote in her column on June 28: "Naysayers don't need to be silenced or circumvented, they need to be given the floor to air their concerns so those concerns can be given some thought. The job of council is to listen to all those voices and make a balanced decision in the best interest of all of us."
We live in a democracy. We must protect it. If Henderson is not capable of working under this style of government, I suggest he resign.
Linda VanderHeide, Roberts Creek
