Editor:
This is an open letter for premier Christy Clark.
With the provincial election looming, I would like to know what, if any, is the protocol for the MLA’s of the Liberal government.
My experience as a local elected representative in the past has been that I have been able to pick up the telephone and talk to our local MLA or meet with them when they are available. Last year I tried contacting our MLA by telephone and left messages which he did not respond to, so I contacted his constituency office and requested to meet with him when he came through our community. I was informed by his office worker that I would have to write a letter stating what the issue was that I wanted to talk about and send it to his office.
I did as I was asked and waited two months for a reply. The reply stated he didn’t feel it necessary to meet with me to discuss this particular issue; that he had contacted our regional government office and received the information needed. I have had no contact with our MLA since that time one year ago. Could it be because of our rural location or that he doesn’t want to deal with this issue, or is it because I am a woman?
My understanding of an MLA’s role was to represent the people that elected them, but if they do not meet or listen to the people, how do they know our concerns? Is this the way that the Liberal Party does business?
The issue I was trying to contact our MLA about was the Colleymount Road which has been a significant concern for road users in this area. I have met with minister Todd Stone three times and he would appear to be more informed about this issue than our local MLA, who I thought was representing the people of this area.
I am very concerned as a local elected representative that this area of the Province of B.C. is not being heard or represented. This northern part of the province contributes a significant amount to the economy and we deserve to have our issues heard and hopefully a portion of the revenues we contribute invested back to this area.
Sincerely,
Eileen Benedict
