Dear editor,
Rural residents need to vote on Nov. 15. It’s been six years since the three area directors were elected and rural residents voted for directors. Area directors have done a great job on parks and trails, but there are much bigger issues to be addressed.
The area directors were disconnected on the roadside garbage and recycling proposal. As it turns out, that was a good deal. Rural residents did not like the process and turned it down, mostly on principle, with a 74 per cent “no” vote. Since that vote, the minimum fees at the landfill have gone up 250 per cent and there are fewer recycling depots. Even more troubling is the ballooning landfill liability costs, which have gone from $4 million a few years ago to $20 million today. Garbage and recycling has become very expensive with the CVRD approach.
Another issue of concern is the CVRD administrative costs. Rural taxpayers are paying up to six times more for planning costs per capita, compared to other local governments. Planning is important, but there needs to be a balance, with a number of very expensive infrastructures projects predicted.
Area directors are responsible for approving budgets and spending priorities – are they doing the job?
When was the last time that your elected representative asked your opinion on CVRD spending priorities?
Somehow, the system is backwards. It should be our elected representatives requesting constituents’ input on priorities – not the administration, who are supposed to work for the directors. Directors’ priorities need to be based on constituent input.
If rural residents want CVRD area directors to continue to devote their time and energy into parks and walkways, for the next four years, there won’t be much change. Vote for change in November.
Phil Harrison
Comox
