Abraham Lincoln in his wisdom once wrote, “Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
I know some people will say I have no right to complain about my elected city politicians, and I say I have every right—even an obligation—to voice my concern. I pay their salaries as do you; we are management, they are our employees; and we have every right to voice our concerns when we feel they are not doing a good job.
Everyone running for office way back in November promised us a new openness, transparency and participation of the public yet secret meetings are still going on as well as “in camera” sessions discussing subjects we as taxpayers are not privy too.
We were promised “downtown revitalization.” A quick trip through downtown will attest to the fact that hasn’t happened.
Water meters are still the albatross hanging around everyone’s neck. The past council in their collective wisdom (or not so collective wisdom since most of them were thrown out) chose not to ask the people of Grand Forks how they felt about the issue. A simple referendum questions would have been a wise decision on the previous council’s part.
If the majority were in favour of meters, then so be it. Those opposed could sell their house and move out of town, those happy with the decision could stay and get radiated.
Mentioning selling your home, sources tell me there are 160 properties for sale in the city, so good luck with that. One hundred and sixty properties for sale in a town this size should raise red flags with our local government, something is up.
I was on the other side of the world when I caught the headline in the Gazette online: “Doug Allin hired.” I thought maybe Prince George, Kelowna, or perhaps Vernon. I was shocked to learn he had been rehired in Grand Forks.
My first thought was “the tail wagging the dog”—same tail, different dog.
I am aware this letter won’t make me many friends on city council, but you know what? I don’t care. I am tired of the political crap that goes on in our city and I say to the politicians and beaurcrats to get your act together, it would be a welcome change.
David Janzen, Grand Forks
