The letters pages in The News have recently featured a significant number of missives relating to the Qualicum Beach town council. Several letters were in favour of a proposed new direction. However, the vast majority of letter writers were quite upset with recent developments.
I do not enjoy writing critical letters nor hurting anyone’s feelings. For the record, I had never sent a letter to the editor relating to our local government prior to last week.
My wife and I have resided in Qualicum Beach for the past five years. We have lived in small communities for the past 40 years.
Accordingly, we have always respected those municipal council members who freely volunteer their time and knowledge to serve the community.
It is not an easy job and frankly, I am uneasy making critical comment about them.
What has transpired here continues to rankle some and concern many.
A letter to the editor, two weeks ago, from a local property developer extolling that democracy had taken place by replacing mayor Westbroek on the regional board has, in my opinion, greatly exacerbated the situation.
Many well-meaning residents are now concerned that major development is now in play and that the OCP will be ignored.
Right or wrong, that is the perception. Published comments by new council members appear to confirm some of that and their blind-siding the mayor in a well-attended public forum compounds it.
Obviously, the optics are dreadful.
Wendy Maurer has written that the majority rules. I heartily agree. However, I believe that the majority should be defined as local residents, not council.
Some council members have expressed the notion that they were elected on the basis of a platform of change.
My sense is that some change is healthy and inevitable, but that most voters simply did not vote for massive change.
This community has just gone through a civic election — an election that featured very good candidates and lively, well-attended debate.
The mayor handily defeated an excellent opponent and the voter turnout was substantial, relative to other Island communities. In summary, the people of Qualicum Beach care deeply about local governance and the future of the town.
Now is the time for the four council members to clarify their positions with the community.
It seems to me that there is much work to be done to regain the public trust.
I sincerely hope that they do so. Quickly.
Howie Hambleton
Qualicum Beach
