Don’t have to run to hold government accountable
Re: “Have we seen Mr. Dumont’s name on election ballot?”, (Citizen, Nov. 10)
Is Mr. Bruce Stevens suggesting that we the citizens of the Cowichan Valley do not have a right to criticize our local governments unless we put our name on a ballot?
In 2014 the CVRD parted ways with CAO Warren Jones and severed him off for $335,000 — that equaled a year and half pay for Mr. Jones. This was all worked out in secret with a lack of transparency and with taxpayers’ money. North Cowichan did the same thing with the departure of CAO Dave Devana, with even less transparency. I would also like to add that North Cowichan also allowed a wealthy man’s race track to be built without consultation or input from Cowichan Valley taxpayers. Should we be silent?
My property tax has gone up substantially in the last year alone. I am on a septic system, a well for water, and there are no street lights on my road. The roads in my neighbourhood are made with tar and gravel and have potholes everywhere. What is being done with our tax money?
Mr. Stevens, do we the citizens of the Cowichan Valley have a right to know what happens to our tax money, or do we have to run for office? I’d hate to see what the CVRD and the Municipality of North Cowichan would do with our tax money if it wasn’t for people like Mr. Dumont that raise their concerns.
Chris Wipplinger
Duncan
