As a newcomer to this country, I was very much looking forward to experiencing the Canadian inauguration that was held in Qualicum Beach on December 5.
It started off cheerfully with the Piper, RCMP, town crier, and prayer of blessing and thanks.
However, the atmosphere soon turned dark and heavy as the four council members unanimously voted to overthrow the mayor’s traditional role of representing the town to the Regional District of Nanaimo.
I was hoping to hear a plausible explanation from them, but the only reason given was that, “This council was elected based on change.” To my surprise, the rest of the council seemed to be already in on the plan and supported the motion with little discussion.
My thinking on the reasoning given by the councillor is that if the council was elected “for change” then it was because the people desired change of the council, not change of the mayor or change of representative for the town.
If the people had wanted a change of mayor they would have voted accordingly. Change for its own sake does not make much sense, there must be a reason. It does not speak well of the new council’s agenda if they begin by initiating decisions to seem to serve their own quest for power rather than working towards positive and constructive change.
Council members owe the town a proper explanation for their actions because they appear to be going against the will of the people by usurping the democratically appointed authority of the mayoral office.
Tamaki Friesen
Qualicum Beach
