Thanks to letter writer Jasvinder Singh Badesha, who wrote how the ward system was more effective and desirable (The Leader, April 22).
I was a ward councillor in Milwaukee, Wisconsin between 1972 and 1976.
Milwaukee has a population of 597,000 compared to Surrey’s 395,000. The ward system worked well. Councillors took care of their districts – that is, if they wanted to be re-elected.
They also worked on city-wide issues. I served on the public safety and the finance committees, both of which dealt with problems affecting the whole community.
I was surprised when we moved to Surrey in 1988. This big city was run by councillors elected at large. They were responsible for no one area and their higher election expenses had to come from somewhere. Judging by the great increases in density in Surrey, I assume they are beholden to developers.
Who speaks for North Surrey? Who deals with crime in Newton? Who do you call if there’s gridlock in Fleetwood?
Ed Griffin
Surrey
