Democracy dictates that we, as free individuals, have the right to protest issues around us vocally, in script, through social media and in group gatherings.
How strange it is that a local group of citizens duly elected to uphold the bastions of democracy, under sworn oath, seems to have been somewhat derelict in fulfilling democratic obligations that they took on. Token lip service or what? It appears that the connotation and denotation of the premise of democracy as they seem to practice it, are as far apart as the north and south poles.
Democracy is not convoluted and yet they seem to make it so by exhibiting what might be termed as disdain for it. Evidence of this arrogance is shown in their decisions of subterfuge and their seemingly total disregard for the taxpayer’s concerns as to transparency and accountability that they promised.
The mayor has shown us that through stubborn pride (in himself, of course) that he feels that might makes right. The behind closed door decisions illustrate this quite well. After this clandestine decision making process has taken place, he boldly announces plans that have been discussed in camera with no thought of what the many taxpayers might have to say about things. Even when they do say something, it is apparent that these concerns seem to fall on deaf ears as mayor and council operate on the principle of “The show must go on!”
Let’s look at the words social and justice. Their meanings may shed more light here. “Social” means “relating to the life, welfare, and relations of human beings in a community; while “Justice” means “the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness.”
Based on the track record so far, council has missed the mark by a mile. Who knows what will come out of the walls and woodwork next? Perhaps, something really needed like bike lanes in the downtown Main Street area? Possibly making the downtown sidewalks wider? Demolishing the Memorial Arena to make way for some other hair-brained council project? Parking meters on Main?
With parking meters just think of the revenue and how the city coffers might be aided in supporting other projects deemed necessary by council.
When all is said and done the sixth worst financial spending municipality (BCTV report) has a record to uphold perish the thought that the record should be improved upon.
Ron Barillaro
Penticton