Why is it that politicians, once elected, consider themselves omnipotent? They seem to think that taking their oath of office makes them wiser than they were before (divine touch?) and certainly way above the intelligence of their electorate. They seem to think that they are entitled to spend the taxpayers money as they please without any input from those who pay.
Two recent events demonstrate my point.
The first such issue was the City of Vernon’s decision to borrow $20 million for a Library/Civic building complex. They did not seek input from the city taxpayers. They made decisions on plans and design and hoped to go forward to fruition of the plans via the so called Alternate Approval Process, where those opposing the plan must sign a petition against the borrowing.
There were misrepresentations relating to the plans. It was suggested that the Library Board had its $9 million funding in place. It turned out that was not the case and the Library Board would have to collect those funds through future taxation.
Some of the politicians tried the bluffing technique that was already utilized when the water referendum was pushed through. They suggested that if the borrowing was defeated they would go ahead with the project anyway at a high taxation rate in a shorter time period. They also considered selling some City owned assets (those assets belong to the taxpayers as well) to cover financing. The bluff did not work this time due to the dedicated work of the Vernon and District Taxpayers Association. Now the City must go back to the drawing board.
The latest issue was the proposed Sports Complex designed to be established on a prime piece of agricultural land in Coldstream.
This project was in the works since 2005 yet the general public knew nothing about it. It was developed behind closed doors with the cooperation of special interest groups.
Greater Vernon Services, with the leadership of Mayor Corner, Chair of GVSC, tried to secure the support of the Agricultural Land Commission without informing the rest of Council and the residents of the community. Mayor Corner should have known that GVSC had no standing in approaching the ALC as this was the mandate of Council. Residents of Coldstream found out about this plan in the last minute and had to act quickly to inform Council of their opposition of those plans.
The residents of Coldstream spoke and the majority of Council listened. The removal of land from agricultural use failed.
Had politicians started those projects in the open keeping taxpayers in the loop would have avoided a lot of expense and loss of face. Proponents of both projects would have learned how taxpayers reacted to those proposals and could have justified their reasons for those projects. If in the end taxpayers were still opposed, they could have gracefully retreated and abandoned them. All the confrontations would have been avoided.
Politicians should never forget that they are the servants and not the masters of the people who elevated them to their positions. These events should also remind us of the power we hold if we remain vigilant.
Two recent events demonstrate my point.
The first such issue was the City of Vernon’s decision to borrow $20 million for a Library/Civic building complex. They did not seek input from the city taxpayers. They made decisions on plans and design and hoped to go forward to fruition of the plans via the so called Alternate Approval Process, where those opposing the plan must sign a petition against the borrowing.
There were misrepresentations relating to the plans. It was suggested that the Library Board had its $9 million funding in place. It turned out that was not the case and the Library Board would have to collect those funds through future taxation.
Some of the politicians tried the bluffing technique that was already utilized when the water referendum was pushed through. They suggested that if the borrowing was defeated they would go ahead with the project anyway at a high taxation rate in a shorter time period. They also considered selling some City owned assets (those assets belong to the taxpayers as well) to cover financing. The bluff did not work this time due to the dedicated work of the Vernon and District Taxpayers Association. Now the City must go back to the drawing board.
The latest issue was the proposed Sports Complex designed to be established on a prime piece of agricultural land in Coldstream.
This project was in the works since 2005 yet the general public knew nothing about it. It was developed behind closed doors with the cooperation of special interest groups.
Greater Vernon Services, with the leadership of Mayor Corner, Chair of GVSC, tried to secure the support of the Agricultural Land Commission without informing the rest of Council and the residents of the community. Mayor Corner should have known that GVSC had no standing in approaching the ALC as this was the mandate of Council. Residents of Coldstream found out about this plan in the last minute and had to act quickly to inform Council of their opposition of those plans.
The residents of Coldstream spoke and the majority of Council listened. The removal of land from agricultural use failed.
Had politicians started those projects in the open keeping taxpayers in the loop would have avoided a lot of expense and loss of face. Proponents of both projects would have learned how taxpayers reacted to those proposals and could have justified their reasons for those projects. If in the end taxpayers were still opposed, they could have gracefully retreated and abandoned them. All the confrontations would have been avoided.
Politicians should never forget that they are the servants and not the masters of the people who elevated them to their positions. These events should also remind us of the power we hold if we remain vigilant.
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