Readers write.

I wish to comment on the sad and surprising resignation of Andy Danyliu as president of the Coldstream Ratepayers association, at its most recent meeting on 1 March, 2008. We will miss his honest and wise leadership during his term of office for representing and advocating the common interests of Coldstream ratepayers. His efforts certainly stand in sharp contrast to the narrowly focused business interests of the majority on Council. Here is a guy, new to the community, who just wanted to reach out and give a helping hand to Coldstream, ran as a mayoral candidate in the last election, narrowly lost, and went on to become a spokesperson for the ratepayers as a kind of critic, along with Gyula Kiss, in order to keep Council honest and accountable to the Coldstream public. For his well intentioned civic service he has been trashed and vilified in the Corporate press [Morningstar] by half-witted apologists and propagandists working for the propertied and business classes. Without the ratepayer association with Andy Danyliu or Gyula Kiss, who will challenge the narrowly focused business interests of the local managerial class in our municipal governments?

Now, to add insult to injury, nobody has even thanked him for his efforts as ratepayers spokesmen. Apparently he has received a lot of hostile phone calls over the Megasports complex issue, as well as some bad press, which he has unfortunately taken to heart, but I can’t really blame him for trying to avoid any further odious abuse. I don’t doubt for a minute that he was a deliberate victim of a smear campaign by vested interests that saw him as a dangerous threat to their hidden agendas and are now rejoicing at his resignation. However I am confidant that some one else will pick up his banner to lead the charge for honest and accountable local government!

It’s worth bearing in mind we live in a dysfunctional democracy which can be easily hijacked by corporations and wealthy individuals because of public apathy, disinterest, ignorance, gullibility and compliance. It takes actively engaged, informed citizens to run a functional, people centred democracy. Sadly most people shirk their democratic obligations but nobody can accuse the people of Vernon and Coldstream Ratepayers association of shirking their civic duties! Thanks for being a good citizen Andy!

Peter Peto

******************************************************