A relatively small gathering of dedicated Coldstream Ratepayers came to hear comments by Jim Garlick, Bill Firman and Andy Danyliu on the importance of the upcoming municipal elections. They also came to air their grievances about the past conduct of city hall and to outline issues of civic concern. The meeting was ably and expeditiously chaired by CRA president Steve Heeren and all business was concluded within the two hours allowed for the meeting.
First to speak was Jim Garlick who outlined the challenges and difficult decisions facing a newly elected council. He graciously offered to speak with any person, who was considering running for office, so that they may become fully aware of challenges and difficulties of holding civic office, before they volunteer their services to the community. There are no doubts about Jim Garlick he is certainly a 'class act' and a model for city councilor. We are grateful he intends to seek reelection in spite of his already considerable personal and professional obligations.
Next to speak, bearing his emotional burdens as councilor, was Bill Firman who affirmed his allegiance to the community plan. He shared with us some personal anecdotes concerning the dysfunctions and deficiencies of present council and city administration. I for one think he has much to offer this community as a lawyer and experienced councilor. He has reservations about running again but we hope he will decide to run again for council.
Finally, Andy Danyliu gave us a passionate and visceral assessment of who and what were wrong with local government and what needs to be done about it,if we are to put our house in order. Andy and I seem to be of one mind and we hope he will find his rightful place in future councils.
The floor was then opened to those attending to express their concerns and wishes, for present and future councils to consider. Nearly every person attending spoke to the issues facing Coldstream while I dutifully tried to encapsulate their concerns on a flip chart for further consideration. I noted that almost all the participants were longtime residents of Coldstream. I found it worrying that newer arrivals to this community were conspicuously absent from our deliberations. We hope they will make further efforts to join in our dialog and take their rightful place as engaged citizens.
Some of the major concerns expressed were the closed and perfunctory treatment of substantive issues by council and administration. Frustration felt by ratepayers who felt council and administration were unresponsive to public inputs and concerns. Many felt that there were to many persistent deviations from the community plan in the rush to develop and that ecologically sensitive areas were trampled over without due consideration or allowance. There were 22 further concerns expressed, all of them substantive.
As the meeting drew to a close we were treated to an unexpected but welcomed statement by our deposed fire chief, Leo, who gave an articulate and well reasoned speech about his experience dealing with city hall. I was so impressed with his polished delivery, longtime intimate knowledge of Coldstream , natural leadership and political skills that I suggested he should run for mayor! He immediately dismissed my suggestion and left the hall leaving me unsure as to whether running for mayor was beneath or above his station in life. From what I could see and hear he would be a real asset to council and would probably get elected if he chose to run for office. It would be poetic justice and his ultimate vindication if he were to run and get elected to office.
Don't you think so? We need to try and encourage him to run.
Of course, this is a democracy and we are hopeful we will see other fresh faces and new blood willing to run for office and serve our community on council. We don't want to be saddled with deadbeat incumbents just because the electorate are left with too small a field of candidates to chose from. See you again at CRA sponsored candidates forums in October.
Peter Peto
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