City council has a long list of decisions that go against public sentiment. What is their motivation?
It has been reported that Abraham Lincoln, faced with a difficult decision, once said: “Be sure you are right, then just go ahead.”
History allows us the luxury of looking back to see which political decisions — made either with or without the public’s blessing — turned out to be right. Leadership requires daily decisions that may not please someone and, on occasion, those decisions may not reflect the views of the majority. We must accept that.
Still, our current city council seems to be on a path that too often runs contrary to the wishes of the people. Their decisions seem to often reflect political philosophy rather than the will of the voters, and while it is reasonable to follow that path occasionally, we sense it becoming routine.
Think of the decisions over the past year or two that have flown in the faces of the people most affected.
The decision to develop a major part of Richmond Green Park remains a mystery to many. A long-established park serving not only a young population but also a significant senior population, that prompted serious and well-organized protests, yet council simply overruled those objectors.
Are all of these decisions solely based on increasing tax revenue? There is no question that if you can remove an older bungalow or an established park and replace them with multiple housing units, the total property taxes will rise significantly. We have had two years of eight per cent property tax increases and the rumour mill says this council wants to raise taxes by another six per cent in the year ahead, all based on rising assessment values.
This council spends $2 million regularly, often without any regard for the people or the businesses affected. Look at 17th Avenue S.W., which seems to have been under construction for three or four years, and the constant upheaval of roads in Marda Loop, which have destroyed small businesses and made living in the community very difficult.
Admittedly, not every member of our current council agrees with all of this, but the fact that the majority believe they can push these decisions through with little regard for the people involved borders on shocking.
There is no question that politicians must make tough decisions, but when the track record begins to show a list of decisions made in the face of very sensible and reasonable objections, we all need to start to wonder what the ultimate motivation might be.
George H. Brookman is the chair and company ambassador of West Canadian Digital.