In a perfect world every resident would occasionally attend a council meeting between elections in order to assess to the role that both staff and elected members play. This would eliminate voter apathy.
At the Oct. 22 meeting it was obvious that council and staff had endless ways to spend money but had no inclination to save any.
The most glaring example was a plan to construct an intersection at Yambury Road at a cost of $700,000, complete with curb and gutter — and flowers of course — even though there no other curb and gutter for miles in either direction.
The same attitude is evident regarding the fire hall. Grants may be available in 2014. The present hall is fully functional. Two months ago staff was directed to report on the use of the hall and or site if a new one is built. That has not been reported. One problem is that the ladder truck is out of scale to the town buildings, none being high enough to require its reach.
Will we ever have a paid fire crew? Do we really need sleeping quarters, male and female in the fire hall? Can we afford to maintain a truck that is not needed ?
It would contribute to a healthier community if some individuals or group would collect signatures of rate payers who are concerned about escalating costs, otherwise voter apathy will ensure waste will go unchecked.
Art Skipsey
Qualicum Beach