A few days of reflection later and one can’t help but draw the same conclusions as one had at the time — that the decorum (or lack thereof) at Qualicum Beach town hall is putting taxpayers at risk.
Simply put, the mayor and councillors do not seem to be communicating in a productive manner. Such blowouts, like last week’s bru-ha-ha over what appears to be a run-of-the-mill information session with councillors and staff, are contributing to town hall dysfunction.
This time, it was mayor Teunis Westbroek looking a little silly for his reaction to such a meeting. A few weeks ago, the three new councillors were taken to task by our readers for what they saw as an undermining of the mayor’s position.
Both are power plays and most people can see right through it.
How about we call it even — and move on.
If mayor and council in Qualicum Beach cannot do this, their continued acrimony can only lead to poor decision-making, where political positions count more than the impact of such decision on the taxpayer.
This is the real threat of such behaviour.
The word ‘collaboration’ is tossed around a lot these days, especially by hopeful readers who want the bickering at town hall to stop. So, let’s remember what ‘collaboration’ means.
Collaboration is not the pushing of a singular vision or project that has no opposition or conflict. That’s called ‘my way or the highway’. Collaboration is parties with opposing goals, opinions or methods, working together in respect in order to find a solution that everyone can agree upon and move ahead. Neither sides wins — and it’s the taxpayers who reap the benefits of a worthy compromise. — editorial by Steven Heywood