Regular readers of this space know we are consistently trying to help local politicians with the difficult tasks they face.
Truth be told, we doubt they see it as helpful.
Undeterred, we soldier on today with what we believe should be New Year's resolutions for the good people who decide how our tax dollars are spent.
John Duncan should resolve to introduce himself to the people of Parksville Qualicum Beach. Right now, the federal Conservative candidate has little or no profile here, and he wants our votes come federal election time in 2015. All most people around here know of Duncan is it's a town with a big hockey stick on the way to Victoria.
MLA Michelle Stilwell should resolve to be, well, Michelle Stilwell. We can excuse her for consistently delivering the B.C. Liberal message verbatim, seeing as it was her first year in office. But the good people of Parksville Qualicum Beach didn't elect Premier Christy Clark or the caucus communications staff, they elected Stilwell.
The Regional District of Nanaimo's board of directors should resolve to stay out of Parksville and Qualicum Beach's internal business. And it should resolve to get more detailed information about exactly what is happening with the million bucks of taxpayers money it gave the Island Corridor Foundation.
The City of Parksville should resolve to be more flexible in regards to the size and cost of the new water treatment plant. Either that or get tougher with the unelected pontificators who call themselves (this week, anyway) Island Health.
Qualicum Beach town council should resolve to actually make some decisions in 2015, especially in relation to the Waterfront Master Plan, which needs to include business opportunities on or near the beach. While they were elected in large part because they promised more consultation with the public, we don't believe anyone elected these councillors to do nothing but hold meetings.
We at The NEWS resolve to continue our watchdog role over your tax dollar, and to call it as we see it. Aren't we helpful?
We wish all of our valued readers and advertisers a safe, happy and healthy 2015.
— Editorial by John Harding