Editor:
Despite the fact that the mayor and the White Rock Coalition slate were put in office by only 20 per cent of eligible voters, one of their first acts was to attack the White Rock Farmers’ Market, a badly needed, successful commercial enterprise in a city on life support, when it comes to thriving small businesses.
The market is very well-managed and a business/service combo which is enthusiastically supported by this community. It is also a much-appreciated social event, for all ages, which generates much more than just dollars for this community – a positive, fun and welcoming atmosphere.
Barely into their four-year majority, one of the mayor’s and the slate’s next acts was to eliminate ‘public questioning,’ which used to be recorded as a matter of public record for any interested party to look up if they were unable to attend.
Questions coming from the public in a public forum for all to hear are now verboten. It’s called eliminating a forum of public accountability.
Looking at council committee assignments, I notice that Coun. Helen Fathers, who received the most votes of any person running for office in this fiefdom, has been relegated to the hallways when it comes to committees tasked with important community functions.
Now there’s a fine example of respectful, mature decision-making in the best interests of the community and its governance.
During the election, Mayor Wayne Baldwin was under criticism for what some deemed to be bullying and autocratic behavior. During his campaign, he published the ‘values’ he claimed he stands by, including: respect for the public and other elected officials; ethical behavior: open communication; and honesty and integrity. Unfortunately, White Rock is getting exactly what 20 per cent of the eligible voters voted for.
You get what you vote for, and yes, people, it has only just begun. Actions speak louder than words.
David Bradshaw, White Rock
(Editor’s note: Letter-writer David Bradshaw was a mayoral candidate in the Nov. 15 election.)