A Sooke councillor is calling for changes to the Capital Regional DistrictB次元官网网址檚 governance model.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 time to look at all 13 municipalities and their functionality,B次元官网网址� said Coun. Kevin Pearson.
B次元官网网址淭oo often the CRD is putting the cart before the horse. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a disconnect between what [politicians] believe is good governance and whatB次元官网网址檚 hitting the street.B次元官网网址�
Pearson said the latest examples are the CRD board decision to limit the Juan de Fuca Electoral AreaB次元官网网址檚 comment on the regional growth strategy, and an advisory committee recommending a junket to Europe to tour sewage and processing plants. The decision was greeted with uproar from taxpayers.
It raises questions surrounding exactly who is in charge, who makes decisions and how, and who has B次元官网网址渂ottom-lineB次元官网网址� responsibility, Pearson said.
HeB次元官网网址檚 also raising alarm bells surrounding what he calls a lack of leadership.
B次元官网网址淲hy are we not partnering with our local universities and developing the expertise here?B次元官网网址� asked Pearson, adding the University of Victoria was never approached about the sewage project or other significant projects.
B次元官网网址淚 believe in local expertise. Leadership to me is looking at the big picture.B次元官网网址�
And Pearson said when it comes to major projects the CRD needs to B次元官网网址渄raw a line in the sandB次元官网网址� to get things accomplished.
Too often, projects are delayed B次元官网网址� or donB次元官网网址檛 get off the drawing board B次元官网网址� at the CRD board because there are 13 different opinions, with no one willing to work together for the greater benefit of the region.
B次元官网网址淲e ask everybody for an opinion. Can you imagine asking 13 people for an opinion? You know in a democratic society it sounds wonderful, but it never gets anywhere,B次元官网网址� Pearson said.
He cites the $800-million sewage project that has been on the books for years with millions of dollars spent before a shovel was put in the ground B次元官网网址� all because many CRD board reps couldnB次元官网网址檛 agree on the scope of the development.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great thing for municipalities to have their identity, but when you have an overriding government that is controlling certain services, it appears to fall apart,B次元官网网址� Pearson said.
So whatB次元官网网址檚 the solution? Pearson suggests that CRD committees be more aligned with the issue. If Sooke and Highlands are not part of the sewage project, why are they part of the committee, he asked.
B次元官网网址淲e need to revamp the overall model.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 a sentiment shared by the chair of the Grumpy Taxpayers of Greater Victoria, a non-profit, non-partisan citizensB次元官网网址� advocacy group dedicated to more accountable municipal government.
Governance is the B次元官网网址渃rux of the problemB次元官网网址� at the CRD, said Stan Bartlett.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been said, the CRD is the local government that Greater Victoria loves to hate, and itB次元官网网址檚 probably a fairly accurate statement, he said, adding the the CRD is a 24-person unelected board with very little public accountability.
B次元官网网址淚 think the board size of 24 is ridiculous. It does not make for quality decisions.B次元官网网址�
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Sooke is at a turning point and needs better leadership, says Coun. Kevin Pearson.
He said the municipality is finishing off many legacy projects started by other councils, such as the roundabout, town centre renewal and the new library, but other important issues need to be dealt with soon.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 time for us now as a local municipality to start planning for the future. WeB次元官网网址檙e at that 13,000-plus in population, and there are many cost implications when we hit the 15,000 mark,B次元官网网址� Pearson said.
Pearson expects the run for council next fall, but wouldnB次元官网网址檛 commit to running for mayor. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not ruling it out,B次元官网网址� he said.
editor@sookenewsmirror.com
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