Langford councilB次元官网网址檚 continued rejection of our lone progressive councillorB次元官网网址檚 motions on important issues like tree protection and code of conduct is reminiscent of my experience in the 1990s, when I served six years as a municipal councillor in Parksville.
Like Langford, ParksvilleB次元官网网址檚 council was dominated by business and development advocates whose motto seemed to be, B次元官网网址榖uild whatever you want, wherever you want.B次元官网网址� The impact on the community was predictable B次元官网网址� runaway urban sprawl, an official community plan that was the legal equivalent of Swiss cheese, and a neglected, decaying downtown core.
As the lone progressive voice on council, I endured a similar fate to Coun. Lillian Szpak B次元官网网址� rejected motions, ad hominem personal attacks and a hostile administration that catered to the power centre on council.
This political playbook is familiar for us B次元官网网址榦ld soldiers,B次元官网网址� in any organization whose leaders have a self-serving interest in preserving the status quo.
My message for Coun. Szpak and other progressives is: Thank you for bringing these important issues forward, despite rejection and personal political attacks. Your important work increases public awareness and participation, exposing a tone-deaf city council that only listens to the development industry.
Every time I go to Westshore Mall and look up at the denuded mountainside and hear the thumping of dynamite blasting away the mountain B次元官网网址� all for the creation of a one-way view that benefits only a tiny segment of our community B次元官网网址� I am thankful that we have at least one public voice who puts the interests of community and environment first. From an B次元官网网址榦ld soldierB次元官网网址� on the sidelines, thank you for your service, councillor.
Chris Bradshaw
Langford
