Re: “What is future of rural district?” Jan. 23.

As a resident of the Jaun de Fuca Electoral Area, I have a complete rural electoral area government, just like the thousands of other residents in the electoral areas that exist in the other regional districts around the province.

The editorial has it all wrong with its urban-oriented focus on growth and development and just seems to be another chapter in the never-ending campaign in favour of regional amalgamation. Most rural residents want to remain in a rural area; that’s why we moved here. We do not want to be urbanized by amalgamation or development. That's why the Capital Regional District Regional Growth Strategy bylaw reflects our values of protecting rural, agricultural and wilderness areas. The current governance model may need some minor fine-tuning, but a completely new urban municipal model, such as being annexed by Sooke or otherwise, as suggested by the editorial, is just not needed or wanted by the local rural area residents that I speak to.

Rural electoral areas should remain independent rural areas within their regional districts.

Guy McDannold

Shirley

© Copyright 2013