Re: “Saanich rules out ALR sewage site,” June 23.
It was disappointing to watch a handful of incumbent Saanich councillors defeat a possible sewage-treatment site on the boundary of Saanich and View Royal.
The old guard hid behind phrases such as “not within the urban containment boundary,” “ALR land,” “treed acreage,” “CRD discussion only in camera,” “confusing pipe dimensions.”
Three of the incumbents have sat on Capital Regional District committees that have spent more than $60 million with little results. The group still seems to believe that the public can listen, but as councillors, they know what is best for Saanich.
Fortunately, councillors Fred Haynes, Colin Plant and Leif Wergeland and Mayor Richard Atwell were at least prepared to listen, compromise and let the public decide if the site proved to be unsuitable.
In the audience were several retirees from different professional backgrounds. As the public is now allowed direct input, we learned that huge, unchecked, unquestioned increases have occurred in the budget. Let us hope the experts in the crowd can educate the councillors, and these engaged citizens might run in the next municipal election.
If the mayors of the surrounding municipalities had been allowed to vote, at least the site would have followed a fair and open democratic process.
This is another example of why there needs to be more discussion on uniting aspects of governance for the good of the entire capital region. For now, Saanich taxpayers are stuck with some councillors who appear to listen but seem to do as they please.
Art Bickerton
Saanich
