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Cessford says culture change needed at city hall

Independents Working For You mayoral candidate Jim Cessford shares some observations on what he’s seen and heard during the campaign and all is not perfect. "I will get things done in a transparent, ethical and timely manner.
Jim Cessford
Independents Working For You mayoral candidate Jim Cessford

Independents Working For You mayoral candidate Jim Cessford shares some observations on what he’s seen and heard during the campaign and all is not perfect.

"I will get things done in a transparent, ethical and timely manner. My team have listened and heard what residents and staff have said over the past six months,” said Cessford in a media release. “It is clear to me that we must change some decisions that have been made and the toxic culture at city hall that led to those decisions. We will start with enacting a Whistle Blower and an Anti-Bullying Policy to protect staff and residents. We have focused on the positive things we would like to do. It is now important that we point out the things that need to change.”

No vision or strategic plan

Delta has had no strategic plan or long-term vision for the City of Delta. An Official Community Plan (OCP) is not the same and it has been changed at the whim of City Hall. One example is the OCP indicated a six-storey structure on 75A Avenue in North Delta and that was changed to a high-rise without public consultation.

Debt

Former Mayor of Delta Beth Johnson had a plan. In 1990 she implemented a Debt Management Program to tackle the City’s $68 million debt. By 2000 she had successfully reduced it by $11 million to $58 million. Time to give credit where credit is due.

Failing infrastructure

There has been a lot of talk about Delta being debt-free but what you are not being told about is the millions of dollars in failing infrastructure that needs to be upgraded or replaced. Perhaps it's time for a forensic audit.

Envirosmart debacle

Envirosmart’s industrial composting debacle and stench on ALR lands has been going on for a decade and still has a lot of unanswered questions raised by Metro Vancouver and the many residents affected by the smell.

Golden handshake

We're tired of quiet deals buried in a pile of reports like the golden handshake without transparency and public consultation.

Failed relationships

The current Delta “go it alone” attitude and failed relationships with key partners federally, provincially, and locally are hurting Delta and affecting our bottom line, our funding and our ability to get buy-in to getting the job done like a new bridge or replacement tunnel.

Future behaviour is predicted by past behaviour. It is clear the culture at city hall must change.