In order to navigate to a desired location, three things are required: orientation (where you are), direction (where you are going) and destination (where you want to be). Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly difficult to determine where we stand in this perpetually shifting landscape; we only ever seem headed towards the next newsworthy disaster; and no one has any idea where we, as a society or as a community, want to be.
I will be the first to admit that I do not have all the answers, but by breaking down the issue, perhaps we can ask the right questions.
This will be especially important going into October’s civic election. Three primary slates and one independent candidate have emerged, all hoping to steer the future of our city. Each brings a unique perspective that also demonstrates very different ideas about where Delta is and where we are heading.
First, I think it can be fairly stated that everyone running for municipal government believes that Delta is a great place to live and we want to make it better.
Under long-time bureaucrat George Harvie, the Achieving for Delta slate seems to be of the opinion that things are going marvelously and only Harvie’s “stable, steady hand” can stave off chaos and keep Delta on course. Their proposed direction implies that continuing Delta’s record of debt control and increasing housing density will help keep families in the community, doubling down on the same policies that were in place when unaffordability became an issue.
Coun. Sylvia Bishop’s Team Delta is campaigning on the message that accountability, government spending and economic development are needed to make Delta even better. Bishop’s team, the first to announce, came out swinging on parks and recreation priorities (with a near-term price tag in excess of $50 million), financial transparency and campaign ethics. However, Team Delta’s fiscal framework, not available online, may be relying on uncertain future surplus increases to address wish list projects without resorting to tax-and-spend tactics.
Finally, Jim Cessford’s Independents Working for You slate is cashing in on the former police chief’s personal brand of integrity in bringing his “no call too small” philosophy to municipal government. Promising to do things “differently” and beating the well-worn drum of increased dialogue and collaboration are fantastic and necessary positions. Where the slate has come up short thus far is in explaining the particular plans and actions it has identified through its consultations.
Each slate has a unique direction it wants to take Delta, but what I have not seen is a picture of where they want Delta to go. What this community deserves and desires is a clear vision of the future that we can build together. By defining the ideal outcome, candidates allow citizens to imagine their place in that future and invite the public to take part in the process of getting from where we are to where we want to be.
Come October, may victory go to the candidates who capture our imagination with dreams of a better tomorrow.
Community advocate Nicholas Wong ran as an independent candidate in Delta South in last year’s provincial election. He finished second with more than 6,400 votes. He can be reached at [email protected].
