Editor:
Re: Debate poised to resume, Sept. 21
If Mayor Lois Jackson thinks she can stifle discussion and debate on perhaps the most important issue facing Delta voters - Southlands development - she has another thing coming.
Delta is in terrible financial shape. Expenditures have been growing well beyond the rate of inflation. We have a declining population so the future burden cannot be spread across more taxpayers.
We have a "no-growth" policy and there is no economic development plan in this community beyond trading with Bangalore, India.
Nothing is being done to stimulate our local economy or create new small businesses. Driving along Scott Road north of 72nd Avenue is like being in Rio de Janeiro with its flavellas on one side of the road and rich development on the other, i.e., in Surrey. Even Jackson's daughter has recognized that change is needed.
The Southlands proposal provides a way to create new sources of revenue for Delta, but proper planning is needed. How will Delta use the 80 per cent of the land it will own? How do we stimulate community-based farming without the taxpayers continuing to accept such an "out-of-this world" increase in the way we function versus normal inflation?
The Southlands proposal represents an incredible opportunity for Delta. We must be debating what the proper density will be on the other 20 per cent to see how the private sector can contribute to the quality of the land for farming and keep our tax contributions to a reasonable level.
Sharing in the revenues to derive from the farm needs to be negotiated with the current landowner and with those individuals who step up to do the farming.
Debate on the Southlands must move to a higher level with an intelligent approach to how the proposal can turn our municipality away from its current direction.
Change is clearly needed amongst our political leaders to control taxes, encourage new small businesses and to really protect our farmland. A new choice is needed to regain control of policy-making and governance in Delta and wrest it back from our civil servants.
I believe such change and choice will be provided in the upcoming election. Fellow Deltans, keep watching and listening. And make sure you vote in this election whatever your positions on these issues.
John A. Meech
