Editor:
I tuned in online for the Nov. 20 council meeting and the “debate” about the approval of $4.5 million dollars of taxpayer money to pay for services provided in a contract with the Fraser Valley Regional Library.
However, there was no debate and while Coun. Rod Binder, who is assigned to represent the City of Delta on the FVRL board made remarks, he did not address issues which were brought to the attention of the Mayor and Councillors
While the annual inflation rate in Canada declined to 3.8 percent in September 2023, (3.1 percent in October) why is the FVRL budget increasing by 6.76 percent?
What additional services is the FVRL providing the Delta libraries that warrant a 75 percent increase over the inflation rate?
Information should be provided by the FVRL as to the level of satisfaction by Delta residents/taxpayers in the services they provide.
My concerns were addressed in a letter to mayor and council and the letter was made available to them but was not made available to the viewing public at the meeting as was all the correspondence on the agenda issue surrounding the development of a townhouse complex and exchanging land that is known as Holly Park.
Two serious errors were made regarding the Nov. 20 council meeting. The correspondence was not made available to the viewing public and the Minutes of the Meeting are not an accurate recording of what took place.
If we expect citizens to be engaged with the business of our community, it is necessary for our elected officials to take them seriously when issues are brought to their attention.
Evelyn Funk
