Editor:
I guess it's time for someone to be honest. Mayor Lois Jackson is telling us that Scott Hamilton is not resigning because she wants to save us the cost of a by-election. And it certainly sounds like she is the one pushing the buttons.
Hamilton says everyone he has talked to does not want him to resign, yet all the commentary in the press would prove otherwise.
Now they are even talking about Hamilton taking a leave of absence.
In the past the mayor has happily told us that six councillors for a burg this size is not enough. Strange then that she is advocating council make do with five for the remainder of the term.
So what is the fuss all about? Mayor Jackson has a plan and that plan is to force through the Southlands come hell or high water. Seven binders of negative feedback from the community on the planning department counter are not enough for Jackson.
Council has fulfilled its duty in window dressing all the public information sessions so now it is time for a vote. Without Hamilton's support, where would that vote be? I think we can all guess what Hamilton's departure would look like and it's not pretty from the mayor's seat.
So let's stop all this nonsense. Hamilton has already missed his first public consultation meeting in Ladner. This cannot go on. Hamilton should relinquish his seat and move on to Victoria. Let democracy take its turn as it has for him.
Let's not continue to fool constituents into believing this has to do with municipal costs. I am sure you will find this line item has been accounted for in the budget as everyone knew last year this was a possibility.
There is a way council can really to do the right thing and save the taxpayers money. Hold the imminent by-election as required and add a referendum for South Delta about the Southlands.
Show us that you really are interested in public input and make the results binding. Through the referendum you would settle this issue once and for all and you would spend very little beyond the required by-election costs.
Peter van der Velden
