Editor:
I would like to congratulate Coun. Scott Hamilton on his recent election in North Delta for the Liberal Party of B.C.
At the same time I would suggest that Coun. Hamilton should resign immediately from Delta council for a variety of reasons. The two most important being that issues in Delta often conflict with Victoria which puts him in a conflict of interest position, and secondly because the people of South Delta have clearly expressed their displeasure with the Liberal Party of B.C. in the last two elections and therefore Mr. Hamilton, Liberal MLA for North Delta, is not someone that should be representing the interests of South Delta's voters on council.
With Mr. Hamilton's resignation a by-election should be called to replace him on council. Now some might say that this will cost money and we should wait until the next municipal
election, but in my opinion a municipality that had $60,000 to relocate rabbits, $500,000 to move a barn, and over $4 million to house stray cats and dogs is financially able to pay for a bit of democracy.
The upside of this would be that Delta council could use the opportunity of the by-election to put divisive local issues on the ballot in a binding referendum. Personally I have had more than enough of the constant bickering and accusations surrounding issues like the Southlands development, and a binding referendum could end all this useless debate.
North Delta has the MK Land Development issue, Ladner has the Marina Garden Estates and of course Tsawwassen has the never-ending debate on the Southlands. For a minimal cost to taxpayers public opinion on all of these developments that look to contravene by-laws and official area plans, can be registered democratically and give the mayor and council concrete direction on whether the taxpayers want these developments or not.
A binding referendum would also end all the Delta staff expenses to process these applications, hold information meetings and give many Delta residents a break from constantly having to attend council meetings to protect their interests.
All over Delta residents are being polarized on these developments, resulting in division and accusations that are hurtful to the community as a whole, which is epitomized by the letter from Firth Bateman in the June 26 Optimist.
Mr. Hamilton, please resign from Delta council. Mayor Jackson please declare a by-election with these binding referendums. Then in two months the people of Delta could go back to what they should be doing, getting ready for Christmas!
That's my two cents! Greg Hoover
