Editor:
Re: Are civic candidates in it for the long term?, letter to the editor, Sept. 24
Thank you Darren for asking the question, it is certainly an important point for all Deltans. It is precisely one of the (many) reasons that I am running. Mayor Jackson and all but one of her council voted to deny Delta of our democratic rights to replace Scott Hamilton. As a result we had a councillor who was absent but allowed to cast a vote. Surely this is unacceptable to anyone who is familiar with or interested in our political process. Not to mention the fact that Mr. Hamilton served two masters, the premier and Mayor Jackson, creating a conflict of interest.
I am committed to more than improving the democratic process and am committed to the issues of respecting the Official Community Plan, protecting the Agricultural Land Reserve and managing the growth of Delta.
The next four-year term will be pivotal in the growth of Delta. We have a planned bridge that could change the fabric of our community. We have two planned malls that could destroy our downtown cores and small businesses. We have a planned expansion to the container terminal that could cause more harm to the Fraser estuary and put more trucks on the road to wreak havoc on traffic. As well we have the possibility of larger vessels going to the Surrey Fraser Docks and dealing with even larger shipments of thermal coal and LNG gas. This could change a lot of North Delta into an industrial zone.
These issues are of concern to all of Delta and I feel that a stronger council is needed to manage this growth.
I agree that Delta deserves better and that is why I want to be a part of a council that is more open and sensitive to community input, and more transparent. And I intend to stay the full four-year term!
Peter van der Velden
