Saanich News is to be congratulated on its ongoing, balanced and thoughtful coverage of Saanich politics.
I voted for Richard Atwell in November because I saw many issues in Saanich which were not being addressed, and a public which was not allowed to address council on substantive matters.
This lack of public input at council meetings has recently been rectified by Coun. Colin Plant, bringing forward an amended council procedure bylaw which will come into effect in April. Listening to some councillors views on public input was eye opening, to say the least.
The Privacy Commissioner’s report has validated the concerns of many of us who voted for change.
As a retired CIO of a local Crown Corporation, I could not believe what I was hearing in early January in the defense of the Spector 360 system.
It now turns out that the lack of understanding of privacy issues at Saanich municipal hall is profound.
Given the recent astonishing comments by Coun. Vic Derman (who I also voted for) who continues to defend what is going on, and to say there is no incompetence shows the problems are deep indeed – as evidenced by former IT staffer John Woodland’s revelations – at both the senior staff level and with some councillors.
All of this is even more astonishing given the legislation has been in place for 20 years. What has been going on during that time? Council should not try to explain this away, the public deserves more respect than that!
It is now time to set up the municipal governance review, for which 88 per cent of us voted, and look at other ways Saanich can improve, instead of resting on its now tarnished laurels.
Karen HarperSaanich
Editorial cartoonist should know better
Re: Cartoon, Editorial (April 1)
Better check your compass before leaving home. “Public Opinion Does a 360” will change nothing. A 360-degree turn leaves you facing the same way at the start. A “180” does the job. Or follow a Scouter.
M. MeagherSaanich