Dear Editor:
The Western Resident's Association held an all-candidates meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23. There was an excellent turnout demonstrating that the western part of West Vancouver participates and takes municipal politics seriously. We want to elect councillors with a strong skill set, excellent communication skills as well as the ability to think independently. We need councillors who are able to create visions for the next generation of West Vancouverites by listening to the needs of the people and who are able to think about what is best in the long term for our community by addressing the outdated Official Community Plan.
I was quite alarmed at some of the personal questions that bordered on slander to incumbent councillors. If we are not careful, people who have the skills and ability will not want to run. We need young and mature candidates alike, who want to engage in this political arena. What we don't need is an "approved" list of candidates that tells us who to vote for, a list that is apparently created by a few, behind closed doors.
Do we really, in this day and age, need others telling us who to vote for? Isn't this what the democratic people in Hong Kong are protesting about? Are we in West Vancouver on the verge of losing our democratic rights to a few who may have their own agenda? Please get out and vote for your own personal slate of candidates!
Jean Adshead
West Vancouver
