Dear Editor:
This TransLink vote is making me crazy!
Of course I want improved transit in the Lower Mainland, and it appears the Mayors’ Council has come up with the fairest and least onerous funding alternative. I should vote Yes!
On the other hand, as I understand it, TransLink is not obligated to use the money raised through a tax increase the way the mayors have proposed. So a Yes vote gives our money to TransLink with no commitments on their part; just a mayors wish list. In fact, TransLink hasn’t provided us with any strategic plan or even a list of their priorities.
We have no control and have received no communication at all directly from TransLink. To top things off, all decisions about how our money is spent will be made behind closed doors.
History tells us that a dysfunctional individual or organization will continue with their current path until there is an outside intervention. Giving TransLink money with no conditions or accountability will simply continue the madness. Perhaps voting No will hasten a long overdue intervention.
But if the No vote wins, obviously some money will still need to be spent on transit projects. Unfortunately, because we voted against a tax increase (because we don’t trust
TransLink), we will be punished and told the money needs to be raised through other avenues like tolls, property tax increases etc. Of all options, I prefer a tax increase. So perhaps I should vote Yes or that option will be off the table.
This referendum, which is the brain-child of the provincial government, leaves me in a no-win situation because the question I want is not on the ballot. The question I want to vote on is this:Do I want TransLink or do I want it replaced with a transparent organization of elected officials in charge of transit in the Lower Mainland? Now that is an easy choice for me.
Andrew Barber-Starkey
North Vancouver
What are your thoughts? Send us a letter via email by clicking here.
