First off, I would like to thank Coun. Daniel Fontaine and Coun. Paul Minhas for voting against the utility rate hikes at the Dec. 12 council meeting.
I am sure many others would also want thank them for being a voice at the council table for the citizens of New Westminster, as those who sit as Community First members are not.
I was appalled to read in the Record that the Community First members voted in favour of the rate increase. I was more appalled to read that Coun. Tasha Henderson said the city has limited opportunities to build reserves and she cannot support Coun. Fontaine’s proposal for a rate freeze.
To me what she and other Community First members are saying is that they cannot support giving relief to the citizens of New West. She is also saying that Community First cannot think outside to box to build up reserves. Very narrow-minded, if you ask me. Keep in mind this also includes the new mayor.
Any idea to help those on low income, single mothers or fathers, seniors on limited incomes, families who struggle to put food on the table due to the high cost is not a “willy nilly decision,” as the mayor believes. In my opinion, this shows how Community First council members are out of touch with how many people living in New Westminster are struggling to get by. If they did, they would have jumped on Coun. Daniel Fontaine’s proposal to freeze utility rates.
Time to get out of your ivory tower and take a look around you, Community First council members and mayor. Other levels of government are helping; Community First council members and the mayor are not. Why?
I want to remind Patrick Johnstone that 9,133 voters (total of votes cast for other mayoral candidates) did not vote for you. That’s the majority of voters who did not want you as mayor. Now is not the time for any increases, for any city services. It is the time for all citizens of New Westminster to voice their opinion. When Community First council members refuse to put our community first, then in my opinion they are Community First in name only. Their true colours are showing. Sad, is it not?
Don Doyle (submitted to the Record newspaper and published on December 28, 2022)