Taxpayers deserve a Vote! However, the City of Trail has decided to try and bypass the taxpayers’ right to a real vote by posting a Notice of Alternative Approval Process. This process, in my opinion, is a disgrace; an assault of our rights because it allows the city to run rough shod over taxpayers for projects that should morally require democratic consent.
So, the city has posted a notice of Alternative Approval Process for borrowing the money for a new walking bridge (Bylaw No. 2775, 2014).
What does this mean? It basically means that you, the taxpayer, are withheld from an open and transparent discussion and thus consideration of the river crossing by denying your right to vote.
The only way to get that right back is for citizens to take the time out of their busy schedules to organize, in a very short time frame, a petition signed by at least 10 per cent of the entitled electors (minimum 573). Not only that, it must be on a prescribed form that is only available at Trail City Hall. It is not available on line. Plus, the form must be submitted to the Corporate Administrator at Trail City Hall by 4 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2014.
So, thank goodness, some concerned citizens are organizing to do just that. We need City Council to know we deserve the right to a vote. I am urging you to sign the petition available at:
B V Tool Rentals 7100 Hwy 3B; Casa Di Cioccolota – 1346 Bay Ave; Café Americano – 1435 Bay Ave; City Bakery – 1180 Cedar Ave; The Pastry Shop – 1447 Bay Ave; Trail Optical – 1299A Cedar Ave; Valley Firearms – 1281 Bay Ave.
This is the second time in the last year that we have had to go through this expensive and time consuming process. (Remember the park sale in Glenmerry?)
We have elections coming this fall. I urge you to ask the politicians running if they would support this type of underhanded attack on voters. In fact, I would hope that in the elections this November we can vote on this simple question:
Local Government Expenditures:
Alternate Approval Process: Yes__ No__ Referendum: Yes__No__
Arm yourself with questions to the elected officials and with pen in hand support the end of this Orwellian and divisive Practice. Because in actuality, there are no winners in the exhaustive Alternate Approval Process. A process that pits neighbour against neighbour, elected official/bureaucrat against simply concerned citizens.
Gina IronmongerBusiness/property ownerTrail