Setting the Record Straight
This section is used for clarifying issues that have been reported incorrectly in the Press or in election
materials of other cadidates.
Over recent months, the New Westminster Voice party has been busy
circulating an election platform based on scare-tactics and disinformation.
Now, it’s time to set the record straight!
The will of the people
Like taxpayers everywhere, New Westminster’s taxpayers have been given the choice
of either having city services cut, or paying higher taxes, as labour costs, and
other costs of running the city, mount. So far we have chosen to retain the high
level of services we enjoy. But if the majority of taxpayers prefer lower taxes,
at the expense of quality services, then that becomes the will of the people. The
choice is ours.
Now, through the efforts of citizens appointed to the Mayor’s Budget Focus Group,
taxpayers have direct input into what that choice will be. Despite all the political
posturing about high taxes just before every civic election, when you step back
and look at it, the answer to how much we pay in taxes is up to us. Our elected
officials are there to listen to our wishes, and carry them forward.
About Closed Council Meetings
Under the Municipal Act, all city council meetings dealing with issues relating
to Labour, Law or Land, must be dealt with at
‘in-camera’ meetings.
Council does
not have a choice where these three broad topics are involved. No other agenda topics can be discussed "in-camera".
Labour –Information
involving negotiations or
city employees
Law – Information that is before the courts
Land – Information on city land deals (Leaks on land deals, such as the recent leak
by the Voice slate, can drive land costs up, to the detriment of tax payers.)
About Transparency
New Westminster City Council is one of the few city councils to be found anywhere
that schedules open delegations, where citizens can say their piece as a regular
agenda item at televised city council meetings.
In addition, Mayor Wright kept his
2005 election promise to establish the Mayor’s Budget Focus Group, made up of New
Westminster citizens from all walks, who review and provide comment on the city’s
annual budget. As near as can be determined, that is a ‘first’ – anywhere.
About Working With The School Board
“Working with Wayne is a breath of fresh air in this city. Wayne Wright is the most
accessible and cooperative mayor I have worked with in my twenty-nine years of public
service.”
Michael Ewen – Educator & New Westminster School Trustee
“Mayor Wright
understands that school issues are really about our city and our children. He has
the rare ability to look beyond the ‘political posturing’ and remember the children.”
Ron Bennett – Retired Superintendent of Schools.
We all realize that the solution to our school crisis has no simple answer. City
council and your mayor pledge to continue to cooperate closely with the School District
to find the best solution for our children and their education.
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