Promoting Local Gov't Elections

With upcoming civic elections - a cursory look at local governments promoting this include:

* City of Castlegar
* City of Quesnel
* City of Parksville

The above cities have been promoting the upcoming civic election primarily (in my humble opinion) because running for office carries significant time commitment and legal responsibilities that should be thought about over a period of time before putting your name in the ring in the fall.  These municipalities have had information on this topic on their websites since May of this year

However, for whatever reason, the City of Williams Lake has chosen not to do the same, unlike Castlegar, Quesnel and Parksville.  I find that really disappointing, given the City's endorsement of this year's Local Government Awareness theme of "Be Heard". 

Running for office, as I say, does have a lot of commitment that needs to be thought about before you put your name in the ring.  Information that should be on the City of Williams Lake's website would include:

* Guide books for Candidates and their campaign teams
* Legal requirements for voters and candidates
* General info on time commitment for a Mayor or City Councillor

I openly challenge the City of Williams Lake today to put this information up on their website, like their colleagues have already in the Cities of Quesnel, Castlegar and Parksville so the general public can mull over the idea of getting into the honourable service of being a Mayor or City Councillor

SBF

Williams Lake in Top 4 Communities at 11,000 Population for Highest Long-Term Debt Load

Recently - I ran into one individual who asked where does Williams Lake rank in the grand scheme of things, as far as long-term debt goes.  So, after doing some research, this is what I discovered:

Communities around 11,000 population and their long-term debt levels:

1) Resort Municipality of Whister - $40,394,713.00
2) District of Summerland - $28,538,327.00
3) City of Dawson Creek - $25,378,984.00
4) City of Williams Lake - $17,600,000.00
5) District of Lake Country- $11,645,000.00
6) City of Quesnel - $9,803,395.00
7) District of Sooke - $8,553,650.00
8) City of Terrace - $4,236,391.00
9) District of Coldstream - $4,089,985.81
10) City of Parksville - $3,717,311.00
11) Town of Sidney - $2,651,113.00

Now - given we are #4 of 11 for highest long-term debt for communities with 11,000 population and also given we are looking at a Indoor Turf Facility and what to do with the current Recreation Centre (both of these projects would be possibly borrowed under the CRD but Williams Lake taxpayers' would share in those costs ranging in the tens of millions if both did go ahead, in the future) and given the state of the local economy and the fact we need to start planning for a mill closure in the next 5-10 years - long term borrowing should come to a halt, save any borrowing necessary for an emergency.  We all need to look ourselves in the mirror and say to ourselves - Here is our wants and needs.  Wants are nice but there are things we absolutely must have.  Those "needs" would obviously include police/fire, garbage collection, water and sewer and finally basic recreation needs.  Beyond that - residents need to decide, and let their politicians know for the 2012 Budget Year (CRD, City of Williams Lake, City of Quesnel, Districts of 100 Mile House/Wells) what matters more - holding the line on taxes or reducing them or having it all - even at a greater cost to local taxpayers

SBF