The Similkameen News Leader
Editorial
LET'S TALK SMALL TOWN POLITICS
EDITORIAL - April 3, 2007
It's been a reoccurring theme in a few letters to the editor. Dissatisfied taxpayers pointing out how poorly they think the elected officials are running our town most them probably voted for in the first place.
Ah yes, small town politics.
It makes conversation in the post office lobby a lot more interesting when throwing out flyers from out-of-town businesses begging for your hard-earned dollars.
A town square to beautify the downtown core?
Whoever thought of such a thing?
How is that going to create jobs and attract new families?
Actually there is a pretty simple solution to what may or may not be a problem.
If you really do dislike what your town council is doing, take out nomination papers at the next civic election and find someone who'll do the job you want them to. Or better yet, run for Town Council yourself.
Sure, we may not always agree with what they do while representing our community (the 3/2 split on coal-fired power generation still comes to mind) but you know what? At least we have five individuals in our community with enough desire to change or direct change in our community to wear those town council targets on their backs 24/7.
It's not normally our policy to come out in defense of a town council even we still haven't completely figured out, but we know a hard working group when we see one and our town council is certainly working hard on something.
Whether or not you agree with the steps they are taking, they are still working to try to make our community a better place for our generation and hopefully have something to do with paving the future of our community for future generations.
We've said it before and we'll say it againSprogress takes time.
Small town politics has always kept this town buzzing and will continue to do so with or without a mine, mill, hospital, swimming pool, theatre, more jobs and extra homes.
So before criticizing what town council is doing this week, ask yourself this: Are you really sure you can do a better job?
