Democracy is not an armchair pursuit. It is a belief in each citizen’s heart that they have a responsibility to, and a role in, their community’s future.
Regarding the recent Alternative Approval Process (AAP) by which the city gained tacit public approval to borrow $6 million, a letter to the editor last week said city staff should be “ashamed” for inadequate advertising.
We wouldn’t say it was inadequate, however. The city did follow provincial requirements with ads in the Rossland News, the Trail Daily Times and on its own website. The AAP information was also put out there in multiple news stories. It is unfortunate some citizens did not keep themselves informed and now regret their decision.
As free people, we have the right to remain out of touch with our local politics. But citizens who sleep at the wheel would be unwise to blame the map makers and road builders when, startled and suddenly awake, they find themselves on a path that’s not to their liking.
The AAP gave ample time for a group of concerned citizens to mount a campaign of opposition to trigger a referendum. In an environment of widespread concern, it wouldn’t take much to rouse friends by phone, Facebook, or knocking on doors to get people down to city hall to cast their vote for a referendum.
Only 247 votes were required. For a group of citizens with a better idea, infused with a zeal to improve their town and community, mustering these votes would be a trifle.
As it was, only 19 of roughly 2,500 eligible voters both made themselves aware of the issue and chose to vote in favour of a holding a referendum on the borrowing issue.
For those who missed the $6-million dollar question while it was being asked: You could’ve been No. 20.
— Rossland News