The Editor,
Re: "Municipalities need greater say," Letters, Jan. 23.
Thanks Kathy for raising an important concern that strikes at the heart of many contentious local issues.
With reference to the jet fuel pipeline, Kathy accurately states that the city, "does not have the jurisdictional ability to deny the project." How right you are.
Unfortunately we see this time and again including the dumping of waste on local farms. Richmond city council tries hard to balance all needs in making decisions in the best interests of our community only too often to have provincial or federal jurisdiction superseding that of our local municipal government with dire consequences for locally important issues.
It's time for residents to ask Liberal and NDP Candidates where their parties stand on giving municipalities greater say in local issues.
The Green Party of B.C. is committed to decentralizing decision-making and to expanding the authority of local governments.
It's called community-based reform and local governments will be strengthened with expanded authority and resources.
This fresh approach will go a long way to resolving the many community-based conflicts that involve residents, businesses, farmers and others at the local level. If residents want change, they need to vote for change in May!
Jerome Dickey Richmond-Steveston candidate Green Party of B.C.
