Dear Editor,
Re: "Richmond mayor shuts down meeting after 'offensive' remarks"
For those of us that have lived in Richmond for several decades, observed its transformation from rural farmland to an urban city, and have also appeared before council many times in the past, more recent indications are that Richmond City Hall is increasingly out of control.
Our mayor's salary is over $180,000/year + expenses. Councillors' salaries are over $80,000/year + expenses.
Our property taxes continue to rise dramatically, even though the city garners millions of dollars in new taxes, fees, DCCs, permits, etc. for each new development.
Why?
Shouldn't our taxes be decreasing, given this ever-increasing annual development bounty, charged and collected by city hall ?
Rules for speakers from the public to address council call for five-minute presentation time in total, per council meeting, even if one wishes to address several of the given council meeting agenda issues (with some exceptions).
To the contrary, there is no time limit to council members to blather on and pontificate etc. about each topic.
In my experience, Richmond council is not even remotely a welcoming group to those motivated Richmond citizens who take the time to prepare notes, attend the council meetings and speak in person.
It appears these motivated citizens are simply "tolerated" by council, more so the mayor.
One can often observe the mayor, as "chair" diligently watching the clock and ready to shut down the speakers after five minutes have passed.
Regardless... the Richmond citizens are not at fault.
Council needs to review and revisit its actual democratic role as elected representatives who work for the public, not against, and instead, welcome and encourage the public to address council.
Otherwise, perhaps council should look in the mirror and realize why voter turnout is so low.
Otherwise, why do we bother with annual Nov. 11 observances?
R.A Hoegler
Richmond
