Dear editor,
What about the other level of government in the Comox Valley?
Each municipal government is mandated to balance its budget (not that verified information is available in Courtenay relative to that issue).
But, who manages the budgetary process for the Comox Valley Regional District? Voters must consider that representatives from each municipality end up sitting on yet another taxpayer-funded body.
That means our tax dollars are spread even thinner. The whole issue of fiscally responsible governance for about 65,000 people by three municipal governments, one regional district body, four different, highly paid, support staffs (in duplicate positions) in four different buildings belies the notion that the citizens of the Comox Valley are getting value for their money.
Not that I’ve done the math but it strikes me that “government” must be the single biggest employer in the Valley.
It also becomes apparent that elected officials are probably the lowest-paid in that long list of governing bodies. So, please, fellow taxpayers, vote into office only those you trust to look after our money responsibly — after the election — and those who will ensure that the unelected personnel are held to some accountability as well.
L. Lewis,
Comox