In a healthy democracy, citizens publicly hold their leaders to account.
And media hold politicians’ feet to the fire.
Lately, though, some in town have taken their vigilance across a line and have delved into personal attacks. Likely everyone last weekend saw the online commentary attacking the mayor over the Loggers East Neighbourhood Plan.
It got to the point the District released a “fact check” of the online campaign that included advertisements by a local developer unhappy with what the adverts called a double standard.
Mayor Karen Elliott took to Facebook herself to say that she hasn’t seen anything like this level of personal attack during her time on council over the last six years.
To be clear, criticism of policy and votes in council chamber comes with the job. No one is saying it doesn’t. And this isn’t a comment on the land dispute itself.
But the current level of attack is, well, next level.
And it has become a sport to hurl insults at council. Some in town don’t seem to realize that one can be critical of leaders and policy without sucker punching them.
After all, anyone can type out vitriol. Bullies are great at that.
It is much harder to formulate a fair critique.
And most of us know from our personal lives, it is much easier to take fair criticism, especially if it comes from someone who also gives praise when it is earned.
Lost in the current discord is that good work is also being done not just by citizens in Squamish (there’s a lot of that, especially with those picking up trash — you know who you are), but also by the powers that be. And while tensions are high between various groups, there is also great collaboration.
For example, the District arranged for the removal of a derelict vessel on Feb. 5 that was located on the District-owned water lot next to Xwu’nekw Park in the Mamquam Blind Channel.
The estimated cost to the District to remove the vessel was $5,000.
We can likely all agree that is money well-spent, given the damage that sunken derelict vessels can cause our marine habitat.
Goodness knows we have had our share of floating pollution packers and sunken vessels of all kinds in Howe Sound.
“The removal is part of the ongoing efforts of several agencies, such as Transport Canada and local landowners, working together to address unauthorized mooring and derelict vessels on their respective properties to protect our marine ecosystem and keeping our shorelines clean for the community’s benefit,” a District spokesperson told The Chief.
The District has not previously removed any derelict vessels from District-owned submerged property, although trespass notices have been issued.
This is a positive move forward by the municipality and partners.
With all the criticism, a little recognition is essential, too, especially when it comes to something that drives most residents nuts — environmental pollution.
So, let’s keep our criticisms above board and add a little sugar to all that spice.
We will all be better for it.
