Politicians cross dangerous lines when they stop listening to those who elected them into office.
That’s what happened locally with the blue trees art when some Squamish councillors voted to spend public money on the project that is so obviously unpopular with the people who elected them.
And that’s what happened nationally Monday when the Conservatives were removed from power, after they became the only party difficult for the public and media to reach, when they assumed, arrogantly, that they had the right to govern without listening to or speaking with the public or the media.
The difficulty was illustrated by The Squamish Chief’s attempt to reach the Conservative candidate, John Weston, for an interview. We contacted all four main candidates the same day. Three responded promptly to find time to answer questions in person, but Weston took a week to grant time for an interview, and then only by phone. Across the country, others reported difficulties reaching the Conservatives, who sometimes even failed to show up to all-candidates meetings. It seems they did not want to hear voters’ questions or concerns. This week, voters decisively chose a new government they hope will listen.
Municipally, it has been 11 months since the election that ushered the current Squamish council into power, and some of those elected seem to have adopted the same attitude. They either no longer read or listen to what local residents want, or no longer care about the people who voted for them. This is evidenced in the blue trees decision.
This week, an Australian artist has arrived in town to create his Blue Trees public artwork by directing children to paint roughly 50 of the local trees blue with a temporary pigment. The outcry against this has been loud and clear, following an editorial in The Squamish Chief that said this artwork is no fit for Squamish, where the natural environment is held in highest regard. Squamish does not want blue trees. The Biennale organizers on Oct. 6 gave council an easy way out by saying if it did not provide Squamish’s $7,500 payment for the art project, Blue Trees would be cancelled.
What did the majority of council decide to do, given this perfect opportunity to cancel? They voted in favour of spending taxpayers’ money on blue trees.
It seems some of our local politicians are no longer reading or listening to the voters who put them in charge.
– Editor Christine Endicott
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