Start smelling the coffee, not the roses

In the past, city councils have trumpeted three important precepts: fiscal responsibility, accountability and openness.

Somehow these seem to have become buzz words with little or no impact. It would seem that the old saying by Robert Burton in 1621, “Pennywise and pound foolish” is as much in vogue now as it was then. Reference three white elephants of this city: the South Okanagan Events Centre; hockey dormitory debacle and lastly, the bike lane project.

From the 2008 council till the present 2022 council addressing these issues seems to be just talk. One or two of the councils seem to have “talked the talk, but not walked the walk.” It is still that way at present it seems. Apparently talk is cheap and can be somewhat dismissive.

The above mentioned projects were thought of as beneficial, worthwhile enhancements to the city. Opinions formed for and against them. The implementation of these projects in many ways was railroaded through on the whims of council. In many ways the owners (taxpayers) of these projects were sold a bill of goods. Many taxpayers are still dumfounded by the way that some of these projects came to be without solid input or referendum where larger amounts of money were involved.

The current council, save two or three critical thinkers, seems to continue in the preestablished past. Money goes out because it can not because it has been sanctioned by the electorate after due consultation.

From my perspective, unless attitudes change and fiscal responsibility, accountability and openness come to the fore nothing will change. It proves the old adage, “If you always do what you’ve always done; you’ll always get what you’ve always got!”

It’s time for some council members to wake up and start smelling the coffee instead of the roses.