Logical discussion needed on amalgamation

It is unfortunate that the potential amalgamation of the Greater Victoria municipal governing bodies has turned into a numbers discussion. “Body count” and “financial comparisons” have displaced discussions of “value for dollars” or “innovative problem-solving.” Any effort to do otherwise is quickly buried by turf warfare and finger pointing.

Our current municipal governing structures come in 13 unique packages and several layers, mainly because of historical accident. Is that optimal? How do we know? Should we be five, three, nine, one or maybe 15 separate entities. Do the existing municipal boundaries make sense. (Separating Vic West from Esquimalt has always seemed weird to me and why the three Saanichs?)

Why are there so many different organizational structures, rules, regulations, pay scales and operating procedures. The complexity of it all is mind-numbing, especially if your work requires one to operate in several jurisdictions.

Without some impartial analysis of the various options and posible governance models available to us, how can anyone make an informed judgement on any proposed reorganization?

Without some adult discussion about the options thus identified, all discussions will revolve around purely emotional views based on a personal comfort with the status quo. One would hope that we had advanced beyond such decision-making on issues as important as this.

Can we expect to accomplish anything on this issue unless we apply a little rational logic and statesmanship to the process? Jim Knock Victoria