Dear Editor:
Re: Stadium process shows no transparency (Letters to the editor, The Record online) and It's a two-way race - so far (The Record, Sept. 12)
As the dog days of summer begin to fade and the silly season begins in New Westminster, Jodi Harbour's letter and Wayne Wright's announcement on page 1 of your Sept. 12 issue make me wonder who will, like Cleo the Cat, land on their feet in this fall's civic election. This time around, as I observe from Coquitlam, I find I haven't got a dog in this hunt but couldn't resist some speculation given that Ms. Harbour believes she will have a choice in the election.
It appears that in the mayoralty race we will have that "old dog" Wayne Wright looking to become the longest serving mayor in New Westminster history and seeking to consolidate a legacy paid for by New Westminster taxpayer money as he still has "fire in his belly." That fire may turn out to be some indigestion at the thought of having to face a "young pup" challenger in Jonathan Cote. After all, this isn't the tricycle race at the Sapperton Day Street Festival.
But, are New Westminster voters really getting a choice here, or merely an echo? Mayor Wright has already acknowledged that he is facing a formidable machine - the NDP/labour alliance, that claims to "own this town," which previously supported him.
The stadium issue Ms. Harbour cites is dead, but the issue of spending future taxpayer funds with no transparency, no accountability, no freedom of information and no tomorrow is very much alive.
Politically, "the machine" is merely placing its bets on presents to come from Christmas future, the next generation, as it abandons the ghost of Christmas past and sends its good and faithful "best friend" out to pasture.
So, the fix appears to be in as there will really be no change. The labour/NDP coalition has gathered around Jonathan Cote and wrapped him up in a protective blanket to be delivered, like a newborn baby, to expectant voters - even those looking for a change.
If I am sniffing New Westminster's political winds correctly, it appears to me that in the two-horse race contemplated in Theresa McManus' article that there will be no real change at city hall as voters are being given the Hobson's choice between Pampers or Depends ... so far!
E.C. "Ted" Eddy, Coquitlam
