North Cowichan - One Cowichan is trying to get us to believe that their survey is the true litmus test of what the electors think are the priorities in the upcoming civic elections. However, the questions in the survey are obviously biased for the benefit of a special interest group that is focused on environmental issues. The questionnaire is not broad enough to be used to identify the elector's real priorities.
One Cowichan's plan is to rank civic candidates on their views on these questions. Of the 18 specific questions asked in the survey, 10 had to do with the environment. Only one question vaguely turned to the topic of property taxes. Obviously, in the minds of One Cowichan, municipal efficiency, waste, bad decision making and high taxes are not election issues.What is most concerning is that One Cowichan's plan is to raise our property taxes to fight other levels of government over issues that are outside of municipal jurisdiction. The questionnaire asks for funding (taxes) to pursue provincial and/or federal jurisdiction on air quality, child day care, greenhouse gas emissions, and zero waste.Local bureaucrats will be the only beneficiaries as they raise their pay packets and build their municipal empires to respond to the new spending requirements of One Cowichan's agenda.I can tell you that any candidate for office that gets the endorsement of One Cowichan will not get my vote on Nov. 15 and they should not get yours if you think spending and taxes are out of control.Don SwiatlowskiNorth Cowichan