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Mr. Dumont deserves kudos for being engaged

In Canada only a few have the privilege of being elected to office
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Mr. Dumont deserves kudos for being engaged

In the Nov. 10 issue of this paper I read a letter to the editor from Bruce Stevens titled “Have you seen Mr. Dumont’s name on a ballot”.

First let me compliment Mr. Stevens for his contributions on a couple of commissions of the CVRD. But that, I am sorry to say is a far as I can go. Mr. Stevens is very dismissive of Mr. Dumont, which I am sorry to say reflects much of the attitude of recent governments. Governments with that type of attitude usually bring forward very bad, self-serving policies which often have disastrous consequences for the people they were intended to serve. I would like to remind Mr. Stevens that in Canada we still have a right to express our opinions regarding governance and we also have a right to be considered equals to all other citizens including our elected representatives and their appointees. Further we have a right to be respected publicly for our opinions.

Mr. Stevens seems to have forgotten that in Canada only a few have the privilege of being elected to office and or appointed to serve (like himself). Otherwise our electoral process would be extremely chaotic. Mr. Stevens also seems to have not noticed that at local levels where there are no opposing special interests groups the only voice to criticize and hold to account the actions of government are those of the people themselves.

I believe that instead of deriding Mr. Dumont Mr. Stevens should be complimenting him for taking an interest, voicing opinions and being engaged in the political process. Of course Mr. Stevens may be one of those who is associated with those in positions of authority who believes that our elected representatives should have free licence to do whatever they want and the citizens should just sit back and be grateful for whatever is dished out to them. I hope not.

P. Sullivan

Lake Cowichan