To the editor:
Re: “TransLink referendum veers off the rails,” Jan. 23.
Allen Garr’s latest column on the transit referendum is spot on.
This ill-conceived, populist idea seemingly scribbled on the back of a proverbial napkin was dreamed up during the heat of a political campaign, a promise Ms. Clark now has to deliver.
She seems once again at odds with her Transport Minister as to what the question should look like. In addition, each day there seems to be a new directive from Victoria.
Only a few days ago, Mr. Stone told Metro mayors they were to come up with a long-term vision for regional transit before the referendum question could be crafted. Then, there was a suggestion that the mayors should create the wording of the ballot question. He seems to have conveniently forgotten that his government took away the powers and resources of the municipalities to do this very thing.
It appears that the Liberals have dumped this political hot potato on the laps of the mayors who in turn could be the convenient fall guys if this fails. Rather than wagging their fingers at our municipal leaders and making piecemeal, sometimes contradictory announcements, we need real leadership from Victoria, If not, it will be commuters who will pay the price.
Judi Sommer,
Vancouver
