To the editor:
Re: “Ten predictions for the next four years,” Nov. 19.
Mr. Geller’s predictions are fascinating and I hope that in four years he will do a follow-up piece to see how things have actually played out. Regarding the issue of wards, I neither favour the “at-large” system we now have in Vancouver nor a ward system as some propose.
What I do suggest is that the city seriously look at mixed at-large/ward system that has been used successfully in some other North American cities. Boston, for example, uses this mixed system and it works as such:
- One elected (non-voting) mayor
- Four elected at-large councillors
- Nine elected ward councillors
- Total: 13 councillors.
This system would seem to offer a balance between city-wide interests and the interests of individual ward neighbourhoods. In voting on issues, should three ward councillors agree with the four at-large councillors, a motion would pass or be defeated. Where the ward councillors vote as a block, a proposal will or will not fly despite the at large councillors’ votes.
More importantly, the mixed system also allows people new to politics to run for their own neighbourhood’s ward council seat where they may be better known rather than running in a citywide at-large system.
Typically, the at-large councillors are previous ward councillors and often the mayor will have been an at-large councillor prior to his/her election.
As Vancouver grows, and especially as Metro Vancouver grows over coming years, I suggest it is time to take a look at a municipal electoral system that may better balance the interests of the city (and region) in total with those of our individual neighbourhoods.
Robert McGilvray,
Vancouver
