Wednesday, December 9, 1970

BURDENS OF PUBLIC
OFFICE ARE SHIRKED

BY ROSEMARY OWEN

It is amazing, in this decade of
fiscal concern, that so few lan-
downers on the Saanich Penin-

- Sula have offered themselves for
public service.

Six of 14 vacant seats have been
filled by acclamation. This
Situation forces those candidates
so returned to adopt one of two
alternative attitudes: either that
the voting public accepts their
past performance with
unquestioning confidence, or that
they govern in a ‘land of lotus
eaters’ where civic inertia is. an
alarming state of mind.

On December 12° voters. in
Sidney, North. Saanich. and
Central Saanich will choose
candidates. from five time-ex-
pired aldermen. who are opposed
by three new nominees to fill the
six vacant seats. A similar pic-
ture emerges from .a slender
slate of four candidates for. the
Board of School District No. 63,
two of whom seek renewed terms
of office, another is already an
alderman. This is not a par-
ticularly vigorous’ contest: for
such highly responsible positions
in the community.

Saanich _. Peninsula is
remarkable for a very high
percentage of citizens who by
reason of property ownership are
qualified to vote both on money
bylaws ‘and: the election of ad-
ministrative bodies. There exists
among this privileged group a
“wealth of intelligent, highly
organised. individuals of proven
ability who are in‘a position. to
contribute their, talents in
leadership. .

‘Behind which bushes are they

hiding, and why? Some say that

~. they came here to avoid what.
aa Who
~<, should: know better’ how easily.

they term. ‘the rat race’.

this fate could: overtake a com-

munity. that loses control of is

own civic destiny.

“Those residents whose roots are’

firmly entrenched i in the past-are

~ chambers of this. peninsula.
~ Others, h full: freedom

well represented in the council:

every small community in North
America.
Older. councillors who have
given unstintingly of their time
have found the.-experience
fascinating and rewarding, but
express concern that. younger
men seem unwilling to prepare
themselves to carry a burden of
responsibility which becomes the
more heavy with advancing
years. Experienced Aldermen
deny the implication that a small
municipal council has no chance
pitted against the forces of senior
governments and big business."
Herein lies the reward and the
satisfaction of political par-
ticipation at the basic level: that
these men-and women by patient
endeavour .and dogged deter-
mination have on many occasions
been successful in-bending and
shaping the policies of stronger
powers tothe eventual advantage
of the communities they serve
Public relations are an im-
portant function in the life of
municipal representatives. and
at least one member of each
board will be seen at every school
or community event of any im-
portance within the related area
They are prime targets for every
charity. collection extant. The
honoraria provided for .these
hard working men and women
are not designed to be a monetary
inducement. but» merely ‘an: ex-
-pense account that. they should
not be out of pocket for their
services. When. transportation,
clothing and meals away. from
home are taken into. con-
sideration-the pocket can be very
flat-by the end-of.a term.
If good men and -trre (and
women). with suitable

‘coming, the tentacles: of. senior
governments. would reach even
more: deeply into. the affairs: of
community jurisdiction. The:
spectators gallery of: municipal:
board rooms. are conspicuously
empty, except when dramatically.
contentious | issues are at..stake.:
Criticism without understanding
‘is: seldom’ valid. A vote cast.on

qualifications are not forth:.

Still time to treat yourself and your
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PAGE THREE

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Beneath ‘quilted covers, piping
hot meals are being transferred
from the kitchens of Rest Haven
Hospital to individual customers
three’ days a week. ‘‘Meals on
-Wheels"’ which began service in
‘Sidney: and North: Saanich last

week ‘is . proving a- happy. i
: novation for several citizens who
for various reasons are unable to
cook for. themselves.

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al, bail

the Meals on Wheels trio left kitchens of Rest
Haven Hospital with a noon-hour dinner for local
volunteers,
Taylor and Mrs. H.D. Foster are pictured with

MEALS SERVED HOT
AS WHEELS REVOLVE

Some imes the meals" area =
uggested by.a.

Ree

menu last Friday as

Mrs. CW,

Gwynne, _ centre.

briefly and provide a ‘moment of
friendship. which with. every -
succeeding trip will enrich | the...
noon-hour. visit. :
“We are especially grateful to
_the Rotary Club. of Sidney for
their generous: ‘donation of. $500,
also the to the Rotary Anns, the
Ladies’ » Guilds: of United” and
“Anglican: - Churches © and many
others,” says Miss Gwynne, who —
added ‘that sufficient equipment
‘has now. been’ purchased - te’
‘provide meals’ for three ‘to ‘six -
‘months. In addition, Rotary and
Lions-Clubs have assured future:
assistance if required,

t: cost by

wn

Ae fyvava My