I don’t like dogs, but what I absolutely abhor are politicians that lie, push their own agendas and use my tax dollars to achieve their goals. All Saanich taxpayers, residents, visitors and particularly parents should be outraged by this nonsense put forth by the municipality specifically targeting dog owners.
As an elderly person with mobility issues, I am disgusted by this mayor and council, many of whom campaigned on the promise of improved road safety. Every day on my walks I, along with countless others and many children, encounter obstacles on the local roads. While I do try to keep to the left-hand side of the roadway, with the proliferation of secondary suites and the accompanying cars, this is more often than not impossible. When I try to walk on the grass boulevards, where I should be able to pass, I encounter hedges, gardens and even fences. This is public property to which I have a legal right to access (see UVIC Environmental Law Centre publication on the right to access). There should be no gardens here. I should not be forced to walk in the middle of the road with cars and much larger vehicles. Why does the municipality not proactively enforce these bylaws? Are they waiting for yet another fatality?
How many miles of sidewalk can be installed for $7 million? How many units of subsidized housing could the municipality support with the millions to be spent maintaining this folly? Could they not maintain the rotting buildings at Lambrick Park? Can they not think of better ways to spend our tax dollars?
No, I don’t like dogs but, I certainly trust them far more than the mayor and this council.
Matthew James
Saanich
