Since this spring, the District of North Saanich has been at odds with the pickleball community over conducting municipal business using improper procedures and appearing transparent while conducting backdoor politics to the benefit of a few rather than the greater good of the district. This has gone so far that a group of residents (taxpayers) has filed for a judicial review of the district's practices. This should concern all North Saanich taxpayers.
On Nov. 24, the mayor held a coffee house meeting to hear the concerns of the electorate. Many attendees were frustrated that the mayor and council spoke to individuals only – therefore their thoughts and opinions were simply private conversations, not public, not debatable.
One councillor would not speak to me without a "witness" when I simply came to ask what progress was madeon the pickleball front. I have addressed council several times, but was always respectful. I wonder why the councillor was afraid of me.
Mayor Jones could not provide a straight answer to any question, as usual. He also made statements that he would claim as fact, that were likely impossible to verify.
Another councillor made statements to me that flew in direct contradiction to the mayor's statements. This does not give me any confidence in the ability of the North Saanich council to make common sense, fiscally responsible, or community-supported decisions. And since all the discussions I joined were about the need for increases to housing density – well can a council, that many stood on the platform of no increased density, be trusted to listen?
So, nice try Mr. Mayor, but pretending to provide transparent governance is still just that: pretending.
Frank Gee
North Saanich
