Nov. 18 is decision day in areas E and F in the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) and the Town of Gibsons. The day when citizens have the chance to determine whether their future lies in a new restructured municipality or will remain a quasi-union of three separate entities.
According to those espousing the No side a positive vote will cause taxes to rise, people to lose their jobs, and the rural lifestyle to be lost forever. Let's examine those statements. First of all whether or not the lower end of the Coast becomes one we stake our reputations on the fact that your taxes will rise. For those of you who don't believe that please address your next letter to the Tooth Fairy rather than the editor. After all one good myth deserves another.
For the very legitimate concern employees of the SCRD have that jobs will be lost it's important to note that changes to government structure will be phased in over five years. It stands to reason that if one jurisdiction is going to take over another's responsibility then more staff will be needed for the new municipality. Who better to fill those positions than people who already have the experience and know-how to deal with local government functions? In other words it's too soon to panic, examine the issues rather than the scare tactics of the No side.
As to that much-touted rural lifestyle we suspect it disappeared the last time a cow walked freely down Pratt Road. We want the mix of farms and blocks of "urban" style housing to remain as it is. And a Yes vote would give us a lot more say in the matter.
It's time to lay the conspiracy theories to rest. The province isn't out to lump us together no matter what. The Town of Gibsons isn't exercising a power grab. Taxes won't spiral out of control, we have a way of preventing that - it's called an election. Most politicians want to keep their jobs. Raise our taxes and out they go.
It's time to tear down the virtual brick wall that exists between the electoral areas and the Town of Gibsons. Let's become in fact what we've been in practice for many years: one community.
On Nov. 18 vote to control your own destiny. Say yes to restructure.
