LETTER – City councillors should listen to uncomfortable questions

The public inquiries portion of Kamloops City council was once an important part of our local democratic process. It provided citizens with an opportunity to stand before their elected representatives, ask questions, raise concerns and seek answers directly from those entrusted to govern our city.

The present council of Hall, Middleton, Bass, Bepple, O’Reilly, the liar Sarai, and Karpuk chose to eliminate that opportunity.

That decision should concern every citizen of Kamloops. Democracy is not simply voting every four years. It is also about having meaningful access to elected representatives between elections. Public questions create accountability. They force council to listen, respond and explain its decisions to the people who pay the bills.  For instance, why was it necessary to approve short term borrowing of $40 million.  Why had the city run out of money?

If elected representatives are genuinely confident in their decisions, why would they be concerned about hearing directly from the public?

What were they worried about?

Were the questions becoming uncomfortable? Were citizens asking questions council did not want to answer publicly? Or did council simply decide that public scrutiny was an inconvenience?

Whatever the reason, the people of Kamloops are paying the price. When public access is reduced, accountability is reduced. And when accountability is reduced, democracy is weakened one small step at a time.

The next elected Council should restore public inquiries and restore the public’s voice.

GARRY DAVIES
Kamloops citizen