CHARLOTTETOWN RESIDENTS DESERVE BETTER

The purpose of public administration is to serve the public. A municipal council is elected to make fiscally responsible decisions in a manner that will benefit both the public entity and the citizens who receive the public services.

Recent efforts to protest the lack of a cycling lane on the planned Belvedere-st. Peters-brackley roundabout project demonstrated that citizens have the power to effect change.

Council’s reaction effectively led to a proposal that the sidewalk be replaced with a narrow, oneway, multi-use path. A solution that benefits one group of users at the expense of others. This lastminute change to rush through an election-year project is reckless and fiscally irresponsible.

The project is estimated to cost $1.5 million more than the amount approved in the Charlottetown’s capital budget. Rather than hitting the pause button, the finance manager suggested that the additional amount will come from existing accounts with the public works budget. In other words, from other planned projects.

Approving a project that accepts the estimated cost from the only contractor that submitted a bid does not meet all users’ needs, and fails to demonstrate fiscal prudence are indications of a dysfunctional administration.

This dysfunction has finally been the target of some incisive investigative reporting by the media, and is likely only a fraction of what we need to know.

What will it take for council to end the embarrassment of our capital city?

It must begin by hiring an independent, full-time auditor to review and report on all aspects of the city’s administrative practices to management and council.

We need better and we deserve better.

Barbara Dylla, Charlottetown, P.E.I.

There are so many more Islanders who are not over 65 who are also facing severe food insecurity – just look at the increased demand at food banks and the community fridge.