To the editor:
RE: DKA supports public hearing

I am appalled at the audacity of Kelowna City Council which by sending the matter of the downtown Comprehensive Development Zone to a public hearing on October 20 has signaled that it intends to make this monumental decision by itself during the short remainder of its term in office. Never mind that this council reflects the views of the electorate of three years ago and never mind that a council that reflects the current views of residents will be chosen in less than six weeks, the present city council thinks by virtue of its superior intellect and vision that it has the right to make this decision in the waning hours of its term.

Also never mind that our neighbouring communities of the Westside and Lake Country will be voting on referendums there, our all-seeing and all-knowing city council wonʼt be soiling itself by going to Kelowna residents for their opinion on the CD Zone in a referendum here. Our city council had decided some time ago that Kelownians donʼt get to vote directly on matters of consequence like the Mission Aquatic Centre or the downtown CD Zone. Democracy is just a nuisance to these politicians who prefer to get it over with once every three years in order to get themselves elected, after which time they wash their hands of it and conveniently forget that the source of their power is the people. Then, during their term in office, they behave like total autocrats.

I am thinking that the remaining incumbents running for re-election are due for some serious humbling. Perhaps if Kelowna voters elected a new and all different city council, it would send a message to this bunch that, like the downtown CD Zone, they should not try to build their castles on unstable soil.

John Zeger - Kelowna