To the editor:
For convenience we elect someone into office who we feel would best represent us.
The present mayor ran on a platform that the proposed event center would go to plebiscite.
To put this delicately, was his father’s name Gepetto?
The Concerned Taxpayers of Thunder Bay (CTTB) headed by Raymond Smith are asking council to consider putting the proposed event center to plebiscite.
While parliamentary democracy is convenient whereby our council should represent us, direct democracy is the surest way residents are represented, and that is by having residents themselves make the decision, with a direct vote or a plebiscite.
Unfortunately nothing is on the radar showing that any member of Thunder Bay city council is willing to put a motion proposing to put a question on the ballot in the Oct.27 municipal election.
There is nothing on council’s agenda for Monday, April 7 of putting a question on the ballot. This is unfortunate, because when an individual at the March 27 Neebing Ward meeting, asked who wants a plebiscite on the proposed event center, it looked like all the hands at that meeting went up except for the ward councillor.
There were about 30 people at that meeting, so what part of we want a direct vote does that councillor not understand.
This is why the CTTB is asking the public to attend a Rally in front of City Hall starting at 5:45 p.m. on April 7 to let council know that residents want a direct vote on this proposed event center, especially if municipal funds are to be used to build and operate it.
The last day that council sits and can put a notice out to the public of their intent to put a question on the ballot is April 14.
We cannot force this city council to put a question on the ballot, but we can let them know that we would appreciate it if they did.
This will only happen if the public outcry is loud enough to be heard by council.
Plan to attend the rally in front of city hall, April 7 at 5:45 pm, if the weather is poor there is a gathering place in city hall.
If you cannot attend, call your mayor and let him know how you feel.
Henry Wojak,
Thunder Bay
