Editor:
I am writing regarding an article in the Tribune published Feb. 1, 2010 regarding the City and snow removal.
It is obvious the City plans to use this unique year, as they quote, “the most snow they have seen in 20 years,” to enact another set of bylaws restricting citizens’ rights.
They talk of lack of budget and the need to discourage residents from parking on the streets.
A familiar tactic — use an isolated incident to enact laws that make their jobs easier at the expense of resident privileges.
I have a different view.
People do not park on the streets and boulevards because they like to. They park there because they have to, and the folks that park there pay the taxes for the snow removals.
I work in government. Over the last several years I have had to do more with less, prioritize services, downsize staff, and contract jobs out where there are economic efficiencies.
This City seems to be immune to this.
Instead of streamlining and rationalizing services, the City continues to place restrictions and demands on its taxpayers. This is not why we have a city council.
We have a city council to be innovative in working with citizens within budgets to get priority jobs such as snow removal done.
So I think we have this backwards. Perhaps the City should not be thinking of bylaws that make its jobs easier, but instead work with taxpayers to come up with solutions that benefit members of this community within their allotted budget.
Mike Ramsay
Williams Lake