To the Editor,
There’s no question that John Douglas’ large majority over incumbent Mayor Ken McRae was entirely the result of back and forth changes to garbage pickup and to the switch to automated garbage pickup.
Many voters told city council of their opposition to garbage changes, but were almost totally ignored by the mayor and council.
Jack McLeman wanted to slow down the process and think things through. He was later joined in his opposition by Hira Chopra.
The defining moment came in early summer when automated garbage pickup again came before council with John Douglas absent. Cindy Solda and Kenn Whiteman were in favour; Jack McLeman and Hira Chopra wanted more study.
The mayor, seemingly believing that autocracy is better than democracy, voted with Solda and Whitemann. From that moment on, he was finished as mayor.
Why an experienced politician would go out on a limb in an election year is indeed a puzzle. The voters were more than happy to bring out their saws on election day.
Richard Berg,
Port Alberni