The Union of B.C. Municipalities is in favour of increasing the term of city councils in the province to four years from the current three and has requested that individual municipalities consider this proposal. The Union of B.C. Municipalities is comprised of mayors and councillors from all B.C. cities, towns, and villages who, as incumbents, would naturally like to see their terms extended. As a candidate for city council, I am personally opposed to this proposal and would favour retaining the current three year term for municipal representatives.
I am taking this position because I believe it is important to keep municipal representatives accountable, which is more easily accomplished by keeping terms of office short. At present mayors and councils tend to become detached from public sentiment, and this will only become more pronounced if terms are extended. I would go further and suggest that in order to keep civic governments in line with public sentiment that more frequent public referendums be held on important issues as is done in the State of California and that the B.C. Community Charter be amended to allow for citizen originated initiatives to be placed on the ballot as is done in that state.
I would urge Kelowna City Council to reject the UBCM proposal at its August 5th meeting, but if they do cede to this request then council should send the matter to a public referendum as suggested by the Province.
