Board chair likes Evergreen Line referendum idea

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Board chair likes Evergreen Line referendum idea
Lois Jackson supports the idea of a regional referendum
Dave White Jul 15, 2011 17:54:49 PM
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DELTA (NEWS1130) - Metro Vancouver Board Chair Lois Jackson is supporting the idea of a regional referendum on the Evergreen Line.

Jackson, who is also Mayor of Delta, says opinion referendums are often held, so why not for the proposed line to connect Lougheed Mall with the Tri-Cities. "I just don't think we can have everything.  We just can't afford to have everything.  So let's just take it in pieces here and I think going out to the public - I mean, that is the democratic way."

She says the problem is a short-time frame to get that done. "We're wrapped into approvals for certain dates.  I continue to have a problem with that.  Perhaps it's an option that people should be looking at."

She says the suggestion will be bounced off her council and then she will forward it to other Metro Vancouver mayors.

Trinity Western's Dr. John Redekop says local mayors should jump at the chance, "Because then they won't be blamed for the consequences and the outcome."

By that he means the underlying potential of property tax increases if funding gaps for the project can't be filled.

He adds the region has other important issues to deal with and mayors have other election issues on their agenda. "I would not want to see the November elections really boil down to a referendum on TransLink's question."

He says not all taxation issues should go to referendum, but certain controversial issues should including this one that involves a multitude of potential tax increases and transit improvement fees.

Call to dissolve TransLink

There are new calls to see TransLink dissolved and be replaced with an elected board, in light of all the issues surrounding the Evergreen Line.

Lou Sekora is a councillor for the City of Coquitlam and doesn't like the way things are run.  "It's been running on for years with an unelected board, it's still not elected. Not responsible to anyone. They just rubber stamp things."

He says members spend more time fiddling around on their BlackBerries than tackling issues