Editor:
Regarding the recent letter about the Mayor’s “remarkably calm” demeanour, I have to admit that I’m feeling defeated and demoralized about the state of politics in New Westminster.
For months now, it’s been clear to me (as someone previously only passingly familiar with the goings-on at city hall) that there is a dedicated group of people who seem determined to claim that their favourite party has no flaws and it’s “the other guys” who cause every single problem.
Our elected officials are human beings and — more importantly — grown adults. Abuse, ad hominem attacks and personal insults have no place in this arena, even though social media makes it easier to hide behind a keyboard and say whatever you like (as we saw recently with a school trustee). Our city councillors and school trustees absolutely deserve the basic respect afforded to any individual.
But they are not, and should not be, immune from criticism. I’m tired because it feels like a dangerous over-correction to say, “Mr. Mayor was good and right and calm and nobly standing up for the unhoused!”
I watched the council meeting. That’s not what happened. It’s fair to say that the mayor lost his temper, and that he said something that was, in fact, inappropriate in his role as chair. He was challenged, and then he owned that the behaviour wasn’t appropriate and everyone moved on.
But, again, that doesn’t exempt him from healthy criticism and discussion. It doesn’t mean the behaviour never happened. And I’d suggest that anyone who considers themselves a supporter of Community First be cautious when throwing out accusations of sock puppets and fake accounts, at least until Dee Beattie resigns and actually takes accountability for her actions.
In the meantime, let’s at least interact with one another in good faith and with the understanding that politics aren’t a game and the decisions made at city hall impact people’s lives and not just councillors’ reputations.
Sarah Arboleda
