Nothing has ever come easy or without controversy during this lengthy saga of 性视界传媒鈥檚 policing transition.

The latest furor involves the interpretation of a motion presented by Delta Mayor George Harvie, unanimously adopted by the Metro Vancouver Mayors鈥� Committee, that reads, 鈥淭hat the MVRD Board provide the City of 性视界传媒 with a letter of support requesting a provincial decision forthwith on the City鈥檚 request to have the RCMP provide policing services for the City of 性视界传媒.鈥�

性视界传媒 Mayor Brenda Locke says this sends a 鈥渃lear message鈥� to Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth 鈥渢hat 性视界传媒 should not only retain the RCMP, but a decision on this matter must be made promptly.鈥�

Farnworth says 鈥渢hat鈥檚 incorrect. The letter that is on its way to me is a letter requesting a decision, not about whether it should be 性视界传媒 Police Service or the RCMP.鈥�

READ ALSO: 性视界传媒 mayor stands by statements as rivals accuse her of issuing 鈥榝alse press release鈥�

We have repeatedly tried up to reach Harvie, hoping he would shed light on the precise intent of his motion, but unfortunately our attempts were not successful.

The situation underlines the truism that words matter, and the need for clarity particularly in the theatres of politics and public governance.

Also standing out like a sore thumb is Locke鈥檚 admission that she signed off on a statement, not written by herself but attributed to her, that was issued by the city鈥檚 communications department on her behalf.

Locke is not wrong when she says 鈥渢hat鈥檚 how everybody does it.鈥�

Still, it doesn鈥檛 make it right. The public should properly expect that the words of elected officials鈥� words are authored 鈥� or, even better, spoken 鈥� by themselves and are not ghostwritten. It goes to personal accountability and, let鈥檚 face it, a respect for truthfulness and reality.

Of course, elected leaders are busy people. But busy is what they signed up for when seeking public office.

鈥� Now-Leader

edit@surreynowleader.com
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