The Editor,
I'm nonplussed over the controversy about a so-called slate with the Protect Coquitlam campaign. In an ideal democracy, people with common goals work together for the greater good of all members of society.
If we as individuals did not work together in everyday life, what turmoil and a divisive society we would become.
I would rather have a group that transparently says what its members stand for instead of some in our midst who work together behind the scenes and no one knows what they are up to until it is too late to do anything about it.
I urge all candidates to be straightforward in what they plan for Coquitlam and answer honestly what their goals are. We would all be better off instead of creating conflict where none needs to exist.
Please get out and vote but know the issues and choose wisely.
Rita Pollock, Coquitlam
'POLARIZING'
The Editor,
Slate and party politics at the municipal level are polarizing and divisive. If you need any proof, just look at the mess in Vancouver right now.
When I expressed this to a member of the slate running in Coquitlam, he repeatedly said, "But we're not a slate." He stressed that they were individuals with multiple points of view. A few days later, I got a robocall - surely the best way to insult voters - from NDP officials encouraging me to vote for the slate.
My next encounter with the candidate consisted of him repeatedly echoing, "But we're not a slate," even though he acknowledged that the NDP had clearly just told me to vote for his slate. A couple of days later, I got another robocall from two of the slate members telling me how easy it will be to identify members of their slate on the ballot because it will be indicated next to their names.
Give me a break. If we're getting this type of double-speak during the election, how should we expect any transparency from them if elected? Coquitlam needs councillors whose intentions are to engage in collaborative and creative decision making at city hall, unfettered by allegiances to a municipal slate or party caucus.
It definitely will be easier voting this election because I certainly won't be voting for any members of the "But we're not a slate" slate.
Gregg Moor, Coquitlam
