Dear Editor,

I feel 91Ô­´´ City council is trying to pull a fast one on the electors.

They want to borrow $15 million to acquire property, upgrade and improve infrastructure. They are required to get the electors’ approval either by having a vote, or by an alternative approval process. It seems they would rather not have a vote. They have proposed a bylaw.

The bylaw allows the City to proceed with the loan unless 10 per cent of the electors indicate they are opposed to the bylaw. Those who wish to retain the right to vote must sign and submit an approved form to City hall. This puts the burden on citizens to defend the right to vote instead of the City to have a vote.

This is unfair to the citizens of 91Ô­´´ City, and I am surprised that such a thing is possible in our democracy. This sneaky bylaw assumes that those who do not submit the form are in favour of the bylaw. Inaction does not equate to approval.

Shame on you, mayor and council.

Why did they stop there? Why not make a bylaw that says the City can do anything they want, unless 10 per cent of electors make the effort to oppose them? The citizens pay for it. Witness the tax increase for the current year.

I am bringing this to the attention of your readers because the notice that was published on page 11 in the 91Ô­´´ Advance Times on Thursday, June 8, is difficult to understand.

I urge the citizens of 91Ô­´´ City to protect the right to vote by signing the form opposing the bylaw. The forms are available at City hall, second floor administration counter. The deadline is 4:30 p.m., July 18.

The $15 million dollar loan and the proposed bylaw are separate issues. The loan could be approved by a vote. If the bylaw is not opposed, there will be no vote.

This is taxation without representation. Let’s hope there will be no tea party.

Richard Penner, 91Ô­´´ City

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• READ MORE: 91Ô­´´ City residents can block $15 million loan

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