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In the business of Sandown, residents are on the hook

Business risks its own money, government risks taxpayers’ money

Re: Sandown is the business of government (Opinion, Jan. 27)

I am not sure why Coun. Celia Stock felt the need to lecture us on the difference between government and business. Unfortunately she ignored the critical difference between the two models: business risks its own money, government risks taxpayers’ money.

She states “elected councillors represent the citizens and not their own personal agenda or objectives” when in fact she is clearly using the Opinion page to promote her point of view that the Sandown land proposal is “a rare generational gift which will continue to bring benefits to the community and its citizens far into the future.”

I’m guessing her mind is pretty much made up on this issue and she will vote in favour of the Sandown land proposal.

Elected officials should not be in the business of choosing who should qualify for public investment. All levels of government are notoriously bad at selecting winners and losers and leaving taxpayers to clean up the mess.Government typically overestimates the value of the investment and underestimates the costs involved to make that investment profitable.

The role of elected officials should be to facilitate the process, cut unnecessary red tape and modify or change bylaws or regulations to make it easier for the private sector to do business.

If the Sandown land proposal is such a good deal then let the professional farmers come in and develop the site, not the taxpayer.

Does the projected $700,000 for site preparation include the costs of redirecting the focus of the municipal hall toward this project?

Are we going to see additional staff brought on line to manage this operation for the next few years or are other priorities going to languish while everyone gets involved in farming?

If Coun. Stock wishes to ensure sustainable agriculture then she should first look at how to cull the deer population as working farmers have requested.

Michael Butler

North Saanich