Dear Editor,
Mr. Gordon Forte (‘Recognising irony’ SN, Nov. 22, 2015) misses the point and purpose of local government elections (LGE). These elections are not about the government or any reminder of the tiniest majority of votes that the administration has as stated in his letter.
Mr. Forte, however, may not be singular in his misunderstanding and misconception of what local government and LGE really is about. It is not a referendum on the six-months old administration rather it is an opportunity for citizens to elect seventy one councils (nine townships and sixty two neighbourhoods) to manage and develop their respective communities; an opportunity denied them for eighteen years.
The seventy one democratically-elected councils which will come into being as a result of LGE will bring fresh blood, energy and enthusiasm to the management of our communities. These councils will be not only be empowered but the administration will provide meaningful support to enable them to be equipped to effectively be able to discharge their mandate toward citizens.
While LGE comes with a huge price tag the administration considers it to be indispensable and an investment in deepening democracy as well as good governance.
When local democracy (of which LGE is but one component) begins to take hold and flourish, it will result in better managed communities, cleaner and safer ones. The credit for this will redound to the benefit of the administration that made it possible, in this case the one that governs with a tiny majority.
For us local democracy and human development are intertwined, inseparable, indeed inextricable.
I thank Gordon for allowing me this opportunity for making this distinction.
Yours faithfully,
Ronald Bulkan, M.P.
Minister of Communities
