Letter: Is it really a fresh start if Bigger ignores referendum?

Re: Article “Let them shop, Bigger says,” which appeared in the Oct. 30 edition of Northern Life.

On Oct. 27, Sudbury elected a new mayor, Brian Bigger, and a predominantly new council: a fresh start appears to be before the city.

Three plebiscites were also put before voters. While those who voted supported all three, the required threshold to make the plebiscite binding — 50 per cent of the eligible voters were required to vote on each question — was not reached.

In Northern Life Oct. 30, the mayor elect was quoted as saying that despite the failure of the plebiscites, he intends to bring all three to council.

A fresh start? When the newly elected mayor announces his intention of ignoring the rules, apparently because it does not suit him to do so, it does not sound like a fresh start.

It sounds like the same tired old “We’ll do what we want and to hell with the rules” that we the electorate have heard — and heard — and heard.

Mr. Bigger, as the former auditor general, you should know that rules are made to be followed, not ignored when convenient. The plebiscites did not receive the required percentage of voter support. The results are invalid. Live with it.

Chris Cosby
Sudbury