Walt and Cicero

Walt Lesyk, a Vernon resident for 20 years, finally has his say in this Letter to the Editor June 14th, 2013:

"GAS TAX:
City council proposes a gas tax.  Are they kidding me?  That's the most stupid idea I have heard.

This letter is long overdue.  I have been gritting my teeth for some time over the lack of any management out of this current mayor and councillors.

Actually this has been true for several councils in the past years.

I would like to be proud of the town that I chose for my home some 20 years ago, but I find it difficult to do.  This town is dying, mainly because we have no one to properly lead and develop the economy for the well being of this place.

Observe the number of residents leaving town, businesses moving to other towns, the number of empty store and businesses.  Last person out, turn out the lights.

Has anyone noticed that we no longer have any provincial offices here?

They have all been moved to Kelowna.  And that without a peep or whimper from our so-called leaders.  If a town does not grow, it dies.

Instead of encouraging core development, our councils waste our money on social items such as libraries, bicycle paths, esthetic street rebuilding, museums, art galleries, etc.

These type of buildings are ideal but intelligent leaders would reserve them for better economic times.

Instead of gas taxes, wouldn't it be more prudent to use the money wasted on borrowing interest to build that stupid sports track that no-one will use?  Who is going to drive three miles out of town to use it?

I guess this is what we get for electing non-development politicians in city hall for the past many years.  Decline.

Mr. Mayor and councillors, you are doing a poor job of leading this little town. "

Walt Lesyk

So...to what does the title reference "Cicero" refer?

"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed, lest Rome will become bankrupt.  People must again learn to work instead of living on public assistance".                                                                                                Cicero, 55 BC