The recent letter printed from Emma Kirkpatrick raises some interesting points. An amalgamation would save millions of dollars in salaries alone, one mayor not 13, one councillor for each municipality, not the hundreds at present. One police chief, one fire department chief — the list goes on. There would be a significant reduction in inside staff as they would duplicate the services provided.
In addition it might get the message across that we are an interconnected region where at times we all use the blue bridge or flush a toilet in Oak Bay so perhaps we should all pay for the costs in upgrades that benefit us all.
Having moved from Calgary to Sidney where, by comparison, one council represents more than a million to find the CRD has more mayors and councillors than New York City is mind blowing.
So, yes, amalgamation would save money without reducing the public input or seeing an increase in charges.
Peter Knightley
Sidney