Editor:
Re: BCTS proceeds despite objections (story, July 17, 2013 issue)
The recent announcement by B.C. Timber Sales (BCTS) that the perimeter of Class A Gladstone Provincial Park in the Lynch Creek watershed will be logged is hardly surprising.
Very few politicians and bureaucrats respect our democratic system of governance and sometimes take advantage of the largest and most important stakeholder group; unfortunately, the most impotent “we the people.”
This point is easily validated by our antiquated water management in rural B.C.
In my opinion, bureaucracies are inherently weak. Thirty-four years ago, a university professor (Laurence J. Peter), after extensive research, concluded that people in hierarchal organizations, like bureaucracies, are eventually elevated one level beyond their level of competence. He called this work the Peter Principle – where there is no sting for failure, no buzz for success and you are making decisions for which you will never be held accountable; decision-making is not your game!
There are significant events in our life’s journey that go a long way in defining our character and citizenship. The bureaucrats in BCTS have certainly made such a decision and remind us why so many people hold bureaucrats and politicians in contempt. After all, decisions driven by statutory authority and not fact is now commonplace on the B.C. landscape and it certainly won’t change if we walk away from a fight!
Our new BC Liberal MLA Linda Larson wanted the job of representing the people of the riding, so represent us!
Barry Brandow Sr., Grand Forks