The Editor,
Re. "Reimer may stay on council" (The Tri-City News, May 17).
To Coquitlam's Linda Reimer and other new MLAs considering staying on city councils: Your admirable idea to save taxpayer money by holding two positions deserves some deeper thought. Here are two of the questions you should consider:
It is not possible to do a great job of two jobs at the same time. Employees in the public and private sector are constantly undergoing downsizing to save their employers money but, from experience, I can tell you it is not possible to do more with less time. Voters put trust in you to represent their voice. You took a leave of absence to run your campaign. Do you think it will take less time, energy and focus to learn and conduct your new job as an MLA?
Work and duties at the civic and provincial levels are not the same. Your responsibilities, loyalties and commitments will differ. When your city's citizens ask you to take one position and your party asks you to take another, which will you take? There will be many opportunities for conflict of interest.
Just some of many questions to consider in making this important decision.
Jennie Boulanger, Coquitlam
