Editor's note: This letter by Cumberlander Evan Loveless is a response to a recent editorial in The Comox Valley Record.

Dear Editor,

Re: The people have spoken, CVR, Wednesday Nov 19, 2008

I needed to respond to your comments regarding the election of (Bates), Baird and Moncrief and suggesting that "there is more Trilogy supporters (in Cumberland) than one might suspect from public meetings and letters to the editor". Quite a conclusion! There was no real landslide at the Cumberland polls suggesting a clear persuasion either way. In fact the votes for the top five candidates were actually quite close with three of these candidates raising issues with the Trilogy development (and other developments). Not anti-development as the Record and others like to portray, but rather want to see the development done responsibly, and in line with community values.

The Trilogy development, or any other development proposal, was noticeably absent from any of the "pro trilogy" candidates' platforms. And the notification of council meetings, where such major decisions have been passed, was poor at best with consequently little turnout. In fact people would have only known about the last special Council meeting (where third reading of Trilogy bylaws were passed) if they had been in attendance at the regular meeting the Monday prior. So I would doubt that most people voting for Baird, Moncrief, or Frame for that matter, were even aware of their voting history with respect to Trilogy.

I should note here Mayor Bates' quote in the media that Council was simply following its "agenda" in reference to passing third reading. If this was the case Mayor Bates then why did you need to call a special Council meeting only to pass third reading and only two days before the election? Surely this was more than a coincidence.

You also speak of dissent in reference to Greening interacting with Mayor and Council. I wouldn't include the act of asking tough questions as dissent. Rather this is what we expect of our Councilors. I for one will welcome longer Council meetings to finally have some discourse over the real issues. So far Sproule has been the only Councilor to ask questions about the proposed developments. Not just saying no, but really inquiring whether the existing proposal is the best for Cumberland. This is why she garnered the most votes, why Greening got elected, and why Snaden was on Greening's heals but unfortunately couldn't knock off another incumbent. Keep your signs Carol because we can always hope for a by-election.

Evan Loveless
Cumberland