Size matters in Surrey, which has the second largest population of any community in British Columbia, the largest school district in the province and one of the fastest growth rates.
Geographically, it's pretty darn big, too. Residents can drive for 45 minutes and still never (a) leave the city limits; or (b) get out from behind the dump truck ahead of them that's travelling 15 kilometres per hour below the posted speed limit.
With such a huge expanse of land, the city has evolved over time into distinct subcommunities within the larger municipal boundaries. Most residents don't even refer to their domicile as being located in Surrey, but instead deem the smaller community as home - Whalley, Guildford, Fleetwood, Newton, Cloverdale and South Surrey (or, as I prefer to call it, Metro White Rock).
These subcommunities have served us well, to the point where the City of Surrey has separate community plans drawn up surrounding these hubs, or as the bureaucratese tags them, "town centres."
Recently, the City of Surrey has embarked on a renewed focus on some of these mini-burbs with an eye to taking a fresh approach to addressing some of the issues that affect the residents there. It's a good idea and I humbly suggest city officials start with the name they attach to these communities. "Town centre" is such a cumbersome phrase. So many letters - actually two words - and it doesn't exactly dance gracefully off one's tongue.
Nope, we live in an era where smaller, sleeker and more efficient is far more attractive and acceptable than long-winded gobbledygook. Let's trim that phrase down to something that reflects these communities in a more appropriate manner.
Hey, here's an idea: how about we call them wards.
Most residents will be intrigued by the suggestion of a ward system in Surrey, if only for the fact the city is already custom-made for such a political dynamic. As it stands now, civic decisions are made by a mayor and city council comprising people elected at large by all Surrey residents.
But does this system fairly address all the needs and concerns of the assorted regions within the city? Are the interests of Whalley, Guildford and Newton accurately represented by a council dominated by residents of South Surrey and Cloverdale? Who speaks for the concerns of the neighbourhoods of Bridgeview (Whalley) or Birdland (Guildford) or Strawberry Hill (Newton)?
More importantly, who are the elected officials the residents of these areas contact when a problem arises? Currently, Surrey city council consists of eight councillors and the mayor. With a ward system, the structure would be revamped into two elected councillors from each "town centre" plus the mayor for a total of 13. Granted, this system involves a larger council and therefore more costs, but the existing councillor numbers have not changed in more than 20 years despite runaway annual growth in the city's population.
The idea of a ward system for Surrey is nothing new; it's a civic structure that has worked well in numerous large cities around North America. The biggest Canadian example of a city governed by a ward system is Toronto where, wait, who's the mayor there? Nevermind. As usual, Toronto should probably not be the Canadian ideal... In Surrey, the issue pops up every couple or three years - usually when a civic election is looming - and then dies off when the existing elected officials refuse to take the proposal seriously.
And why should they? Why would elected officials choose to change a system that worked for them to get elected in the first place? If I recall correctly, the last time the issue arose was in 2011 and councillors shot it down on the grounds that a ward system would pit the assorted regions of the city against each other. Too much potential conflict they said.
Really? When is that a bad thing in politics? An elected council that actually represents every region of the city is still preferable to the current situation where members of the same civic coalition, Surrey First, occupy every single seat on council and the mayor's chair.
And speaking of Surrey First, when will that party's assorted members actually entertain an idea that puts the interests of Surrey residents first? Here's a challenge: Instead of pooh-poohing the notion of a ward system as a nonstarter, why don't the Surrey First councillors actually do something radical and put the people of Surrey first? A civic election is due in November, so in addition to the ballots for council and mayor, let's add a referendum for voters to determine if the city should adopt a ward system.
Wow, letting the people decide. What a novel concept.
What are the Surrey First folks afraid of?