Councillors of Victoria Park, it’s time to come clean and tell us where you stand on the issue of paid parking. Your constituents are tired of your weasel words, fed up with being kept in the dark, and angered by your silence.

It’s time to start speaking in a language we understand.

So that there is no confusion here are two examples of what’s causing so much anger and resentment in our community.

First is the case of Councillor Vicki Potter who just today shared a link on her Facebook page to a Southern Gazette article supportive of paid parking. Along with the link Councillor Potter added “Wow! A different point of view.”

But what does “A different point of view” mean? To whom is it different? Why is it different? Does she support its difference or reject its reasoning. The way it’s written the statement could be taken to mean “Wow, finally someone who understands the issues. I hope the plebs are reading this.” But I can only speculate because the councillor hasn’t come clean about where she stands on the issue.

And that’s what I want – to know where our councillors stand. I don’t want polispeak, I want clear, unambiguous, unequivocal language that tells me what these so-called leaders value and believe.

Instead of that we’re being fed a torrent of words that say a lot but tell us nothing.

Councillor Potters response to people who added a comment to her post provide an example of what the community doesn’t want or need. She states: “I am currently in a meeting in council meeting (sic) and we are just about to discuss parking. We are expecting a long night. I think everyone has misunderstood me if they think I or the rest of the council are not taking the feed back of our community seriously. We are trying to get a decision made as soon as possible to make changes to improve the current situation. It has been our highest priority, and we are not prepared to put it off for a 6 month review. I was just surprised at this article.”

See, lots of words but it doesn’t tell you, me or anyone where she stands on the issue. What I see is a commitment to talk about the issue but with no clear intention.

And then there’s Mayor Trevor Vaughan’s public comment on this blog. In part he states “…The Councillors and myself are listening to our community. We are looking at making changes to the parking restrictions at a special council meeting on Tuesday 6 May. We will be addressing the 12am time and the first 15 minute free and other aspects of the parking plan. These seem to be the major issues that are concerning businesses.” Like Councillor Potter, Mayor Vaughan fails to tell us what he’s fighting for. I get – and appreciate – that he’s taken the time to acknowledge community concerns about the parking policy, but I want to know what he’s championing. If Council was deadlocked which way would he be voting?

And I don’t just want this from Councillor Potter and Mayor Vaughan – I want this from all of our councillors. We deserve better than we’re getting right now. We deserve to know what your thinking and how you intend to serve our needs.

Come on councillors, it’s time to come clean and tell us where you individually stand on the issue of paid parking.