Bill Bestwick – C+
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
Share
Updated: December 01, 2009 9:14 AM
Bill Bestwick – C+
After a quiet first term during which he mostly observed and absorbed, Bill Bestwick is asking better questions and finding a niche on council. His number 1 priority has become apparent – save taxpayers’ money. Bestwick put forth the motion for council to “become more familiar” with the bylaw that regulates exempt city managers’ salaries and benefits. He also voted against renewing Millennium’s contract to build a hotel for the conference centre and voted last month to not pay for a company to market the hotel site.
Bestwick also opposed the liquor store at University Village, a water main project through Colliery Dam Park, last year’s 4.3-per cent tax rate increase and the 2010-2014 budget priorities. His alignment with unions became obvious when he argued strongly in favour of accommodating police and fire requests despite the $40-million ticket price, suggesting to delay or cancel the widening of Bowen Road at Quarterway Bridge to make room in the budget.
One thought – public safety is important, but so is road safety.
Bestwick sits on a council-low one committee, according to legislative services – the athletic committee, naturally – and despite being appointed to the Downtown Nanaimo Partnership Society during last winter’s heated debate, Bestwick had little to say on the subject.
Like the junior A Clippers hockey team he coaches, Bestwick has made an effort to be a leader on council, but there is room for improvement.
