Position is Pro-property Rights: McNulty

Peninsula News Review

Position is Pro-property Rights: McNulty

By Sean McNulty

Fred Young and I did have a pleasant conversation while I was on my ‘Silent Majority Tour’, but he mischaracterized my position on development. My approach is not that of everything and anything goes. In fact, I don’t like the term pro-development. It lends to the idea that as Mayor I would go around dictating to people to develop their properties, which is not the case. I look at my position as one of pro-liberty and pro-property rights. Therefore, my take on development is that if a man or women wants to improve upon their property, and it doesn’t negatively affect the equal property rights of others, why should it be stopped? I’m not encouraging anyone to develop anything, I’m freeing people to pursue their goals and dreams with their land as they see fit.

This is why the anti-development crowd is not only wrong in an economic sense, but morally as well. The  ‘pro development’ crowd respects property rights and believes that individuals ought to be able to do what they wish with their properties within the given regulations the land is purchased under. Whereas the anti-development crowd wants to impose their vision on others people’s property regardless of what the land owners desire. One side advocates a bottom up, grass roots approach and one advocates a top down, dictatorship like approach to communities evolving.

In regards to this not being an ‘industrial, or even light industrial municipality’, Randy and I both operate businesses in the Keating Industrial Park (Raven Metal Works and Five Star Paving) which is a vital part of Central Saanich. Keating doesn’t irrevocably diminish our rural appeal, it makes a great place even better.

I question the term ‘we’ that was throughout Mr. Young’s letter. Who is ‘we’? I know he’s not speaking for myself and my supporters. I believe Mr. Young is putting forth his point of view, and perhaps his neighbors, not all the citizens of Central Saanich. I’ve door knocked over 1200 homes and can say I’ve yet to meet this ‘we’ that is being referred to.

The Town Hall meeting was a tremendous success, and why Mr. Young is critiquing it while at the same time stating he didn’t see the entire thing is odd. It’s like going to a movie, watching half of it and then writing a review.

The barbarians aren’t at the gate, they’ve broken through long ago and are operating the municipality! Central Saanich, your liberators are at the gate. It’s time to elect us and take back your municipality from the vocal minority!

Sean McNulty
Mayoral Candidate in Central Saanich