Judging by the reaction to the Town of Golden’s decision to adopt permanent Mountain Standard Time (BC time), council has managed to make some people deeply upset about clocks.
Of course, this is not really about clocks.
It is about whether public consultation means anything when elected officials choose the option most respondents did not support.
The regional survey, albeit informal, and not conducted by the Town, attracted more than 14,000 responses, including more than 1300 from Golden and Area A. Locally, it seems that 55 per cent preferred permanent Mountain Daylight Time, keeping Golden aligned with Alberta, while 45 per cent supported permanent Mountain Standard Time and alignment with most of B.C.
That is not an overwhelming margin, and the survey was clearly non-binding. Council was entitled to consider other factors, including health research, morning daylight, school routines and provincial consistency.
But council should not be surprised by the backlash.
The public was asked. The public answered. The rest of the Kootenays chose to remain aligned with Alberta time, yet Golden’s council went in the opposite direction.
Comments on the Town’s Facebook post reveal the practical concerns behind much of the frustration. Residents travel to Calgary, Cranbrook, Invermere, Yoho and Lake Louise for work, shopping, medical appointments and family commitments. Others simply question why Golden would separate itself from communities with which it has longstanding economic and social ties.
Supporters of council’s decision make reasonable points. Morning light has recognized health benefits, and being on the same time as Vancouver and most of the province will simplify some business and government dealings.
But there was no option that would align Golden with everyone. Council had to decide which relationships mattered most, and it chose the rest of B.C. over Alberta and the Kootenays.
The real problem, if I may be so bold, is that the consultation, however informal, might have created an expectation that the result would carry substantial weight. If council believed health evidence or provincial alignment should override the public preference, it might have explained that far more clearly before taking the vote.
There is nothing like a contentious local issue to wake people up just before an election. In that respect, the timing could not be more perfect.
Residents are paying attention. They are asking questions about how decisions are made and whether their input matters. Those are exactly the questions voters should be asking as they consider who they want sitting around the council table next.
