tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554855025896603558.post4420278024547705186..comments2024-01-11T02:05:49.953-07:00Comments on The Michael J Morris Report: Citizens for Livable Cranbrook Society create defining moment for cityUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554855025896603558.post-67164114582858304432009-09-23T09:10:21.221-06:002009-09-23T09:10:21.221-06:00Larry and others:
The way that taxpayer dollars a...Larry and others:<br /><br />The way that taxpayer dollars are being spent on advertising during the debate over the boundary expansion bothers me immensely, and while I doubt it is illegal under any act in BC governing municipal expenditures by a council, it is to me at least, an improper use of taxpayer funds.<br /><br />I was in municipal politics for years and have covered local government as a reporter and NEVER have I seen such an action by a council.Michael J Morris Reportshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851073735258939561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554855025896603558.post-5523523654167305422009-09-23T08:55:35.204-06:002009-09-23T08:55:35.204-06:00Michael - I have been troubled by the whole approa...Michael - I have been troubled by the whole approach of the Mayor in promoting his view of the boundary expansion issue, and let me tell you why.<br /><br />A number of years ago, I was the Chairperson for the Cranbrook Public Library. My tenure included the time when a public reference was decided upon by the then mayor (Ross Priest) on the issue of whether to proceed with the establishment of a very badly needed new public library. I can remember most distinctly sitting in the mayor's office with my co-chairperson to discuss with the then mayor what the city was going to do in order to support a "yes vote" campaign for a new facility. To my and my co-chair's utter amazement, Mayor Priest said that it was simply not appropriate for the City Council to be directly involved in "taking sides", although he was "personally" in favor of a new facility. And this when the mayor and, I believe, every single member of the then elected council had stated in their pre-election positions that they favored a new library! So we (the trustees of the library) were left on our own to organize a yes campaign. Not a penny in funding assistance from the City, not a word in organized assistance.<br /><br />I think it is not unfair to say that Mayor Priest was the mentor to our present mayor, at least from a political perspective. I shook my head in disbelief and wonder at Mayor Priest's position, and I do the same now with his protege.Larryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00596914159807111424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554855025896603558.post-30503605178585457382009-09-23T08:35:59.763-06:002009-09-23T08:35:59.763-06:00I have been reading your comments on this most imp...I have been reading your comments on this most important issue and greatly appreciate the thought provoking perspective that you are able to bring to it. Articulating good questions is an outstanding contribution to a cornerstone of effective democracy. I look forward to your continued involvement!<br /><br />I hope someone looks carefully into the issue of what authority the mayor has to spend public money on advertising. <br /><br />Larry Schafer<br />Cranbrook ResidentLarryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00596914159807111424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554855025896603558.post-57667665740688072122009-09-23T06:33:36.370-06:002009-09-23T06:33:36.370-06:00Good point Cheryl. Thanks for commenting.
mjmGood point Cheryl. Thanks for commenting.<br /><br />mjmMichael J Morris Reportshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851073735258939561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554855025896603558.post-11206892723672331192009-09-22T22:45:05.665-06:002009-09-22T22:45:05.665-06:00Last comment was not too coherent - trying again! ...Last comment was not too coherent - trying again! I truly believe that our laws (is this the Local Gov't Act in this case?) should require that before any major vote, citizens should have access to any information or reports that would help them make an informed decision - in this case the Growth Management Study comes to mind. To spend so much money and make such a large decision without this input seems true folly and to make it unavailable to citizens who want to make an informed decision (and without other options on the table!!) this is also distressing. This is a long term decision so should be taken slowly, thoughtfully and with all information AND options on the table. CherylAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554855025896603558.post-26874544296077163142009-09-22T22:34:26.343-06:002009-09-22T22:34:26.343-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com