Cranbrook Mayor Scott Manjak and his council followers get lesson in grassroots democracy

Cranbrook mayor Scott Manjak, who took office less than a year ago, and five of his six councillors, have just received a lesson in grassroots democracy which they would do well to heed for the remainder of their three-year term, after more than 3,000 citizens came forward to reject council's plan to use an Alternative Approval Process (AAP)to expand the city's boundaries. Only Councillor Bob Whetham opposed the motion to approve the AAP.

After council approved the Alternative Approval Process approach to a proposed huge expansion of the city's boundaries at its July meeting, rather than send the matter to a referendum by the city's voters, the Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society, headed by president Sharon Cross, launched a grassroots campaign to force council to hold a referendum. Ten percent of the eligible voters (1,475) were needed to sign Elector Response forms, and on Wednesday, the society delivered 3,024 forms to city hall, more than twice the required number.

Manjak actively campaigned in favour of the Alternative Approval Process by sending a glossy brochure to each household, and running a two-page advertisement in the local paper. The mayor went so far as to tell voters that if they had signed an Elector Response Form, and wished to change their mind, just call him, and he would arrange to have the form withdrawn. His offer provoked an angry response among some citizens and undoubtedly led to an increased number opposing the council decision.

It seems that the law surrounding the handling of the response forms is somewhat cloudy in British Columbia, but for a mayor to offer to become directly involved in having a form withdrawn in any sort of voting process is totally unacceptable. At the very least Manjak should apologize to the citizens he represents.

Sharon Cross told the Cranbrook Daily Townsman in an article by Bonnie Ryan on August 27, 2009, that the mobilization of the community had been an incredibly inspiring event, referring to it as `truly a grassroots movement.`

The matter will be placed before council again at its September 14, 2009 meeting. Let us hope that Manjak and Councillors Jim Wavrecan, Liz Schatschneider, Angus Davis, Diana J. Scott and Denise Pallesen who supported the Alternative Approval Process fully realize that they have been badly damaged by their presumptuous action, and they must now work to bring the community together again. They are totally responsible for dividing it.




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Van Loan uses 'complex mathematical formula' to decide if aid coming to Ontario tornado victims

Federal Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan says it's not a political decision that decides if an area like Vaughan, Ontario, hit by a tornado last Thursday will receive federal disaster assistance, it will be done using a "complex mathematical formula."

Really, I am sure the good people of Vaughan, where an estimated 600 homes were damaged in the tornado were reasured to learn that the Harper Conservatives would apply its complex math formula and give them the news at some time as to whether or not they were eligible for federal assistance in the future as they surveyed the damage in their community.

What in the world was Van Loan, the member for York Simcoe, and the former "Question Period cheap shot specialist" according to columnist Don Martin, doing there if politics is not involved. Van Loan, when he was Government House Leader was one of the most partisan political members in the House of Commons, as he spoke out on Harper's behalf.

In fact in its January 24, 2008 edition, Maclean's magazine referred to Van Loan as one of the "Harper 12" meaning he was one of the 12 most influential people in Ottawa.

One would think that given Van Loan's stature in the government of the day, the complex mathematical formula might work in favour of the people in southern Ontario who suffered loss from the tornado.

National conversation on health care needed

To comment write me at mj.morris@live.ca

Just over two weeks ago I was standing in the security line at the Greyhound station in Calgary waiting to be cleared to board the bus to Cranbrook after a quick trip to Foothills Medical Centre a few days earlier by air ambulance. I had just been discharged from Foothills a couple of hours earlier and was anxious to get home where my cat Buckwheat had been looked after by friends for the previous 10 days.

I struck up a conversation with the lady behind me in the line, and after telling her where I had been, the conversation turned to the challenges facing the health care system. It turned out that she was a retired registered nurse who had also sat on health councils designed to provide input to the government from the people. Lots of luck on that one based on my own experience in Ontario more than 30 years ago. Anyway, we chatted for a bit, and agreed that a national conversation by Canadians was needed on the health care system.

My experience at Foothills and at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital this summer brought into clear focus that while I received excellent care in both hospitals, that may not always be the case as they are stretched to capacity, and packed with patients whose average age would be at least 60. I wandered about the units I was in and did an anecdotal survey on people's ages -- nothing scientific. And, the baby boomers don't start to hit 65 until 2011.

Let me be real clear on one thing. At Foothills which is a huge high level medical centre and at EKRH which is a regional hospital in a small community, I was so fantastically impressed by the professionalism and dedication to provide excellent patient care from doctors, nurses and all other staff despite how busy they were. Nobody ever lost his/her friendly attitude in either place.

To me, the coming health care crisis is the fault of successive federal and provincial governments who have failed us as Canadian citizens by looking at our health care as a cost item in a budget rather than an investment in our well being. They knew the population was aging. They knew that health care professionals would be retiring. They simply failed to invest over the years to ensure the viability of the health care system with a focus on patient care.

When I suggest a national conversation on the future of heath care in Canada, I do not mean another Romanow type commission or something run by the politicians. I am suggesting a grass roots chat among Canadians where they share their ideas, experiences and concerns about health care and let the politicians listen to our voices. Perhaps it could all be done online with sites established where people could leave their comments.

If we leave it to the provincial and federal governments, it will be more of the same. For starters in a small way I invite you to leave comments here or email me at mj.morris@live.ca and I will post them.

And I am home now and feeling much better thanks. I will have more to say about my extraordinary experience in a bit. For the moment to the staffs at Foothills and EKRH, and the incredible paramedics who looked after me, thanks ... and to Marlo, Mike P, Maralyn, Katherine, Michael Mc, Al, Elizabeth, Keith and Mario, you are all angels!