TRU Students Union says, "... we won’t be able to include the text you have recently submitted. Sorry for the inconvenience"

There’s just over a week until Election Day in Kamloops, and the questionnaires and public forums, and meet and greets are approaching their end.  I’m am delighted with all the work various community groups and organizations have put in, and with all of the information that our local media has brought to the attention of voters.

The other day, my manager, Alan Forseth happened to come across the TRU Students Union questionnaire that had been posed to Kamloops Council candidates, and which was online on their website.

We advised them right away we had not received their questionnaire, and sent them the responses we would have submitted, asking that they be included with those of other candidates running, regrettably, they indicated that they would not be able to do so, in the following email response we received:

            Peter,

Sorry for the late response. Unfortunately, your submission was not received by he deadline and so we won’t be able to include the text you have recently submitted. Sorry for the inconvenience

We did of course reply with the following message, however, 23 hours later there has been no response from those at the TRU Students Union:

Regrettably, as I indicated in my initial email, your questionnaire was not received for us to respond to; the only reason we realized it was something the TRU Students Union was doing was because of a back-link to our campaign blog from your website. 

It would seem to me, that because of this, an exception could be made, especially as this is an online features, not a printed publication that has already gone to press.

In the interests of fairness, I would ask for a review of your decision, and await your response.

                                                                                                                 

In the interest of making this information available to the students of TRU, and the community of Kamloops as a whole, here are the responses which we submitted on Sunday November 2^nd at 2:30pm

Background and Qualifications:

Kamloops is my home by choice, and it is where my wife and I have resided for over 20 years.

I have served my community as a member of the RCMP, a city councilor, a member of the Thompson Nicola Regional District board of directors, as chairman of our regional hospital district board, plus 15 other committees and local non-profit community groups and organizations.

Through these opportunities I have been able to put my own personal skills to use in a number of ways. More importantly however, I have learned from others how to better serve my community by seeking out the wisdom of others, and then putting that knowledge to practical use. 

Now retired, I believe I have the time, the energy and the desire to be the elected 'representative' for you, on Kamloops City Council. Let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

Priorities:

I am campaigning with a commitment to support employment opportunities for city residents, promoting a healthy environment for business growth, and a return to regular Neighborhood Town Hall meeting for public consultations and input. 

City Council need to do more to engage the business community and residence of our city by holding regular Town Hall Meetings, with business or community and neighborhood associations, for public consultation. This was a regular occurrence during Mel Rothenburger’s tenure as Mayor of Kamloops, and it is one that should be initiated again

Issue #1: Student Experience in the City of Kamloops

I was transferred too Kamloops as a Member of the RCMP, therefore I have no student experience in Kamloops.  However, my wife is a teacher and has taught in Kamloops for 21 years.  My two youngest children went to elementary and secondary school here as well.

Issue #2: Improvements to Public Transit

We have a city as big as Vancouver with a population a tenth their size.  I believe that the City of Kamloops offers a good public transit system throughout our city.  I realize it does not meet everyone expectations and is not as effective as we’d all like, but the taxpayers of Kamloops do subsidize the system to the tune of over $2 Million. 

Our buses are modern and we have positioned bus loops in strategic places around the city, including TRU.  Like most people, I’d like to see the system to improve and expand, but until I am able to look at the books, and be a part of the budgeting process, I can only wait and see.

Issue #3: Job Creation

As noted above, I am campaigning with a commitment to support employment opportunities for city residents. 

For anyone wondering, let me unequivocally state that; "I support strong -- and responsible -- exploration, mining and mineral processing industry in BC – and that includes right here in Kamloops."   And I have no problem saying this. I will support, the good high-paying family supporting jobs, which come from safe and environmentally sound development projects. 

Here’s the bottom line for me --- residents of our community, especially those graduating from TRU (many with students loans that must be paid off) should have the opportunity to find employment at good well-paying jobs right here. Those jobs must also be created in a way that protects and safe guards our health, and the health of our environment.

With that in mind, and with those things protected, I don’t really care if they come from the AJAX Mine proposal, from someone wishing to set up a new factory, from a new hi-tech business, or from any other company wishing to set up / or expand an existing business, here in Kamloops.

Issue #4: Affordable Rental Housing

Affordable rental housing is a great idea, if the city can afford it.  Many businesses and residents of Kamloops are already complaining that their taxes are too high.  Many running for council are thinking of all kinds of innovative ways to reduce taxes, without reducing services, while continuing to provide the moneys needed for projects and services that are already on the books. 

What the city does offer to not for profit organizations, is grants in lieu of taxes.  I’m not so sure the city can afford to build low rental houses, as we do not have the tax rate to do so. 

That said, by ensuring the city has a healthy and vibrant business community, we can work towards creating a full range of jobs from those entering the work force, to those graduating from TRU.

Tonight all of the candidates for Kamloops City Council will be at the North Shore Community Centre, beginning at 6:30pm.  This event is sponsored by the Kamloops North Shore Business Improvement Association (NSBIA).  The welcome mat is out for all to attend; hope to see you there.