Iam feeling concerned. I know, I am no longer elected but I still care and have a voice. This is my community.
Election time is upon us – can serious decisions be made during the next few weeks?
Consider the Province has announced a new source of funding for recreation, does our multi- centre fit the criteria? Recreation and sports projects, bike paths, walkways, etc. Applicants should consider that the funding is for as many communities as possible. Therefore $400,000 should be a contribution limit (however consideration will still be given to any value of project provided they meet the criteria.)
I can’t honestly see Quesnel receiving $10 million of a $30 million budget when the money is for all of rural B.C., but you never know. Who is going to make the application on behalf of the people, the City or CRD? The City is only allowed one project, while the CRD can apply for three projects; the deadline is Dec. 28.
Of course if the criteria are for recreation, the question needs to be asked, would that preclude the multi-centre?
Should we be discussing a Plan B? Some local politicians have said we don’t need a Plan B. Why? Is it not better to be prepared? Now should be the time to have meaningful discussions about what we will do if we don’t get grant monies. My comments are not meant to detract from the multi-centre, when the economy turned almost immediately after the referendum vote, things changed. If there are no appropriate infrastructure programs to assist us then what?
Imagine we receive no funding – why shouldn’t we discuss with the college to see if the theatre could be built at the North Cariboo Community Campus. What if the federal government has funding for arts?
Would the province consider funding through the Ministry of Advanced Ed?
Questions should be asked and answered, if we don’t have these discussions what happens? No Plan B, isn’t it true in November of 2013 the referendum question is over. We’ll be back to square one, starting from ground zero. There are times I find it totally incomprehensible that somehow politicians think people should be left in the dark about certain issues. We should never pick and choose what they should or shouldn’t know. Why isn’t the public being told or consulted? People deserve full open discussions by the politicians about that which affects them, not decisions made behind closed doors. People have raised these concerns to me and they deserve answers.
Remember this, if you have questions – ask everyone that is running for office, Mayoralty, council – even the CRD directors who were elected by acclamation. You have the right to know what is happening.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Mary Glassford is a long-term Quesnel resident, former Cariboo Regional District director and city councilor and president of the Post Secondary Education Council.
