To the Editor,
Re: Council adding city spokesperson to staff, March 1.
Reflecting on city council’s attitudes reminds me of an Athenian’s observation some 2,500 years ago:
When silver was found nearby and the treasury was filled, the city statesmen invited craftsmen to discuss construction of new warships. Shipwrights, sail makers and others took turns to speak. When a layman tried, prince or commoner, he was ejected from the gathering.
Later the city statesmen invited craftsmen to discuss construction of new public buildings. Stonemasons, artists and others took turns to speak. When a layman tried, prince or commoner, he was ejected from the gathering.
But, whenever the topic is about general running of the city state anyone can speak at length. Conclusion? Running a city state requires no training.
City council consistently votes four and five. A $140,000 propagandist, an Edward Bernays spin doctor extraordinaire, serves who and what?
The five lack a wherewithal, a sense of trepidation; there is no cautionary tone at all.
Nanaimo is a cash-flow business operating at well past $1 billion.
Steer it wrong, there will be a massive crash. Some councillors are unsuited to captain our city.
Consider only the two bookends, his Worship and young George Anderson – one’s sum of experience hails from a bygone era of endless growth; and the other, no experience at all.
We are not interested in controlled workshops, propagandism, etc., especially on our dime.
Events shaping our world are obvious – volatile and unpredictable. Besides, Nanaimoites, the stakeholders, are already speaking out voluminously.
Victor Blazevic
Nanaimo
