Review of Platforms - Sue Zacharias/Kerry Cook

Very recently - both WL City Councillor Sue Zacharias/WL Mayor Kerry Cook put out detailed re-election Platforms which I wish to review...

Sue Zacharias - see here

Goal #1 - Agree with her but have to ask where this Council was the entire term.  Economic Development should be a priority everyday and not just weeks before a local election

Goal #2 - Agree with her.  If Victoria can find $500 million for BC Place (1 facility) and $500,000 for Grey Cup activities - then they should be able to fund recreation and other facilities in Rural BC that generates the funds for our urban cousins' in Metro Vancouver and other urban areas of BC...

Goal #3 - Agree with her here.  The community has seen reductions in various crime categories, but let's remember - it is because of the work of all and not because of one City Council or one individual.  Tackling crime is everyone's job... Also - people I've talked with say that not only do we need a Drug/Alcohol Detox facility but we need to take a closer look at our local social services and ensure that they are providing the very best services that they can and the benefits of those social services are reaching those that need it

Goal #4 - Self explanatory

Goal #5 - I somewhat take umbrage with this statement, given how many Central Cariboo Joint Committee meetings' I've attended.  Personally - I don't think it is "Team Spirit" when you tell your neighbour (City of WL to CRD) how to do their job...

Goal #6 - Agree with most goals she's laid out.  Corporate Vote is one item I don't think you'll see Victoria get into.  Too messy for provincial politicians to get involved in when they have enough to keep them busy, politically.  Also - I question her dedication/respect for seniors' when she voted to turn over Heritage House to CMHA (Can. Mental Health Assoc) when local seniors' have previously said that they wanted it to remain for seniors' purposes, voted to defer any decision on Cariboo Lodge to a Task Force (who knows when that report will be made available) and her reaction to comments from two local seniors' in Sept of 2010 on a development proposal by Luigi Mandarino by using the words "appalling".  Again - we need not agree with what one says but calling one's comments as "appalling" is something we should all steer clear of. All she had to do (and she wasn't at the Public Hearing to hear the full context of their comments) was thank them for their comments and politely say that she disagree with the views

Kerry Cook - see here

Key Goals: Safer Streets - Encouraging Development - Sustaining our Community

Safer Streets:

This Goal I agree with - working on reducing crime, with everyone, should be a year-round job

Encouraging Development:

I know that she is sincere when she says these goals.  The real problem is that she's taking two years with no results except the recent formation of a Task Force on Ec Dev which is slated to report out on Dec 31st.  And if re-elected - will she get that, in business, time is money....?

Finally - for myself, I hope to be in a position to release my own full platform on Friday which will include my full campaign goals - if elected.  Stay tuned!!!


SBF