In what can only be described as one of the most heated meetings that I've attended in either Williams Lake, Quesnel or the Cariboo Regional District ever -- all of Quesnel Council + the Cariboo RD Directors for Areas A (Armstrong), B (Dixon-Warren) and C (Massier) observed as the City of Quesnel Director of Community Services (J. Norburn) went through the history of the North Cariboo Multi-centre.
Director Ted Armstrong took the floor to remind residents' to not applaud or boo as people (roughly 25 in attendance) asked their questions. This request was all but ignored and the request was repeated by Jeff Norburn multiple times during 'Question Period'
Mr. Norburn was then placed into the 'hot seat' as residents asked many questions including:
a) Concern re: pre-taxation since for 2006 for project. Not fair to those who didn't vote for the project in 2008 and pre-taxation continued on their property(ies)
b) Clarify use of pre-tax funds ($1.9 million) for the Multi-centre
c) Concern re: Referendum Question (2008 vs 2013)
d) Can project proceed if Referendum question is defeated on Nov 9th?
e) Status of West Fraser contribution - $500,000 cash donation and $500,000 matching grant
f) 2005/06 reports for Multi-centre - what aren't they on City of Quesnel website
g) Should Nov 9th referendum be successful - what are chances of getting grant from Ottawa before 2015 to get remaining money to get project started
h) Indoor Track as part of NC Multi-centre? (Question from Councillor Ed Coleman)
i) Licensed bar at NC Multi-centre? Not contemplated at this time
j) Name a successful Design-Build project in BC?
k) What about a 'Plan B' or alternate site for the NC Multi-centre?
l) Impact of Sawmill or Planer-mill shutdown on this project?
A couple of people took the floor to say that they support the project and suggested that a No vote would result in Quesnel dying...
Director Armstrong thanked everyone for coming and the session concluded at 9pm. The next Open House for the NC Multi-centre will be at the Bouchie Lake Community Hall today at 7pm
Steve's take:
While I think those who asked questions on the project should be applauded, those who made suggestions at Mr. Norburn that the City of Quesnel/Cariboo Regional District were lying should be ashamed. There was no place for that. If you passionately disagree with the project, say so. But the sort of verbal abuse at Jeff Norburn that I observed last night was really uncalled for. I know we can find ways to disagree with each other without resorting to using mean-spirited words like 'lying' or 'blackmail'. But it was great to see just about every member (Quesnel Council and CRD Directors for Areas A,B,C) of the North Cariboo JPC in attendance - CRD Area I Director Jim Glassford was absent from last night's meeting
Hopefully the folks at Bouchie Lake will be a little more calmer tonight then at the Open House in Quesnel Wednesday evening
As the old saying goes: "Disagree, even with passion, without being disagreeable"
1 comment:
May be try to capture all the comments not just cherry pick or what suit you. Like I made a comment on pretax how it was brought into and reason behind it. Councillor Thapar
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