Honouring the Life and Legacy of Former Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Former Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom (2008-2014)

It is with heavy hearts that we remember and honour the life of former Mayor Mary Sjostrom, a devoted public servant and passionate community advocate.

Mary dedicated many years to public service, serving as a City of Quesnel Councillor from 1999 to 2008, Mayor from 2008 to 2014, and most recently as the Cariboo Regional District’s Area A Director from 2018-2025. She led with compassion and a deep love for her community.

Throughout her life, Mary supported initiatives that helped shape Quesnel into a stronger, more connected community. She advocated for funding for the West Quesnel Land Stability Program and the West Fraser Centre referendum and played a key role in the development of the ourQuesnel Sustainability Plan. She was also a strong voice for Quesnel through her leadership roles with the Union of BC Municipalities and the North Central Local Government Association, using her platform to represent and support the needs of rural communities. Mary’s dedication to beautifying the city further demonstrated her commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all residents.

In addition to her civic leadership, Mary devoted her time to organizations such as the Quesnel Community Foundation, BC Passenger Transportation Board, and the College of New Caledonia, among many others. She was a true community builder, always working to create a brighter future for those around her.

“Mary’s passionate care for the people of the greater Quesnel community will be long remembered and deeply appreciated,” said Quesnel Mayor Ron Paull. “As we reflect on her many contributions, may we also be reminded of the lasting impact one person can have through compassion, vision, and dedication. Her legacy of service and leadership will continue to inspire us all. On behalf of Council and City staff, we extend our deepest condolences to Mary’s family, friends, and all who knew and loved her.”

Details regarding a public memorial event for Mary will be shared, when available. In observance of the Sjostrom family’s wishes, the City of Quesnel asks that their privacy be respected during this very difficult time. 

All flags in Quesnel will be half-mast in honour of former Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom.

Cariboo Regional District Mourns the Passing of Director Mary Sjostrom, Electoral Area A

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

Former Quesnel Councillor/Mayor and Cariboo RD Area "A" Director
Mary Sjostrom

The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Director Mary Sjostrom, who represented Electoral Area "A" on the CRD Board of Directors.

Director Sjostrom was a long-serving and well-respected community leader, known for her decades of public service and her unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life in the Cariboo region. Her accomplishments include serving as a Councillor for the City of Quesnel before becoming the first female Mayor, leading the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) as President, and representing the Cariboo Regional District as an Area Director. She was widely admired for her collaborative leadership, integrity, and strong advocacy for local residents.

“Mary was an extraordinary leader whose dedication to her community inspired everyone who had the privilege of working with her,” said CRD Board Chair Margo Wagner. “Her legacy of compassion, strength, and service will be remembered across the region. On behalf of the CRD Board and staff, we extend our deepest condolences to Mary’s family and loved ones.”

Information regarding any public memorial or service will be shared, when available. Out of respect for the family’s wishes, the Cariboo Regional District asks that their privacy be honoured during this difficult time. Those wishing to share condolences or memories are invited to contact the Cariboo Regional District office, where messages will be collected and shared with the family at an appropriate time.

Meriel Wild speaks out

In a letter to the editor in today's Quesnel Cariboo Observer - former City of Quesnel employee Meriel Wild questioned the fiscal management skills of Quesnel Council's Executive Committee who is made up of Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom and Quesnel City Councillors' Laurey Roodenburg & Ed Coleman.  Note it is not often that you see former municipal employees take a swipe at their former employer

From today's Quesnel Cariboo Observer:

I think it is important for the taxpayers' of Quesnel to know just how fiscally irresponsible most of the elected officials really are

As you will know from the Quesnel Cariboo Observer article on June 29th, I was fired following a complaint against the City Manager (former Quesnel City Manager John Stecyk)

My stress leave was only the 2nd time in 9+ years that I was absent on medical leave.  It is also important to know that I was not the only one experiencing problems, but I was the only one who was prepared to make a formal complaint

Quesnel's Mayor and Council were aware last June that Quesnel City Staff were not happy and, last December, because of their failure to act, we lost a much loved long term (23 years) staff, due to the difficult work conditions we were experiencing

Although skills can be replaced, the organization (City of Quesnel) cannot afford to lose its' knowledge base in this way

As there was no process to deal with my complaint - the Executive Committee of Quesnel Council (Mayor Mary Sjostrom and Councillors Laurey Roodenburg and Ed Coleman) created one, and all parties agreed to this

All meetings were supposed to be "with prejudice".  In spite of the agreement, the Executive Committee refused to follow their own process through to the final step -- hiring an outside consultant  to advise on a resolution.  They claimed it would be a waste of taxpayers' money

Nevertheless, my complaint was upheld, but then I was promptly fired without notice.  The City of Quesnel has admitted it is "without just cause"

Thus, it is difficult to comprehend the Executive Committee's stated concerns regarding taxpayers' money when, in practically the same breath, it fired me without just cause thereby exposed itself to my claim for damages for wrongful dismissal.  As well as severance, there are also hidden costs to the organization (City of Quesnel)

I was not able to leave the department (Human Resources) in good order because I was fired without notice.  My termination has left the City (of Quesnel) with the loss of my institutional knowledge and this is already creating further liabilities for the City

I am very appreciative of the support I have received from both colleagues/taxpayers'.  I am pretty certain that there will be further losses to the City as more staff leave when they are able to do so, due in part to their disillusionment with Quesnel Council over this issue

The organization will suffer from the loss of this knowledge and experience, all because Quesnel Council has failed to put the taxpayers' and the organization  they are supposed to represent above their own personal agendas

I hope, through this letter, that taxpayers' will become more engaged, take more of an interest in how their hard earned tax dollars are being wasted and hold their locally elected officials accountable

Meriel Wild 
Quesnel

Mary Sjostrom & Letters...

In Quesnel - a couple of letters going around involving Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom..

Firstly - former Quesnel Councillor Ron Paull continues to ask the question Why no Plan 'B' for the North Cariboo Multi-Centre & why not ask former Quesnel Councillor/CRD Area 'I' Director Mary Glassford to use her formidable fundraising/lobbying skills?

Read his letter here

Meanwhile Mr. Paull's wife, Pat Morton, writes to Quesnel City Council in regards to information that she requested on expense claims and related information - read her letter here

Editor's Note - the debate around expense claims & Mayor Sjostrom is getting old.  I can only imagine many in Quesnel, look forward to the day that this topic is put behind those in Quesnel and debate more topical matters like the North Cariboo Multi-Centre, West Quesnel Land Stability Program, etc

*Tentative* North Cariboo CRD 2012 Town Hall Meeting Schedule

Courtesy of CRD Area 'B' Director Heloise Dixon-Warren's Facebook Page:

Public Consultation on the proposed 2012 Cariboo Regional District (CRD), Cariboo Regional Hospital District and Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Budgets will take place in the North Cariboo, as follows:

UPDATE on Dec 14th - The schedule below is tentative and I'll revise this schedule once the entire 2012 CRD Town Hall Meeting Schedule is confirmed by the Regional District

Area 'A' (Director Ted Armstrong) - Sat. Jan 14th at 1pm - Dragon Lk Elementary (2655 Hydralic Rd, Quesnel)

Area 'B' (Director Heloise Dixon-Warren) - Thurs. Jan 19th at 7pm - Parkland School (5016 Bjornson Rd, Quesnel)

Area 'I' (Director Jim Glassford) - Mon. Jan. 23rd at 7pm - West Fraser Fire Hall (243 Jackpine Flats Rd.)

Area 'C' (Director John Massier) - Mon. Jan. 30th at 7pm - Barlow Creek Fire Hall (860 Highway #26)

City of Quesnel (Mayor Sjostrom) - Wed., Feb. 1st at 7pm - Quesnel Council Chambers (2nd Floor - 410 Kinchant St)

If you live in either CRD Electoral Areas A, B, C, I or the City of Quesnel, come on out and tell your Electoral Area Director or Municipal Director (Mayor Sjostom - City of Quesnel) what you think of the proposed Cariboo Regional District or Regional Hospital District Budgets... believe it or not, your input does matter...

As soon as I have the Central and South Cariboo 2012 Town Hall Meeting Schedules, I'll post those here as well

SBF

Quesnel Mayoral Candidates interviewed on CBC Daybreak North

Yesterday, Quesnel Mayoral Candidates Mary Sjostrom, Ron Paull, and Ron Craigmyle were interviewed by CBC Daybreak North co-host (Prince Rupert) Carolina de Ryk

You can listen to the interview here

Region Wrap-Up - Oct 28th edition

In Quesnel:

* Quesnel Councillor Sushil Thapar reports on all projects over budget and how much long term debt the City of Quesnel has acquired in the last few years.  See that here.  Also - Mr. Thapar and Mary Sjostrom were discussing this on the radio this morning.  Should Thapar/Sjostrom be re-elected, I wonder if their clearly polarized relationship will continue for the 2011-2014 term of Quesnel Council

* Quesnel Community Economic Development Corporation snags another award - see more details here

In Williams Lake:

* The new Business Expansion/Attraction Strategy Task Force have their first meeting this week - see more here

* This past Wednesday - in the online comment section of the Williams Lake Tribune, user "True54321" said this, in part:

She (Kerry Cook) was in part responsible for the community policing debaucle and the resignation of 32 people in one day including Bob MacIntosh

Interesting comment - I've also heard this confirmed through others as well...if true, it doesn't speak well of our local Community Policing team.  Maybe connected to the decision to no longer have a personal presence for Community Policing at Community Corner, see the blog post I did on that here

* A Reminder that there are three  "All Candidate Forums" in Williams Lake next week.  On November 2nd from 5:30pm - 8:00pm at the Tourism Discovery Centre for WL City Councillor candidates only and at WL Seniors' Village on Thursday, November 3rd at 7:00pm and also Thursday, Nov 3rd from 11:45am - 1:30pm for the 3 WL Mayoralty Candidates only at Beeotcheese's Restaurant (by Lo's Florist). Contact WL Chamber of Commerce at 250-392-5025 or visitors@telus.net for ticket purchase information for the WL Mayoralty Candidate Forum

Quesnel Council goes at it.....Again!

This morning - Quesnel Cariboo Observer reports that both Quesnel Councillors Ron Paull and Sushil Thapar take major exception to a recent City of Quesnel press release which praises Quesnel City Staff (read the full press release here)

See the article from the Observer here

I wonder if this will help or hurt either Mary Sjostrom's or Ron Paull's Mayoral bids or could it even give a boost to Ron Craigmyle's Mayoral bid by saying "Here we go again...elect me and I'll put an end to this "in-fighting" at Quesnel City Hall".  Time will tell though - although as I noted earlier...it's two weeks from today to the 1st Advance Vote and roughly 3 weeks to General Voting Day

Final Quesnel Mayoral Candidate online

Previously - I'd reported that both Mary Sjostrom/Ron Paull (Quesnel Mayoral candidates) have established an online presence.

Now, I can report that the 3rd and final Quesnel Mayoral candidate, Ron Craigmyle, has now established an online presence himself - see his Facebook page here

As well - you can read his campaign brochure here.
Finally - you can reach him, by traditional means: (from his campaign brochure)

Email - roncraigmyle@hotmail.com
Phone - 250-747-1235 

Mary Sjostrom (Quesnel Mayoral Candidate) on Facebook and has a website

Mary Sjostrom (current Quesnel Mayor and Quesnel Mayoral Candidate) has also established an online presence as follows:

Website - http://www.maryformayor.co
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Re-Elect-Mary-Sjostrom-for-Mayor/184284124983311

WL News...Oct 13th edition

1) Richard Vollo runs for WL Council  - see here and here
2) Local teachers say - Local issues require local decision making - see here
3) WL Mayor Kerry Cook clarifies intent of False Alarm Bylaw - see here

Editor's Note - curious as to why Mayor Cook felt the need to remove the alarm keyholder requirement without it returning to WL Council for a formal decision, as it was part of the False Alarm Bylaw passed on Nov 23rd, 2010. Just asking...


4) Kerry Cook kicks off her re-election bid last Thursday with her supporters - see here
5) Now, Tribune columnist (and local musician) Dean Fulton says the alarm registration fees are a "cash grab" - see here
6) Local resident Micheal Atwood (and Kerry Cook supporter) argues why Scott Nelson should not be Mayor of Williams Lake once again - see here

Meanwhile, in Quesnel:

1) Mary Sjostrom says: Bring On the Quesnel Mayor's Race...but keep it clean - see here
2) On Tuesday, Oct 4th - Quesnel and Community Economic Development announced that it had won the Economic Development Association of Canada marketing award for best interactive media - see more details here

Finally...

A review of the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) October 6th minutes indicates that Williams Lake Mayor/CRD Director Kerry Cook was absent from this meeting.  While this is not unusual - the fact that she and both of the City's 2 Alternate Directors' - Sue Zacharias/Surinderpal Rathor was unusual, given the CRD Board meeting was in Williams Lake.  This, in spite of the fact Mayor Cook did say at the Sept 15th CRD Committee of  the Whole that the CRD Board Agenda needed to change in order to accomodate her schedule.  Note - her fellow Mayors' (Mary Sjostrom from Quesnel, Jay Vermette from Wells, and Mitch Campsall from 100 Mile House) were in attendance for this meeting

BREAKING NEWS - Former Quesnel Councillor Ron Craigmyle wants to be Mayor of Quesnel

From the Rush:

Former Quesnel Councillor (2005-2008) Ron Craigmyle says he wants to be Mayor.  In outlining his goals - he wants to get moving on issues like the West Quesnel Land Stability issue and others...

Mr. Craigmyle joins current Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom and current Quesnel Councillor Ron Paull in the race to be Mayor of Quesnel for the 2011-2014 term.

Deadline to file is 4pm on Friday

Mayoral Race in Quesnel

Yesterday, 3 term Quesnel Councillor Ron Paull decided that he would seek the Office of Mayor - City of Quesnel of which you can read his full press statement here

This Wednesday, there will be 5 weeks until the first Advance Vote on November 9th and Mr. Paull says he'll make his full platform known over this time period including statements on taxation, governance, air quality, economic development, sub regional recreation, the Multi Centre, seniors and youth, health care, freedom of information and sustainability.  You can re-read current Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom's re-election info here

Interesting comments on Mr. Paull on Mary Sjostrom being a "micro-manager".  I can honestly say that my friend Mary Sjostrom is not a micro-manager and I've met with her a number of times including this past July in the Mayor's office and she is truly a warm and caring Mayor and not the cold and "corporate" Mayor that Ron Paull describes her as

The dynamic of this race will be interesting to follow as Sushil Thapar and his supporters are very likely to try and push Mary Sjostrom out of the Mayor's office in Quesnel.   Will even Pat Morton (Ron Paull's partner) get involved with her supporters (note - she ran Quesnelnews.com in the last civic election in 2008)?

In my view - this is virtually a guarantee.  Ms. Morton has never been (and not likely to be) a fan of Mary Sjostrom and if she can - she try very hard to persuade as many voters' to defeat Mary Sjostrom's re-election bid...

Stay tuned as the road to Nov 19th in Quesnel could get rocky....

New Political Website in Quesnel

In the last few civic elections in Quesnel - if you wanted news on who was running and their records, you could visit QuesnelNews.com - see their website here.  This site was previously operated by Quesnel Councillor Ron Paull's partner, Pat Morton.  A cursory look at this website seems to suggest that this website will not play a role in this November's civic election in Quesnel

There is a newly established website by CRD Area 'C' resident Arthur Topham called Quesnel Cariboo Sentinel - view the website here.  From the look of things - it appears that this new website plus debate over on eQuesnel.com - view that website here, will be the places to go to get your political news in Quesnel for this November's civic elections in the North Cariboo

For the record - Arthur Topham, in addition to Quesnel resident Ron Campbell, has been part of the "team" that has publicly questioned Mary Sjostrom expenses as Quesnel Councillor (2006-2008) and Quesnel Mayor (2008-present) plus being the "cheerleader team" supporting Quesnel Councillor Sushil Thapar in his highly charged questioning of Mary Sjostrom and Quesnel Councillors Coralee Oakes, L-A Roodenburg about their spending habits in addition to publicly questioning the hiring of current Quesnel City Manager John Stecyk

SBF

Mary Sjostrom cleared in spending debacle in Quesnel

Recently - the City of Quesnel Auditor, currently Ron Rasmussen, who also is the Cariboo Regional District Auditor of record, was asked to look into allegations concerning cheques issued to Mary Sjostrom in her roles as City Councillor from 2006-2008 and Mayor from 2008-present

See below for the official response from Ron Rasmussen:

Now - that Mary Sjostrom has been officially cleared of allegations coming from Sushil Thapar - I hope that he will choose to move on to more topical matters, but sadly I know he won't because this is all about the civic election in Quesnel.  If he doesn't like how Mary Sjostrom has performed as Mayor (and for myself - she's done an excellent job) then he should do the honourable thing and run against her in November for the Quesnel Mayor's post.  This also applies to Quesnel Councillor Ron Paull, but sadly the both of them will not sum up the courage to do so, I'm afraid.  These gentlemen seem to find it easier to throw mud and be negative, rather than offer constructive criticism and provide positive solutions to the problems that face Quesnel

SBF

Quesnel Mayor under "siege"

With the municipal election in Quesnel now entering in the "critical" phase - it seems people who disagree with the job that Mary Sjostrom has done as the Mayor of Quesnel have decided to pull the gloves off

Two letters to the editor have been submitted to various media in which they continue the fight that Councillor Sushil Thapar has started including one from Mr. Thapar's colleague, Ron Paull

See the letter to the editor from Quesnel Councillor Ron Paull here
See the letter to the editor from Quesnel resident Ron Campbell here

See below for a video from a recent Quesnel Council meeting between Mayor Sjostrom and Quesnel Councillors Sushil Thapar and Ron Paull on her spending habits and I'll let you be the judge on who is right and who is wrong:

Quesnel wins $10,000 for "Walking Challenge" (5000-10,000 Population)

From the Government of BC:

For the past six weeks, thousands of British Columbians have taken the Healthy Families BC Walking Challenge in hopes of winning weekly draw prizes and the $10,000 prize for their community to support the development of walking trails.

With 190 entries, Quesnel has won $10,000 in the 5,001 to 10,000 population category. The other winners in their population-size category are:

· Tumbler Ridge – population under 5,000
· Esquimalt – population 10,001 to 25,000
· Penticton – population 25,001 to 100,000
· Abbotsford – population 100,001 +

One of these five winning communities is now eligible for the grand prize of an extra $50,000.

By getting out walking and sharing their stories, pictures, videos and maps, families won great prizes like pedometers, fitness passes and family fun packs. Entrants were also eligible to win one of six trips to resort destinations across the province.

During the six-week challenge over 5,000 entries were shared including 2,500 photos and over 700 maps from across the province.

The Healthy Families BC Walking Challenge was offered in collaboration with 2010 Legacies Now and funded by the Provincial Health Service Authority as part of the Healthy Families BC initiative of the BC Ministry of Health.

Michael de Jong, Minister of Health says –

“I’d like to congratulate the people of Quesnel for mapping walks around this beautiful community. Walking is a fun, easy way to get active with your family. There’s no better time than now to start making small changes that will lead you to a healthier, happier life.”

Meanwhile Mary Sjostrom, mayor of Quesnel states –

“It is so great to see so many residents of Quesnel getting out and being active. I am looking forward to seeing the further development of our trail system for people to enjoy for years to come.”

Quick Facts:

· B.C. has the highest physical activity rates for youth and adults compared to other provinces and territories across Canada.
· Physical activity helps to prevent chronic diseases like cancer, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
· The direct and indirect cost of physical inactivity in our province is estimated to be $573 million annually.
· British Columbia boasts over 530 trails.
· BC Parks is celebrating 100 years this year.


Learn More:

· View entries and get ideas for walks in your area at: www.HealthyFamiliesBCWalkingChallenge.ca
· For tips on how to make physical activity part of your daily routine visit: www.HealthyFamiliesBC.ca
· Many trails throughout British Columbia are easily accessible for everyone. Find trails near you and other outdoor activities at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/index.html

Wednesday News Wrap - Sept 14th edition

In 100 Mile House:


* Proposed new community library for Lac La Hache  - see here
* Weekend vandalism in Centennial Park closes trail - see here
*Agriplex Society has successfully obtained its building permit for repairs to the old Stan Halcro Arena - see here
* Opening 15 long-term care at Fishcher Place not a priority for Interior Health - see here
* Letter writer Lee Wood of Burnaby has "interesting" idea on how to revert HST to GST/PST in less than 18 months - see here

In Williams Lake:


* Scott Nelson pitches a "one dollar a year" idea for seniors' & Cariboo Lodge - see the video here and see the response from Bill Reid, a local senior and a member of the Williams Lake and Area Seniors' Advisory Council.  See that here

Finally - Earlier in the week, CBC Daybreak North interviewed Alberto De Feo (CAO - District of Lake Country) regarding the proposed Municipal Auditor-General.  You can listen to it here

In Quesnel:


* The on-going war between Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom and Quesnel Councillor Sushil Thapar continues with the latest salvo being Thapar accusing Sjostrom of putting in for claims for items like "a vehicle windshield", "chocolates", and a "pedicure" and he is demanding that Sjostrom repay City of Quesnel taxpayers' for these items.  Sjostrom, for her part, says "When will it end?".  She also says that these claims of Thapar are "false" as Quesnel City Staff follow strict procedures in order to approve any claim request(s) that come in for approval

Editor's Note - I wonder how much lower Quesnel Council politics can sink??  I will say that, unlike in previous years, Sushil Thapar is really pushing the "limits" on these statements of his and this is "out of character" for him, especially for the period of 2006-spring of 2009, where he didn't usually make these sort of "very hard hitting"comments as he was quite mellow before this...

Letter to BC Premier C. Clark/Minister Ida Chong on Municipal Auditor-General

Today, I wrote BC Premier Christy Clark and Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Ida Chong on the policy idea of a Municipal Auditor-General.  See below for the letter:

I am writing to you on the proposed establishment of a municipal Auditor-General for the roughly 180+ municipal/regional district governments in the Province of British Columbia

For someone who has actively watched local governments in the Cariboo-Chilcotin since 2001, the primary reason as to why a municipal Auditor-General is being proposed and, in my humble opinion, thrust onto local governments relates to the public perception about local government spending, especially as it relates to those local governments in Metro Vancouver where a big chunk of the increase in spending either relates to decisions made by local municipal governments or as it relates to union contracts, again decisions made at the local level

Secondly – I’ve reviewed the distributed survey to all UBCM members on a Municipal Auditor-General. To be perfectly frank – I find the language very leading, which leads me to believe Victoria has already decided to have a Municipal Auditor-General, regardless of how local governments respond to the survey. I find this development stunning, just after going through the very public exercise over the Harmonized Sales Tax debacle

Thirdly – I categorically reject the assertion that small local governments (ie: Villages, Districts) need the position of a Municipal Auditor-General, in order to conduct “value for money” audits. If a village or district, in addition to other local governments, want to do a “value for money” audit in addition to a special audit (outside of the usual auditing of Financial Statements), then a local government can choose to do so. Victoria should not dictate this to local governments, especially after Victoria enacted the Community Charter in 2004 with Section 1 of the Charter stipulating as follows:

1 (1) Municipalities and their councils are recognized as an order of government within their jurisdiction that

(a) is democratically elected, autonomous, responsible and accountable,
(b) is established and continued by the will of the residents of their communities, and
(c) provides for the municipal purposes of their communities.

Fourthly – By the actions of Victoria on a Municipal Auditor General – announce first, then consult with the UBCM breaks previous practice and doesn’t build a consultative relationship between the Union of BC Municipalities and Victoria, as was present during the building of the Community Charter. Saying that Premier Clark announced this during the recent BC Liberal Party Leadership race and local government officials should have paid attention does not, in itself, constitute consultation with UBCM and local governments

In conclusion - The provincial government would do well to kill this proposal as it does nothing to solve the issue of municipal spending. If Victoria decided not to get directly involved in the issue of industrial taxation issues, then Victoria should be prepared to do the same on general municipal spending, which in my opinion, is directly tied to the proposal for a Municipal Auditor-General, but will only add to the bureaucracy. In fact – there is no information, at present, as to who will pay for this position. Will local governments have to pay for this post or will provincial taxpayers have to pay for another bureaucrat?

I strongly encourage you to repeal this policy idea and allow the debate of spending by local governments to take place at a local level, as it should and will take place in our local communities, especially with civic elections coming up in November

Should you wish to discuss this letter further – I can be contacted in the following ways:
Phone – 250-267-6725
Email: sforseth000@hotmail.com

Respectfully yours,

Steve Forseth
Williams Lake, BC

CC: Alberto DeFeo, CAO – District of Lake Country (via email)
       Al Richmond, Chair – Cariboo Regional District (via email)
      Mary Sjostrom, Mayor – City of Quesnel (via email)
      Donna Barnett, MLA – Cariboo-Chilcotin (via email)