Committee structure poor
I appreciate the well-written viewpoint by George Orchiston on the subject of the select committee [“Committee composition has flaws,” May 2]. I agree wholeheartedly with him.
A committee fashioned mainly from members of City of Powell River staff, council, fire fighters, CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) Local 798, the mayor and councillors is just ridiculous. I cannot imagine anyone of this group suggesting a reduction in their own department.
Why spend taxpayers’ money to hire an unbiased consulting company (Helios Group) to study the effectiveness of city staff and operations, then let such a group decide how to use the findings?
This reminds me of how the RCMP investigate their own transgressions and decide on the appropriate actions to be taken. This committee should be made up of local residents.
Stewart Wright
Marine Avenue
Outsider viewpoint
Michael Matthews once again demonstrates how outsiders think they know better than the people who live here on how to run their own affairs [“Democracy takes turn in debate,” May 9].
He says he was “beseeched” to “Save Willingdon Beach” then tells us as a “newcomer” he has no worthwhile opinion on the merits of a new library or its location. We can agree on at least that. Of course we get the same trotted out mantra as he tells us of his precautionary step of looking up the “New Powell River Library” and the hilarious contention of the “full account to select the location.” Well, 4,800 plus citizens disagree. Many of the people who signed the largest petition in the history of Powell River actually want a new library. It has nothing to do with a library. It’s all about location. Period.
It has to do with a promise, that City of Powell River council and another outsider, the chief librarian, are so willing to cast aside in this quest for making a monument to themselves.
And, how can someone be “famous” for having a letter published in the Globe and Mail? Fame comes pretty cheap these days.
Cleve Hamilton
Stittle Road
