November 3, 2014

New Candidates Forum
November 5th
Seniors Center 7:00pm

This to give people the opportunity to find out what the new candidates have to say about the issues and to actually ask them questions.

____________________

  BOB SIMPSON

I will post responses to rumors if I feel they need to be addressed...as this one does.

Bob Simpson's response from his facebook page:
Elect Bob Simpson for Mayor of Quesnel

October 23 · Edited

It has come to my attention that there is a rumour being spread that I do not support the Arena Replacement Project and would stop this project if I am elected as Mayor. This is especially disturbing to me because it has caused unnecessary fear and concern among the parents and volunteers who have worked so hard to get this project approved and a new arena built.

 So, I want to set the record straight: I actively supported the Multi-centre as your MLA and I unequivocally support the expedited replacement of our current arena.

 I voted YES on the referendum (even though I can’t skate and I don’t personally use the arena) because we need a new arena as part of our full complement of sports and recreation facilities. A replacement for the arena is long overdue and, if elected as Mayor, I would do everything in my power to expedite this project — anyone suggesting otherwise is simply fear-mongering for political reasons.

 The arena project is not a function of the City of Quesnel, it is a Joint Planning Committee project. This eleven member committee is made up of the Mayor, six City Councillors, and the four Northern Directors of the CRD. All members of this committee have an equal voice and vote, so no one newly elected member of that committee could stall or stop the arena project even if they wanted to. The people suggesting that if I am elected as Mayor I would single-handedly revisit, stall or stop the arena project are not only misrepresenting my position, they are misrepresenting the process. It is nonsensical to suggest that any single member of Joint Planning could interfere with the arena project.

 Along with supporting getting a new arena I would also, if elected, immediately begin working with the Theatre and Arts groups to continue working toward getting a community theatre and arts facility — the part of the original Multi-Centre Project that was lost when we failed to secure federal government financial support for that project.

 I don’t accept that rumour-mongering and disinformation are "just part of politics.” That is a cynical view of the political process that I reject and have worked hard to change. If we want good, community-minded people to run for political office then each of us must actively reject any claims made about candidates that are not based on fact or that we haven’t validated ourselves. The best way to do this is to simply ask candidates directly if what is being said about them is true.

 If you hear things about who I am as a person or what I stand for that you want clarity about please get in touch with me directly, either through Facebook, my website (www.bobsimpsonformayor.ca) or by phone (250-255-1433).

 We are a community in transition and we must work together to build a sustainable future, please don’t let the rumour and fear mongers divide us. Please help me spread the word to set the record straight. I appreciate your support and welcome your comments.

October 15, 2014

Tri-City News

COLUMN: 5 terrible reasons to run for municipal office

·       posted Oct 24, 2013 at 12:00 PM

Ever wonder what motivates a person to run for municipal council?

In many Alberta communities this year, there are high numbers of candidates for council as well as many mayoral hopefuls. But it seems that with every election, I repeatedly hear the same misguided and even mendacious rationales for taking the plunge.

As a former councillor, I’m dismayed and even irritated by people who expect the voter to select them when they haven’t done their homework and they don’t have the right intentions.

Here are my top five bad reasons to run:

• “People are ready for change!”

Newsflash: Every new candidate says that every election. Sometimes it’s true; sometimes it’s just perception.

If the best you can do is “Hey, I’m new!”… I mean, come on. You need to understand taxation, budgets, financial statements, water, sewer, garbage, road construction, residential/commercial/industrial development, the role of governance, inter-municipal relations, bylaws, social and economic development, and more.

Have you done your homework on this stuff? Do you have informed positions? Do you have proven leadership experience? Have you ever even sat on a board?

As a voter, I need to know about what qualifies you for the job and that you get it. Simply representing “change” is woefully inadequate.

• “I’m going to clean house!”

Uh, no you’re not.

If you envision yourself walking into city hall taking over operations, firing a bunch of people and generally sticking your nose into administration’s business, you’re in for a rude awakening.

If you want to manage your town or city, apply for the job. The CAO’s job is management; your role as a councillor is governance. You don’t get to direct the staff. You are not the bylaw officer, the public works foreman or the HR director. In fact, you have only one employee: the CAO.

Get a new guy and you still don’t have the right to manage the municipality. Besides, removal would take a majority vote of council and would cost the ratepayers a whole bunch of money.

You don’t have to like the manager or any of the staff but as a councillor, you are legally bound to do things properly. (Spoiler alert: You’re going to take an oath to that effect if you get elected.)

• “We have to get rid of the current corrupt/secretive/self-serving/incompetent bunch!”

Ah, the ever-popular “anti” campaign. This tactic, sadly, is often successful. It resonates with coffee klatches and angry people.

The problem is that while it may get you elected, it’s a poor foundation for being an effective mayor or member of council.

The day after you “get rid” of the last bunch, you have to actually do something. You will have a bunch of important decisions in front of you, stuff that is already in process, that the previous council you thought was so useless was working hard to consider and that perhaps you should have put some time into understanding.

Anybody can tear down — tell me what you are going to build.

• “I’m going to make fiscal responsibility my No. 1 priority!”

This may well be the most irresponsible statement of all. If all you want to do is find ways to save money, then let’s abolish property taxes right now and we can all go home.

Yes, fiscal accountability and responsible spending are very, very important. And no one likes paying taxes, me included. But the No. 1 responsibility of the councillor is not fiscal responsibility — it is to build community infrastructure for future generations. Shame on you if in five, 10 or 25 years there is no water or sewer capacity, or the roads are falling to pieces, or there are insufficient playgrounds and recreation opportunities because you were busy pinching pennies instead of building a community.

There are good councillors and bad councillors everywhere. Some mayors and councillors who should never be in office get elected, and sometimes people are justifiably upset by actions and decisions. I get that.

But to the voter: Can we agree to make informed decisions at the polls instead of vilifying the entire group without, in many cases, even a basic understanding of the role, the decisions, the full story? How about those critical thinking skills, gang?

Why should you actually run for council?

You should run because you wish to serve your community, to provide good leadership, to plan and build for the future. You should run because you have a contribution to make, ideas to be shared, passion that won’t abate and a commitment to do the right thing no matter what. You should run if you understand that you will have to sacrifice popularity and family time, and that you will have to sometimes make decisions that benefit the community as a whole but don’t benefit you personally. You should run if you want a better future for your grandchildren, and your grandchildren’s grandchildren.

If any of the five terrible reasons I mentioned frame up your election campaign, take heart, it’s not too late. You can withdraw from the race now and free up a seat for qualified people with proper intent. Or you can reflect on your intentions and set a new course with a commitment to serve your community for the all the right reasons.

 Danielle Klooster is a Penhold, Alta. town councillor. This column was originally published in the Red Deer Advocate, a sister newspaper of The Tri-City News.

The following provides a list of candidates for the upcoming November municipal elections.  Interesting to note in the City there are only two people running for mayor so this will make for a very exciting election with, and I look forward to, great debates and major changes.

Now is the time to get involved...Run for council and help build this community. 

BOB SIMPSON RUNS FOR MAYOR

Mary Sjostrom Seeks Third Term As Mayor Of Quesnel

July 3, 2014

Council Defeats Their Own Bylaw
to Impose Secondary Suites

May 21, 2014

presented by CCARS
(Concerned Citizens about Recreational Spending)
_____________________

Another Buyout at City Hall

Mike Bolch, Director of Public Works and Engineering is no longer on the City's payroll.  He was paid the following for being there less than a year.

Salary      25819.02
Benefits     5163.80
Total        30982.82

His contract also states he would be given a maximum of 10000.00 for moving expenses but if he did not fulfill his contract he would pay the City back on a pro rated basis.  The City has not responded with the amount he paid back. 

I requested the reason for his leaving but the city refused to state why, but the rumor about his departure makes one wonder why he was paid anything at all.  I understand when employees threaten this city council with court action these politicians decide to pay the employees rather than the lawyers.  Doesn't this mean regardless of the behaviour the employee will be given a "bonus"? 

April 14, 2014

Finally, a Common Sense  idea for the Arena

Ernest Gamache presented plans for upgrading the existing facilities to JPC

City council and the CRD directors have decided to go to another $20,000 referendum in June.  They want permission to borrow money for a new arena.  Perhaps after this referendum is defeated these decision makers will realize this community does want to borrow money for a monument for these politicians. 

SECONDARY SUITES

The City Hall meeting on Wednesday April 16th has been cancelled by the City. 

March 27, 2014

New Arena Meeting

An over capacity crowd attended the Legion to learn more about Joint Planning's proposal for a new arena They provided several drawings and pictures of other arenas with their building costs.  These will be on display at the Arena.

I felt everyone in the room was in favour of a new arena but the only stumbling block is can they trust those in Joint Planning when these are the same people that spent far too much money pushing for the Multi-centre and I felt were not honest about the costs. 

One thing said last night that really stood out for me was when it was asked about the cost of the Port Alberni arena we were informed that was 2005, and prices have changed.  Well, that question was asked about the 30 million for the Multi-Centre and we were told the cost would NOT increase, even five years after the original cost estimate.

Another concern is the "dry" space.  There are no real drawings pertaining to this area of the arena.  There does not need to be space for conferences and I have no objection to some smaller meeting rooms but I don't want to see a City/CRD project compete with private business. 

According to those conducting the meeting the Arena would not start construction until the Spring so a referendum with the election in November makes financial sense. 

February 16, 2014

City of Quesnel Affordable Housing Strategy

What a contradiction this Report is!

February 13, 2014

Repeal of Seatbelt Exemption
Sam MacLeod

When does it go into effect?

 Legislated amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act that were passed in 2010 will come into effect February 26, 2014. The amendments repeal the authority for the Superintendent and medical practitioners to exempt seat belt use for medical reasons. 

Why change the regulations?

Seat belts are critical safety mechanisms, and allowing drivers to be exempt from wearing one increases their chance of injury and death, something we don’t want to happen. 

• Countless studies show seat belts save lives; seat belt use is one of the most proven measures to reduce injury in a collision.  

• Doctors of BC (formerly the BC Medical Association) and Canadian Medical Association have confirmed that there are no medical circumstances that justify exemption from wearing a seat belt.  

• The change addresses concerns from the medical community, decreases pressure for medical practitioners to provide exemptions for wearing a seat belt, and limits the use of government resources for adjudication requests. 

How many exemptions have been issued and how do you qualify for a lifetime exemption? 

• There have been approximately 100 seat belt exemptions granted by the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles (OSMV) since 2002.   Temporary exemptions issued directly by medical practitioners are not tracked by OSMV.  Existing exemptions issued to drivers prior to the effective date of this change will be grandfathered, until expiry of the exemption.  

February 11, 2011

Quesnel Library Closed By Flooding

By 250 News

Quesnel, B.C. – Officials with the Cariboo Regional District are dealing with a flooding problem in Quesnel.

CRD Communications Manager Shelly Burich says the district’s Quesnel Branch Library sustained an as yet unknown amount of damage caused by flooding which occurred sometime over the Family Day long weekend.

The library has been closed as a result while the situation is assessed and repairs are made.