Dear Editor,
I moved to this small community over 16 years ago with three young children in tow. I’ve worked for several local entrepreneurs and managed and owned small businesses over that time. I’ve seen how who is elected to municipal office can dramatically affect how our businesses succeed or fail, often because of issues such as poor ferry marshaling, insufficient parking and unenforced bylaws.
I’ve watched as friends move away due to lack of healthcare and affordably priced housing, and I’ve watched as my adult children juggle multiple jobs, shunting from rental place to rental place while facing grueling commutes to college or university, so they can stay in this community near friends and family.
When I lived in larger urban centres prior to moving to Bowen, I seldom voted in local elections. I was busy raising a family, running my own business and staying afloat. I didn’t feel my vote would make a big difference and honestly, I simply didn’t have time to breathe most days. But I now realize that being in such a small community means that not only does my vote matter, it can directly impact the day-to-day lives of myself, my family and my friends.
Like most people I know, I dedicate many volunteer hours on several boards, and support local groups, organizations and businesses. I respect others’ privacy, for the purposes of these organizations and the confidentiality I bear. So an election in my small community makes me and others I know uneasy. We are fearful of declaring allegiances, losing customers, upsetting friends…
But I’ve come to realize that I need to do my homework and judge the best person for the important jobs in Municipal office. Each candidate sets themselves up as the best one, and I need to filter through the mire of information coming at me, and look at the track record of each candidate, to make up my mind.
When Murray Skeels says his biggest contribution to this community is his articles in “The Bulletin,” I have to consider whether those articles have contributed to consensus, inclusiveness and civil discourse, and I find them wanting. I am also concerned about how he disguises his opinions as facts, and I wonder whether he’s prepared to be accountable for his rhetoric, or just prefers to get “tired of the conversation” as he states here in an exchange with Meredith Botta (http://timrhodesbowen.com/issues-relevant-to-many-development-conflicts).
Tim Rhodes has worked in the trenches, both before local politics with the Chamber of Commerce and in the trenches on council for the past 3 years. He’s worked tirelessly for the things we desperately need on Bowen…a Medical Centre to address the gaps in healthcare we have, ferry marshaling and Snug Cove improvement, a variety of affordable housing… and so much more…
He has a track record and has worked very hard with the current council to create a good working environment with staff at the Municipal Hall. To elect someone for the position of Mayor, who has never sat on council, would be a mistake.
This weekend I had the pleasure to meet personally with these candidates running for council:
Gary Ander, Yvette Gabrielle, Michael Kaile, Melanie Mason, Alison Morse and Maureen Nicholson
They are a diverse group in age and backgrounds and they spoke passionately about ferry and alternate transportation issues, diverse housing options, destination schooling, new developments incorporating affordable housing, home based businesses, artisanal areas, the need for more light industry and much more. It was inspiring and heart warming and along with Tim Rhodes, I believe we’d be on the way to a great dialogue, consensus and community building for the next four years.
Please make sure you know the facts and vote at this municipal election…your business, your family, friends and your lifestyle depend on it.
Julia McCaig
