Dear Editor,
As I ready to head to warmer climes I, first wish to thank all of the candidates for taking that HUGE step in putting your names forth to represent Bowen at the Municipal Council table. Whether you are running for mayor or councillor, making a four year commitment to running our island is so commendable.
In the last election I was proud to have assisted Andrew Stone in his very successful campaign for Council.This year, because of travel plans made before I realized I would be missing these last 2 weeks prior to voting day, I could not offer my services to anyone as campaign manager but I have been honoured to assist a long-time friend, Michael Kaile in his first venture into island politics.
We have held a number of meetings over the past month planning not only Michael’s campaign but also assisting Tim Rhodes in his quest to lead council as mayor. I was proud to have turned over the Presidency of the Chamber of Commerce to Tim prior to my total involvement in the Winter Olympics and do support him for the Mayor’s position.
I have been saddened to hear rumours that Tim’s supporters allegedly pressured Andrew Stone to withdraw from running for mayor. While Andrew may have been pressured, it most certainly was not by Tim’s supporters. I know this because I have been intimately connected with his group since the beginning of the election period. There has never been even a hint of any such impropriety; in fact, Andrew’s withdrawal came as a complete surprise. Tim and his supporters are as honourable a group of people as it has ever been my privilege to work with. Spreading unfounded and malicious rumours of this nature is not the kind of politics we need or want on Bowen. That is not the community I am so proud to be part of.
Again, hats off to all of the candidates. I do look forward to returning in time for the inaugural council meeting on December 1 to congratulate the newly elected.
Murray Atherton
