Some would give Chris Bryan an A for his ‘exposing’ the New Westminster Labour Council as the ‘real hand at the wheel’ running the affairs of City Hall in New Westminster (NewsLeader, Sept. 25). Not such high marks however for his math, since the three (he refers to) of seven on council doesn’t equal a parliamentary majority in any government.

But we say good on you for challenging every candidate to come clean in this election—no ducking or hiding your political and career affiliations or your enormous campaign contributions.

And, there should be no candidate talking to citizens or organizations about important civic government issues to seek their opinions or advice. We say if you are the leaders of tomorrow, and you can’t figure this out on your own, you should choose another career.

Chris is right when he says people want to know everything about the candidates they are supporting. It can be difficult at times to spot our political leaders and citizens deserve to know who is running their city.

There was a time when leaders were easily identified and we knew who was running city hall. Why when I was young I could spot my mayor and aldermen anywhere. They were honourable men in blue pin stripe suits with careers as bankers, land developers, real estate agents or local businessmen. They ran their businesses by day and conducted the affairs of the community by night.

Those were the days of course before those damned socialist hordes moved into city hall bringing with them all those leftie political ideas —raising issues like minimum wage, the homeless crisis and keeping good paying jobs in the city.

Now back to this issue of visibility.

We encourage our candidates to go boldly where no Non Partisan Association (NPA) or Voice New Westminster candidate has gone before – declare your biases, put your endorsements and political affiliation on the table and be proud of what you stand for.

Now to leave no doubt in voters’ minds about what our candidates stand for we have another suggestion. When that ‘guy’—there’s one in every crowd—asks that tough political career-defining question “Are you endorsed by labour” our candidates reply in a melodic tone ‘absolutely!’ followed by a rousing chorus of Solidarity Forever. No one will ever ask that question again but the truth will be out and that’s what counts.

Although you had a good suggestion about the socialist spotting pink shirts, the anti-bullying crusaders stole the theme two years ago. Although pink shirts with the words “I will not be a bully” could have helped at city council last Monday night.

Our final suggestion is to design a stamp, like the Quality Assurance label, and insist our candidates affix it to all their campaign material and clothing. The rule never leave home without at least three items of clothing, underwear excluded, bearing the labour council seal of approval. This way the voters will spot them a mile away and know to approach with caution because you never know what lurks behind the label.

Thanks Chris, it’s all fun at election time in the big city.

Carolyn Chalifoux,

secretary-treasurer

New Westminster and District Labour Council

Wright the wrong choice

Well, forget Obama and McCain, New Westminster has its own political drama.

After Mayor Wayne Wright’s outburst in council Monday night, it’s now abundantly clear there are two slates running in our municipal election.

According to Wright, Coun. Bob Osterman and Betty McIntosh of the Voice municipal slate have drawn the line.

The only thing Wright’s rant lacked was the fist pounding and feet-stomping of the Paul Callow protest when Wright dressed-down those in opposition to the convicted rapist staying in our city. Monday night clearly shows a man out of sorts in difficult situations. As chair, we should expect the mayor to keep decorum and professionalism at all times. Wright embarrassed himself and our city.

Who is the “us” he refers to? Is it himself and councillors Lorrie Williams, Jonathan Cote and Bill Harper against Osterman and McIntosh? Together they have been operating as a slate since they were elected, consistently voting together. By their collective actions, they are what they say Voice is—a slate.

When did an opposing group of people/slate become a bad thing? Last time I looked, “opposition” is the essence of democracy, its role to expose the mistakes of the current government.

The provincial NDP is a good example. Opposition keeps rulers honest and open. Apparently Wright does not agree with this model—perhaps preferring the G.W. Bush model of, “You’re either with us or a’gin us.”

New West has grown up. We don’t need a mayor who tells us what to do, we need a mayor and council that will listen to citizens first then vote on issues.

We want a mayor who appreciates a “difference of opinion” instead of fighting it with outbursts.

A mayor should who takes “difference” and builds it into something stronger, greater… better.

It is clear we have two factions in our city. If the current Wayne Wright slate is elected, this will divide us for a long time.

James Crosty

New Westminster