Thank you for this! Curious if you caught Paddy’s remark at the Chamber of Commerce forum last night, that he’s against harm reduction and believes it leads to the kind of conditions seen in the DTES. Does that change your assessment of his candidacy?
Did any of these candidates sit down with younger voters to ask what their main issues are? They have just as much say in what city council should be focusing on over the next 4 years.
If they were asked about what they think our biggest issues are, you’d hear that they’re worried about climate change and how it’s affecting our forests and waterways. They’re concerned about unhoused people, why they’re not being housed and looked after. They’re scared of the toxic drug supply. They’re worried about getting a good enough job to be able to afford to stay here. And they’re struggling with the amount of racism and intolerance they are seeing.
Councillors represent the voices of everyone in our community, including younger voters and the Tla’amin Nation. If you’re unable to listen and work together, you shouldn’t be running at all.
In a free country like this one where people are allowed to move freely and live anywhere, everyone in that place that is eligible has the right to vote and even more, the right to express an opinion about that place's destiny. Many people were born here share these views, and hope to move forward. You mostly illiterate racists are the past and you've been dragging us down. You cowards with your tightly sealed FB groups that allow only approved messaging are the propagandists.
With Kelly, it's her way or the highway, her disgusting comments on other sites have been noted as has her ignorance and immaturity. We all know that Kelly is Diane Sparks attack dog, she hitched her wagon to a dud!
is it really that hard to imagine a world where someone sharing their views for the sake of engaging with this type of conversation that affects their community?
or is everything you disagree with progressive propaganda?
it's also so weird to me when people are upset about "progressive" views because the opposite is regression...? so what are you actually advocating for?
Powell River needs to get rid of the five councillors and look to the new local candidates. Look at the past four years your city is in debt and four more years with the same councillors will bankrupt your city.
Thanks Craig. As always, very informative, particularly the parts about other small communities facing similar challenges.
I think Trina hit the nail on the head last night when she said divisiveness is the number one issue facing Powell River right now. That's clear as day in these comments. We will be hard pressed to make good decisions as a community until people can behave online with a modicum of the respect they would employ in person.
Hey Craig, I really enjoy your writing and agree with your overall synopsis of the issues. But I can't agree with your specific candidate endorsements. I'll tell you my one personal experience with Rob Southcott. He attended a public meeting hosted by the City and sat in the back row with City staff, including one who astro-turfed as a member of the public (questioning other staff without mentioning that they themselves are a City employee in the same department that was presenting). He never spoke in the meeting itself but instead spent the time mocking members of the public who did speak to the staff members next to him.
I'm not sure how I could have any respect for this guy after that, no matter what his record or positions are. All I got was utter contempt for anyone that disagrees with him. I've also watched him talk at many Council meetings and if I had a dollar for every time he went on an irrelevant rant about how hard it is to be a councillor how and how nobody appreciates what a good job he does, I'd be retired by now. My humble opinion, Southcott needs to leave public life and enjoy retirement - he's bitter, jaded and has no ideas to offer.
I think you have a very informed perspective on general social and municipal issues, but elections are also about individuals and I would recommend you look beyond ideological alignment when endorsing candidates.
Wow - quoting and using the CBC for a reference??? How sad ….the nation’s controlled media, Carney’s mouthpiece - no thanks!!!One can only hope you can “analyze” the Eby government as badly as you analyzed and presented Powell River’s scenario!!!
Craig is local historian and writer. You obviously didn't bother to read this. There is data in here that is real, and true, and genuine. Address the data, address the opinions expressed here. Show leadership and engage with the voters. Otherwise your commentary is just noise.
This is your response? Weak. You would be a real shitty politician if you jump to “anything that disagrees with me is AI”. You’re a terrible person for campaigning to halt housing for poor people. Aren’t you a Christian? “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Jesus would absolutely be flipping your table if he were alive today.
I am leaning towards Mr. Mowbray, we may need a cool head on council, he seems sensible. I watched the all-candidates forum, Isakson, Elliot and Almedia had a good grasp on the issues. I did not like Collicut with her finger stabbing the air, struck me as a bossy-boots. Sparks a Vizzutti and strong NO!
Thank you for this! Curious if you caught Paddy’s remark at the Chamber of Commerce forum last night, that he’s against harm reduction and believes it leads to the kind of conditions seen in the DTES. Does that change your assessment of his candidacy?
Ugh that’s so disappointing. I heard he was kind of a jerk in a personal way but was hoping he was at least informed.
Did any of these candidates sit down with younger voters to ask what their main issues are? They have just as much say in what city council should be focusing on over the next 4 years.
If they were asked about what they think our biggest issues are, you’d hear that they’re worried about climate change and how it’s affecting our forests and waterways. They’re concerned about unhoused people, why they’re not being housed and looked after. They’re scared of the toxic drug supply. They’re worried about getting a good enough job to be able to afford to stay here. And they’re struggling with the amount of racism and intolerance they are seeing.
Councillors represent the voices of everyone in our community, including younger voters and the Tla’amin Nation. If you’re unable to listen and work together, you shouldn’t be running at all.
Thanks Craig!
A very biased article. You basically laid out who I would vote for in your not to vote for section.
yeah, it's ok to have a bias.
Karen, I am sure you have plenty of bias yourself, do some deeper thinking on the issues.
Funny considering you are not from Powell River.....this is nothing more than Progressive Propaganda....with NDP backing
In a free country like this one where people are allowed to move freely and live anywhere, everyone in that place that is eligible has the right to vote and even more, the right to express an opinion about that place's destiny. Many people were born here share these views, and hope to move forward. You mostly illiterate racists are the past and you've been dragging us down. You cowards with your tightly sealed FB groups that allow only approved messaging are the propagandists.
You do understand the opposite of Progressive is Regressive, right?
With Kelly, it's her way or the highway, her disgusting comments on other sites have been noted as has her ignorance and immaturity. We all know that Kelly is Diane Sparks attack dog, she hitched her wagon to a dud!
is it really that hard to imagine a world where someone sharing their views for the sake of engaging with this type of conversation that affects their community?
or is everything you disagree with progressive propaganda?
it's also so weird to me when people are upset about "progressive" views because the opposite is regression...? so what are you actually advocating for?
Maybe you should be the one doing the deeper thinking.
Brilliant comeback Karen Bourassa! "I know you are, but what am I?" Haha
Explain why?
Wonderfully written. I do not live in Powell River, but I do love the community. It has so much potential. I hope it stays strong.
Really good, as always. Thank you
Powell River needs to get rid of the five councillors and look to the new local candidates. Look at the past four years your city is in debt and four more years with the same councillors will bankrupt your city.
Well, we're definitely losing 3, but one might become Mayor...
Thanks Craig. As always, very informative, particularly the parts about other small communities facing similar challenges.
I think Trina hit the nail on the head last night when she said divisiveness is the number one issue facing Powell River right now. That's clear as day in these comments. We will be hard pressed to make good decisions as a community until people can behave online with a modicum of the respect they would employ in person.
Hey Craig, I really enjoy your writing and agree with your overall synopsis of the issues. But I can't agree with your specific candidate endorsements. I'll tell you my one personal experience with Rob Southcott. He attended a public meeting hosted by the City and sat in the back row with City staff, including one who astro-turfed as a member of the public (questioning other staff without mentioning that they themselves are a City employee in the same department that was presenting). He never spoke in the meeting itself but instead spent the time mocking members of the public who did speak to the staff members next to him.
I'm not sure how I could have any respect for this guy after that, no matter what his record or positions are. All I got was utter contempt for anyone that disagrees with him. I've also watched him talk at many Council meetings and if I had a dollar for every time he went on an irrelevant rant about how hard it is to be a councillor how and how nobody appreciates what a good job he does, I'd be retired by now. My humble opinion, Southcott needs to leave public life and enjoy retirement - he's bitter, jaded and has no ideas to offer.
I think you have a very informed perspective on general social and municipal issues, but elections are also about individuals and I would recommend you look beyond ideological alignment when endorsing candidates.
Wow - quoting and using the CBC for a reference??? How sad ….the nation’s controlled media, Carney’s mouthpiece - no thanks!!!One can only hope you can “analyze” the Eby government as badly as you analyzed and presented Powell River’s scenario!!!
lol you didn’t read it
An Ai written hit piece. Sad
Craig is local historian and writer. You obviously didn't bother to read this. There is data in here that is real, and true, and genuine. Address the data, address the opinions expressed here. Show leadership and engage with the voters. Otherwise your commentary is just noise.
sadder to be running ones entire campaign against some of the most vulnerable human beings in your own community.
Not everything you disagree with is AI.
It’s very telling that you activated a substack account just to have this little temper tantrum.
This is your response? Weak. You would be a real shitty politician if you jump to “anything that disagrees with me is AI”. You’re a terrible person for campaigning to halt housing for poor people. Aren’t you a Christian? “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Jesus would absolutely be flipping your table if he were alive today.
I am leaning towards Mr. Mowbray, we may need a cool head on council, he seems sensible. I watched the all-candidates forum, Isakson, Elliot and Almedia had a good grasp on the issues. I did not like Collicut with her finger stabbing the air, struck me as a bossy-boots. Sparks a Vizzutti and strong NO!