Mayoral candidate Doug Johnson has sent in the following response to the recent discussion on economic development strategy by candidate Don McCormick and Mayor Ron McRae.
Dear Don and Mayor Ron:
I’ve read you economic development strategies, composed for the benefit of Kimberley’s long suffering tax payers. Read each one five times, I did.
My first impulse was to run outside, start up my truck, and go and vote for you both. Then reality set in and I realized that a) the polls weren’t open yet and b) I think I am going to throw my lot in with another candidate I have in mind.
Apart from that, the strategies seem sophisticated, with lots of real neat big words, and quite uplifting. Respectfully though, honourable opposing candidates, Kimberley’s 6,000 plus residents have been there, done that, seen it before, and bought the t-shirt.
Besides, what company in their right mind would invest in a community with a crippling (and growing) deficit, where the infrastructure is balanced on the edge of disaster and whose company employees won’t be able to pay their property taxes?
Moving along, I find all this talk about community discussion, committees, and integration very commendable. I would love to sit down with each of you right away and get started. However, I’d like to meet on my turf. After all, it’s much too crowded to meet at city hall now. We could meet in Don McCormick’s campaign headquarters but it’s much too overwhelming since it is bigger than the house I share with my spouse. However, I am willing to meet with you any time, 24 hours a day, at your convenience. I only ask that you please give me five minutes advance notice by telephone so that I can arrange not to be there.
Doug Johnson
Mayoral Candidate