A Lower Mainland politician who made waves by suggesting Prince George look at changing its name is teaming up with the mayor for a first-hand look at what the city currently offers.
Abbotsford-Mission MLA Simon Gibson will join Mayor Shari Green at the end of the month as co-guest speaker for the Chamber of Commerce's monthly Leadership Series Luncheon.
The Aug. 28 event at the Ramada Hotel will feature Green discussing general topics of interest to the community, such as core services review decisions, parking, the budget and taxes.
Green reached out to Gibson - who taught marketing, branding and professional communications at the University of the Fraser Valley for 15 years and authors a weekly office politics column - to join her at the Chamber of Commerce event.
Green and Gibson got in touch after the news broke that the newest heir to the British throne and the city of Prince George would share the same name.
"I had shared some views last year as an instructor of marketing at our university and was excited about the possibilities for Prince George," said Gibson, adding, "I think there was some reaction to that."
Then an Abbotsford city councillor, Gibson authored a February 2012 email to the Prince George council suggesting the city look at rejuvenating its image with a new moniker.
He wrote that those living in the Lower Mainland often confuse Prince George with Prince Rupert and among the suggestions for new names were City of North Centre, City of Northern Empire, Capital North and Future City.
"When Mayor Green and I spoke recently, I had mentioned branding of the community because that's something I teach and have some experience in and she was very interested in that, and thought it would be a useful topic and an ideal segue into some of the controversy, which I acknowledge that I precipitated," said Gibson.
This will be Gibson's first visit to Prince George in many years. "I used to live in Smithers as a young man, so I do know the area a bit," said Gibson, adding he is looking forward to the tour of the city he will get from the mayor.
"It's a great opportunity to show our city to 'Lower Mainlanders,' as he described them a year ago," said Green. "As he is now an MLA, it is also helpful to have as many people in government as possible learn about and understand our city."
Gibson said fellow MLAs Shirley Bond and Mike Morris, who represent Prince George-Valemount and Prince George-Mackenzie, respectively, were supportive about the upcoming visit.
"I think all of us who are MLAs, one of our first responsibilities is to be good ambassadors for constituency and our constituents," he said.
To register for the Aug. 28 luncheon, visit the Prince George Chamber of Commerce website at www.pgchamber.bc.ca.
