I read the same letters you did Mr. Godbout, but I think I read them a little more carefully than you. It's obvious to me that you are letting a slightly negative opinion of Brian Skakun colour what you read. He was criticizing the system and management for not getting a handle on the mess, not the union or its members.
The mayor on the other hand told the writer of the first letter that school bus pickup location was a school board issue. She doesn't seem to realize that the school board doesn't clear roads. Then in a later letter she blames CUPE: "Did work crews do their best? Well, you would have to ask their union president that, now that the contract is settled, their work seems to have improved. I would hate to think they used job action to receive a wage increase and put road safety in jeopardy to do it."
I have to say that as a retired union member that angered me.
The snow clearing in Prince George this winter is the worst I have seen in 40 years and the mayor's attitude toward her constituents' concerns is rude. I feel that she is working overtime on the campaign of her successor. As for Mr. Fencesitter Stolz, what a nice guy, he lost my support too. All of those great suggestions. I have a suggestion too. Why not put all the city equipment out on every shift.
I wrote to all of the councillors. I had a phone call from Couns. Hall and e-mails from Couns. Sakun, Koehler and the mayor. Three of those people will be getting my vote because they want the system fixed the and fourth thinks everything is fine.
We have money for a multi-million dollar face lift to the Kin Centre and trips to China and now there's talk of more spending for the library and a performing arts center, while the budget for maintaining our basic infrastructure comes up short. My Grandfather would have said it was "champagne taste on a beer drinker's budget".
If our mayor wants a legacy why not just post a sign at the local auto wreckers and you Mr. Godbout should read a little more carefully.
Dave Cole
Prince George
