In regard to Mr. Beebe's superficially reasonable call for a referendum on the Performing Arts Centre (P.G. Citizen, Aug 24).
I do wonder how many of the public resources and amenities we have as a community would have ever been developed if a popular vote had first been called as a test of support? Not so sure I'd have wanted a statue of Mr. P.G. or the city filling up all those God-given, no-cost, speed-control depressions (sometimes called pot holes) that slowed down pedal-happy P.G. speeders on Ospika.
Even our relatively small city comprises a wide diversity of publics and equally diverse needs. Only a few of these categories of need or want serve majority interests. But the hope, especially for an uplifting initiative like the Performing Arts Centre is that an ever-increasing proportion of the population will be exposed, some for the very first time, to the learning, revitalization, and enjoyment that comes from a world-class venue for dance, theater, music etc.
And while I'm on the subject of this essential development, and before some unloved corporation antes up and brands its name on the new centre, may I be the first to suggest that it be called the Bunny Murray Centre for the Performing Arts in tribute to a wonderful person who not only understood how vital art is, but instilled that appreciation in generations of talented Prince George kids.
Norman Dale
Prince George
