Clear
Choice For Mayor 2014 to 2018
My thanks to John York and Lee Pratt for
running for Mayor – democracy is best served by having choices. Your choice is
now very clear.
Together
over the last three years we have moved Cranbrook
forward in all aspects: the economy, roads and other infrastructure,
recreation, arts and culture, youth and seniors, the environment, improvements
for people with disabilities and for those living in poverty, and
for those needing a family doctor.
What we are seeing in this campaign is a
coordinated push from a group who would prefer to have only a few select voices
heard at City Hall. Mr. Pratt’s vision, according to his flyer, is limited to
the economy, spending and potholes. The health of our city is so much
more than that narrow view. It does not serve our diverse population well,
including our business owners!
Contrary to some of the myths coming from
Mayoral candidates the reality is:
·
The city’s finances are in good shape.
We finished 2013 with a $1,680,000 surplus and $13,872,276 in Reserve Funds.
·
There will not be a 25% increase in
taxes. Mayor Manjak’s 2010 Financial Plan predicted an 18.99% tax increase for
2012 through 2014, the term of this Council. We approved taxes totaling 12.65%,
and the first 3% went directly to road improvements and the next 2.25% to
replacing aging equipment and infrastructure.
·
During the annual budget meetings
every expenditure is debated by Council and every dollar benefits our
community. These meetings are all open to the public. Mr. York and Mr. Pratt
have never been to a budget meeting.
·
Building permits, real estate sales,
business licenses and airport usage are all on the upswing! Our economy is
moving in a positive direction.
Your choice is very clear – choose an
unproven candidate and go backwards to the old way of managing Cranbrook or
embrace a progressive future where all
of your interests and all aspects of
our city matter. Let’s continue to move our great city forward together. On November 12 at the Senior’s Centre or November 15 at
Laurie Middle School, Re-Elect Wayne Stetski for Mayor.
Mayor Wayne Stetski
Editor' s Note
Mayor Stetski also sent this response to Michael Morris whose column precedes this one. He assured Michael the slogan, 'Sunniest City in BC' is used frequently in reference to Cranbrook and indeed the potential for a greenhouse industry is actively being pursued by the city to take advantage of that fact.
Thanks to Mayor Stetski for sending me his response, including comments on mine about Cranbrook as sunniest place. Councillor Sharon Cross has also advised me "We have recently announced that there is a solar pilot project being located out at the spray irrigation site, with absolutely no investment from the City". I obviously was not paying close attention to "sunny" projects!
ReplyDelete