Very recently I have become quite interested in the political goings on of the municipal government in my “wee burg” due to the announcement of a good friend to enter into the political fray and run for city councillor.

Following the adage “You can’t bitch if you don’t know”, I have taken it upon myself to research every study and official community plan (OCP) undertaken by present and past councils, both within the city limits of this “wee burg”, the outlying rural districts (of which there are four), and the two main First Nations communities that are part of this messed up, dysfunctional, neurotic “family”.

I have been surprised, and unpleasantly so, at the number of studies that have been undertaken at great cost to the city taxpayer, that all say the same thing, identify the same problems, and offer the same solutions.

At this juncture, I proposed to my good friend, that should he become city councillor, that his first order of business is to put in a motion that NO MORE studies be undertaken, and NO MORE consultants be hired. Pick one of our existing studies, open to Page One and get started.

My good friend has been assured that I will be keeping his feet to the fire, and will be happy to act as a part of his “consultant team”.  Unpaid of course, but no matter; I am of an age now that I realize that I must do my part to create the future I want, rather than wait for it to happen.

It has been the misfortune of my “wee burg” to be blessed (or cursed, rather) with city councils that have been adamant to maintain “business as usual”, when many of us long time residents can see the writing on the wall: Times change, and we have to change along with it.  For far too many years, the lumber industry was the main, and some will say the only, industry in this “wee burg”.  Needless to say, “King Lumber” left town in 1984, and he ain’t coming back, people!  Past and present councils seem to have missed that memo.

I am pleased to see younger, more vibrant, and conscientious people stepping up to the plate to run for city council.  (I suppose I should be grateful for live, breathing people).  The present Mayor, whom I hope wins re-election, will do very well with a new, fresh council.

It is time to empower a fresh council to be Architects of Change, and bring this “wee burg” into the 21st Century; to the incumbent council members I offer this: “Thank you for your service, now get out of the way and let some fresh blood run the sandbox.”