Showdown at the Coldstream Corral -- Letter

Showdown at the Coldstream Corral is fast approaching. I fear it’s gonna be a real barn burner. Whatever the results, whoever wins or loses, there can be no doubt that the community infighting has been very telling and hopefully instructive for all concerned. A myriad of personal opinions have been advanced over the issue of whether the Spicer block should be taken out of the ARL in order to build a park on it.

The community is polarized over the issue, as is Coldstream council, an many claim the issue has been "divisive" pitting "neighbors against neighbors". Was it really necessary? Well we have Gary Corner and the GVSC to thank for that grief to the community. Hopefully they will have to pay politically for dumping this divisive issue onto our collective laps. It certainly was not a necessary exercise in community civics. We also have to thank Counselor Malerby for putting the dispute to a non-binding Referendum, because she didn’t have the political courage to do her job!

I have been very impressed by the thought and effort some people have made on this website and in the Morningstar, concerning this issue. Many people have also made financial contributions to the ‘No’ side in order to fight the entrenched interests of the ‘yes’ side on this issue. I would like to personally commend all those people who got involved and tried to make a difference in this debate. Some have said that the dissenters constitute a disruptive, reactionary "vocal minority" opposed to a ‘far sighted council’. Hardly, it’s a wake up call by those citizens who actually see farther than the either status quo politicians and bureaucrats do!

The Sports lobby, mayor Corner and the GVSC has been evasive,misleading and manipulative throughout the entire campaign. Witness the most recent roadside signs: "say Yes to Parks", that’s not the issue. Some ignorant voters will definitely be taken in by that ploy. We have had a lot of demagoguery in this campaign and I fear that the gullible, trusting and ignorant will vote accordingly.

No matter,don’t count on democratic consensus to ever bring an enlightened result.

One can always hope. However, to be ideologically consistent, ‘No’ voters might consider registering their vote for the Green Party in the next election.

We have an excellent candidate in Hugette Allen!

Thanks again to all those engaged on right side of this issue.

Peter Peto

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