Let's talk

Fred Thomas

 

NEWS

Nov. 21 = It is now official. The numbers are as reported (Nov.19) but the majoral votes are minimally adjusted. The corrected count is 537 for Thomas and 379 for McLean. The councillors are Armitage, Earle, Harkness, and Maynard. Voter turnout was an estimated 43%.

Nov. 19 = Unofficial Election Results

CANDIDATE - MAYOR

THOMAS, Fred   539

McLEAN, Randy          377


CANDIDATE - COUNCILLOR

Armitage, Frank    722
Earle, Jason    722
Harkness, Marilyn    542
Maynard, Kim     465
Jarvis, Ray     445
Longley-Scarisbrik, Christina   293

Nov. 16 = The Canadian Federation of Independent Business' fourth annual BC Municipal Spending Watch has recently been released. It reveals a new ranking system and a worsening picture of local government spending. The latest report shows municipal operating spending, adjusted for inflation, has ballooned to nearly four times the rate of population growth in BC. See "BC Municipal Spending Watch 2011" for the full report.

Nov. 8 = While thinking about the pool referendum, I fail to understand why the Town did not participate in the RDOS bylaw that allowed Mail-in votes in any referendum or election the way that Area H did. We, too have a number of eligible voters away from home or their properties at critical times like the present. The process for registration is not straight forward, but once in place, the right for a mail-in vote covers any voting event. As mayor representing Princeton on the RDOS Board, I would correct this situation.

Nov. 5 = At no time have I been allowed to fully explain my position on the aquatic centre but have unjustifiably been accused of simply "being against the pool". This is absolutely not true. I was therefore extremely grateful when the following question was sent to me on my "Let's Talk" website page. Now that that person understands my reasoning, they fully agree with the majority of informed voters in Princeton and Area H that a "No" vote was the only right response to the hopelessly unaffordable proposal that was offered to the community in the referendum.

Furthermore, I couldn't help but notice at the Forum on Thursday that all of the current council members had what sounded like a one-line, scripted reply to the pool question that quoted only my assessment of "A Flawed Process" without any apology whatever to the audience for having initiated that expensive and unnecessary "flawed process". I found this consistency of response to be rather strange after having shown my explanation to only one other person who shall remain nameless.

The eventual reply to my explanation from the questioner was the following: "Thank you so much Fred for taking the time to write this detailed response. Something like this should be published online (facebook?) for others to read."

Accordingly, I am publishing this here in the news section of my website. I do not wish to reopen a public debate on a subject that is over and done. However, If any one has a further question on the subject, please submit it on my Let's Talk homepage and I will do my best to answer there. Read full response here ...

Nov. 4 = The All Candidates Forum went very well last night and was well attended. We are getting good support from many people.

Nov. 1 = In my interview with the Spotlight in preparation for their bio comparison of the candidates for the upcoming election, we spent about 80% of the time on the volunteer work that I have done in Princeton but unlike all of the other resumes, none of this appeared in mine. They may indeed have found our other conversation and items from this website more interesting and relevant.

In my view, this bio that will be used to introduce me at the candidates meeting at Riverside at 6:00pm on Thursday (please try to attend!) expresses my experience more fairly ... read bio here

Oct. 29 = An All Candidates Forum will be held on Thursday, November 3 at 6:30 at Riverside Centre. This will include both the Princeton and the Area 'H' candidates.

Oct. 25 = I just heard that there are rumours circulating that I am dying of cancer. Truth is, I am a cancer survivor. Thank you for your concern. ~ Fred

Oct. 20 = now have an office at 244 Bridge Street. Please come in and visit. I want to hear what you have to say. ~ Fred

Oct. 19 = The first news to report here is that we're here! Of course, this site will grow as the Princeton mayoral campaign winds on toward election day - Saturday November 19, 2011 and November 9 for the advance poll.