YES! Now this is what I want, our communities need and deserve, from its local newspaper(s) on a major issue such as the proposed Capital Plan. An examination of the issue along with providing a forum for ALL sides, not just the side with unlimited amounts of taxpayer dollars to waste on a massive sales campaign, to be heard and have an opportunity to share their ideas with the communities.

Perhaps the Post can supply us with an answer to the question of just what are the benefits that the school board claimed were the reason they voted to support the Plan. In the Abby News story it was benefits, benefits, benefits – but no actual benefits were ever given to support their claims or their vote. Or perhaps an explanation of the difference between Mr. Archer’s “many Community groups are opposed to Plan A” and Mayor Ferguson, as quoted in the advertisements, “These three projects are the highest priorities as stated by you, the residents.” Is there some secret definition of “resident” that the city staff and politicians use that excludes those many Community groups opposed to Plan A, but includes all the special interests supporting the Plan?

With a need for internet access to manage all my communications e-mail, the www.homelessinabbotsford.com website, research and news I visit the library on a daily basis. Recently the librarians where hauling baskets of promotional materials for Plan A onto the counter. When I raised an eyebrow at this activity I was told “It is the only way we can get our basement back.” City employees at the recreation centers have been conscripted into the sales force. Apparently, although the city claims it has no manpower to spare to work on providing services and benefits to address the growing problems and issues such as homelessness and poverty in our city, there are thousands upon thousands of man hours available for promotion of Plan A and a seemingly bottomless bag of taxpayer’s dollars for promotion. How many other groups, like the homeless and the poor, have had the city cry they have no money to spare and that they are unable to provide either staff or financial resources?

Clearly the behaviour of the City staff, politicians and special interests on this question is unacceptable. Just as clear is the fact that there is a need for capital investments to be made (built) by the City of Abbotsford. It is also clear that if Plan A were to be built nothing else, no matter the need, can be built until we have paid off the debt for this boondoggle. What is far from clear is what the true needs and desires of the citizens are in regards to capital projects.

Just as bad is that we are being sold mirages, illusions. We are being sold “artists concepts” with no more substance that the ink used to pull them out of thin air. Well, as long as one ignores the substantial costs of paying for these nice visual effects so as to provide something to sell to the public. As any snake oil salesman could tell you: it is far easier to sell to sell dreams than it is to sell the nitty-gritty of reality. Which raises the question that if all we have is artwork as opposed to actual plans, just how much faith can one put in the cost estimates?

Given the importance of the decision and the unacceptable behaviour currently engaged in by City staff and politicians this truly should be an election issue. With the current overheated construction market and the city’s demonstrated ineptness with capital projects, the only effect waiting to the next municipal election to address the needs of our City – besides giving the citizens input into the decision – is a bigger bang for our construction dollars. Waiting will permit us to have a public debate and give citizens a chance to express their opinions and ideas guaranteeing they are ALL listened to – at the ballot box.

It would also allow a desperately needed examination and debate on how the City goes about the decision process on capital projects. In the real world, as opposed to the world of City government and Councillor Beck, you only save money by accepting the lowest bid if: the actual out of pocket cost for the project ends up being the same amount as the lowest bid figure you accepted and, more importantly, you get what you wanted built with high quality work. While working in construction during high school I once helped build a home pool and it is trickier than it would seem. In fact, in asking people I know in the concrete finishing business, these professionals all agreed that there is a certain art to building a pool tank well. So why would any rational city staff and council want to run the risk of vast cost over-runs or the need to repair/redo the entire project in a few years by hiring a company that they know has NEVER BUILT a pool tank? The city staff responsible for this dim-witted contract state the company comes highly recommended. As what? Well connected con-artists? Arborists? We do know they are NOT REDCOMMENDED as pool builders, since they have never built one. Ill-conceived, ill-planned, not what was needed, not the best built and way over the so-called lowest (bid) price. That is what the current city purchasing practices result in. As I said, we have a desperate need to examination how the City goes about the decision process on capital projects.

Blackmail, lack of community input and debate, a seemingly bottomless fund of taxpayer dollars to waste on a slick, snake-oil sales campaign, failure to consider actual community needs, a refusal to listen to community groups with differing ideas and a demonstrated incompetence in managing capital projects. Quite an indictment against this plan, council and city staff, is it not? Which is why I feel the only responsible way to deal with the question of capital investments of this scope is through the scrutiny and assessment provided by an election campaign. I feel no need to rush into an opportunity for city council and staff to once again display their ineptness and ability to waste the taxpayer’s money.

It is time for a city government that is open, rational, thoughtful, forward looking, resourceful and fiscally responsible. More than anything it is time for some leadership on the complex issues and problems facing Abbotsford coupled with consensus building to involve the entire community in Our Future.