We were always led to believe that a picture was worth 1,000 words. With reference to the present gambit of our mayor and council and the current parkland redevelopment proposal, it begs that the question of accountability, openness, honesty and fiscal responsibility once again be revisited.
Looking at the overall picture, irrespective of pending court action, one might reflect on the pro group and the anti group. Gatherings were held by both factions. The outcome of each gathering is academic in terms of number, solidarity and sentiment expression. One thousand trumps 100 everytime — no contest! It’s grade school math. Yet, somehow the political pundits (especially the mayor) seem to need a basic math refresher. Is it the number of zero’s that might be the problem?
Much of this parkland lease proposal seems to be nothing short of clandestine. To better understand this, we must clarify what clandestine really means. By definition clandestine is characterized by, “done in, or executed with secrecy or concealment, especially for purposes of subversion or deception; private or surreptitious.” Does this apply to our parkland situation? You be the judge.
A group of 1,000 (plus or minus) assembled to express their dissatisfaction with council’s attitude of indifference toward dispensation of parklands. Apparently council thinks that might makes right.
Mr. Mayor, I would remind you of a quote from Shakespeare’s Macbeth where Macbeth is talking with Lady Macbeth just as you might be talking to us, your employers. Macbeth is quoted as saying, “I am bent to know by worst means the worst. For mine own good all causes shall give way, I am in blood stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o’er. Strange things I have in head that will to hand, which must be acted ere they may be scanned.”
Let’s look at a more up-to-date possible translation. It might go something like this, “I have waded so far in blood (political boondoggles) that even if I were to go no further it would be more difficult to turn back than go on with it. My head is full of plans that I must put into action before I can think about them.”
Are you listening, Mr. Mayor and council? Maybe or maybe not. The majority here is not anti-waterslide. Build one or 101 waterslides as long as they aren’t built on sanctioned parkland and financially supported by taxpayer money.
Ron Barillaro
Penticton