The Jumbo Debate
Mayor and Councillor agree to disagree
By Carolyn Grant
Kimberley Daily Bulletin
October 29, 2009
As begun in yesterday’s, Bulletin, Kimberley’s Mayor and Council had a frank discussion Monday evening about the period leading up to the controversial Jumbo vote last August.
It was the contention of Coun. Brent Bush that Council should have been formally consulted as to their thoughts before Council’s representative, Mayor Jim Ogilvie, cast his vote.
In yesterday’s story, it was noted that Ogilvie was supported in his right to make an independent decision by Councillors Albert Hoglund, Bob McWhinnie and Bob West-Sells.
As the discussion continued Coun. Paddy Weston said that she agreed with Coun. Bush.
“There are two aspects I am concerned with,” she said. “One is with the process and the other is about the decision itself. This is what I am hearing from the public.
“What I read in the letter from Mr. Tersmette, dozens of people have said to me. A significant number of people in this community are opposed to Jumbo. I’m not sure what the appropriate process to address something like this is. With something this big, Council should have been consulted.
“If I was in the position of having to make that decision, I would want other points of view. I agree that the Mayor’s door is open and I have had productive discussions with him. But it behooves our representative to the RDEK to say this is something significant and I will bring it to Council to discuss it. People make the assumption that this was discussed with Council.
