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Hired Gun?
Nothing surprises me anymore. South Delta is a weird place filled with different types that is for sure. What I find most noticeable is that it would seem that you can't share your point of view or observations without being immediately branded as a bad guy. Tsawwassen is full of self serving cynics.
The fact that I don't like or agree with peoples' politics and feel the need to share my feelings is my business.
If I don't buy in to a special interests group cause, that is my clear and informed choice. Not everyone has to agree on these matters you know.
If I have an opinion on how I think our community could evolve more appropriately does that make me a hired gun of Sean Hodgins or Ron Toigo?
I don't think so. I am not paid by anyone to share my personal thoughts. It is a ridiculous assumption to make, typically made by people who are unable to recognize another point of view or by those whose blind love for the status quo and the good ol' days impairs their ability to look at equations of community that makes sense in an age where food security, global warming, affordable housing, transportation and other issues need to be better understood through education and not through arrogant naysaying.
Peter Duffy recent letter in the DELTA OPTIMIST is typical of the tripe that is often bull-horned from people who simply do not know what they are taking about.
Ignorance is bliss I suppose Duffey!
In the case of Toigo...I attended all of the public hearings (not as hired gun.... what a joke!) and listened very carefully to the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of speakers support the project.
In the case of the Southlands, I happen to be supportive of the process because I have attended just about every meeting held by the SCPT and have had the good fortune to listen to expert opinion for planners, architects, educators, environmentalists, farmers and the dozens of people who have contributed to the exercise over the past couple of years.
Would I have supported the idea of development on the Southlands 5 years ago? Tough to say. What I can say now is that through education and process, I have formed an opinion on something that is important to me as someone who plans to stay here throughout my life.
- Mike's blog
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Hi Intrigued.
Nobody has all the answers. The only way you get answers is by asking questions and formulating an opinion. Lot's of people disagree with me and me with them but I don't loose any sleep over it and neither do they I bet.
Sometimes when you understand an opposing point of view a little better it is easier to share common ground. There is nothing wrong with that.
Scheider realy thinks that he has it alll figured out. Let me just say that I am interested in hearing siem ideas foir the Southlands but i am not going to buy in on anyrthing right now. why doent the landowner have some real direcives?
Thanks for your comment. I am part owner of a communications business and have had many clients over the years since we started the business in 1995, five years after moving to Tsawwassen from Vancouver.
We have several clients right now, two of which you have mentioned, Century Group and Port Metro Vancouver. In both cases I have been paid to design and maintain websites and add new materials when they are presented.
Both of these sites are intended to allow the public to have their say much like we are doing right now on this site. These types of sites afford opportunity for transparent discussion.
I have, on several occasions, disclosed at the end of my commentaries in the Delta Optimist that I am paid by Century Group for maintaining their website. I am sorry that you have missed that. If you would like to discuss journalistic ethics with Ted Murphy give him a call. Regardless of who pays me for what, I will share my thoughts in my column freely based on my beliefs. I am not paid to share a particular opinion. Are you suggesting I should consult people like you before I write my columns or convey my own thoughts to the public? Isn't that , like, communism?
If you feel that I am being disingenuous in wondering if I would have supported the project 5 years ago that is your opinion which you are certainly entitled to. The simple fact is that as I have been exposed to the project I have been able to form an opinion based on a plethora of information that has been gathered over the past couple of years. I would hope that everyone who is interested in our community take the time to better understand what the Southlands project is all about.
To suggest that by "intellect" or "temperament" that I am inherently a pro-development person is a little off side but, again, you are entitled to your opinion. That would be like me suggesting that you are an obscenely naive ,arrogant and selfish person because you clearly believe that the status quo, or worse, would be the best course of action for our communities.
If you understand journalism or communications you will know that I am thankful for the McCrae comparison. It does mean that people are listening and it would appear that you, "Guest" are one of them.
You are paid by the Century Group, are you not? And asking rhetorically if you would have supported the proposal five years ago is disingeneous, you are by intellect, temperament, or some combination of the two a staunchly pro-development person. You also draw pay from the port I understand, and subtly promote both the Southlands and the port through your column without the decency to disclose your interest, a basic journalistic ethic that even Bob Ransford can abide by. If I thought people paid attention to you I'd be worried but it is the opinion of those I meet that you are the Tsawwassen equivalent of Neal McCrae.
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