DEAR EDITOR:
I have made no secret of my support for Mayor Wayne Wright during his original campaign or his successful three terms as mayor of New Westminster. Mayor Wright has the track record of success while his challenger, Mr. Crosty, has only constant complaining with no offer of real, workable solutions.
I have been subjected to have to listen to the ridicule and complaints with little basis in facts, while a member of the advisory planning commission for a three-year term. Now the name-calling is starting early by Mr. Crosty as he has no real solutions to the city's issues.
Is the city better off now than before Mayor Wright took office? Yes. Are some of the issues still in need of solutions? Yes. Mayor Wright is the only logical choice to address them, as he has many of the other lingering challenges from administrations past.
My challenge to all the candidates is simple. What is your plan? Do you even have one? Perhaps you can enlighten the voters as to what you would do to have a balanced budget with no reduction is city services? How would you diversify the city's tax base to ensure that we grow responsibly? What are your plans to deal with the aging infrastructure in the city? What are your plans to address economic development in a sustainable way? What is your plan for long-term land use issues, and how will you attract residents, businesses and investment in our city? How will you build consensus among businesses and residents and other levels of government to foster positive change instead of conflict?
What have you done for the city other than complain? What work have you done on committees that has resulted in positive change? Have you done anything at all besides spout rhetoric and try to fight against every initiative by other citizens that work tirelessly toward building a better New Westminster?
Change is constant. Battling against it is like battling the tide. Give us your plan to manage it and promote the well-being of our city rather than resorting to namecalling.
Do we as a city really want a return to the status quo of caretaker type governance or do we want a mayor who has worked and will work tirelessly toward a better New Westminster?
During the last nine years of Mayor Wright's administration, I have spoken at great length about these and other issues with Mayor Wright and know that he has a plan. Do you, Mr. Crosty? Let's hear it. Frankly it is time to "put up or shut up." We need a mayor who can get the job done, and for my vote that is Mayor Wright.
Ron B. Gordon, New Westminster
