There are those who suggest that hard-copy newspapers are no longer good for anything other than fishwrap and bird cages, but I strongly disagree.
As an elected official, it’s easy to live in a bit of a bubble, with no idea if one’s ideas and initiatives are on the right track or not. In this regard, it’s valuable indeed to get some feedback from a third party on the editorial page. Like everyone else, I am an imperfect soul and have no monopoly on the truth about what is good or not good for Qualicum Beach.
A stirling example of this would be Tuesday’s editorial (‘Social engineering’), where editor John Harding took me and some other council members to task for suggesting that a daycare be included in the proposed seniors’ facility beside town hall.
Living in my little bubble, I thought it was a great idea. Nothing lights up a room quite so much as wee gaffers and the seniors would greatly benefit from their interaction. We are working very hard to try to attract young families to this community and nothing, in my opinion, would attract young families to live here more than access to affordable daycare.
True, the Berwick development would likely free up many single-family homes as residents moved to the new facility – homes that could be filled by young families. However, I think we can do more, and in my view this is a fine way to do just that.
So thanks to Harding and his comments about how wrong-headed this is.
I find it enlightening to read Harding’s assessments of my ideas. Being fully cognizant of both the depth and breadth of his analysis, I feel confident that if he takes the time and effort to write a whole editorial slamming one of our initiatives, there’s a very good chance that we’re on the right track.
My bubble is popped. Thank you, Harding. Most useful.
Coun. Neil Horner
Qualicum Beach