What’s the connection between Crocodile Dundee and the Dutton survey recently discussed in John Harding’s story ‘Mayor brands survey bogus’ (The NEWS, Sept. 2)?
On reading this piece, I was reminded of the scene in the movie Crocodile Dundee, where Mick and his lady Sue are accosted by a couple of muggers in New York. “He’s got a knife,” gasps Sue, to which, with nonchalance, Mick replies “That’s not a knife.” Then drawing out his 16-inch bowie knife Mick adds: “That’s a knife.”
The coverage of the survey that was privately commissioned by the Dutton family leaves the impression that certain factions in our community are hoping to elevate this very flawed bit of private polling as a new manifesto for the future growth and development of Qualicum Beach. The Dutton survey was based on 303 phone interviews.
Heading into the coming election its important to be reminded of the Town of Qualicum’s “Quality of Life Survey” that was conducted in 2009. The survey included 1,717 completed questionnaires and 370 follow-up phone interviews. The survey was professionally designed with a wide range of questions, the results of which were intended to inform the crafting of Qualicum’s revised Official Community Plan. Qualicum’s current OCP reflects in large measure the priorities of the residents that the Quality of Life Survey revealed.
During this last term, it’s my opinion councillors Mary Brouilette, Bill Luchtmeijer and Dave Willie have worked diligently to undermine and rewrite some of the key principles of the OCP. I believe if this council’s majority had its way, Qualicum would opt out of the RDN completely and the town’s develop-able urban area would nearly be doubled. The Quality of Life Survey was the real deal. The Dutton family’s Pheasant Glen survey? Definitely “not a knife.”
Bruce Fleming-Smith
Qualicum Beach