Flip of the Coyne

It’s been a long time in the making but I finally have it up and running. I am pleased to bring you my new and improved website “FlipoftheCoyne.com”. This website will be an extension of my column in the Spotlight as I only get one opinion a week and sometimes I am very opinionated and need more space.

I will be writing my column in the Spotlight more often but I will be working on my blog even more. So subscribe to the blog, check back often and comment as you wish. I will be commenting on local, regional, provincial, national and any other issue that gets my goat or effects our lives.

I would like this opportunity to take the time and thank Lisa and the Spotlight for having me back.

-Spencer

Published Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Vol. 60 Issue 44 Page A6

This election is shaping up to be an interesting one. I have just read over all the bios of the many candidates and I am surprised at the issues they are running on.

I am a little perplexed as to how the candidates plan on providing affordable housing. From a municipal stand point, the only way to provide affordable housing is to lobby the provincial government for an increase in low income housing projects or increase the amount of high density zoning, but this alone will not guarantee lower cost housing, because it is not council’s place to dictate what a land owner charges for rent. The only other way is for council to lower residential taxes, but this would have to be across the board, because you cannot under provincial law give individual tax breaks. I look forward to hearing from the candidates and how they plan on implementing this strategy.

Another thing that caught my eye was the need for grants and other provincial funding options, but I need to ask: What’s the back up plan? We are heading into a world wide recession to which Princeton is not immune, and neither are the other government agencies that hand out these funds. I ask this because we could see the province and federal government tighten the purse strings and grants and handouts dry up.

With the world heading into a recession, candidates need to come up with a clear way to keep Princeton in the black. It will become harder and harder for local governments to get funding from outside sources and it will also be harder for Princeton to attract new industry as it will become harder for industry to get funding to start up or grow. This will be a challenge that the new council will face and those running need to be aware of this. We will need a clear and solid sustainable growth strategy. We need to balance the economy with the environment while being able to provide the current level of services and infrastructure. The next council could be facing issues that no one ever thought we would have to face.

Now to the Regional District. We have an election! For the first time in at least 9 years we will have an election in Area H. Gerri Logan the incumbent has been challenged by Brad Hope. Hope has been a strong voice in the community over the issue of Coal Bed Methane and is now moving the issue to land owners’ rights, something that resonates with most land owners in the regional district with online mineral claims allowing people to stake claims anyplace in the province without even physically visiting the area.

As a resident of Area H, I look forward to this election and hearing where Gerri Logan stands on the issues at hand. From her bio I understand that Logan is calling for responsible stewardship of agriculture, forestry and mining, three areas of concern for every one of us who live in the resource-rich Area H.

Published Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Vol. 60 Issue 43  Page B3

I want to commend all of those who have put their names forward for council.

When I heard how many people were running for council, the first thing I thought was that this is going to be a gong show. 16 people are running for 4 seats! I started to wonder if all these people are really running to win a seat, or if some people are running to make a protest? There has been some buzz around town that there are unofficial slates running as well. No matter what the reasons, this will be a tight election and the candidates who win will win in one of two ways.

The first will be a split of the vote. For this reason, even the lone incumbent may not be safe. With 16 people running, the vote could be all over the map, meaning that there could be a very slim margin for the winners. This is where those protest candidates could really steal the election.

The second way is to rally your base. If there really is an unofficial slate running, it could take this election with ease if the slate can rally its base and get people out to vote. Candidates who have their key supporters now will need to energize them and get them out knocking on doors.

The candidates in this election will have to run a hard campaign. They will need to knock on doors, shake hands and kiss babies if they want to win. With 4 people running for each seat, this election could go any way.

I am looking forward to learning more about the candidates and learning more about what they stand for and why they are running. I am also looking forward to seeing how well the candidates can organize and run their campaigns. I really think that those who can pull together a base and rally the troops, not only to help with getting their message out, but to get supporters to the polls, will be the ones that win.