The organization seeking a new funding arrangement from the province for the communities of the northwest has made a change to its leadership roster.
That as Smithers Mayor Gladys Atrill moves into co chair position for the Northwest British Columbia Resource Benefits Alliance.
As the Alliance is negotiating with the province, the Houston Mayor stepped aside, clearing the way for Ms Atrill to take on the Post.
The planning for the Northwest Alliance began in 2014, first noted by former Mayor Jack Musallem, his successor in the Mayor's Chair Lee Brain signed a memorandum of agreement with the alliance in January of 2015.
Mr. Brain served as a co chair during his two terms of office ending in 2022.
The path of progress towards achieving the new funding agreement has been a long running project, currently championed by Mayor Herb Pond, the Mayor currently serves as one of the three co chairs for the organization.
The NW BC RBA has made for some talking points at City Council sessions in recent weeks, from a recap of Council's work at UBCM, as well as an undercurrent to themes on the ongoing budget work.
Mr, Pond often noting of the importance of reaching an agreement with the province and how it would assist the community with its ongoing work on infrastructure issues.
You can follow the work of the Alliance since 2014 through our archive page.
Funny how you felt need to make mention of Jack Mussallem , when it was he and his council, (ironically and most vocally Barry Cunningham) who opposed joining the alliance
ReplyDeleteFunny? Strange comment, considering the introduction to the project came from that era of Council. They even hosted a presentation prior to the 2014 municipal election. Now, as he wasn't re-elected, we don't know if Mr. Mussallem would have followed up on the proposal with his next term ... But, it is a reminder that there was civic governance in Prince Rupert prior to election day 2014. NCR
DeleteYou always seem to conveniently miss the point.
DeleteYes, the introduction of the alliance came pre-2014. And so did its rejection by prince Rupert mayor and council.
Well thanks for your expert critique, but I missed nothing ...
DeleteWas simply noting that the topic of the NWBCRBA was introduced prior to the election of 2014.
And unless you're some kind of sooth sayer studying entrails, you have no real idea how it may have evolved for Prince Rupert in the years that followed. And so far it seems to be mostly a discussion club with no funding delivered yet, but let's remain hopeful. NCR
let’s spell it out:
DeleteYour coverage ignores the fact that Barry, Jack and that prior council did not just “make note” of the alliance but actually voted against joining the Alliance at all.
Failure to include that conveniently paints both Barry and Jack in a more positive light. Which is a clear pattern of yours. And it detracts from your usually stellar coverage
Spell all you wish, along with the dash of passive aggressive spin you put to every single one of your 'contributions' ...
DeleteThe story was simply a "timeline" of the project, not an in-depth study of it past and present.
It wasn't 'painting' anyone in any way, other than to observe when NWBCRBA was first introduced and the change to the body announced last week.
And as noted, clearly changes of opinion could have come as the project evolved (along with the eight years of meetings and photo ops that mostly mark the initiative to this point )
You seem to tilt at a lot of windmills, as is oft the case with you.
Now I'm moving on to other matters far more important than ask and answer with you, feel free to fixate on your talking point as you wish. NCR
Looking through the archives, it does not appear, and it's not my recollection either, that the Jack Mussallem council "rejected" the NWBCRBA as has been alleged. The council of that time, including Barry Cunningham, had questions, wanted more information and sent the city manager on a fact finding mission. One concern was that any disputes were to be resolved by the Kitimat-Stikine Regional District, which seemed a bit lopsided.
ReplyDeleteI don't get the anxiety of the back and forth over this issue and the evident need to relegate the Mussallem council's participation in the dialogue to the memory hole of non-existence, before that momentous day when a new mayor was elected, which in retrospect did not exactly herald the dawn of a new age for most people.
The NWBCRBA arrangement has not shaken loose a dime since a confidential MOU was signed by the next council in 2015. It's not a proud accomplishment for which anyone should be taking a bow to thunderous applause. It seems to be mostly of symbolic value for public relations purposes, or put another way and truth be told it's a Potemkin Village with nothing of substance behind the facade.
Funny, an anonymous commenter who sounds exactly like the NCR and who misses the point exactly like NCR. Coincidence?
Delete