Forrest’s “emotional investment” stands in the way of progress
Ross Forrest has an “emotional investment in the community” and that’s why I won’t be voting for him. He is emotionally attached to the Lake Cowichan of the past, but our world is changing fast and the town’s leadership needs to keep up with the times.
Forrest is stuck in the past and his 2012 South Shore improvement project proves it. Most of our tax money was spent on “the Grand Entranceway” in the east while the west entrance, which brings thousands of visitors in from the Pacific Marine Route, was ignored. When I complained of a traffic problem at this end, he replied, “I’ve known EVERYONE who lived in your building in the past and none of THEM complained of a traffic problem!” But the tourist route was completed just 10 years ago and has only become really popular in the past five. Ross has never operated a business here so he wouldn’t know that, whereas my business has been on the receiving end of all this traffic for as long as he’s been mayor.
The first rule in the bully’s handbook is to “shift the blame” and that’s exactly what I see with the road project. He publicly boasts of the “beautification” and “traffic control” that “revitalized” and “added value” to the commercial properties along South Shore. But when I point out that a few of us at the west entrance didn’t get those benefits, I’m accused of asking the town for “special assistance” which he says is “against the law.” When I first raised this issue one councillor said “We’ve been warned not to give you any hope.” Because of this comment and council’s extreme reluctance to address my concerns, I suspect there is a bully in their midst.
I’m concerned that the school zone was left wide open to speeding traffic, however, Forrest appears to be more concerned that slowing down the traffic there might bring more customers to my business. I get the distinct impression that he doesn’t WANT my business in HIS town. So, I’ll be voting for Rod Peters, who has not only been a business owner for 40 years, but has promised to straighten out the safety issues on South Shore Road, if elected.
David Work
Lake Cowichan