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Letter: a question of representation

Thinking outside the box and making your vote count for what is right—right for the people for this riding.
94108trailw-lettertoeditor

To The Editor,

I wonder if anyone remembers a young Polish shipyard worker named Lech Walesa who yearned to bring democracy to Poland?

Later he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and rose to become the President of Poland from 1990 - 1995.

Whenever I see or hear Joseph Hughes (age 29, journeyman carpenter, graduate in business administration)—on CBC Radio or at the All Candidates Forums being held throughout the West Kootenay riding—I am reminded of these few rather extraordinary people that come forward at critical times to offer their services.

Usually it involves great personal sacrifice for them and their families, but they do it because they know they can make a difference in a very positive way.

I have not felt represented by my MLA for many years, whichever political party they are affiliated with. During the three hearings held at Revelstoke, Nakusp and Castlegar prior to the Columbia River Treaty being signed, 99 per cent of valley residents expressed their strongest opposition to the "High Arrow" Dam. It was pushed through anyhow.

An overwhelming number of B.C. residents opposed the Jumbo Ski Development project. It has been forced through.

The "smart" meters are yet another example. No doubt fracking will continue in spite of opposition and being proven to cause earthquakes and pollute and alter water courses. Doubtless and in great haste large oil pipelines will criss-cross our province to aid transport of oil from Alberta to China even though there were approximately 1,500 oil and gas leaks and spills in Alberta alone in 2011 and few jobs will result in B.C.

Everyone is in agreement that we need a vibrant economy and full employment but not enough attention is being paid to more long term sustainable alternative ways of achieving this.

I am writing to express my hope that the citizens of the Rossland, Warfield, Trail, Fruitvale, and Castlegar region will take the time to acquaint themselves with Joseph Hughes before they cast their votes.

He is very accessible—by website, email, cell phone, and in person (he and his wife and three children are "tenting" for a week in your area specifically to meet and speak with as many people as he can). Or you may have heard him on CBC Radio or local television.

Please consider hard and seriously before you vote. Although this very intelligent, deep-thinking and caring young man has been invited by mainstream political parties to join them, he feels that at this particular time only an independent who is unfettered by the party platform can truly represent the people.

Thank you for thinking outside the box and making your vote count for what is right—right for the people for this riding and right for the future of a sustainable environment.

Janet Spicer, Nakusp