Why listen to those people? Why not listen to us-the taxpayers. Referendum please? It's cheaper than a consultant, or one of those 'studies' and we are the ones who should have the final say!

Weren't all the councilors against this before the election or did I misinterpret something?

According to B.C.Lottery's own stats, twice as many people in the north become addicted to gambling as in the south. Gambling is a real problem in our society, the biggest problem being the govt's addiction to the revenue generated. This is a false revenue though, because it takes away from the local businesses.
Any businesses except those that are directly associated with the gambling establishments, would be crazy to support such a move. It's money out of their coffers.

Well, well, and when is the "wake up" call going to become loud and clear.
Gambling has nothing but a detrimental effect on the people, and destroys families, friendships, and the addicted gambler.
Yes, it eventually affects the guy that sells the light bulbs, as the disposable income goes to the slots, or gaming table, not for the new microwave, lawn mower, or needed kids shoes. Many times the mortgage payment goes.
Fights become the norm in the home of the addicted gambler.
Fighting has the tendency to initiate violence.
The young learn to accept fighting and violence as part and parcel of a home life.
Emotionally disturbed kids become emotionally disturbed adults.
Respect and love are replaced with fear and anger.
Gambling destroys homes and relationships, building up only the coffers for the governments and owners of the gaming establishments.
BUT it is a form of voluntary taxation.
The argument goes, "nobody is forced to gamble."
It is an addiction.
Nobody forces the alcoholic to drink, or the smoker to smoke, or the doper to dope.
Governments seem intent on destroying society-or will the end result give them more control over society.
Are the powers that be at Prince George City Hall any different?
NO! NO! NO!-they want the money, and the gaming centre WILL become a reality, rest assured of that.
And yes, businesses will suffer along with the rest of society.
How high will the price become that will have to be paid??

If this gaming centre is approved, I will be sending hand written letters to every council member reminding them of their opposition to it before the election. I may even attend council meetings to express my discontent. It appears that 'the norm' of any form of government in Canada, is to do a 180 as soon as you're elected.

One cannot fight an election based on 6 to 10 issues. In fact, in my mind it is rare when one can fight an election on issues at all or that it should be fought on issues.

I feel strongly, especially after this election, that one should be electing people based on how they make decisions, and which way they tend to think with respect to fiscsal issues and social issue.

Do they tend to spend without looking closely at a business case for spending (what is the business case, for instance for sending a delegation to Torino - what was an alternate for achieving the same result, for instance? ... that case was not made in the presentation and I would have voted asgainst it until I saw alternative ways of achieving the goals and I got some sense of the risk taken with the taxpayers' money of one approach versus another)

So, are they fiscal conservatives or liberals?

Same with social issues - do they tend to think that we are a libertarian type of society in which we do not look out for the morals of the society we live in; in which we do not require people to wear helmets when riding bikes; in which we do not concern ourselves whether anyone drinks in the multiplex or not, in which we do not care whether downtown survives or not since all that will take care of itself eventually if left alone.

Or are they the planner types, where we have to set out rules and regulations by which we have to live. House set back 15 feet from the property line - can anyone tell me what is wrong with 5 foot set backs, or zero? Fences no higher than 6 feet - so how do I get some privacy from my neighbour who has a deck out the second floor living room at 8 feet above ground and can look over my fence?

Nonsense regulations .... regulations which may make sense at one time and stay around many decades too long. They are because they are, no other reason.

If we want to make sure that the population of this community have a say on some very sepcific issues which affect this community, then we must use referendums far more often than we do.

Want to have a performing arts centre - referendum

Want to limit the debt of this community - referendum

Want another Nechako crossing - low cost or high cost - referendum

Want a dangerous goods route - referendum

Want a cancer clinic - referndum

Want a gaming centre - referendum .....

And on and on and on.

Perhaps that would have made a good election issue - do you want the city to be ruled by the will of the majority through referendum; or by those selected to make such decisions for you on a case by case basis?

Remember Mike nd others. Most of these people are politicians. They told you what you want to hear, not what was in their heart.

Remember, one candidate even boasted that she went to 4 campaign schools. Nothing I would boast about.