Campbell Sees the Big Picture
By Ben Meisner
Tuesday, February 07, 2006 03:49 AM
In a sweeping exclusive interview with Shaw TV and Opinion 250, Premier Gordon Campbell made it quite clear he would like to be around for another term. That would allow Campbell to be the Premier when the 2010 Olympics hit town.
As for cost overruns for the project, Campbell said he expected that would occur and that is why the contingency was put in place. The costs have been growing because of our vibrant economy he said and "We knew we would be eating into that contingency fund. I don’t fore see them needing any more money".
He also put a time line on the twinning of Highway 97 saying he would like to see the project completed within the next ten years.
If northerners are expected to pony up resources and money for the 2010, then surely we can’t be called selfish for wanting something in return.
A full fledged cancer clinic, and a corridor that allows us to be a part of the southern part of the province is not too large a request. If one part of the province is to be the benefactor of our good times then all parts of the province must equally share. The Premier pointed out that Prince Rupert is about to see a major port expansion and there is little doubt it will have a spin off effect in this region.
Looming before us however, is a much larger problem, and that is the end of the beetle wood and we had better be prepared for its effects.The premier recognizes that problem. It is unfortunate our civic leaders (who are heading off to the Winter Olympics) try to somehow suggest our problems will melt away by having some Athletes practice here for the 2010.
It just taxes the mind.
I’m Meisner and that is one man's opinion.
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Posted by: Norm on February 7 2006 7:02 PM