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Simply stating the facts

Editor: In a letter written by Thomas Forsyth (Coast Reporter, Jan.

Editor:

In a letter written by Thomas Forsyth (Coast Reporter, Jan. 25) there seems to be some confusion on his part; he must be referring to another of the numerous letters critical of Sechelt council, not the one I wrote, because he obviously didn't read mine.

I made no mention of any section of the community charter and made zero allegations about the performance of past or current staff. My letter simply stated the facts. Firstly that there had been a large article in the paper about Sechelt's massive fiscal over run and that the most experienced councillor Mike Shanks had voted against the 2012 budget last spring. I expressed concern about the very healthy reserves built up by previous councils, all earmarked for current and future, staff identified, capital asset and infrastructure maintenance (as mandated by the Province on all municipalities).

But I did notice that in another letter the writer refers to Coun. Shanks' "outburst" at a meeting. I was at that meeting and it was anything but. He was composed and respectful, he read a well written prepared statement with the tone of a church mouse; I could hardly hear him.

In that letter there is a point made that by Coun. Shanks doing his job, stating his concerns to the electorate at large, he is sending "the wrong message" to the investment community. Hardly. Investors are taxpayers too, that's why we want to attract them. When they see how much hard earned money of the ratepayers has been wasted the last 14 months, including the largest legal bills ever... well you do the math.

Keith Thirkell

Tuwanwek