Editor:
As indication of his political acumen and effectiveness, MLA Nicholas Simons recently stated:
“I think my record shows my ability to work with government, with bureaucracies, and with agencies to make sure that the best possible outcomes for the community can be achieved. My record is clear despite the fact that we have an often hostile government. I remember one of the first issues I ever dealt with as MLA was Arrowhead and their funding. I spoke directly with Minister of Housing Rich Coleman about Arrowhead and subsequently Arrowhead became, and continues to be, a success.”
The problem with this example is that it misrepresents how the Arrowhead Clubhouse and Legacy Housing was developed, and what was involved in securing funding for the project. There are many organizations and individuals who can take some credit for establishing Arrowhead, including the District of Sechelt under the leadership of Cam Reid, Sunshine Coast Community Services Society, Lehigh, BC Gaming, VANOC, members of the Arrowhead board, and yes, Liberal Minister of Housing Rich Coleman.
I know this because I spent more than three years under contract with the District of Sechelt, and Sunshine Coast Community Services Society, working on the development of Arrowhead. I was the consultant responsible for helping these partners to secure funding for all aspects of the project. I also subsequently served on the Arrowhead board and assisted with BC Gaming grants to help sustain the organization’s services. Suffice to say this is a project I am very familiar with.
Mr. Simons may very well have spoken with Minister Coleman at some point; I would have hoped that he would. He also, along with many others, wrote a letter to support our grant request. Arrowhead was, and continues to be, a valuable asset and one that all Sunshine Coast residents should be proud to support.
But Mr. Simons absolutely did not play a major role in its creation, and it is disingenuous of him to suggest otherwise.
Valerie Nash, Sechelt
Editor’s Note: Nicholas Simons confirms the accuracy of the quotation, but provided the following for context:
“During a broad-ranging discussion in that interview about my many successes when working with government ministers, I referred to the success of Arrowhead after I had helped advocate for increased and timely funding for their operations.
“I remember it well. I was later thanked by Bob Smith, the president of Arrowhead’s board.
“My statement in the interview should have acknowledged that the organization was already a success, and was successful due to the board, employees, members and supporters. I just did what an MLA does, and advocated for them.”
