Editor:
Re: Val Morris' letter (Coast Reporter, April 13).
In her recent letter Val Morris states: "Unfortunately, massive spending, effective as it is, is a tactic that's available to only a few."
One of For a Better Sechelt's (FABS) goals was to allow the public the opportunity to meet with the new candidates. One of the ways we met this goal was our weekly table talk sessions for the four weeks prior to the election. The process provided participating candidates an informal environment to discuss various issues at a table of eight to 10 people. Every 15 minutes the participants switched tables and the candidates met 10 new people. We provided the candidates the opportunity to meet upwards of 40 voters each week in a two-hour period. At the end of the evening the candidates were given the platform to reiterate the issues brought forward by addressing the entire room with a two-minute recap.
As (mayoral candidate) Doug Smith's campaign manager you and your candidate participated in those meetings sponsored and paid for by FABS.
FABS provided the labour and volunteers that organized, administered and facilitated those weekly sessions. FABS provided the venue for your candidate to meet the constituents, provided all meeting supplies and food. I do not recall hearing your sad concerns over the depressing quantum jump in the financial landscape of Sechelt politics back in the fall of 2011 as you attended those meetings. You also used the inaugural FABS meeting to announce Doug Smith's candidacy in September 2011. Again venue paid for and organized by FABS.
As a FABS volunteer and financial donor I find your letter bewildering. It would appear FABS made their "massive spending" available to you and you took it.
You have a strange way of saying thanks. You're welcome, I guess.
Corrina Wheten
Sechelt
