Stone disputes columnist’s viewpoint
Editor:
Re: Christopher Foulds’ column of Feb. 18 (‘Liberal Stone needs to take a breath and count to 10’):
Foulds’ commentary was over the top in stretching the context of concerns I raised relating to NDP Leader Adrian Dix’s recent visit to Kamloops.
First, as the parents of three little girls under the age of eight, my wife and I strongly believe in introducing our daughters to everything we possibly can, from art and dance to sports and science.
One of our daughters in particular has developed a real passion for science as a result of hands-on time she has spent at the Big Little Science Centre in Kamloops, a community-based organization dedicated to teaching science in an interactive environment.
We are and always will be strong supporters of science programs for kids.
With this in mind, it is important to understand my concern was not with Science World and programs like BC PALS.
In 2005, our government provided BC PALS with a one-time, $5-million grant to support provincewide, science-based educational experiences.
I know our government would love to provide more grants for programs like it.
Obviously, tough choices are required in order to balance the budget and, hopefully with a strengthened economy that will result from our government’s prudent financial management, government will be able to provide more funding soon.
That said, I believe British Columbians have waited long enough to see a fully costed plan from Dix and the NDP.
While the premier and her team have laid out their clear vision for British Columbia through the BC Jobs Plan, the recent throne speech and budget, Dix and the NDP have refused to put forward similar plans for public scrutiny.
Voters must make a choice in the next election and, in order to do this, they need to know where both parties stand on issues like the economy, taxes, spending and the resource sectors.
Dix has taken the time to inform British Columbians as to whom he would hire in the premier’s office, but has not shown voters the respect of laying out his plan, despite the fact we are less than 60 days away from the election campaign.
A $1-million funding announcement of modest consequence to the families of Kamloops is a tiny slice of B.C.’s $45-billion budget and a tiny slice of the issues that really matter in Kamloops.
The people of Kamloops deserve better than to have their votes taken for granted.
They deserve to know where Dix stands on the big issues in Kamloops, like continuing the jobs momentum in our city and region, continuing the growth of our resource and tourism sectors and further expanding our hospital and university.
As I continue my way through this MLA job-interview process with the citizens of Kamloops-South Thompson, I commit this to you: As I have done throughout my life, I will always work hard and speak strongly on behalf of the issues and projects that matter most to the people of Kamloops.
Todd Stone
BC Liberal candidate
Kamloops-South Thompson
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