Dear Editor:
Allowing the White Rock Hells Angels to participate in the 12th Street Festival was not a mere "oversight," as John Ashdown downplayed in a letter to the editor (Brow-beating unnecessary, Letters to the Editor, The Record, Aug. 24).
The allowing of this group to participate in this neighbourhood family event was a glaring lack of judgment.
Was it really that ridiculous for Mayor Wright to reference a Kelowna incident when speaking of the Hells Angel presence at the 12th Street Festival?
In Kelowna, a White Rock Hells Angel was shot at in broad daylight outside a busy hotel casino.
It sure sounds like New Westminster Police Chief Dave Jones thought the Hells Angels pres-ence at the 12th Street Festival was a legitimate concern, so the mayor's comments are hardly political grandstanding.
If Mr. Ashdown is concerned about political grandstanding, perhaps he should look inwards, as he seems to be the one who is drawing the most attention to himself.
From the sounds of Mr. Ashdown's letter, he may have aspirations to pursue a future in municipal politics. For a future politician, a controversy is always a good opportunity to get one's name in the news.
I'll be sure to now recognize the name John Ashdown, a very community-spirited citizen, on the next municipal ballot.
I just hope that when Mr. Ashdown becomes an elected official, he'll be able to tell the difference between an oversight and a lack of judgment.
M.J. Pope, New Westminster
