Dear Editor:
Re: City hall moves forward with plan The Record, July 18.
I preface my comments by stating that not one of the authors (Smith, Larsen, Marshall and Jaser) picked up a phone and talked to Mr. Crosty about the issues, and it appears none of them read the local papers, which have done a remarkable job in separating the facts from the rhetoric.
First, I remind you that it was never about the tower, the civic centre or cheap character-slamming. It was always about giving the people a right, through a referendum, to determine whether they wanted to take on an additional $59-million debt.
Second, the fiscal issue that faced the public was a City of New Westminster initiative - not a Crosty one. It was part of the largest borrowing bylaw in the history of the city and one that elected officials (2011) never mentioned or got a mandate for.
The city supplied the alternative approval process elector response forms, and Mr. Crosty and other taxpayers acted on this option provided by the city.
It appears that 2,098 people had the same calling. Crosty and fellow citizens managed to collect more than 1,504 forms themselves. Recognition also goes to those 594 individuals who took it upon themselves to deliver their forms to city hall. I personally thank you all for a taking on this cause on behalf of taxpayers in our city.
Third, it took an estimated $150,000, multiple politicians, ad campaigns, editorials, letters to the editors and nearly six months to get 10,000 voters to the polls in 2011. In contrast, it took less than 30 days, in the middle of summer, no money, limited forms from city hall and dedicated volunteers to get 2,098 signatures on a form requesting a referendum. That is fully one-fifth of the 2011 voters. I trust that it will not go unrecognized by city, council and supporters what this number actually means and recognize that things would likely have been very different had the playing field been fair.
Lastly, I would like to remind you that Mr. Crosty lost the last election. You behave like sore winners constantly dredging up this fact. For those who do not have a history in New Westminster, Mr. Crosty has made significant and positive contributions to this city and done so without personal gain, city funding, bullying, intimidation, the need to mislead or slamming someone's personal character.
As a neighbour of the mayor, Crosty has been a citizen advocate for nearly 22 years before the election, he was a mayoral candidate for just three months, and now he has returned to his advocacy role expressing his fiscal concerns about the public purse.
To the dismay of referendum detractors and city and council apologists, Mr. Crosty didn't disappear after the election, and continues to fight for his rights as a taxpayer. It just happens that there happen to be a few of them who agree with him in this city. With a total city debt reaching 127.5 million ($59 million included), I have no doubt you will see more of him.
I also think when you read the names who signed the opposition form when published, you will realize just how isolated you are in your opinions of this referendum and Mr. Crosty.
Paul Thompson, via email
