Is the Office of the Premier out of touch with what’s happening in the North?
According to Village of Burns Lake Coun. Frank Varga and Mayor Luke Strimbold, improvements in communication need to be made.
The comments stem from a letter the village recently received from the Office of the Premier.
The letter, signed by Premier Christy Clark was addressed to Burns Lake’s past mayor Bernice Magee and discussed Magee’s health care concerns for the local area. Premier Clark also congratulated Magee on her recent reelection to the seat of mayor.
The letter was officially received by new mayor elect, Luke Strimbold during a council meeting last week.
In an embarrassing bungle, Premier Clark overlooked Mayor Strimbold’s Nov. 10, 2011 win at the polls. Not only was Magee not reelected, but she never joined the election race for the seat.
Councillor Varga said he is extremely disappointed by all aspects of the letter.
He said, not only did Premier Clark get the name of Burns Lake’s mayor incorrect, but that the letter regarding local health care concerns, doesn’t address any issues.
“I have to question the true intent of this letter .... I am really disappointed by the whole thing,” Coun. Varga said.
The letter reads; “I appreciate the time you have taken to make me aware of the challenges facing the Stuart Nechako Regional Hospital District in regard to health care service delivery. I do want to assure you that, as government, we are committed to improving our health care system so that all British Columbian will benefit, no matter where they live.”
Varga said that despite the Premier’s affirmation that the Ministry of Health is committed to improve heath care service delivery, there is no benefits for Burns Lake in the Ministry of Health Services 2010-2013 service plan.
Mayor Strimbold said to Lakes District News that he understands why the letter was addressed to Magee, as she was still in office at the time the letter was written, but he admits there is an oversight when Magee was congratulated for being reelected.
Municipal election results were released on Nov. 19, 2011, three weeks before the Premier put pen to paper.
Mayor Strimbold said, “It goes to show that our communication with the provincial government is lacking. We need to build up the relationship so that they are more aware of who we are and where we are,” he said.
Lakes District News contacted the Office of Premier for comment, however no comment was received before press time.