To the Editor:
Have you been complaining about your taxes lately? How about broken curbs, water main breaks, or drugs and gangs in town?
I recall a year ago a Facebook group with over 900 members complaining how bad it was in Thompson, and no one cares. Well, things must have improved tremendously over the past year.
Over the past few weeks, I've attended the city council-sponsored neighbourhood forums every Wednesday, thinking it would be a full house. Especially with topics such as city finances.
Kudos to the mayor and city council for having councillors in attendance, plus senior management, providing handouts, PowerPoint presentations, and answering questions and taking suggestions from the very small audience. I believe their intentions are sincere. These forums started last year and are an excellent way for our city leaders to get out of City Hall to get into your neighbourhood.
But where are YOU? The sad situation Oct. 7 was that there were nine people from the public and eight representatives from City Hall. What's with that? Obviously with such little participation, everyone must be happy with the state of affairs in Thompson. I suppose that's good news. But I doubt if everyone is totally content with his or her municipal affairs. Do you have suggestions what would make Thompson better or the best? Are you totally happy with your neighbourhood?
Council still has important municipal issues to deal with. But if the public doesn't participate in these forums, then you have no right to complain that your needs are not being addressed. "All of us is smarter than one of us" is a truism. Put it to use!
Volker BeckmannThompson
