John's "Dear Jim" Letter

Good Morning Jim,

I had the opportunity to read your blog and your attack on me. I am surprised, as I cannot recall seeing this type of personal attack ever in local municipal politics.

I truly believe that for the most part, you and I support similar initiatives. My real concern is the strong support that Roger McKinnon is receiving in the North end. The front page of today's "Nanaimo Daily News" is suggesting that this is a one issue election...supportive housing, something that both you and I support.

If you and I become involved in a smear campaign, the clear winner in my opinion will be Roger. His stated plans are to terminate all supportive housing projects, slash senior staff at City Hall and institute a "0" tax increase for 3 years. How he will address the large CUPE and IAFF (Fire Fighters) labour contracts currently under negotiation is a mystery.

I am advised that Roger is committing more money to his campaign than you and I combined.

Under your leadership, I would suggest that there would not be any radical changes in City policy. I do not share this same view with Roger.

Far be it for me to tell you how to run your campaign. I just wanted to share these thoughts with you.

Good luck,

John Ruttan

I was surprised to read this letter from Mayor John Ruttan to fellow candidate Jim Routledge in a blog.  The alleged ‘smear’ was a well-deserved criticism of the mayor’s recent forays into economic development strategies shortly after taking credit for creating the ‘arms-length’ Economic Development Corporation.  It seemed a bit heavy-handed to me to label simple dissent as a ‘smear’ and significant incorrect references to my platform and candidacy piqued my interest.

Quite simply, I do not believe this is a one-issue election.  Current mayor and council have managed business so that the focus has been mostly turned to the Uplands low barrier housing project in a time frame coinciding with the election.  They have employed strategies that could only result in community division.  This must stop.  We need transparency and trust in order to move forward.  Social housing yes, closed doors to the community – no.

This election is about getting on with the business of creating jobs for the short and long term through aggressive economic development.  It’s about a commitment to reduce our annual property tax increases to zero percent within three years. (Read that statement closely John.) It’s not about cutting employment at city hall or anywhere else.

Mayor Ruttan mentions that neither he nor Jim would institute any radical changes at City Hall.  That is exactly what this election is about.  We can continue to do things just as we have in the past and expect the same results.  Or, we can seek change, define a vision of that, and move towards that vision as a community.  I suggest that residents, like myself, feel it is time to do that now.

Finally, I certainly hope I’m NOT spending more than the two of you.  It does cost a lot to communicate, and overcoming misinformation like that in the mayor’s blog response, just increases the time and money one must invest just to get the story straight at election time. 

Roger McKinnon, Candidate

Mayor of Nanaimo