Is Kim Sigurdson wasting his airfare?

Armchair Mayor column, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010

The railway-tie controversy has me thinking about the kind of community we have here.

The word “community” is used too easily these days. They talk about the “international community” and its duty to help out Haiti. Don’t they really mean “all those other countries” rather than community?

I even heard someone refer to “the straight community” during a radio interview this week. What is the straight community? Do straight people get together every once in awhile to celebrate straightness? Not that I know of.

By traditional definition, a community is simply a bunch of people living in the same place. I prefer to think of our community being defined by more than its geography, but rather, in the most positive sense, by its common interests and aspirations, by the way it treats people.

So, I ask myself, what does the Save Kamloops campaign against Aboriginal Cogeneration Corp. say about Kamloops? Has it brought out the best, or the worst, in us?

We know all about our best. Whenever someone is in need, donations pour in. Kamloops people are always ready to help, at any time, whether it be someone who’s down and out at Christmas, or who’s lost home and family in a natural disaster continents away.

We have the spirit, that extra something that goes above and beyond. I think it has to do with the simple joy of life, and being proud of who we are and — as the video says — sure of where we’re going. Fifteen thousand showed up for the Torch Relay, and that many squeeze into Riverside Park every Canada Day. Give us any excuse to celebrate our community and we’re there.

Are we also the kind of community that welcomes new thinking about old problems, or do we just say no without bothering to listen? Are we curious, open to ideas, willing to think?

Are we a community that believes in rules, in which people can do business knowing that when they follow those rules they’ll be respected rather than rejected?

Can we disagree in a constructive manner, can we analyse an issue and come to consensus, or are we a community that thrives on fear, accusation, cheap rumour?

As I think about this, I’m aware of stories being circulated by prominent leaders in this community about Aboriginal Cogeneration Corp. that have nothing at all to do with whether its gasification plant will operate in an environmentally safe manner, and everything to do with trying to discredit ACC as a business and its owners as people.

I’m also aware of TRU profs who — instead of just teaching students — actively solicit support for their own biased views on social causes through the use of class email lists, encouraging them to take part in protest rallies and to hijack forums.

I know doctors are very good at mending broken bones and diagnosing illness, but I doubt they know much about gasification technology.

I hear people saying, in effect, “Don’t talk to me about science, facts don’t matter.” They say they think ACC would be bad for our image.

What of our image as a place that doesn’t renege, doesn’t back track, doesn’t say one thing and do another? Businesses give that pretty strong consideration when they’re looking to set up shop.

I’m banking on Kamloops living up to its reputation of fairness. That’s why I approached ACC president Kim Sigurdson a couple of weeks ago and told him he’d better come to town for a public meeting. I told him I thought I might be able to get the chamber of commerce on side to host it.

Since I’d joined the chorus demanding that he come to explain his plan, I figured I should do something about it, not just talk about it.  That’s why, as a director of the chamber, I talked with president Leslie Brochu, and why she talked to the rest of the board.

Sigurdson believes the chamber will run a fair forum. That’s why he’s coming here March 11 to “face the music” as it were.

Will Kim Sigurdson get that fair hearing, or will he be jeered at? Will questions be sincere, or just an excuse to promote the cause of his detractors?

Will they tie up the microphones to argue, to belittle, seek headlines, or to seek information? Will they let those who have real questions, and want real answers, have their turn?

Will the organized opponents salt the crowd with hecklers to shout insults, wave provocative banners, try to drown him and the other speakers out, call them liars because their words don’t match the view espoused by Save Kamloops?

I’m hoping not, and I believe not, because the energy that has gone into the public campaign against this project is exactly the same energy that makes Kamloops such a kind, thoughtful, fair-minded community.

And, by the way, will our two MLAs, having led the charge demanding Sigurdson come, and threatening to withhold government funding if he doesn’t, have the political courage to acknowledge he’s met their demand, and withdraw their opposition?

Now that Sigurdson is doing what we want him to do, isn’t it time to shift from venting to fact-based discourse and to prove once again we can agree or disagree, calmly, rationally and respectfully?

If we can’t do that, Sigurdson will be wasting his airfare.