BY BOB DOIRON
GUEST OPINION
I would like to take this opportunity to shed a little light on former mayor George MacDonald's article that was published in the Saturday March 17th opinion section of The Guardian.
Mr. MacDonald states that he is disgusted, concerned and disappointed that city council took the easy way out with no thought, no creativity, no foresight and no concern for Confederation Landing Park.
Mr. MacDonald . . . I do realize that this is your opinion, and for that I can understand that you wrote this based on what you believe to be true.
If the truth is going to be told, I will fill you in on what actually happened. Our committee met on Feb. 22 and heard a great presentation from a young promoter that is trying to work with regional and national promotors to bring events to Charlottetown.
This local promoter is trying to prove himself by starting with a small concert this year, we then hope that this will blossom into something bigger for next year and can fill the Events Grounds, for this reason our committee decided to give him a chance and for us to ask council to approve this request.
We do realize that the Events Grounds was built for large events and we as a committee have to work towards making this area suitable for smaller events. I get that, but we have to start somewhere. The reality of concerts and events is that no one is knocking down our doors to get concerts to come here, we have to pursue and entice people to plan these events.
But to simply write in with such a scathing opinion when your facts and assumptions are not 100 per cent correct is bothersome. Just to make you aware, the chair of the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee is Mayor Clifford Lee. Coun. Kevin Ramsay and I also sit on this committee. We are trying to do what we believe is in the best interests of the whole city by trying to attract people to come to Charlottetown to see what we have to offer, to see that we are a vibrant, growing and diverse city, willing to work with all people to make our city flourish.
We also understand that not all people will be happy with our decisions but you of all people should realize that you cannot please all of the people, all of the time.
Since you started your opinion piece with a Latin quote, I will end mine with one.
Latin motto - ex nihilo nihil fit - means "nothing comes from nothing" and is used as a reminder that hard work is always required in order to achieve something.
- Bob Doiron is a member of Charlottetown City Council
