Re: “Mungall misses an opportunity,” March 4
Bob Hall suggests that I am not representing our area because I have an opinion that did not favour any of the BC Liberal candidates for leader of the province. As a New Democrat, I thought it was clear that I favour a New Democrat leader for B.C. Nonetheless, Hall implies that being partial to an NDP premier equates to not representing all Nelson-Creston residents. This is bizarre since he ought to be aware of the work I have been doing with local voters of all political stripes.
As the MLA, my office is open to any of my 34,870 employers. When card carrying Liberals and Greens come to my office to talk about their concerns for wildlife conservation, I welcome them. Avowed non-voters are never turned away when they need help dealing with a ministry. And I speak with people not yet old enough to vote because they have a lot to share. So let me take this opportunity to reassure Nelson Star readers, that my office remains open to all Nelson-Creston residents.
Interestingly, Hall chose one aspect of my interview with the Nelson Star, then compared it with several excerpts from an interview with former MLA Corky Evans. Evans being a retired MLA and me being the current, we have different responsibilities and outlooks. We’re also different people, entitled to different opinions. This is wonderful, and we certainly appreciate it.
Yet, if Hall paid closer attention to the things I do say, he would have noted that I congratulated Christy Clark on her win, recognizing that her success as the new premier-designate was a major venture that required significant fortitude.
While I respect Christy Clark’s new role, I must also consider that she is responsible for the closure of rural schools, the province’s poor relations with teachers, many tragedies in the child welfare system, and has ties to the BC Rail corruption scandal. Moreover, Ms. Clark’s platform includes the systematic privatization of our waterways — something this region finds deplorable. Pointing out the results of BC Liberals’ actions is not dogma, as Hall suggests, but facts pertinent to our region. Those facts, I continue to represent as you have requested of me.
Michelle Mungall, Nelson-Creston MLA