Cumberland BC: The Cumberlander Articles Section
Regional · 4th July 2009
Mayor Fred Bates
I feel obliged to provide some explanation regards the trip to China and the negative comments reported in the editorial pages.
Firstly, I can assure you this is not a “ vacation” and anybody who has road coach in an airplane for 15 hours will vouch for that. The time spent in China is very busy and with the time changes is an endurance test.
Secondly, the benefits of this relationship have been proven already. I venture to say that the hotels, restaurants, and the businesses have benefited more than the cost of our trip to China already.
I know of at least one local artist who has gained work beyond the cost of the trip. The fact that a number of delegations of significant size have visited Cumberland specifically and the Valley in general, have themselves repaid any investment.
Local Chambers of Commerce and economic development have been very positive about the outcome of our relationship as has the federal and provincial governments.
In general, business and land values have increased, some of which is due to the “politicians” out there selling our beautiful Valley to the world. When Cumberland established a sister city relationship with Putian, Fujian, China, and the regional district signed a memorandum of understanding with them to increase our relationships regards culture, science, health, commerce, etc., we were praised by the province for being on the leading edge, even though our original focus was cultural to acknowledge the part the Chinese immigrants played in out history.
We knew when we entered that sister city relationship that it would require visits back and forth every couple years alternating with the Chinese. It was our turn last year and we decided it was not a good time due to budget restraints.
This year, when the opportunity arose for half the funding to be provided by the Harmony organization, it seemed an opportune time to perhaps take advantage and seek other funds to assist in the cost of the regional district visit for regional growth strategy discussions, and further I felt it possible to consider Cumberland meeting its commitment to visit our sister city as an add-on at a much-reduced cost if we were already there.
This seems to me to be fiscally responsible in fact. Economic development is considering the possibility of joining us in a joint venture to capitalize on the event as much as possible.
We have also decided it is time to market our industrial lands for clean, environmentally friendly industry, hopefully the electronics type. Asia is a fast-growing market and China has money to invest, and it seems prudent to attempt to access some of that investment for our Valley since we need diversity if we are to survive downturns in forestry, etc.
I would be happy to stay home and go fishing if that is the wish of the people. To that end I will re-evaluate the topic at the RD and Cumberland and get some feedback.
Mayor Fred Bates,
Cumberland
Firstly, I can assure you this is not a “ vacation” and anybody who has road coach in an airplane for 15 hours will vouch for that. The time spent in China is very busy and with the time changes is an endurance test.
Secondly, the benefits of this relationship have been proven already. I venture to say that the hotels, restaurants, and the businesses have benefited more than the cost of our trip to China already.
I know of at least one local artist who has gained work beyond the cost of the trip. The fact that a number of delegations of significant size have visited Cumberland specifically and the Valley in general, have themselves repaid any investment.
Local Chambers of Commerce and economic development have been very positive about the outcome of our relationship as has the federal and provincial governments.
In general, business and land values have increased, some of which is due to the “politicians” out there selling our beautiful Valley to the world. When Cumberland established a sister city relationship with Putian, Fujian, China, and the regional district signed a memorandum of understanding with them to increase our relationships regards culture, science, health, commerce, etc., we were praised by the province for being on the leading edge, even though our original focus was cultural to acknowledge the part the Chinese immigrants played in out history.
We knew when we entered that sister city relationship that it would require visits back and forth every couple years alternating with the Chinese. It was our turn last year and we decided it was not a good time due to budget restraints.
This year, when the opportunity arose for half the funding to be provided by the Harmony organization, it seemed an opportune time to perhaps take advantage and seek other funds to assist in the cost of the regional district visit for regional growth strategy discussions, and further I felt it possible to consider Cumberland meeting its commitment to visit our sister city as an add-on at a much-reduced cost if we were already there.
This seems to me to be fiscally responsible in fact. Economic development is considering the possibility of joining us in a joint venture to capitalize on the event as much as possible.
We have also decided it is time to market our industrial lands for clean, environmentally friendly industry, hopefully the electronics type. Asia is a fast-growing market and China has money to invest, and it seems prudent to attempt to access some of that investment for our Valley since we need diversity if we are to survive downturns in forestry, etc.
I would be happy to stay home and go fishing if that is the wish of the people. To that end I will re-evaluate the topic at the RD and Cumberland and get some feedback.
Mayor Fred Bates,
Cumberland
Make the trip!!!!
Comment by Michael Gatehouse Bistro on 20th July 2009
I agree....we need to expand the catchment....make the trip and thanks for being there and enduring the flack!...It's got to be hard on you?..... Cheers, Michael and Belinda
I agree....we need to expand the catchment....make the trip and thanks for being there and enduring the flack!...It's got to be hard on you?..... Cheers, Michael and Belinda
resident
Comment by Ron Hansen on 15th July 2009
Mayor Fred:
1. Cumberland is a very small village, not at all comparable to Putian, a large industrial city of
about 3.2 million.
2. The surrounding area is heavily populated.
3. Your continued justification of trips (vacation?) to China would be acceptable if you were paying 80% of the cost.
4. but Dumberland taxpayers continue to support these debacles.
5. PLEASE ! go fishing while you still have the energy.
Mayor Fred:
1. Cumberland is a very small village, not at all comparable to Putian, a large industrial city of
about 3.2 million.
2. The surrounding area is heavily populated.
3. Your continued justification of trips (vacation?) to China would be acceptable if you were paying 80% of the cost.
4. but Dumberland taxpayers continue to support these debacles.
5. PLEASE ! go fishing while you still have the energy.
The True Cost of the China Trip
Comment by Kathy Campbell on 6th July 2009
I was hoping that Mayor Bates and Ms. Oakman would have made come comment on the cost of their trip in tonnes of CO2 produced and some mention of how they plan to offset the carbon footprint of the trip. As yet Cumberland has not signed on to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Partners for Climate Change Project, nor has the Village signed onto the Climate Action Charter. The community's choices as well as the personal transportation choices of the CVRD delegates are not beacons of sustainability.
I am also wondering why any Chinese firm would forgo lax environmental regulations and low labour costs to set up shop in Cumberland.
If the goal of the trip is to exchange ideas on sustainability, lets walk the talk before we explain how it is done to the Chinese.
I was hoping that Mayor Bates and Ms. Oakman would have made come comment on the cost of their trip in tonnes of CO2 produced and some mention of how they plan to offset the carbon footprint of the trip. As yet Cumberland has not signed on to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Partners for Climate Change Project, nor has the Village signed onto the Climate Action Charter. The community's choices as well as the personal transportation choices of the CVRD delegates are not beacons of sustainability.
I am also wondering why any Chinese firm would forgo lax environmental regulations and low labour costs to set up shop in Cumberland.
If the goal of the trip is to exchange ideas on sustainability, lets walk the talk before we explain how it is done to the Chinese.
Comment re: Mayor's letter
Comment by Saddened by the silliness on 4th July 2009
"Marketing our industrial lands for clean, environmentally friendly industry, hopefully the electronics type? " You do that Mr.Mayor and while you're suffering the endurance test of overseas travel, culturally diverse cuisine, and stunning scenery in China I'll start looking for real estate for my family elsewhere. This is maddening madness. My love of Cumberland for what it is and was does not match your vision for the future.
"Marketing our industrial lands for clean, environmentally friendly industry, hopefully the electronics type? " You do that Mr.Mayor and while you're suffering the endurance test of overseas travel, culturally diverse cuisine, and stunning scenery in China I'll start looking for real estate for my family elsewhere. This is maddening madness. My love of Cumberland for what it is and was does not match your vision for the future.
China Rendezvous
Comment by Right Said Fred on 4th July 2009
Fred your b.s. continues to dazzle. At least you are not holding a third reading two days before an election or hiring a developer as a campaign manager -you are quite the politician.
Yes stay home-please-your China rendezvous (isn't it romantic Fred ?) is not appreciate by the voters -besides I've never paid for it -and I'm not going to start by paying for your romantic rendezvous.
Fred your b.s. continues to dazzle. At least you are not holding a third reading two days before an election or hiring a developer as a campaign manager -you are quite the politician.
Yes stay home-please-your China rendezvous (isn't it romantic Fred ?) is not appreciate by the voters -besides I've never paid for it -and I'm not going to start by paying for your romantic rendezvous.