"We will show the world a modern, forward-thinking province" — Campbell

“We will show the world a modern, forward-thinking province and a people with an eye to the future; a province that is leading North America in embracing the opportunities of the growing green economy.”

By Gordon Campbell,
Premier of British Columbia.

After a year like 2009, it’s hard to imagine what 2010 might bring. We have all felt the effects of the financial turmoil. For some families, 2009 will be remembered as an extremely difficult and challenging time. Most were worried and some lost their jobs. It was, by any measure, a trying year for everyone. And while there are inklings of hope on the horizon, everyone is naturally tentative and reserved about our prospects for the future. One thing we all feel is that it will be different from the past. [Read more]

McKee congratulates local health-care activists

Press release –

McKee Congratulates Invermere Community’s Success at Acquiring a New ER.

Residents of the Invermere district performed magnificently in their successful quest to upgrade the local hospital’s emergency room, says BC Liberal Candidate Mark McKee.

“I would like to offer my congratulations to the District of Invermere and surrounding area and everyone that was involved in successfully getting the grant to upgrade the ER,” he said. [Read more]

McKee: "I didn’t accomplish these things on my own"

This is a response to recent letters about my involvement in the restructuring of health-care facilities in Revelstoke:

As a mayor (I was Mayor of the City of Revelstoke from November 2002 until November 2008), you get involved in just about every aspect of the community.  As mayor, I received direction on issues by public sentiment and direction from Council.  There was no doubt that the way IHA introduced its planned changes did nothing to build community support.  The plan first proposed did not — in most people’s minds — meet the needs of the community.  I was the one that told IHA the plan was not acceptable and they should go back to the drawing board.  We formed the mayor’s advisory committee on health care to have input on the proposed changes.  Most of us knew that changes were coming and we should be part of the solutions. [Read more]

ER expansion — “give credit where credit is due”

Press release —

Invermere ER announcement: give credit where credit is due.

Today’s official announcement of the upgrade to the emergency room of the Invermere and District Regional Hospital comes as no surprise to Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald, with an election only five weeks away. Spending announcements are often delayed so that they can be announced during the pre-election timeframe, and this announcement is no different.

“The way in which this announcement was made is a clear attempt to give credit where it was not earned,” said Macdonald. “The real credit for this announcement should go to the doctors and residents in this area who organized themselves to show the Minister the need for the upgrade. And credit should go to the Mayor and council who spoke up.” [Read more]

Revelstoke resident refutes McKee claims

Letter to editor --

Setting the record straight here in Revelstoke

Dear Sir,

Mr. McKee would garner more respect if he acknowledged others have initiated important projects. He would in fact be seen as more of a leader if he gave others their due. A good leader is one that supports others and recognizes their work.

In his expensive multicoloured flyer and recent press release McKee takes credit for things he didn’t initiate.

• The Revelstoke Aquatic Centre: Did McKee actually start the process to get an indoor aquatic centre for Revelstoke? No! It was a citizen’s Steering Committee that initiated the process and put endless hours into the project. City Council, responding to a referendum, then carried it forward.

• Home and seniors care: Despite knowing many Revelstoke residents find Home Support Care less than adequate (care workers’ uncertain arrival times, frequent personnel changes, lost service time due to orienting different workers, poorly scheduled travel time, etc.). McKee seems to actually believe that all is hunky dory in that regard and states so.

Is he obscuring real facts with his Liberal ‘illusory veneer – election talk’? [Read more]