War of Words

As most of you know I have just traveled home to Prince Rupert to live with my Father. The upcoming Municipal Elections caught my attention when a candidate's platform included the apparent local frustration at the City Workers receiving a free recreation pass. A pass that is greatly inflated through the various means. The pass enables city workers to attend the community pool free of charge. But it appears that the pass has not been sufficiently explained to the residents of the city. There are whispers around town that the pass includes free access to the skating rink and even free admission to recreation programs for their entire families. Which is definitely not the case.

So when I noticed that Jack Mussallem was running with the pass as part of his platform I was very disgruntled. To me that is absolutely absurd! I responded via a letter to the local paper as detailed below:

In response to the recent spotlight on Jack Mussallem’s decision to run for mayor I present the following:

City Workers are among the hardest working in the city. Monday to Friday, 8 hours a day they face the elements. Gusting winds and rain are the norm. Definitely not the ideal working conditions; but still they show up every day and work to beautify our city.

One of Mr. Mussallem’s key points in his platform is the supposed anger that the residents of Prince Rupert feel at the fact that City Workers are given free admission to the public pool.

Perks are the norm in many companies. I’m sure we would all love to save upwards of 10% at the grocery store every time we shop. For the average family struggling to make ends meet that would be a huge blessing. But in the words of Jack Mussallem “that’s just not possible”. Does that mean that stores should stop offering perks to their hard working employees? I’m sure people reading this are shaking their heads right now; but why is it any different for city employees?

I suggest that Mr Mussallem leaves the comfort of his office and work outside for 8 hours in the freezing cold rain and wind. Let him become acquainted with the elements that chill you to your very core. Perhaps then he will rethink the merit of allowing city workers their much deserved perks.

City workers deserve their rewards for a job well done. Free admission to the public pool is barely the tip of the iceberg of what they deserve.

My letter was published on October 15th. Yesterday I got a phone call letting me know to check the newspaper as there was a letter to me in it. So I ran to grab the paper and sure enough on page 4 was a letter from Jack Mussallem about yours truly! Here is the letter to the editor:

Recently, Jaime Stephens wrote a letter to you, which was printed in the Daily News on Wed., Oct 15.

Jaime Stephens took exception to my comment about the free use of recreation facilities by city workers and then wrote, "I suggest that Mr Mussallem leaves the comfort of his office and works outside for eight hours in the freezing cold rain and wind."

"Let him become acquainted with the elements that chill you to the very core."

Well, constructive comments are appreciated - baseless comments are not.

Jaime Stephens should investigate the facts before running off at the mouth with that comment.

For the three years Jack Mussallem has worked as a construction worker, as a timber faller, and as a marine cargo surveyor.

All these jobs involve work outside in the "freezing cold rain and wind."

Jack Mussallem

So of course I cannot leave well enough alone as I am now a psuedo celebrity in town here. People are very proud of me and laughing about his letter to the editor.

So this is the letter that I just emailed to the editor is response:

My apologies to Mr Mussallem for my recent letter suggesting he leave the comfort of his office to face the elements as our beloved city workers do on a daily basis. My statement was obviously based on outdated information as he so eloquently pointed out. However, that does not take away from the issues brought forward regarding the apparent frustration over a "free recreation pass" given to city employees. It is interesting that in true political fashion the issue at hand was skirted and the focus shifted. One would think that Mr Mussallem could have used the opportunity to clarify his stand on the subject, to fully explain the perk, or perhaps he could have given the wonderful program "Everyone Gets to Play" a shout out.

And in true skeptic fashion I wonder if perhaps the real reason Jack is seeking re-election is to get out of the elements?

I would however like to sincerely thank Mr Mussallem for taking the time to respond to a newcomer to this beautiful city. I am truly honored to have garnered a response from such a busy gentleman.

And so I will anxiously await to see if the letter has been published, and then wait to see if I garner another response.

Excitement in small town Northern BC!

Interesting enough.. I just googled and found a blog about how my letter to the editor has created a battleground on the letter to the editor page of the Newspaper just in time for the Municipal Election.

Apparently there was another letter that I wasn't privy to:

Jack is right about freebies

To the editor,

In response to Jaime Stephens’ letter to the editor (Workers Deserve Thanks, Daily News Opinion, Oct 15).

Before criticizing Mr. Mussallem, perhaps you should find out the opinion of the majority of citizens of Prince Rupert as it pertains to perks for city employees. Do you think the majority of taxpayers are pleased that not only are city employees receiving a good wage, but they have also been given the use of the pool free of charge? I understand that this perk was offered to some federal employees as well.

You don’t work for a company, you work for a government, so you shouldn’t compare yourself with employees that work for private enterprise. To answer your question, “Why is it different for city employees?” The difference is, there is a perceived conflict of interest when city (gov’t) employees can use a city facility free of charge.

No one is saying you don’t work hard, but you are really blowing your horn if you think you are one of the hardest working in the city. Perhaps you should get out more and see what others do for a living in our weather conditions. I vote for Mr. Mussallem getting behind a desk at city hall

Jacquie Jones

Any thoughts?

Jaime