Re: Retail threats article, PNR March 28.
Of course I had been warned that at some point Sidney council would probably try and shoot the messenger and turn on me, as they have turned on numerous others trying to promote change in our town.
However I was profoundly shocked to see that not only had Mayor [Larry] Cross issued a media release stating he would not take a leadership role in saving the town from its imminent competitive threats but also used it to launch a personal attack on me citing blatantly untrue statements he attributed to me.
For those who attended one or both of my presentations I think you will confirm that I never ever expressed any “blatant disrespect of our First Nations neighbours” nor did I “make light of, or disrespect, the burial practices of First Nations peoples.” In fact I never mentioned First Nations at all. Indeed I understand that most of you correctly realised that my body parts joke was in relation to the murder-mystery TV series Gracepoint currently being shot in Sidney.
If the Mayor was indeed committed to Team Sidney in this coming battle and was truly concerned that my joke at council on March 17 might be misinterpreted and negatively impact out efforts, why did he not say so then or, at the very least, phone me the next day to say that my remarks might be misconstrued and give offence? No, this was a deliberate attempt to discredit me and, more importantly, my message.
In my view the Mayor should retract his allegations against me and apologize in writing in this publication.
Richard D. B. Talbot
Sidney