Happy New Year to all of our readers and advertisers. The upcoming year promises to be one of significant change in Campbell River.
We’ve had a couple of years now to adjust to the loss of the Elk Falls pulp mill, parts of which are being dismantled and sold off, leaving behind a large industrial property owned by Catalyst. It’s proving to be a potential asset for the community but one which is controlled by the company. Perhaps this year we will see it converted to an enterprise that will benefit the local economy. It will be a contentious project as has already been seen with the rumoured and vehemently denied waste incineration concept. Let’s hope the eventual use of the property is both economic beneficial and reflective of modern sensibilities that are obviously important to the community.
Campbell River gets an opportunity in 2012 to remake itself in many ways. The Elk Falls property can be the biggest catalyst for that remake (pardon the pun).
City Hall will be forced to make changes of some kind due to the loss of revenue from the Elk Falls mill. Homeowners will take on more of the revenue burden and the degree to which we are willing to do that will determine how much of our services we retain. It may be a tight year for community programming.
It will be a year in which contentious proposals and controversial actions by and for local government will dominate the news agenda. Public input on these issues will be required. Let’s just all remember to conduct ourselves with some dignity, consideration for alternative points of view and a level of civility that isn’t always there these days.
Be passionate about your community, yes, but be also considerate and tolerant. Happy New Year.