Dear Editor,
As a past rate payer of the municipality of Thorne (our family once owned a cottage in Ladysmith) and a long-time observer of municipal politics of the area, I am writing to express my congratulations to the citizens of the municipality of Thorne on the results of your recent election.
It seems appropriate for me to resurrect a quote I recall someone once submitted to THE EQUITY that stated, “Times have changed”. Indeed, times have changed. This election result with its resounding defeat of the old guard was a clear message that the same energy and visibility that was put into trying to get re-elected should have been in evidence for the benefit of rate payers over the past four years.
It’s clear that voters were immensely dissatisfied with the lackluster performance of the past council and that they were intent on taking back their community. It did not escape many that with precious few employment opportunities in the area for locals it seemed particularly incongruous to have the spouse of the past-mayor’s campaign manager fill the position of By-law Enforcement Officer when both individuals, judging from their vehicle plates, are Ontario residents.
As previously noted, I have always been interested in following the trials and tribulations of Thorne’s wonderful municipality. It has much to offer, yet I have often felt that the past leadership held no interest in the altruistic virtues of serving to benefit and enrich the lives of others and their community. And while this is pure speculation on my part, I don’t think I’m wrong. Others must have felt equally abandoned or they wouldn’t have been so humiliatingly torpedoed, as the election results prove.
Someone once wisely said that politicians all too often think about the next election while statesmen think about the next generation. Yes, times have indeed changed; for the first time in four years I sense a new beginning, one that sees Thorne freed of its shackles which its past politicians used to their own unclear ends rather than govern. It is now up to the newly elected statesmen to enunciate a clear vision with transparent policies that will make your municipality the pearl that it once was.
I look forward to watching your beautiful community grow and prosper to become all it can be.
Once again congratulations to all of you and to your newly elected mayor and council members.
Suzanne Normoyle
Rockland, ON
