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LETTERS: Some perspectives on ‘disrespect’

Editor: Re: Mayor cites ‘total breach of protocol,’ Nov. 22.
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Contributed photos/Twitter post Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to White Rock made an impression on (clockwise from top left) Couns. Helen Fathers, Bill Lawrence and David Chesney (bottom right, with Semiahmoo First Nation Chief Harley Chappell and candidate Gordon Hogg).

Editor:

Re: Mayor cites ‘total breach of protocol,’ Nov. 22.

I totally agree with Mayor Wayne Baldwin’s anger regarding the Trudeau Team visit. It was rude not to say hello to our mayor and council.

Actually, prime ministers are not supposed to campaign for people running for office. Past prime ministers have rarely campaigned for candidates running to be elected.

However, good luck to candidate Gordon Hogg.

Mary MacDonald, White Rock

• • •

Sounds like our prime minister hurt our mayor’s feelings. You sound an awful lot like U.S. President Donald Trump, Wayne.

Crystal Mantie, White Rock

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Mayor Wayne Baldwin thinks it was “extremely disappointing, disrespectful and a total breach of protocol” that he and his council were not invited to greet Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

He was also offended that Semiahmoo First Nation Chief Harley Chappell was part of the welcoming group, along with the Liberal candidate for the upcoming federal byelection, Gordon Hogg.

I think our mayor protests too much. This was a visit by a politician supporting his candidate.

For the mayor to use words like “disappointing” and “disrespectful” is interesting. This is a mayor who does not allow questions from residents at council meetings. This is a mayor who often shows disrespect to those who voice opinions different from his own. This is a mayor and council who want to build a costly four-storey parkade near the beach, even though it is not needed.

Here is an idea for the mayor and council. Push for affordable housing instead of a parking garage, apologize to the Semiahmoo First Nation for your infantile behaviour towards them and start treating the residents of White Rock with respect.

Susan Ellis, White Rock

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Why am I not surprised to see White Rock Mayor Wayne Baldwin’s reaction to his exclusion from the prime minister’s visit to Five Corners?

His outrage at being “disrespected” is tiresomely predictable, given his inability to look in the mirror – to see the ‘shoe on the other foot,’ so to speak.

I could have so much fun with this. I’ve got so many pithy sayings for this occasion that I’m in a quandary about which to pair with the mirror and the shoes. How about: 1. “What goes around, comes around.” 2. “You reap what you sow.” 3. “The devil you are is the devil you get.” (I made that one up.)

Time and again, Baldwin fails to see the irony of huffing and puffing with righteous indignation whenever others treat him the way he treats them. It ain’t gonna change. There will never be a light-bulb moment. Arrogance does not plow a path for it.

I, too, was disappointed to not be forewarned of Justin’s visit, but I can take it on the chin if the limited disclosure was designed to prevent Baldwin from using the occasion to strut and preen.

In addition, I feel it was a demonstration of respect to Semiahmoo Chief Harley Chappell to not invite a man who sneers at him and his people whenever Baldwin forgets to keep his game face on.

Maureen Kerr, Surrey