Editor:
Re: Maternity-wear criticisms bite Chesney, www.peacearchnews.com May 1.
I have lived in this beautiful little city for almost 28 years. I am sickened by what I see by one of the officials who runs our city.
It is clear by the public backlash today, contrary to what Coun. David Chesney said about pregnant woman, people do not mind seeing ‘that’. I recognize Chesney’s apology, however it would have meant more if it had come prior to being publicly called out for his actions.
I also am concerned to his public representation of his partnership. While reading his online newspaper he only refers to his partner as his “Caribbean queen.” I have taught my daughters they are women first and foremost. In our household we do not see race. I find the term extremely derogatory.
In my opinion, with his comments about pregnancy, and the mayor and council’s decision to censure him (Chesney censured over ‘defamation’, April 29; Councillor defamed, mayor says, May 1), I wonder if he is indeed in the correct position to be running our city?
We are not privy as to why he was censured.
Being on city council is an honour and comes with many responsibilities, one of which is thinking of your community first. Your entire community.
Perhaps Chesney should put his constituency before his newspaper and his personal views. Saving the trees and promising to stop highrises is one thing. His online newspaper, public meetings and less-than-wise interviews, in my opinion, might be difficult for Chesney to manage and are less than the best for White Rock’s image.
I feel Chesney should step down and let someone who isn’t an embarrassment work cohesively with the mayor and other councillors.
Eve Henry, White Rock
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I watched with dismay a feeding frenzy of epic proportion. Coun. David Chesney, in my opinion, certainly opened mouth and inserted the proverbial ‘foot’.
However the story behind the story is the fact that Couns. Lynne Sinclair and Grant Meyer spent considerable combined lynching effort to tweet and retweet as much negativity as they could find over the course of 24 hours to the tune of 53 items.
R. Lawrence, White Rock
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Not having listened to the April 6 Goddard Report featuring Coun. David Chesney, I thought I would now listen to what he has to say, and why the comment he made regarding maternity wear was suddenly resurrected.
Looks to me as if someone is trying to blacklist him. I voted for Dave and fully support him. I’m outraged that he cannot now fill the role of deputy mayor and serve on committees. He is honest and stands for what he believes.
And, yes, I agree fully with criticisms of meteorologist Kristi Gordon’s attire on Global News. What she wears when she is off screen is her affair; but while fulfilling her role as weather person on Global, I do not think it is appropriate to wear such tight-fitting clothes, and for that reason I no longer watch Global News.
Keep up the good work, Dave.
Pauline Chang, White Rock
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I am writing a letter of support for Coun. David Chesney. I feel that he has really been maligned for the fact that he stated his opinion about maternity attire.
Whatever happened to free speech? I very much admire the fact that Dave doesn’t hide behind so-called “political correctness” but has the guts to say what he thinks.
I also feel it is totally unacceptable for Chesney to be denied the opportunity to take his turn as deputy mayor. With all of these in-camera meetings, and the extremely heavy-handed approach that the current mayor takes, I seriously wonder whether I am living in a democracy.
Oh, and by the way, I too feel Kristi Gordon’s attire is completely unsuitable for her TV appearances. She is obviously very proud to be pregnant, but do we really all need to see every square millimetre of her ‘bump’?
Valerie Drever, White Rock
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Regarding Coun. David Chesney’s comments, the expectant women who dress as described should be pitied, truly. It is good to be happy if you are expecting a baby but dressing in this manner seems to be for attention. This can be negative as well as positive.
To all such ‘moms’, you are putting yourself on display, which is demeaning to you and your little one. Be happy but show some class and above all, don’t complain about comments if you don’t.
I wish you all short labour and healthy babies.
Freda Betker, Burnaby