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By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: KCBIA needed to use KISS principle in election survey

Oct 16, 2019 | 5:33 AM

KAMLOOPS — THE KAMLOOPS CENTRAL BIA released its election questionnaire Tuesday and it’s pretty typical of the dozens of special-interest surveys candidates are asked to respond to during campaigns.

Like so many others, hardly anyone will read the questions or the answers.

That’s too bad because there’s some good information in it despite the clumsy wording of the BIA’s questions, which seemed determined to include every possible nuance and to cram a half dozen questions into each one.

Good for the BIA for trying but here’s an example of what I mean: “If elected, please describe your positions, and actions you are prepared to commit to ensure a healthy, stable inclusive environment for businesses and residents, co-existing in social and economic balance. This comes in the form of employment opportunities, personal safety and security, appropriate, sustainable and balanced taxes and affordable housing.”

Excuse me? How about, instead of making a speech, the BIA just asks a simple question, such as, “If elected, what will you do to promote business and community well-being?”

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The fact that only three of the seven candidates bothered to answer the questions might be explained by the fact four of them aren’t serious contender, or by the questionnaire itself.

The Liberals, Conservatives and Greens replied thoughtfully but NDP campaign manager Kathryn Askew declined, instead delivering a lecture about how BIA members should attend forums and pay attention to media reports in order to get answers.

The survey, she said on behalf of candidate Cynthia Egli, “would take hours to do it justice.”

Not the best approach, no doubt, but an indication of the frustration probably felt by all candidates over finding enough time to answer the many questionnaires flying at them, some with a very narrow focus and overly complex questions.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and newspaper editor. He writes five commentaries a week for CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.