We hear and read about all the propaganda the city claims to be doing to care for the business community in Moose Jaw; very small gestures like the mayor taking a walk up Main Street to speak to some small businesses to make sure they are doing alright in the last year or so (and the few times he has done it, it seems he always makes the same stops).
Interestingly enough, not once to my knowledge has current mayor Fraser Tolmie nor any of his councillors dropped by our office or even called just to see how business was going for us. It has been a known fact that the newspaper industry across the country and beyond has had some challenges over the last few years. You would think that as a city’s mayor and council, they would consider the fact that Moose Jaw Express/MooseJawToday.com employ 51 individuals that live in this city and support this community and would want us to flourish as a visible entity in Moose Jaw, rather than seemingly hoping that we disappear.
Apparently, according to Dawn Luhning and maybe all of the other entities she was corresponding with, she could give a “rat’s ass” about this newspaper and the fact that we are fighting for the freedom of press in a country that still allows it. Sure, the pandemic did tighten gatherings to 10 but just to let the readership know, city council has been doing everything in their power over the last couple or more years to stop the media and community from questioning anything that is going on there by having frequent in-camera meetings and making decisions that affect the community but without any debate or questioning. City hall promotes their website as the place to get information…and as it is information from their communication’s department, it is exactly what they want the people to hear and think. The definition of propaganda is “information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.” We (The Moose Jaw Express and MooseJawToday.com) are the only local press with qualified journalists writing accurately the information that is public from city council meetings and otherwise, as well as publishing letters to the editor that allow people to express their concerns and questions. This is freedom of press.
And one of the biggest hoots is the current mantra the city has implemented under Mr. Puffalt’s administration that says,
“Our Mantra is:
1. We are solution focused and ask 'How can we help you?'
2. We resolve issues with a sense of urgency in a positive manner.
3. We have the courage to be innovative, try new ideas and suggestions and accept feedback.
4. We create opportunities for others to succeed.
5. We do not blame or make excuses.
6. We leave negativity and egos at the door.
7. We are in this together, we are TEAM.”
Wow! Solution-focused? Resolve issues? Accept feedback? Do not blame or make excuses? Leave negativity and egos at the door?
I guess City Hall has a little work to do to make the community believe their words; as I stated in the opening sentence, “Talk is cheap…”
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
