2 large rezoning applications to go to public hearings. City Council passed first & second hearings for 2 large multi-family residential developments at last evening’s meeting…
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16 Wednesday Dec 2020
Posted in Uncategorized
Merritt Morning Market 
December 16, 2020
Dear Kim,
As you know, I’m rarely compelled to share my opinion and write into you or your paper. When I do, however, it’s because I feel the need to do so way down in the pit of my stomach.
After seeing the letter written by Sgt. R today I have to tell you, I’m really disappointed. When I read it my inside voice was hollering, “this is not about you!” I think his timing (and yours) was way, way off. In fact, as a side, I’m not sure there’s ever an appropriate time to listen to an organization like the RCMP whine about how difficult their jobs are but that’s another conversation. Back to my point… As Sgt. R stated, he knew what he “signed up for”.
The family and friends of the young man who passed are inevitably in the throws of their grieving. As such, highlighting this officer’s ‘poor me’, in my opinion, was pretty disrespectful. Not only does it minimize the anguish this young man’s family and friends must be going through, his words (and your posting them) suggest a disregard for the young man’s life, his family’s mourning and a yucky kind of selfishness on the officer’s part.
At first, when I began reading, it sounded like he was going to acknowledge the family and show his empathy for them. Instead, as I read on, it really only came off as a “Blue Live’s Matter” rant and that’s what ultimately offended me. Essentially, the Sgt was asking the community to feel sorry for him. Maybe there’s a time for that down the road, but not right now.
I think as a community, we all pretty much get that the RCMP have very difficult jobs and most of us have no doubt that they are residually affected by what they have to deal with and most of us also feel empathy for them as a result. But, to give Sgt. R his soap box, so soon after this young man’s passing, was just wrong.
Thanks for listening, Kim.
Meg McKay