A representative of Concerned Citizens of Powell River addressed city councillors about a possible name change for the city.
At the February 13 committee of the whole meeting, Dean Gerhart said he was representing the concerned citizens group, formed more than two years ago, to advocate for a referendum to be conducted on the proposed name change to Powell River.
Gerhart said it has been recently reported that there was a motion made, which will come before council, that council will consult city residents and hold the equivalent of a referendum to ask if residents support a name change for Powell River. He said the indication was that the equivalent of a referendum would be conducted at the 2026 municipal election.
“On behalf of the concerned citizens group, and myself, personally, I would like to thank you for coming to this decision and conclusion to allow the residents of our city to have a decisional voice in such an important issue.”
Gerhart then mentioned that at the January 30 committee of the whole meeting, councillor Jim Palm used a made-up word to describe a point in his discussion.
“I would like to say the following: in my life, and in my career, I have always used a made-up name to describe a point,” said Gerhart. “At no time was I ever using the name to embarrass, belittle or offend a person or group. When reviewing the video, I felt councillor Palm was using a name to describe a point and I did not consider it in any other way.
“I’ve spoken to councillor Palm on several occasions, particularly dealing with the name change issue. I can tell you that even in private, councillor Palm has never spoken in a way other than to support the First Nations people in general.”
Gerhart said he, along with members of the concerned citizens group, supports Palm.
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