Rural BC Health Watch's George Elliott conducted this exclusive interview with Save Our Hospital Coalition President Spencer Coyne on June 4th.
Question 1: The Save Our Hospital Coalition has already conducted a total of three public rallies. Now the plan is to host a Public Forum with a long list of guests. What is the purpose of the Forum?
Coyne: We hope that by bringing all the decision makers to the same table this will bring about some sort of result. We are tired of hearing people discuss what we could be doing or what might be done we want some results before our community becomes a ghost town.
Question 2: Have any of the invited guests confirmed their attendance at this point?
Coyne: I don't currently have the list on hand but I do know we have a number of confirmed guests including Andrew Neuner the VP of Community Integration for IHA who will be here in Dr. Halpenny's place.
Question 3: You personally can trace your family roots to the first settler in the region. That's over 150 years of history. What do you hope to achieve for future generations in the region?
Coyne: I hope that when we are successful my son, my cousins' children will be able to keep their families here if they decide to do so. Like you said our family has been here over 150 years, even longer and I find it unacceptable that future generations of not only my family but all families of the people from Princeton will have to decide if they can remain here based on the lack of medical services. This is Canada not some third world nation we should not have to worry about not health services in a G8 country.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Coyne: I am proud of the way our community has come together on this issue and I think this struggle shows why I love Princeton so much. When we are being pushed around we band together and stand tall. Princeton is not just a place to live for me it is my home, it always has been my home and will be my home for the rest of my life and a large part of that is because of the people. I know that when our community is threatened we will stand united and with one voice we will defend our home until our last ounce of strength.
Well said. I was born and raised in Princeton and I have NEVER heard of such BS as that going on at MY HOMETOWN, and our so called government do not seem to give a iota of concern. I stand behind Spencer and everybody that is getting behind the protests.
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