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Give politicians first-hand knowledge

Back before Nancy Cooper was mayor, she spent some time as a council member.

Back before Nancy Cooper was mayor, she spent some time as a council member.

And at that time there was – as there still is today –  discussion about the need to upgrade the Trans-Canada Highway to help prevent lost lives and life-altering.

At that time, the Observer praised a statement Cooper made at a council meeting in an editorial which was written following another fatal collision on the local section of highway.

“Coun. Nancy Cooper was right on the money when she suggested that Premier Gordon Campbell and Prime Minister Paul Martin should be forced to accompany rescue workers when they are called to the scene of these devastating crashes,” we wrote in 2004.

And that sentiment still resonates with us today, although those two politicians are long out of office, now replaced by Premier Christy Clark and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Or maybe we need to take it more local and page out Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo and MP Mel Arnold the next time police, fire, paramedics and rescue unit members head to a scene like Saturday’s collision on the Salmon River bridge.

We can’t help but think that would give our politicans the proper perspective on the need to fast-track safety upgrades to our national highway.