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Breaking News : Princeton mayor has sense of humor

Generally a joke is considered not funny if a) nobody laughs or b) it has to be explained so many times it is no longer funny, it is just sad.
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Generally a joke is considered not funny if a) nobody laughs or b) it has to be explained so many times it is no longer funny, it is just sad.

The case of Princeton Mayor Spencer Coyne posting an online poll to gauge residents’ feelings on having Prince Harry and Meghan come to live in Princeton? That falls into the latter category.

To be clear (and speaking slowly so that even the most somber of readers cannot be confused) the mayor was kidding.

Well, mostly.

Related: Princeton mayor issues invite to Royals, despite resident concerns over who pays for security

However given the nature of some of the questions on social media - who will pay for security, why would they want to live here, how is the mayor spending his time? - it is evident some residents took him formaldehyde-fluid serious. A few people even suggested we change the name of the town back to Vermilion Forks.

The poll, its preamble about Harry’s great-great-great grandfather snubbing the community after we named it for him 160 years ago, and subsequent news coverage all treated the idea with the light-hearted approach it deserved.

A Spotlight story went so far as to describe the position of Coyne’s tongue during an interview: “nestled lightly in cheek.”

For crying out loud, if Coyne really thought he had a chance of luring the famous couple her

e he would have told them about the new gateways, all the wildlife statues we are erecting in the spring and our many electric vehicle charging stations.

The mayor did comment on the area’s natural beauty as well its proximity to large centres. He threw in the airport and the fibre optics, and made the fair point that a castle in Princeton is going to cost less than a castle anywhere else.

Three hundred and fifty one people took part in the poll - with 196 saying ‘yes.’

It was meant to be fun folks, while at the same time reminding everyone of all the legitimate reasons Princeton is a great place to live and invest.

Last week The Spotlight reported an invitation, at least one to visit, will be issued.

Let’s just hope all this misunderstanding doesn’t make us lose out to Coalmont or Tulameen.

Related: Four things ‘not’ to do if you run into Prince Harry and Meghan in B.C.

- The Similkameen Spotlight



Andrea DeMeer

About the Author: Andrea DeMeer

Andrea is the publisher of the Similkameen Spotlight.
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