Time names Trump its Person of the Year
Magazine says president-elect had greatest influence ‘for better or worse’
WASHINGTON — Time magazine on Wednesday named Donald Trump its Person of the Year, bestowing what the president-elect called an “honour” even as he derided the idea that he’ll lead “the Divided States of America.”
That was a reference to Time’s cover line — Donald Trump: President of the Divided States of America — that was positioned next to the cover photograph of the president-elect sitting in his private residence at Trump Tower.
“I didn’t divide ’em,” Trump said on NBC’s Today show. “We’re going to put it back together and we’re going to have a country that’s very well-healed.”
Time editor Nancy Gibbs said the publication’s choice was a “straightforward” choice of the person who has had the greatest influence on events “for better or worse.”
Trump climbed from fiery underdog in the race for the GOP presidential nomination to winning the White House and defeating Democrat Hillary Clinton in the Nov. 8 election. Trump won 306 electoral votes, easily enough to make him president when the electors meet on Dec. 19. Clinton won the popular vote.
He won in part by articulating in blunt, populist terms the racial, economic and other factors that divide Americans, many of whom have not felt the nation’s recovery from recession. Trump stomped campaign traditions and social norms, including by insulting women, Muslims, Republican leaders, a reporter with disabilities and more.
He also praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and last week irritated China and broke diplomatic norms by speaking by phone with the leader of Taiwan.
Of the five other applicants, a request for 575 Main St. was denied because it’s located near an elementary school. Sentes suggested that if the owner is able to secure another location, council would reconsider the application.
With the licence approval comes a $5,000 annual fee and 10 sets of conditions that include operating only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Coun. Helena Konanz added that she wanted to see strict rules about advertising and signage put in place.
The issue remains confusing for municipalities as the federal government has yet to release definite regulations — those are rumoured to be coming in April.
Coun. Andre Martin therefore suggested reducing staff’s recommendation of an 18-month temporary licence to six months.
Councillors heard from several medical marijuana users who made passionate pleas about how the product has saved their lives. Several speakers noted that some of the dispensaries operating in Penticton are superior to others.
Theresa Chapman, a pot user for more than 50 years, noted that marijuana plants are difficult to grow properly.
Blair Roy, who uses the product for medical purposes, said although there are 34 outlets available in Canada that can legally mail the product, it’s a tremendous hassle and they don’t offer proper advice. It also requires a credit card for purchase.
Elaine Nuessler, whose epileptic granddaughter, Kyla Williams, drew international headlines, spoke in favour of legal and safe marijuana dispensaries and praised the operator who successfully applied for a shop at 351 Westminster Ave. W. There were detractors. Downtown businessman Lindsey Hall suggested that the city is opening itself up for all kinds of liability issues.
Of the seven requests, six were from the downtown. In a poll of Downtown Penticton Association members, 67 were opposed and 41 in favour.
“I can not support an illegal use of space,” DPA president Leigh Folstad said, drawing comparisons with illegal poker games and brothels.
The legality issue was what Coun. Campbell Watt came back to throughout the evening. Until the federal government officially states otherwise, the product remains illegal.
“This is making a grey area even greyer,” Watt said. “I don’t know what we allocated in our budget for policing, we don’t have penalties in place, there’s the issue of location and enforcement and monitoring, and we haven’t talked about any of this. Yet we’re allowing them to come. Do we make our own rules before the federal government makes theirs?”
On the two applications that were granted, Mayor Andrew Jakubeit and Couns. Martin, Sentes and Picton were in favour, while Couns. Konanz and Watt were opposed.
Sayeed was absent from Tuesday’s meeting and is expected to also miss the Dec. 21 session. According to Jakubeit, Sayeed is visiting family in Asia this month.