Columbia River Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald says Kimberley will make Premier Christy Clark very welcome on her visit today, and it's certainly about time a Premier met with the people of Kimberley.

"I'm very pleased that she's going to come," Macdonald said. "It's a contrast to her predecessor. Mr. Campbell was always very uncomfortable in Kimberley. I don't think he visited more than once."

Macdonald is also pleased to see the Clark's visit includes an open town hall meeting.

"That's how it should be," he said. "Mr. Campbell would come to a town, say Golden, but only a very select group would be invited to meet with him. They wouldn't inform the local media. The fact that Miss Clark is doing a public meeting is a positive step."

It's important, Macdonald said, that leaders meet with the people who are affected by their decisions, both positive and negative.

"Whether it the closing of the hospital and removal of government services in Kimberley, or positive things like roads, the conference centre and Rails to Trails, the decision makers need to connect with the people affected by them."