The Similkameen News Leader
Editorial
THE POWER OF WORKING TOGETHER
EDITORIAL - January 23, 2007
Last week three very different forms of local government signed documents that put each of them basically on the same page on a variety of issues.
The historic Memorandum of Understanding unites the Town of Princeton, Regional District Area H and the Upper Similkameen Indian Band and formally puts together a partnership that will work together on, among other things, economic development.
Regardless of what you may or may not read into the MOU, the fact is that the three parties came to the conclusion they were likely going to achieve more by working together.
This doesn't mean they were pitted against each other, it means that with common goals, there is a lot of truth in the old strength in numbers strategy.
We think the MOU sets an example of what can be done if differences can be set aside and common goals are identified.
We've seen so many examples of where this attitude would have been beneficial in our community and throughout the Similkameen Valley.
Examples where it's still not too late to set aside differences and work together.
Mayor Randy McLean said it best last week when he stated: "Together we can achieve so much more than singularly."
All it took was respect and understanding for each other's differences and the identification of common goals.
If you belong to a local group or organization that seems to be falling apart at the seams or you work somewhere where hidden agendas always seem to get in the way, think about the MOU.
It is proof that governing bodies with very different mandates can respect one another, and get along.
We see the MOU as a huge turning point in the history of our Valley and something that will be referred to in the future as being responsible for a lot of good things that will eventually happen in the Similkameen.
And we got a chance to see the start of something big!
