LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
- January 22, 2008
To The Editor:
I have read with interest the letters to the Editor some of the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) area directors sent in to the various local papers, asking for public support to remain as a separate entity versus being part of a single Regional District.
They express concern over the potential loss of the rural voice in a larger, singular regional district.
I would like to pose a question to the residents of the RDOS as to how they feel they have been represented to date by this board. I went online at www.RDOS.bc.ca to do some research. I counted the total motions made at RDOS corporate board meetings for 2007 and came up with a total of 443 motions put on the agenda for consideration.
Out of these a total of 7 failed to pass. Out of these 7, two were reworded and passed, 1 was to add another meeting so only 4 bylaw changes actually failed, that gives a percentage of less than 1% where the motions were defeated.
In addition individuals who wrote letters to Mr. Ashton, RDOS Chair expressing their concerns over Mr. Perrie, Area Director F changing the composition of The West Bench Water Advisory Committee (WBWAC) were told their letters never made it to the Boards Agenda under correspondence. Instead the letters were put into the RDOS Board's 'Reading File' because the letters did not specifically state that the writer wished for them to be brought forward at the Board meeting. I would like to ask why would someone take the time to write to the Chair of the RDOS if the intent was not to make their letter public and discussed by the entire board.
Are letters not a serious form of 'VOICING' your opinion?
I have had the pleasure of attending numerous RDOS Board meetings in the last year and personally witnessed where residents of Area H sent a letter to the Board protesting the appointment of certain people to an Area H advisory committee. The Area H Director got visibly upset at another directors mention of the discord that had occurred when Mr. Perrie had done something similar and she stated that she had the final word on who would sit on that committee and that she was exercising that power.
I am paraphrasing this conversation, but I feel these incidents show the power that the Area Directors have and the lack of involvement the remaining Board members have in regards as to what occurs in those rural areas.
From my personal experience dealing with the RDOS I was told by Chair Mr. Ashton that it is the Area Directors prerogative to make the terms of reference for committees under their guidance and add voting members as they see fit and that there is nothing the Board can do as they do not intervene in an Area Directors decisions.
The facts support this. If you were to do as I did and actually look at the minutes, you would see that very few directors ever vote in opposition to another director's motion.
I however disagree with Mr. Ashton because if the Board does not have any power in these decisions then why does the Area director have to bring the motion to the RDOS BOARD to be passed?
I know that the Board DOES have the power to refuse the Area Directors requests but instead choose to merely act as a formal rubber stamp for whatever Area Directors bring forward.
I personally do not know if an amalgamation of the three Regional Districts would be better or worse than what we have at present, but I strongly feel that presently there is no representation of the rural VOICE at all. Remember when you vote for your Regional Director they have a tremendous amount of clout at the RDOS Board level.
So however this proposed amalgamation plays out be very careful who you vote for to represent you at this level of government because from my perspective theirs is the only 'VOICE' the RDOS board hears. P.S. If you wish to sit in on the next governance review meeting on the future of the Regional Districts it is open to the public and is being held in Kelowna on January 31st - RDCO office, 1450 KLO Road, - 10:00 AM. Can't make the meeting? Email the committee at bsmith@cord.bc.ca with your comments or concerns.
- Theresa Nolet, Penticton
To The Editor;
The Allison Flats apartment building has an offer on it and rumour has it that the person is seeking seven investors each to put up $100,000.00 investment into the purchase.
If this is the case, does the Town want this low-income rental building to disappear? Where will these people go?
I suspect that they will try to be converted into either condos or strata. At this time, a stop can be put to this if the the Council and town cares about people who live here.
As if another low-income apartment goes it will change the town. I believe that there are always other options should someone seek them out.
Council can notify the owner and buyer that they will not allow this building to change from low-income housing.
If you agree with my thoughts on this, then contact Mayor Randy McLean and Councillor Ray Jarvis and have a stop put to this ASAP!
- K. George, Princeton
To The Editor;
Chivalry is not dead! On Monday, January 14, as I was driving to Merritt from Princeton, I had the unfortunate experience of leaving the road and driving into the ditch.
Fortunately, two very kind gentlemen, who were on their way home from work, stopped to give me a hand.
They were able to get me out of the ditch, and I made my way home safely, with no damage to my car or myself.
I did not get these men's names, but I hope they know who they are, as this letter is the only way I know how to thank them.
Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.
Jana Heffernan, Merritt
Dear Editor;
Last night (January 17) I went to a meeting at Riverside concerning the fact that affordable rent is scarce, and I needed more clarity on the problem. The possible solution can vary to the different needs.
I feel that if we are talking about a senior and disabled population then being more central in town would be a concern of theirs, if we are talking about low income families I would think being reasonably close to town would be a concern.
I have had some experience in trying to help people, and one wise person helped me clarify in my own mind the first step is to ask, "How can I help you?"
There was one individual at the meeting that gave an answer, is that the only one? The rest of the people there were either investors or concerned people.
Until the district has more jobs, that the wage reflects a higher income, can we really approach this problem with a positive solution?
It is important for individuals to attend these meetings if it is a concern for them.
- Edith Lapierre, Princeton
