LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
- March 24, 2009
Dear Editor:
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who came out to the Town Hall Meeting in Tulameen on Monday evening hosted by MP Alex Atamanenko, Regional District Trustee Brad Hope, and me.
It was a great turnout in a small community in the middle of a snow storm. A handful of folks even drove in from Princeton to participate.
It was also fantastic exchanging views, hearing the wealth of knowledge residents shared, and the emotion with which they presented their concerns and ideas.
People showed concern on a number of issues and topics such as homelessness, local transportation needs, protection of the environment and our dwindling water resources, fighting coal-bed methane development, privatization of the province's rivers and streams and power generation, the Otter Lake Campsite, and local fire protection.
Over all, I was uplifted, knowing that our citizens want government to "think globally, but act locally," especially when it comes to protecting their drinking water supply and their environment. I also appreciated the compassion shown by Tulameen residents to the growing number of homeless persons in the area and in B.C. in the last few years.
People were also very concerned with how the provincial government convinced the federal government to secretly change the Navigable Waters Protection Act (by embedding it into the Federal Budget Bill), thereby, limiting, controlling, and even cutting off public access to British Columbia's rivers, streams and lakes by recreational users, wilderness out-fitters, hunters, kayakers, canoeists, swimmers, fishermen, and First Nations.
Local citizens also wanted a fair structure for B.C. Hydro rates so that those living in the sadly-neglected economy of Rural B.C. where power is generated are not gouged excessively while those living in the prosperous Lower Mainland accrue all the benefits.
I also appreciated the opportunity to share my ideas in exchange. All in all, it was a great night that will be beneficial when I address the Legislature on all of our behalf in the coming weeks.
Again, for those who came and spoke, I thank you!
To those of you who were unable to attend, I welcome your thoughts and ideas any time.
Please drop a note to my office and let me know about the issues that are a priority for you.
Yours truly,
Harry S. Lali, MLA
