Valley governance goes local

CASTANET
The discussion on area-wide governance in the Okanagan-Similkameen region is moving to the local level. Over the next three weeks, a consultant to the Regional Governance Working Committee will be meeting with local council’s and the elected representatives of the North Okanagan, Okanagan-Similkameen and Central Okanagan Regional Districts. These 90-minute sessions will be open for public viewing, although each local government will determine the scope of public input during the meeting. The consultant plans to brief each local government on the work of the Okanagan-Similkameen Regional Governance Working Committee and invite feedback and input from the elected officials. This information will be compiled and presented to the next meeting of the Working Committee February 27th in Vernon. Governance Chair, Robert Hobson, says a list of principles was drafted Thursday that reflect common goals and vision of the committee members. "Among them, we agree there are issues like, air, water and transportation that should be addressed on an area-wide regional basis and that cooperation and coordination are necessary," says Hobson.

"We also believe there shouldn’t be any new level of government created and that we recognize the diversity of all communities throughout the Okanagan-Similkameen and that all, including rural and electoral area communities should have the opportunity to have their views and concerns represented." Hobson there was a strong consensus that agricultural land should be protected to ensure food security and the viability of agricultural operations. “In addition to air, water and transportation, the committee also identified other key areas in which a region-wide focus could be directed. For example, we could see further cooperation and coordination when it comes to Solid Waste Management, Emergency Preparedness Planning, Area-wide Climate Change initiatives, 9-1-1 and Regional Growth Management.”

He says the committee want to assure residents that we are not addressing the issues of municipal amalgamations, boundary extensions or incorporation. "These topics are clearly guided by the provisions of the Community Charter with which we agree.” In order to keep valley residents informed about the upcoming local government meetings a schedule will be posted on the committee website as soon as it’s available. Residents are encouraged to visit www.valleygovern.ca to keep informed of upcoming committee meetings as well as links to agenda and reports from past and future sessions. A direct email contact form is also available online for residents to complete, so that their thoughts, ideas and suggestions can be considered by the Governance committee.

The next meeting of the Okanagan Similkameen Regional Governance Working Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, February 27th at 10:00 am at the North Okanagan Regional District office (9848 Aberdeen Road, Coldstream). The meeting will be open for residents to view the proceedings.