Only about 20 people attended a presentation by consultant Allan Neilson-Welch to the Electoral Area Services Committee last Thursday which outlined the current review of governance options for the entire Okanagan Valley. Of the twenty areas residents who attended most of them were from rural areas such as Cherryville and many appeared suspicious over the motivation for possible changes to valley-wide governance. The review is laying the groundwork for the provincial government to make a decision as to how the Okanagan Region will govern valley-wide issues and there is significant pressure to link all three regional districts into one as well as eliminate Electoral Areas. The present review is being headed by a committee of 12 politicians, four from each regional district, however the provincial government has stated emphatically the present status quo is not acceptable. Eliminating Electoral areas means that rural areas like Cherryville (Area E) and Rural Lumby (Area D) may be joined with Lumby or some other incorporated body.
That’s what’s bothering rural residents and the fact that there might already be a done deal. “I’m suspicious about what’s going on. What’s behind it?” said Clint Whitecotton, from Cherryville. Mike Gavinchuk, a resident from BX-Swan Lake, voiced a concern that despite the consultation process, a decision on governance has already been made. “I want some assurance that making one unit (one regional district) is not already in place,” he said. In terms of why the provincial government initiated the process, Neilson-Welch pointed out that Victoria is responsible for municipalities and regional districts. “They see this as a big region that will get more crowded and they want to get ahead of the curve,” he said of growth issues such as transportation and water. He added that the governance committee is not interested in changing boundaries for municipalities and electoral areas. However NORD BX-Swan Lake director Cliff Kanester, believes Victoria will ignore the entire process. “Is this a matter of getting some input and they will do what ever the hell they want?” he said.
Everyone that spoke favored maintaining the North Okanagan Regional District as it currently is. “The farther the people are from where the decisions are made, the less democracy there is,” said Joan Crebo from Cherryville. Demands were also made that any changes be left up to the public to decide, and aren’t imposed. “The individual areas need a vote so Vernon and Kelowna don’t steamroll the entire valley,” said Ken Burgess, a resident form BX-Silver Star. Mike MacNabb, BX-Silver Star alternate director, says residents are concerned their rural jurisdictions may disappear, especially when Vernon says it would accept amalgamation. The latest round of comments from valley politicians has become more supportive of amalgamation of some kind. However during the meeting all five of the North Okanagan’s electoral area directors indicated to Neilson-Welch they are in favor keeping the three regional districts in the valley. “It’s very clear that we want status quo,” said Herman Halvorson, rural Enderby director. Kanester shot down suggestions that the valley’s three regional districts aren’t working together. “There’s already co-operation on the Okanagan Basin Water Board and air quality. What else do we need?” he said. Eugene Foisy, Area E Cherryville director, echoed comments from the public and doesn’t support the review process. “This isn’t coming from the grassroots. It’s coming from the government. Who the hell are they to tell us our system isn’t working?” he said.However, if the government is measuring discontent by the number of protesting residents turning out, things don’t look good for Electoral Areas.
No comments:
Post a Comment