Rules get ratepayers riled up

By Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star Published: September 05, 2008

The Coldstream Ratepayers Association says democracy is being muzzled. The District of Coldstream has denied the CRA from appearing as a delegation at Monday’s council meeting in Lavington. The reason is due to the topic of the CRA’s presentation – the dismissal of fire chief Leo Lecavalier. The district says the issue is in-camera (to protect the employee) and therefore no public opportunity to address council on the issue will be permitted. Written letters will be accepted and may be considered by council at an in-camera meeting. “This refusal of council to permit a delegation of ratepayers to present our concerns, along with council’s threat to ‘discipline’ any firefighters who speak out on the issue implies a concerted effort to muzzle public discussion on an issue all ratepayers need to be fully aware of,” said Steve Heeren, CRA’s new president.

The CRA had held a meeting on the issue of Lecavalier’s dismissal Aug. 21 and was hoping to present its resolutions to council. The resolutions, passed at the packed meeting, read: (1) that the fire chief be immediately reinstated, (2) that Coldstream council publicly provide an explanation for its decision to fire Leo, partly in order to restore his status in the community and squelch rumors swirling around the issue, and (3) that resolutions one and two be presented to council by a delegation from the CRA at its next meeting. Although the fire department has stated that public safety remains a priority, there are fears that the members may disband in protest. “What would the consequences for taxpayers be, if it should happen that our volunteers simply quit?” questions Heeren. “At a huge annual expense we would be stuck with a ‘professional’ firefighter squad, not likely to be any more qualified than our present volunteer firefighters.”

Therefore the CRA is urging all Coldstream citizens to attend Monday’s council meeting in Lavington, in the Lavington Elementary school gymnasium on School Road at 7 p.m. The CRA also invites the public to its next meeting Sept. 18 at the Women’s Institute Hall from 7 to 9 p.m. There the civic elections will be the highlight of discussions. “We need to start thinking and planning about getting councillors in Coldstream who are genuinely responsive to the concerns of the public,” said Heeren. “I’m not for in-camera, I’m for openness,” said Heeren in a previous interview with The Morning Star. “Democracy is our only hope.”