UBCM meetings encourage Coldstream mayor

Brent Mutis - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 03, 2009 12:00 PM

Coldstream Mayor Jim Garlick got some face time to bring the movers and shakers in the provincial government up to speed on issues challenging his community this week. Garlick and Couns. Maria Besso, Richard Enns and chief administrative officer Mike Stamhuis attended the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver and met with various ministries in hopes of bringing three initiatives to fruition. A meeting with Highways Minister Shirley Bond regarding the intersection of Kalamalka Road and Highway 6 went well for Garlick as he was able to get the point across about how long locals have been waiting for government assistance to get a service road put in to access the Burnco Rock Products parking lot just off the highway.

“We took (her) a photograph mock up from the Ministry of Highways and she saw how old it was,” said Garlick. “She was quite supportive of the idea of having it move up (in the priority list).” Coldstream’s representatives further trumpeted their case to Bond noting how the project would improve safety and promote economic development in the area.“We didn’t get a ‘Yes’ but it’s in the queue to get done,” said Garlick. “We’ll follow up and keep the pressure on. We know it might not be in 2010 or 2011 but sometime it will get done.”

The Ministry of Environment was targeted next to stress the importance of monitoring Coldstream Creek. Garlick reported the ministry was enthusiastic about their role in checking the creek while the district continues to strive for improved water quality through educating the public on the dangers of polluting drainage water.

Water devolution has been a contentious topic for Coldstream, Vernon and the electoral areas and Garlick spoke with the Ministry of Community and Rural Development about keeping an eye on how the negotiation progresses. "We’d like to have them to observe the process and keep a finger on it,” said Garlick adding he had to first make the ministry aware of how talks have almost unravelled because of Vernon’s threat to pull out of the agreement because they felt they were subsidizing their neighbours.“If (the ministry) wants this model to work, they need to make sure it works for everyone. If it can’t, they’ll have a hard time selling the idea to Kelowna.“We’re pushing for the arbitration to take place in Victoria so they can monitor it and make sure things work properly.”

Garlick noted all ministers were pleasant but non-committal though he says that won’t deter him.“They were co-operative (but) you’re not going to get a ‘Yes’ from anyone, but you keep the pressure on.”

The mayor was appreciative of Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster’s presence because he is well known in government and helped break the ice with the minsters they met. He was also pleased Besso and Enns had the opportunity to network and exchange ideas with colleagues in other jurisdictions. Garlick returned to Coldstream late Wednesday night. Besso, Enns and Stamhuis remained to the finish of the convention Friday.