Yup.
"Six businesses, including golf courses and nurseries in Vernon and Coldstream, will see the rate for irrigation water climb 50 per cent," announces the Morning Star today.
"Let the valley revert to desert as people leave..."
Maybe they're hoping we six businesses have a short memory, but we've been through this before--first in 2005, and then here, and here (now that Coldstream Councillor Gyula Kiss seems to be in charge of everything to do with water...including "some benefits" that might accrue from transfer of the area's water licence from upland sources to Kal Lake!)
Some benefits.
Might accrue.
Isn't a water licence a public asset and any plans to transfer it, or change it, or abandon it, or trade it must come before the public for approval?
There is little transparency in local governments in the North Okanagan, as no-one has ever said publicly (out of camera) what these so-called benefits are...
With Councillor Kiss meeting privately with the water consultants, is there any wonder Greater Vernon Water Authority Manager, Al Cotsworth, is retiring at the end of March? Probably has nothing to do now that Kiss has taken over.
Back to water rates.
Apart from the commercial rate hit, everyone else will see a 3 per cent increase in rates over 2012. As the Morning Star states, "customers who rarely turn on the tap will start paying more for water."
Proof it was never about conservation (shades of B.C. Hydro!)
Lumby's water rates are increasing too...seems people are conserving so much water that there's not enough revenue to run the utility.
"Why don't we just deactivate all the water lines," offers an acquaintance, "and let the valley revert to desert as people leave."
"Sounds like Sean Harvey is back," offers Kia.
(The six businesses are: Highlands Golf, Hillview Golf, Art Knapp's Nursery, Swan Lake Nursery, Tekmar Industries, and Atlantis Water Slides).
If you need real information you can always ask. Even Kia!
ReplyDeleteWould that be the same kind of "real" information my family received from you, Coldstreamer, and this council regarding off-site works and services in return for a building permit?! Any ounce of credibility you may have had prior to that disgusting display of arrogance is long gone. After spending hours in council sessions taking verbatim notes, I can say, there is no evidence of integrity at the District of Coldstream (staff and council alike) and it is clear the same attitudes and behaviours extend to other committees. It is a hard to know if it is ignorance, wilful ignorance, or just plain arrogance that these councillors share. No matter what the dysfunction is however, the contempt for the public and the public purse (and the private purse for that matter!!) is obvious. In the end, however, it hurts the entire community and marks this mayor and this council as dishonest - a clear warning to others to think twice before investing in Coldstream.
ReplyDelete"If you need real information you can always ask".
ReplyDeleteYou obviously agree Council minutes don't provide real information.
During the last five to 10 years, council minutes have become simple fluff. Mere kindling. Nothing at all of substance, but they probably fulfill council obligations to senior bureaucrats in Victoria.
Residents are supposed to ask?!?!
Contacting councillors isn't a "social thing" for residents--believe us when we say that--neither should it be for council.
Is it not obvious that it's YOUR job as councillor to inform residents, preferrably in council minutes, of the REASONS for decisions/suggestions/recommendations you're making?
Rather than you realizing that nothing you have stated to the public since the issue has come out of in-camera has actually provided details the public needs. Whether in the newspaper, or the wording of your proposed resolution to the SILGA conference, or in council minutes, there's been no reason given.
But now we're told we can ask?
To borrow an illustrative phrase from the British, "I'm gobsmacked" by your pompous naivete and self centeredness.
It's *YOUR* neglect to communicate that results in residents not knowing information to which they are entitled. Something as important as the transfer of a public asset...a water licence...sure, people are wondering why.
And since you're the only one who met with the water consultants, and you wrote the SILGA resolution, who else are we to expect information from?
Or maybe you just want your phone to ring.