It appears that we are gradually losing our democratic principles.
We had a Water Referendum in 2004 but it was not really a referendum. The only question asked was “how do you wish to pay for our half-baked water plan: at once or in installments?”. Not the expected “here is our plan or plans, these are the pros and cons for each with the associated costs and time lines. Do you like the plan or which plan do you like and are you willing to pay for it?”
Taxpayers thought they had no recourse and they stayed home in droves. The result was that less than 10% of the eligible voters voted in favour of borrowing but we borrowed anyway.
What did we get for our money? Very little, those who had the poorer quality water are still boiling their water at frequent intervals yet they are paying more than double of what they paid in 2000.
Then came the famous Coldstream Municipal Office/Fire Hall fiasco. The referendum was defeated but the Municipal Hall was built anyway. We dropped the more important portion of the referendum: the Fire Halls.
In 2005 Coldstream Council extended the sewer connection from McClounie to Aberdeen Roads. Cost: estimated at $650,000. No input from residents except for Coldstream Meadows which requested the line as their development was contingent to sewer connection. So we gave them a small gift. Who paid for it? The existing sewer users. They lost $625,000 from their Sewer Reserve Found which was originally established to replace such important parts as the lift stations and grinder pumps.
To top it all, Council, in 2007, bought out the Latecomer fees from Coldstream Meadows for a paltry $264,000 (including GST). Where did this money come from you ask? It came from the operating funds of the existing sewer users. How did we manage to provide such a wonderful gift? Councils have been overcharging sewer users for years. Here is an example:
This is mind boggling! Those who never contributed a nickel to the fund are getting monies from those who have been gouged for years.
Then there is the present fiasco within the City of Vernon regarding the Library/Civic building. I let that go for city folks.
We have a new issue in Coldstream. Council (at least some members of Council) wishing to request that about 106 acres of prime agricultural land be permitted to be used for non-agricultural uses such as playing fields, stadium, banquet halls and a 1000 car parking lot. The sad thing about this is that it was thrust upon residents without prior warning and only a last minute drive to get residents informed prevented the immediate approval of the proposal.
A decision is expected at a special meeting on September 11 in the gymnasium of the Coldstream elementary school.
Please express your views to Council and/or by responding to this writer.
We had a Water Referendum in 2004 but it was not really a referendum. The only question asked was “how do you wish to pay for our half-baked water plan: at once or in installments?”. Not the expected “here is our plan or plans, these are the pros and cons for each with the associated costs and time lines. Do you like the plan or which plan do you like and are you willing to pay for it?”
Taxpayers thought they had no recourse and they stayed home in droves. The result was that less than 10% of the eligible voters voted in favour of borrowing but we borrowed anyway.
What did we get for our money? Very little, those who had the poorer quality water are still boiling their water at frequent intervals yet they are paying more than double of what they paid in 2000.
Then came the famous Coldstream Municipal Office/Fire Hall fiasco. The referendum was defeated but the Municipal Hall was built anyway. We dropped the more important portion of the referendum: the Fire Halls.
In 2005 Coldstream Council extended the sewer connection from McClounie to Aberdeen Roads. Cost: estimated at $650,000. No input from residents except for Coldstream Meadows which requested the line as their development was contingent to sewer connection. So we gave them a small gift. Who paid for it? The existing sewer users. They lost $625,000 from their Sewer Reserve Found which was originally established to replace such important parts as the lift stations and grinder pumps.
To top it all, Council, in 2007, bought out the Latecomer fees from Coldstream Meadows for a paltry $264,000 (including GST). Where did this money come from you ask? It came from the operating funds of the existing sewer users. How did we manage to provide such a wonderful gift? Councils have been overcharging sewer users for years. Here is an example:
2005
Sewer revenues $888,488
Paid to Vernon $453,740
Collection costs $303,937
Surplus (percent) $130,811 (17%)
2006Since we only paid 26% more than needed in 2006 Council raised the sewer rates by 6.3% for 2007 ($540 per year).
Sewer revenues $998,129
Paid to Vernon $453,708
Collection costs $338,238
Surplus (percent) $206,183 (26%)
This is mind boggling! Those who never contributed a nickel to the fund are getting monies from those who have been gouged for years.
Then there is the present fiasco within the City of Vernon regarding the Library/Civic building. I let that go for city folks.
We have a new issue in Coldstream. Council (at least some members of Council) wishing to request that about 106 acres of prime agricultural land be permitted to be used for non-agricultural uses such as playing fields, stadium, banquet halls and a 1000 car parking lot. The sad thing about this is that it was thrust upon residents without prior warning and only a last minute drive to get residents informed prevented the immediate approval of the proposal.
A decision is expected at a special meeting on September 11 in the gymnasium of the Coldstream elementary school.
Please express your views to Council and/or by responding to this writer.
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