The following letter was sent to the Morning Star. It is in response to "Out in left field" By Richard Rolke (Aug 29 2007)
Imagine that the applicant in front of Coldstream Council for an $8,000 grant was the Salvation Army or the Food Bank and not the organizing committee for the 2008 Ford Women’s Curling Championships. What would have been the answer from Council members? They would have turned it down unceremoniously. But if, by some miracle, they approved the grant Richard Rolke would have torn them apart for wasting taxpayers money.
Carolyn Farris and Bill Firman did what they have been sworn to do: represent the best interest of their constituents who placed their trust in them.
Obviously, the grant is not for the curlers. It only subsidizes businesses. Coldstream Mayor Corner said that his business would benefit from this event (I assume curlers from all over the world would be flocking into Corner Optical to buy their new eye glasses). But didn’t Vernon Council just recently subsidize businesses by reducing their tax load by six percent and increased the residents load by five percent? It seems some Council members have their wires crossed.
Normally, businessmen sponsor such prestigious events and use it as an opportunity to advertise their particular business. They should be honoured to be the sponsors.
Of course, for the event to be successful we need spectators. That’s where the general public comes in and spend their money showing that they indeed support the event and pay the bills. We should not be forced to donate through our taxes.
Business owners in Vernon pay their taxes in Vernon. If their employees live in Coldstream they help those businesses make profit by providing services and assisting them to pay taxes. Nothing prevents those businesses from sponsoring the curling championships.
If my Council has a spare $8,000 I would prefer that they lower my taxes. By the way, I question the validity of the statement: “...virtually all of its (Coldstream’s) adult residents make a living in Vernon.” I know a whole lot of non-virtual (real) residents who don’t work in Vernon.
It is immaterial how other politicians voted. They are accountable to their own electorate. Carolyn Farris and Bill Firman should be commended that they voted their conscience and did not get carried away in the emotional fervor. Calling Councillor Ferris “woefully wrong” would imply that Mr. Rolke is “woefully right” which is not the case.
Mr. Rolke is a strong supporter of the “Sports Complex” proposed for 120 acres of prime agricultural land in Coldstream, thus his attack on Councillor Firman’s stand on that issue. The fact is that there are no concrete plans but a loosely drawn up “concept plan”. In an editorial of the Morning Star the Editor, with reference to the Vernon Library/Civic complex, stated:
The same principle should be observed with reference to the proposed Sports Complex. Before the reporter took a stand for or against it he should have done some thorough research. The present proposal is a wish list by special interest groups without any input from the general public. Without a price tag, one could wish for the world. Endorsing such a dream as reality is irresponsible from a well respected reporter.
We need facts from the media not emotionalism.
Gyula Kiss
ColdstreamImagine that the applicant in front of Coldstream Council for an $8,000 grant was the Salvation Army or the Food Bank and not the organizing committee for the 2008 Ford Women’s Curling Championships. What would have been the answer from Council members? They would have turned it down unceremoniously. But if, by some miracle, they approved the grant Richard Rolke would have torn them apart for wasting taxpayers money.
Carolyn Farris and Bill Firman did what they have been sworn to do: represent the best interest of their constituents who placed their trust in them.
Obviously, the grant is not for the curlers. It only subsidizes businesses. Coldstream Mayor Corner said that his business would benefit from this event (I assume curlers from all over the world would be flocking into Corner Optical to buy their new eye glasses). But didn’t Vernon Council just recently subsidize businesses by reducing their tax load by six percent and increased the residents load by five percent? It seems some Council members have their wires crossed.
Normally, businessmen sponsor such prestigious events and use it as an opportunity to advertise their particular business. They should be honoured to be the sponsors.
Of course, for the event to be successful we need spectators. That’s where the general public comes in and spend their money showing that they indeed support the event and pay the bills. We should not be forced to donate through our taxes.
Business owners in Vernon pay their taxes in Vernon. If their employees live in Coldstream they help those businesses make profit by providing services and assisting them to pay taxes. Nothing prevents those businesses from sponsoring the curling championships.
If my Council has a spare $8,000 I would prefer that they lower my taxes. By the way, I question the validity of the statement: “...virtually all of its (Coldstream’s) adult residents make a living in Vernon.” I know a whole lot of non-virtual (real) residents who don’t work in Vernon.
It is immaterial how other politicians voted. They are accountable to their own electorate. Carolyn Farris and Bill Firman should be commended that they voted their conscience and did not get carried away in the emotional fervor. Calling Councillor Ferris “woefully wrong” would imply that Mr. Rolke is “woefully right” which is not the case.
Mr. Rolke is a strong supporter of the “Sports Complex” proposed for 120 acres of prime agricultural land in Coldstream, thus his attack on Councillor Firman’s stand on that issue. The fact is that there are no concrete plans but a loosely drawn up “concept plan”. In an editorial of the Morning Star the Editor, with reference to the Vernon Library/Civic complex, stated:
“ With the counter-petition finished, let every resident of Vernon express their opinion. Collect information on usage, and potential usage, of a new building. Determine exactly, to the penny, how much the building will cost taxpayers. Explain the benefits for the city and the RCMP and lay out other options that have not been explored. All we ask is for the city to let us express our informed opinion, whether for, or against.” (M.S., August 24).
The same principle should be observed with reference to the proposed Sports Complex. Before the reporter took a stand for or against it he should have done some thorough research. The present proposal is a wish list by special interest groups without any input from the general public. Without a price tag, one could wish for the world. Endorsing such a dream as reality is irresponsible from a well respected reporter.
We need facts from the media not emotionalism.
Gyula Kiss
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