Readers write.

Here’s a thought for the assiduous readers of the ‘Coldstreamer’ website to consider. We need to find a replacement for Andy Danyliu as the now past president of Coldstream rate payers association, perhaps some of our readers might consider stepping forward to become a spokesperson for the association. The position is a lightning rod and involves receiving much abuse from the local press and irrate residents who might happen to vehemently disagree with any position the spokesperson might advance in opposition to the Coldstream Council in power. Heck, anybody with sufficiently strong ego defenses and a willingness to stand up in public to defend the interests of the people of Coldstream should be capable of doing the job. It’s a noble cause but not a fool’s job and I would expect there should be a surfeit of suitable applicants!

There have been some really excellent contributors to the Coldstreamer Blog and we would hope some of these people might step forward at our next ratepayers meeting to offer to volunteer their services. They might also consider running for council in the next election. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if some of the people who took a strong position against the Spicer Block sports complex, were to get elected to council and thereby obtained the power to insure that we wouldn’t have to fight a similar battle in the future or to have to fight other odious proposals coming out of a development crazed council catering largely to the business community. Haven’t we had enough development with it’s attendant, congestion, pollution and environmental degradation for now? Aren’t we feed up with outrageous tax increases to pay for the building binge and City Halls largess? Wouldn't it be nice for a change to have people other than the "old Boys", the Coldstream "mafia", and Chamber of Commerce cronies running Coldstream Civic affairs for a change? In order for this to happen, honest, well intentioned people will have to step up and serve! Don't we all have civic duties to attend to? Everybody can make a difference if they contribute.

Perhaps we could come up with a slate of candidates, who all share common values and have similar visions for the community, to run in the next civic election. The defeat of the Sports Complex was a watershed event but it remains uncompleted until we rout the advocates out of council! Only then is the battle really won and we can rest easy yet remain ever vigilant.

Perhaps we can have some discussion on this blog. What do you think?

Peter Peto

**************************************************