Thanks Maria for your kind acknowledgment. I have filed my candidacy papers today at catchall. I am prepared to work diligently toward the implementation principles I have laid out below if they are acceptable to the electorate.
My vision is predicated on a single concept: save, protect and preserve Coldstream. This is a most conservative commitment which in my mind requires the following actions to be undertaken.
1. Entrench by every means possible the need to protect agricultural lands within Coldstream from destruction by urban development.
2. Rigorously adhere to the official community plan. Firmly reject any ad hoc deviations or variances from the plan. [I would propose a moratorium on further development until the OCP has been revised and updated.]
3. Insist that any development conform to sound ecological and environmental guidelines. [Focus on 'smart', ecofriendly and environmentally sustainable development.]
4. Wherever possible rectify or restrain those developments approved by previous councils which do not conform to the community plan and/or are in direct contravention of the above guidelines.
5. Review and rationalize the existing functions of municipal government [city hall] so it operates solely in accordance with the above principles. [This entails that city staff be directed entirely by council and not the other way round. Where appropriate city staff will be rationalized and consolidated in order to reduce taxes.]
6. Withdraw Coldstream from the Greater Vernon Advisory committee and take on Parks and recreation as well as Water Management under our own management and direction in a slimmed down form.
7. Return the autonomy to our volunteer fire department and raise their salaries. [Review the recent decisions by council regarding the Volunteer Fire Department.]
8. Aim to either freeze or lower municipal taxes by cost savings and debt reduction [if possible].
9. Attempt to make municipal governance more open and transparent to the public by making serious attempts to consult with ratepayers and address public concerns.
These items should be construed as strategic principles or desired goals the implementation of which would require a feasability study and more detailed planning.
Peter Peto
30 Sept 2008
My Vision for Coldstream
I don't believe people should run for office without honestly declaring their aims and principles to the electorate. Having so declared their intentions and subsequently elected they are honor bound to strive and achieve what they have professed. [I was somewhat dismayed by the lack of disclosure by candidates in previous elections; the electorate were largely left in ignorance as to the values, intentions and motivations of their chosen officials. The election was reduced to a simple popularity contest resulting in unintended consequences for the municipality.]My vision is predicated on a single concept: save, protect and preserve Coldstream. This is a most conservative commitment which in my mind requires the following actions to be undertaken.
1. Entrench by every means possible the need to protect agricultural lands within Coldstream from destruction by urban development.
2. Rigorously adhere to the official community plan. Firmly reject any ad hoc deviations or variances from the plan. [I would propose a moratorium on further development until the OCP has been revised and updated.]
3. Insist that any development conform to sound ecological and environmental guidelines. [Focus on 'smart', ecofriendly and environmentally sustainable development.]
4. Wherever possible rectify or restrain those developments approved by previous councils which do not conform to the community plan and/or are in direct contravention of the above guidelines.
5. Review and rationalize the existing functions of municipal government [city hall] so it operates solely in accordance with the above principles. [This entails that city staff be directed entirely by council and not the other way round. Where appropriate city staff will be rationalized and consolidated in order to reduce taxes.]
6. Withdraw Coldstream from the Greater Vernon Advisory committee and take on Parks and recreation as well as Water Management under our own management and direction in a slimmed down form.
7. Return the autonomy to our volunteer fire department and raise their salaries. [Review the recent decisions by council regarding the Volunteer Fire Department.]
8. Aim to either freeze or lower municipal taxes by cost savings and debt reduction [if possible].
9. Attempt to make municipal governance more open and transparent to the public by making serious attempts to consult with ratepayers and address public concerns.
These items should be construed as strategic principles or desired goals the implementation of which would require a feasability study and more detailed planning.
Peter Peto
30 Sept 2008
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1 comment:
Peter, thanks for letting your name stand. All candidates should make written declarations on their stances as you have done and attempt to abide by them. How much simpler it would be for the voters. Well Done!
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