Dear Editor.
I was thrilled to read Norman Jaques letter to the Editor in the April 17th LVT regarding STV. I totally agree with him on many points regarding the STV campaign for the upcoming provincial election but the part that hit home the most is the part about power in the hands of a few. I take it one step further and add attitude of our public servants : our politicians.
We are truly not proportionally represented. The parties in power can pretty much do as they please once elected; and those who lead them by the nose ie. big business can influence major decisions?
Rather than work as OUR representative in true Democratic style with input from every point of view, they become power mongers and self serving once we elect them: sound familiar?
On a small scale this was brought home to me when I attended the April 15th NORD meeting. The issue on the agenda was WATER….now WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THAT? You certainly don’t have to have science degree to recognize that the issue of potable clean water is in jeopardy worldwide and should be given priority and garner rapt attention anytime someone brings concerns to the table of decision makes at ALL levels of Government.
At this particular NORD meeting two persons with well researched, and first hand information brought this topic forward: one regarding the Fouling of water at the Source by Carla Vierke and the other regarding Silver Star Provincial Park by Randy Schellenberg. His concern was for both the Park and the two watersheds affected by development (including the controversial recommended golf course).
The simplicity of the Message (WATER), in my world, should have garnered close attention by our leadership but I was aghast at the pompous attitude of our representatives when both people addressed their subjects with two well organized power point presentations. When Carla started her slide show not ONE member of the panel, whose back was to the screen, bothered to turn around to watch it and the body language of most was bored beyond comprehension: complete with rolling eyes, yawning and other obvious signs of disrespect.
I could not believe my eyes. At the end of her presentation the councilors responded with rhetorical questions and challenged not only her resources and research but with a superior attitude. I became enraged as I felt that any citizen who has concerns and takes the time to make a respectable presentation then rallies for a cause that affects everyone, should be welcomed and considered with great admiration and respectful gratitude. We are all very busy and not all of us have the time nor the passion to bring attention & concerns about fouling our water at it’s source BEFORE irreversible and permanent damage is done .
I am generalizing, somewhat, since there were two councilors who were polite and offered helpful ideas and suggestions to those in attendance but were certainly overshadowed by those who presented obvious signs of contempt and gave a ‘how dare you’ perception.
Alas, when Randy Schellenberg stepped up to the podium to make the Silver Star presentation, all chairs immediately turned and at least watched the power point message with some interest. My first reaction was disbelief. Both presenters were certainly equally well prepared, cleanly represented in their demeanor and polite. What was the difference? Man vs Woman?
I dare not even ‘go there’. It was not long, however that the same challenges and the same confrontational questioning began. Why did these 10-12 MEN feel so threatened by the information? Why the confrontational attitude? I cannot answer these questions but it would seem that it goes back to my original thesis: power, lack of understanding true Democracy but my biggest question is ‘What do these people have to hide and How do they make their decisions on our behalf? If they totally rely on present environment laws and controls then that is obviously not good enough’. My challenge to our leadership, AT ANY LEVEL, is: here is your chance to be pro-active, be true LEADERS, and listen to the people who have first hand information in their own back yard that dispel any so called guidelines that are NOT working. Be smart, strong and do the job in the best interest of the environment and the people who live here NOT the developer or the money mongers whose decisions are short sighted and self serving.
Respectfully submitted
Ursula Jensen
Lumby,B.C.
I was thrilled to read Norman Jaques letter to the Editor in the April 17th LVT regarding STV. I totally agree with him on many points regarding the STV campaign for the upcoming provincial election but the part that hit home the most is the part about power in the hands of a few. I take it one step further and add attitude of our public servants : our politicians.
We are truly not proportionally represented. The parties in power can pretty much do as they please once elected; and those who lead them by the nose ie. big business can influence major decisions?
Rather than work as OUR representative in true Democratic style with input from every point of view, they become power mongers and self serving once we elect them: sound familiar?
On a small scale this was brought home to me when I attended the April 15th NORD meeting. The issue on the agenda was WATER….now WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THAT? You certainly don’t have to have science degree to recognize that the issue of potable clean water is in jeopardy worldwide and should be given priority and garner rapt attention anytime someone brings concerns to the table of decision makes at ALL levels of Government.
At this particular NORD meeting two persons with well researched, and first hand information brought this topic forward: one regarding the Fouling of water at the Source by Carla Vierke and the other regarding Silver Star Provincial Park by Randy Schellenberg. His concern was for both the Park and the two watersheds affected by development (including the controversial recommended golf course).
The simplicity of the Message (WATER), in my world, should have garnered close attention by our leadership but I was aghast at the pompous attitude of our representatives when both people addressed their subjects with two well organized power point presentations. When Carla started her slide show not ONE member of the panel, whose back was to the screen, bothered to turn around to watch it and the body language of most was bored beyond comprehension: complete with rolling eyes, yawning and other obvious signs of disrespect.
I could not believe my eyes. At the end of her presentation the councilors responded with rhetorical questions and challenged not only her resources and research but with a superior attitude. I became enraged as I felt that any citizen who has concerns and takes the time to make a respectable presentation then rallies for a cause that affects everyone, should be welcomed and considered with great admiration and respectful gratitude. We are all very busy and not all of us have the time nor the passion to bring attention & concerns about fouling our water at it’s source BEFORE irreversible and permanent damage is done .
I am generalizing, somewhat, since there were two councilors who were polite and offered helpful ideas and suggestions to those in attendance but were certainly overshadowed by those who presented obvious signs of contempt and gave a ‘how dare you’ perception.
Alas, when Randy Schellenberg stepped up to the podium to make the Silver Star presentation, all chairs immediately turned and at least watched the power point message with some interest. My first reaction was disbelief. Both presenters were certainly equally well prepared, cleanly represented in their demeanor and polite. What was the difference? Man vs Woman?
I dare not even ‘go there’. It was not long, however that the same challenges and the same confrontational questioning began. Why did these 10-12 MEN feel so threatened by the information? Why the confrontational attitude? I cannot answer these questions but it would seem that it goes back to my original thesis: power, lack of understanding true Democracy but my biggest question is ‘What do these people have to hide and How do they make their decisions on our behalf? If they totally rely on present environment laws and controls then that is obviously not good enough’. My challenge to our leadership, AT ANY LEVEL, is: here is your chance to be pro-active, be true LEADERS, and listen to the people who have first hand information in their own back yard that dispel any so called guidelines that are NOT working. Be smart, strong and do the job in the best interest of the environment and the people who live here NOT the developer or the money mongers whose decisions are short sighted and self serving.
Respectfully submitted
Ursula Jensen
Lumby,B.C.
*************************************************************************
1 comment:
A good letter from Ursula.
Regarding the issue of "water" I would urge readers of the Coldstreamer to read the most current issue of Okanagan Life Magazine and its feature called "The Source".
The story is about a journey to explore the source of much of our water including the Aberdeen, Graystokes and Upper Shuswap.
Once local government reps read the story they WILL turn their heads and watch Carla's slide show.
Enjoy the read!
And rock-on Coldstreamer!
www.themonsterguide.com
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