Readers write.

Hello Coldstream Council - Mary, Jim, Doug, Glen, Gary, Carol and Bill

This morning I listened with great interest to CBC Radio as they explained the announcement by the Honorable Bill Bennett and the Honorable Stan Hagen regarding Lake Windermere. In essence, due to massive growth and specifically over crowding of motor boats on Lake Windermere 'a two year Land Act reserve' or freeze on any new developments on the lake has been put into place.

To quote Mayor Shmigelsky "We are all interested in growth for our communities, but it must be managed effectively." In brief, the "parties are collaborating on the newly formed East Kootenay Integrated Lake Management Partnership, which will inventory water and shoreland conditions, as well as make recommendations to protect the lakeshore. This information will inform the Official Community Plan, which is also underway. Together the plans will guide zoning for the lake and surrounding areas."

All of us who are proposing and supporting the development of a Kayak and Canoe Society and a Society for the Protection of Kalamalka Lake are deeply appreciative and would like to thank all members of Council for their support and encouragement which we have received to date. That said, all of the supporters of these two societies as well as many residents of Kalavista Drive are very concerned about the draft plans which were presented by the "Traffic Safety Committee" to once again expand the parking for motor boats on Kalavista Drive.

Clearly, the public must have access to the lake and the "fortress mentality" of some people who live on the lake to restrict public lake access is simply not creditable. Hence, what we are proposing is the encouragement of non-invasive, environmentally sustainable recreational uses of the lake. We strongly believe that a further expansion of the boat launch parking will simply exaggerate the issues of over crowding of motor boats on the north end of the lake, flies in the face of the Official Community Plan and as well as our need to collectively protect our drinking water supply. In short, it follows the example of Lake Windermere of uncontrolled and unplanned growth.

To close, we would like to thank Coldstream Council for their on-going support and we would like to ask Council to seriously consider the potential lessons learned from Lake Windermere and, in particular, the issues which are created from unfettered and uncontrolled growth of motor boat traffic.

The article from the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands is attached for your review.

Kind Regards,

Jim Cookson

Kalavista Drive

PS: Please distribute this letter and news article to Ms Williams and Mr Firman.

http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2008AL0036-001369.pdf

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Readers write -- Is Cochrane Good for Coldstream?

Today I read with some concern that a veteran Vernon councilor wants to change his political venue for “personal” reasons. It seems he would prefer to work 'nights' in Coldstream in addition to his day job in Vernon, running his locksmith business.

Well my first question is why has it taken you four terms in office in Vernon to figure out it's not really convenient for you to have two day jobs?

Also, why have you taken so long to decide your real political interests lay in Coldstream and not Vernon?

Are you perhaps also a little worried you might not get reelected in Vernon?

Perhaps your performance in Vernon is not as great as you would have hoped for and perhaps you think Coldstreamers might look more favorably on your track record.

Why would you think that Coldstreamers, who have always had strong wishes to keep their own identity and maintain an arms length relationship with Vernon, would not view you with great suspicion?

I certainly would! How can we be sure you are not a political transplant from Vernon with a hidden agenda to prepare the ground for the future annexation of Coldstream into Vernon?

Perhaps you are satisfied to run for council this term and aspire to the mayorship next term?

What do you stand for and what can you offer to Coldstream that we can't get from our own home grown candidates who don't have previous ties to Vernon politics or Vernon politicians?

I see you as a typical run of the mill politician in the old mode and we have had our fill of those already. We want fresh blood with new ideas and a different way of running our municipal affairs and we wish to avoid the hopeless political morass you have been part in Vernon.

We are in the process of putting our own house in order next election; I doubt that your services will be required, thank you.

Run if you wish Mr Cochrane but don't think you are going to be welcomed with open arms in Coldstream! Good Luck.

Peter Peto

P.S. This is just my personal opinion and has nothing to do with views of the Coldstream Ratepayers Association.

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Letters to the Editor -- Morning Star -- 2008-09-10

Great letter, Ev!

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Information for our Lumby and Lavington readers.

Hi coldstreamer,

wondercafe.live! is a discussion forum for open learning and open exchange of ideas, every first and third Friday of each month at Lumby United Church Hall at 7.00 pm. Last Friday we had a series of short speeches on people's vision for their community; on Sept. 19 we'll have Lou Hammond, reporter for the Lumby Valley Times, do a half hour presentation on homelessness, followed by a question-and-answer session, followed by on-table discussions. This will the format for all future wondercafe.live! events.

Anyone from the Coldstream is, of course, invited to attend, and/or make a presentation. Entry is free, and free fair trade coffee is served. My name is Hermann Harlos, hhharlos@xplornet.com, and I take bookings for presentations. Any topic of community interest is welcome.

Hoping to hear from you,

Hermann

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Cochrane considers switching to Coldstream politics -- By Richard Rolke

Published: September 09, 2008 7:00 PM

A veteran politician isn’t ready to abandon public life yet.

Pat Cochrane announced Monday that he will not seek a fifth term on Vernon council this November, but he is casting his eye towards a neighbouring community.

“I am giving some consideration to running for Coldstream council,” said Cochrane, who lives in Coldstream.

The primary reason for leaving Vernon council is the work load and its negative impact on his business, Vernon Lock and Safe.

“Everything we do, except public hearings, takes place during my work hours,” he said, adding that Vernon residents deserve someone who can give their needs full attention.

Cochrane believes being a councillor in Coldstream could provide better balance between work, family and public life because meetings are at night.

Cochrane was first elected to city council in 1996, and he readily admits that he will miss being part of it.

“I will probably be depressed and in withdrawal for months to come,” he said.

Cochrane’s time on Vernon council is garnering praise from his colleagues.

“He has been a good councillor and he brings a lot to the table. His input will be missed,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert.

With nomination papers now available for November’s civic election, all current politicians are considering their future.

Lippert has his nomination papers in hand and will seek a second term as mayor.

“During one term you learn a lot and I still have a lot to contribute,” he said. “I’ve made mistakes but I’ve also learned a lot.”

While there was considerable focus on issues like the failed civic complex issue, Lippert believes his council has had a positive impact on Vernon.

“You couldn’t walk through Cenotaph Park before without being accosted and now there is none of that criminal element,” said Lippert, who also insists that city hall is more open to residents.

“You can go to a public hearing now and people can give good input. They may not like the decision but they know they’ve had their time with council,” he said.

Lippert added that council has also established a good working relationship with city staff.

“I’m really proud of the change in morale.”

Coun. Jack Gilroy announced some time ago that he would run again in November, while no decisions have been made by Councillors Buffy Baumbrough, Patrick Nicol, Juliette Cunningham or Barry Beardsell.

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Interesting approach!

Pat Cochrane is leaving Vernon politics because: "...Vernon residents deserve someone who can give their needs full attention".

Does it mean that Coldstream residents do not deserve the same attention? Do these "country bumpkins" need only superficial attention from their politicians?

Or is there a hidden agenda to send a Trojan Horse her from the City? There were a lot of decisions by City Council that negatively affected Coldstream during Mr. Cochrain's time on City Council but he never voiced concern about those decisions. The $200,000 "policing cost" in order to extend the sewer agreement comes to mind as a glaring example.

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Crowd demands answers to loss of fire chief -- By Jennifer Smith

Published: September 09, 2008 7:00 PM

Despite being banned from bringing up the firing of Coldstream’s fire chief, a few residents managed to wedge their opinions through at Monday’s council meeting.

While the disobedience produced some stunned faces among district staff and council, the approximately 70 people who packed the Lavington Elementary gym exploded with applause.

Among the two individuals to voice their concerns was John Hegler, who is known for not being shy when it comes to sharing his thoughts on council decisions.

Hegler appeared as a delegation but had previously been told that he could not discuss the dismissal of fire chief Leo Lecavalier.

So he tip toed around the topic, talking about the fire department in general and their constitution.

“The leader of the fire department shall be elected each year by the members. At that time if council does approve or not approve, that’s when they can get rid of him,” Hegler read from his notes.

He went on to explain that the membership is responsible for their own advertising, hiring, training, etc.

“They’re not Coldstream employees are they? They do it all themselves.”

Becoming a member of the fire department also means you must live in Coldstream.

“Yet you can be an alderman and you can live in Vancouver or Timbuktu. Kinda strange.”

Hegler also pointed out some Coldstream facts.

Listing the chain of command, he noted how the councillors sit below the taxpayers, who vote them in.

“As one of your employers, and as a taxpayer, I’m not asking you, I’m demanding, I want to know how you voted,” he said, referring to the in-camera meeting that led to Lecavalier’s Aug. 1 dismissal.

The school gym immediately echoed with applause over Hegler’s daring demand.

But Mayor Gary Corner immediately denied his request.

Coun. Bill Firman was expected to raise a motion at the in-camera meeting following the public portion Monday to disclose how everyone voted at that fateful meeting.

Firman did make the motion, but whether councillors denied it or agreed to the disclosure is not being released because it is an in-camera issue.

Another individual also took the stage to speak on behalf of the organization and constitution of fire departments.

Retired Lavington fire chief Tony Metz stood up to explain just what every member of the fire department, including the chief, means to each other.

Joining the hall in his early 20s, Metz said he looked up to the members, who took him under their wing and taught him so much.

As in every fire department, camaraderie played a large role in their duty to protect the community. But when one of the team members is taken from them, particularly their ring leader, it’s a tremendous blow to the entire operation, said Metz.

“For a (district) to take away a leader is hard to take and I just hope something can be done about it.”

Instead of echoing, the applause rolled into a thunderous boom for Metz’ speech.

In his presentation, Hegler also applauded the fire departments for everything they do, adding that most people don’t realize just how much they do.

“I know I have taken them for granted.”

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Politics by the numbers -- By Richard Rolke

Published: September 09, 2008 7:00 PM

As much as he likes to portray himself as being different, Stephen Harper is an old-style politician at heart.

And that was clearly evident when the Conservative prime minister descended on Rideau Hall Sunday, asking the governor-general to dissolve Parliament, paving the way for the third federal election in four years.

After all, there was no reason for Harper to send Canadians to the polls Oct. 14. Under fixed-date legislation promoted by his own government, the next election isn't scheduled to occur until Oct. 19, 2009.

"Fixed dates stop leaders from trying to manipulate the calendar. They level the playing field for all parties," said Harper in 2006, according to an article in the Toronto Star.

"Hopefully, in the next election, we can run on our record and we won't need the manipulation of the electoral calendar."

So what does this say about the record of the Conservative government, if he's resorted to manipulating the electoral calendar?

Harper has suggested Parliament wasn't functioning, but does that mean the business of ordinary Canadians wasn't being done, or simply that the Tories weren't getting their way?

Based on any discussions I have had over the last few days, it appears that most people want a federal election as much as they enjoy the never-ending phone calls from credit card companies offering them record-low interest rates.

And that situation is largely a result of voter fatigue. Beyond the triad of federal elections, there were just civic elections three years ago and another round of those is set for this November. There was also a provincial election in 2005, and under B.C.'s fixed-date policy, there will be one in May 2009. It may be democracy in action but it gets rather tiring.

Of course there is also a significant cost every time Canadians head off to the polls.

I've heard the price tag for this vote could be a whopping $30 million, and when you consider that another minority Parliament is likely, it's a huge waste of cash. It also shows that Harper isn't the great defender of the public treasury as he would like all of us to believe.

And if you are looking for any other examples of political games, there is the fact that the Conservatives were shovelling out the dough in huge numbers just days before the election call.

Harper used to describe similar actions by the former Liberal administration as vote-buying, so how is what he is doing any different?

Yes some of the projects are crucial, including the widening of Highway 97A through Spallumcheen. But when you consider that local mayors and councils have been demanding federal assistance for years, the timing of the announcement is suspect.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation reports that $8.8 billion was spent by the Conservatives during the three months prior to dropping the writ.

“Here we go again, another federal election and another big spending bender. Only this time it is coming from a political leader who in opposition loudly denounced the same misuse of tax dollars,” said John Williamson, CTF federal director, in a news release.

And ultimately that appears to be the bottom line.

Through his spending habits and willingness to flaunt election laws, Harper has proven that he may be a Liberal in Conservative clothing.

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Further info on last night's Council meeting.

Further to last night's Council meeting in Lavington:

There was a problem, as usual, with the acoustics of the gym. It was difficult to speak to Council as well as letting the audience hear what was said. We need to have a speaker system used there when we expect a huge crowd.

Mayor Corner assured me that there will be answers to my questions regarding the status of water improvements.

An interesting comment came from Councillor Dirk who emphasized that the Master Water Plan is "dead". He indicated that what's happening is inconsistent with the promised MWP and they are more or less "improvising".

Councillor Malerby, on the other hand, expressed her total faith in the plan and she actually believes that we will get improved water within our lifetime. She might be right when we consider the younger generation. However she ignored the fact that we have already been paying for improved water for six years. Even if the Duteau Creek plant gets completed the quality of water it will provide will be inferior to that produced by the Kalamalka Treatment Plant.

I will post the response from Council when it is received.

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Council meeting -- September 8, 08

Close to one hundred people filled the gym in Lavington at last night's Council meeting. They expressed their support of the fire chief and the fire department with thunderous applause when John Heggler and Tony Metz spoke in support of the fire department and deposed Chief, Leo Lecavallier. Unfortunately, I have to go pick apples but I'll have some comments later.

The Eagle.

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Readers write -- GVSC's plans for Kalavista boat lunch.

Hello All,

I thought you would find the attached document which outlines Coldstream's and the GVS's future plans for Kalavista Drive interesting.

I have read with interest nearly all of the emails which you have exchanged between each other over the past few months. Put simply what we are attempting to create with the two societies is the following:

1. An environmentally sustainable recreational alternative for people to enjoy the lake. (I.e. Kayaks and Canoes as opposed to only power boats.)

2. A research and best practice based society which focuses on public education and protection of the lake and our drinking water supply.

Clearly, the latest GVS plans to yet again expand the boat launch parking fly in the face of the Official Community Plan, protection of the water supply and all common sense.

The last time the parking lot was expanded by the GVS Christine and I personally lead the public relations and legal battle. We invested over 80,000 dollars fighting the battle and as well invested hundreds of hours of our time under a great deal of stress.

In addition, when the Log House came up for sell last year Christine and I feared that a similar development would happen again and, therefore, to protect the neighborhood which our children are growing up in we purchased the Log House.

It appears from the proposal that the GVS is again attempting to outsmart the neighborhood by removing the tennis courts for more parking beside the lagoon. We all know what this will mean in terms of traffic and boats on the north end of the lake.

To Colleen I would offer the following feedback:

1. We have had the Ministry of the Environment, the Green Party, the Coldstream Rate Payers, Okanagan College, a registered biologist and a leading wetlands expert ALL express their strong support for the establishment of the two societies and for their location at the Log House.

2. Al McNiven, as head of parks, is the main person driving all the efforts to expand the boat launch and associate parking. Hence, your letter to him asking him to protect the environment is (to be very polite) inappropriate.

3. I admire your energy and effort. However, I suggest to you that it would be better focused on holding back the rapid expansion of the parking lots, the boat launch and the ruin of our lake with again more boats, more seadoes and more trucks with trailers parking beside the lagoon.

To Mary I would say that the only significant point which your steering committee conceded in the last battle was to provide for the protection of the front of the Log House property. Is the promise that you gave to the over 600 people who signed the petition against the expansion of the boat launch still valid?

Will you honor your commitments and promises Mary?

To the rest of the neighbors, I would like to thank those of you who support the idea of establishing an environmentally sustainable club and to working together to find common goals and solutions.

I would strongly suggest to all of you that now is exactly the time when we must be united in our vision to protect the lake.

Regards,

Jim Cookson
Ph: 250 558 7622

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Items Council will be discussing in-camera.

Upon completing the regular Council meeting the meeting generally move into an in-camera session. They indicate which Charter items cover the meeting but the actual items are not revealed.

To inform those who wish to get a bit more information I quote the actual in-camera items as described by the Charter. These items will form tomorrow's in-camera discussions.

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I am also including the text of my presentation for tomorrow night's meeting regarding questions about the Master Water Plan. It has been over six years since we have been paying increasing water rates and most of us have not seen any improvement yet this Council is almost at the end of their term. If you are interested in the answers (hopefully we get some) please attend.

Your attendance will also indicate your support for the Fire Chief and the volunteer firemen even though we cannot speak on the issue. Some residents indicated that they might demonstrate in front of the meeting hall.

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90 (1)

(c) labour relations or other employee relations;

(e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality;

(i) the receipt of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose;

(k) negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are at their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the council, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality if they were held in public;

(m) a matter that, under another enactment, is such that the public may be excluded from the meeting;

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Presentation to Council:

Your Worship, members of Council.

Six and a half years ago the Greater Vernon Services Commission (GVSC), Greater Vernon Water (GVW) and the Master Water Plan (MWP) were born with great fanfare.

Four members of this Council were among the progenitors of these creatures.

Today the great promises are in shambles. GVSC is no more. GVW is gone with the dodo. The promises of the MWP are only visible in Vernon.

During the last election campaign water issues were front and center and all candidates promised to make sure water related issues would be addressed and solved. It seems that did not happen.

I wonder if Mayor Corner, as Chair of the emasculated Greater Vernon Services Committee could provide some information about the services that were promised
six and a half years ago.

My specific questions are as follows:

1. What is the present status of GVSC?
2. What happened to the governance?
3. How much money is in reserves?
4. How will these monies divided among the former participants? Coldstream taxpayers have given much and received nothing. Are we getting our money back?
5. How much money was borrowed to date? How much of that was spent in Coldstream?
6. Time is money. How much will the new treatment plant cost now that years went by since the original estimates were developed?
7. What is the future of GVW?
8. What will happen to the water licenses? Coldstream and NORD contributed significant water licenses on Kal Lake. Vernon had exceeded its license before GVW was formed. Are they going to buy their water from the new whatever bulk water supplier will supplant GVW? At what rate?
9. Given the above facts would you consider the GVSC a success?
10. How much money was wasted on the exercise (a bull park figure would suffice)?
11. Councillor Malerby provided an optimistic review of the MWP at one of the Ratepayers’ meeting. Does she still have the same faith in the Plan?
12. What happened to the motion of March 22, 2007, namely “THAT GVSC support the idea of taxation as a means of funding capital costs of water improvements and that GVSC support block billing as a means of water conservation.” It was deferred to April 18, 2007 but I have no idea what happened to it. Without that decision high priced properties on the Rise, Turtle Mountain and elsewhere do not contribute to the infrastructure costs.

Promises before elections are great but eventually those who pay the bills wish to have answers why those promises remained unfulfilled. They also demand apologies for having been mislead by their politicians and by their employees (in this case employees in GVW).

Hope is eternal and I hope that at least some of the questions I presented could be answered satisfactorily by your Worship and/or staff.

Gyula Kiss

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Council meeting - September 8, 2008

REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM

TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2008
IN THE LAVINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GYMNASIUM
9715 SCHOOL ROAD, COLDSTREAM, BC
AT 7:00 PM

DELEGATIONS

Page 1 a. Lavington Playground
· Email from Lavington Parents Advisory Committee, dated September 3, 2008

Caroline O’Neill will be in attendance to speak to this matter.

Page 11 b. Okanagan Basin Water Board – Program Review

· Water Management Program Review 2006-2009, dated for reference, September 2, 2008

Anna Warwick Sears will be in attendance to speak to this matter.

Page 313 c. Violation of Development Variance Permit (Kozin/Ivanoff)

· Letter from Michael Kozin, dated September 3, 2008

Michael Kozin and Boris Ivanoff will be in attendance to speak to this matter

d. Pedestrian/Bicycle Lane Along Kalamalka Lake Road and Fire Department Organization and Constitution John Hegler will be in attendance to speak to these matters.

e. Master Water Plan

Gyula Kiss will be in attendance to speak to this matter.

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Invitation to a Family Picnic and Celtic Concert.

Hi Gyula,

On a happier note than the upcoming Coldstream Council Meeting on Monday night - I was wondering if you could forward to all the Rate Payers information about a Music Concert on the Lawns of the Mackie Lake House on Sunday night Sept . 7th (yes tomorrow).

I am now confident that the weather will cooperate and it should be a wonderful show - the Cats and the Fiddle is a six person band lead by Susan Aylard one of the First Violins for the Okanagan Symphony. They will be playing an eclectic mix of Celtic, Classical, and popular tunes and they do wonderful vocals and harmonies. Christine Pilgrim (a local actress) will be there as Mrs. Mackie (our hostess) and I have just heard that Rosemary Thomson (the conductor/music director, of the Okanagan Symphony) and her family will also be there (with a photographer from Okanagan Life Magazine).

I think this is a great event for all of Coldstream - the Mackie Lake House is something we should all be proud of !

All proceeds from the concert go to benefit the Okanagan Symphony in Vernon. Tickets will be available at the Gate.

Hope to see you there

Cheers,

Maria

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Readers write -- Troubling experience......

Good Afternoon Coldstreamer,

Wanted to pass along a particularly troubling experience I had on Thursday. As you know, the area will lose a vital employer October 31st, Owens-Illinois, glass manufacturer. I've worked there for a number of years and the condition of Hill Drive has caused numerous problems due to its ongoing poor condition. I can probably count on one hand the number of shovel fulls of asphalt that have been used to fill the many potholes in the last decade or so. Now, 60 days before the plant closes, the District decides to repair the road. I can't describe to you the fury of anger that came over me as I read the notice of the road's closure for re-surfacing less than 24 hours before work started. How insulting I thought to myself. Years of putting up with a sub-standard road, used by the district's largest employer, while council decides that its priority is to install speed bumps on Westkal Road.

I sent an email to Wendy Kay to express my utter disgust at this project occurring at this time and asked her to cancel it until the plant was closed and was no longer an inconvience to this district. She replied that the road had not been a priority with council until this year. What a complete crock. I have a hard time believing that the road repair is being carried out due to an anticipated disappearance of traffic on the road. In my view, the plant has been treated poorly by Kay and her administration for so long. Her response was that the district may be sued by the contractor if it was cancelled. My reply to her was that the impending hardship and loss of a $20 million dollar payroll made her short sighted lawsuit fears pale in comparison. I am still in utter dismay at the timliness of this road repair, irregardless if it was planned prior to the closure. It is a huge insult to the 300 people about to hit the unemployment line, an event that is largely due to a government (Stephen Harper's Reformers) that has allowed American corporations to destroy our manufacturing base with a response of oh well, too bad that's "just business".

As you can tell, this stupidity on behalf of the district of Coldstream has added a level of disgust to an already disgusting situation (Lavington plant closure).

Sincerely,

Tim Werry

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New ratepayer ready for duty -- By Jennifer Smith

Published: September 05, 2008 4:00 PM
Updated: September 05, 2008 9:18 PM

Heated community topics like the sports complex and a loss of rural living have re-ignited the political fire under Steve Heeren.

Since sitting politically dormant for the past seven years, Heeren has stepped up to the plate as the Coldstream Ratepayers Association’s new president.

Following Gyula Kiss (who temporarily held the position after Andy Danyliu resigned in March), Heeren admits he’s got a lot to learn. But he’s ready to put his burning passion for Coldstream to work.

The retired psychology professor has been living in Coldstream since 1995 and was a good friend of Paddy Mackie.

He’s served two terms on Coldstream’s Advisory Planning Commission and has attended several public meetings.

But it was the sports complex debate that re-ignited the political fire in 70-year-old Heeren.

“Right away my antenna were up on this issue,” said Heeren, who was among the majority of residents who voted against the complex.

Another issue that Heeren feels strongly about is the rural feel of Coldstream.

He recites Margaret Ormsby’s book Nulli secundus.

“To me she’s right, nulli secundus, Coldstream is second to none.”

But with recent growth he can only laugh at such things as Coldstream’s old saying ‘Rural Living at its Best.’

“My private agenda is I’d like to keep Coldstream like it was in 1995, but that’s too late,” said Heeren, who moved to the area from Saskatchewan.

An example is right from the picture window of his lake and mountain view home, where he has watched Middleton Mountain evolve into what it is today – covered in pavement and homes.

He says it won’t be long until there’s a house on every square inch of all of Coldstream’s hills.

So when Heeren came across the Coldstream Ratepayers Association he didn’t waste any time in taking out a membership.

“I really like this organization because it’s grassroots,” he said.

Heeren’s been involved in other such grassroot efforts, such as a Kelowna demonstration before the war in Iraq started.

But trying to get a message across to George W. Bush from an Okanagan rally wasn’t working very well.

So when he joined the CRA in May, he thought: “It’s time to think globally and act locally.”

Times have also changed, as Heeren has observed over his lifetime, making it easier to reach at least the local politicians.

“You can fight city hall, whereas when I grew up the message was you can’t fight city hall.”

He is also a strong believer in democracy and education (something that is evident not just as a former professor, but by the stacks of books in and around his coffee table, including a dictionary sprawled open in the middle).

He has offered a couple of philosopher cafes at the Mackie House, taught a class at Okanagan College and is currently giving lectures for the Society for Open Learning and Discussion on psychoanalysis.

When he doesn’t have his nose buried deep inside a book or pressed up to the computer, he plays tennis or badminton,

Heeren is a father of three grown girls, who live in Montreal.

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Rules get ratepayers riled up -- By Jennifer Smith

Published: September 05, 2008 4:00 PM
Updated: September 05, 2008 9:18 PM

The Coldstream Ratepayers Association says democracy is being muzzled.

The District of Coldstream has denied the CRA from appearing as a delegation at Monday’s council meeting in Lavington.

The reason is due to the topic of the CRA’s presentation – the dismissal of fire chief Leo Lecavalier.

The district says the issue is in-camera (to protect the employee) and therefore no public opportunity to address council on the issue will be permitted. Written letters will be accepted and may be considered by council at an in-camera meeting.

“This refusal of council to permit a delegation of ratepayers to present our concerns, along with council’s threat to ‘discipline’ any firefighters who speak out on the issue implies a concerted effort to muzzle public discussion on an issue all ratepayers need to be fully aware of,” said Steve Heeren, CRA’s new president.

The CRA had held a meeting on the issue of Lecavalier’s dismissal Aug. 21 and was hoping to present its resolutions to council.

The resolutions, passed at the packed meeting, read: (1) that the fire chief be immediately reinstated, (2) that Coldstream council publicly provide an explanation for its decision to fire Leo, partly in order to restore his status in the community and squelch rumors swirling around the issue, and (3) that resolutions one and two be presented to council by a delegation from the CRA at its next meeting.

Although the fire department has stated that public safety remains a priority, there are fears that the members may disband in protest.

“What would the consequences for taxpayers be, if it should happen that our volunteers simply quit?” questions Heeren. “At a huge annual expense we would be stuck with a ‘professional’ firefighter squad, not likely to be any more qualified than our present volunteer firefighters.”

Therefore the CRA is urging all Coldstream citizens to attend Monday’s council meeting in Lavington, in the Lavington Elementary school gymnasium on School Road at 7 p.m.

The CRA also invites the public to its next meeting Sept. 18 at the Women’s Institute Hall from 7 to 9 p.m.

There the civic elections will be the highlight of discussions.

“We need to start thinking and planning about getting councillors in Coldstream who are genuinely responsive to the concerns of the public,” said Heeren.

“I’m not for in-camera, I’m for openness,” said Heeren in a previous interview with The Morning Star. “Democracy is our only hope.”

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Fun time (especially for our lawyer members).

Charlotte, North Carolina

A lawyer purchased a box of very rare and expensive cigars, then insured them against, among other things, fire.

Within a month, having smoked his entire stockpile of these great cigars and without yet having made even his first premium payment on the policy, the lawyer filed a claim against the insurance company.

In his claim, the lawyer stated the cigars were lost in a Κ½series of small fires.ΚΌ

The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason, that the man had consumed the cigars in the normal fashion.

The lawyer sued and WON!

(Stay with me here.)

Delivering the ruling, the judge agreed with the insurance company that the claim was frivolous. The judge stated nevertheless, that the lawyer held a policy from the company, which it had warranted that the cigars were insurable and also guaranteed that it would insure them against fire, without defining what is considered to be unacceptable 'fire' and was obligated to pay the claim.

Rather than endure lengthy and costly appeal process, the insurance company accepted the ruling and paid $15,000 to the lawyer for his loss of the cigars lost in the 'fires'.

NOW FOR THE BEST PART...

After the lawyer cashed the check, the insurance company had him arrested on 24 counts of ARSON!!!

With his own insurance claim and testimony from the previous case being used against him, the lawyer was convicted of intentionally burning his insured property and was sentenced to 24 months in jail and a $24,000 fine.

This is a true story and was the First Place winner in the recent
Criminal Lawyers Award Contest.

ONLY IN AMERICA , NO WONDER OTHER COUNTRIES THINK WE'RE NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Letter to the Editor -- Morning Star

This letter was sent to the Morning Star by the President of Coldstream Ratepayers Association. Unfortunately, it was too late to make the Sunday edition. However, readers of this blog can read it in advance of the eventual publication.
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OPEN LETTER TO THE RATEPAYERS AND CITIZENS OF COLDSTREAM

As you know a decision by Council was taken, behind closed doors, to fire (sorry -- "let go") the Fire Chief (Leo Lecavalier) of our volunteer firefighters. No reasons were given publicly for his dismissal but we were assured by Councillor Mary Malerby that it had nothing to do with his abilities as a fireman.

At its meeting of August 21 the Coldstream Ratepayers Association (CRA), along with over 150 other upset members of the public, unanimously passed three resolutions: 1) that the Fire Chief be immediately reinstated; 2) that Coldstream Council publicly provide an explanation for its decision to fire Leo, partly in order to restore his status in the community and squelch the rumors swirling around the issue; and 3) that resolutions 1 and 2 be presented to Council by a delegation from the CRA at the next meeting of Council.

Our requests to be placed on the agenda of the next meeting of Council (Sept. 8 in Lavington) have been denied -- my second request not even meriting a reply!

This refusal of Council to permit a delegation of ratepayers to present our concerns, along with Council's threat to "discipline" any firefighters who speak out on the issue implies a concerted effort to muzzle public discussion on an issue all ratepayers need to be fully aware of -- what would the consequences for taxpayers be, if it should happen that our volunteers simply quit? At a huge annual expense we would be stuck with a "professional" firefighter squad, not likely to be any more qualified than our present volunteer firefighters.

We urge all Coldstream ratepayers and citizens who are angry or upset with this charade to attend the Council meeting on Sept. 8 and give our Councillors a piece of your mind, even though we appear to be denied permission to present our concerns in public.

The next civic elections for Coldstream are being held in early November and it is important that we all begin focussing on getting a new set of Councillors to replace that rump of Council (including the Mayor) which has gone along with this every step of the way.

Accordingly, I invite all of you to the next meeting of the Coldstream Ratepayers Association (Thursday, Sept 18, Women's Institute Hall, 7 to 9 PM) where we need to start thinking and planning about getting Councillors in Coldstream who are genuinely responsive to the concerns of the public.

Steve Heeren, President
Coldstream Ratepayers Association

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Administration explains.

Yes, our regular posting place is the District bulletin board. Unfortunately, there was an internet communication problem with our web master and he did not receive the posting until this afternoon.

Wendy Kay

Chief Administrative Officer

9901 Kalamalka Road

Coldstream, BC V1B-1L6

Phone: 545-5304 Fax: 545-4733

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Some thoughts about last night's Special Council meeting.

Special meetings called by Council must be posted at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. last night's meeting might have been posted on the bulletin board in the Municipal Hall but it was not posted in advance on the website. With the available technology, Administration should be encouraged to use this technology to inform the public of special meetings.

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Remember when... -- By Jennifer Smith

Vernon Morning Star Published: September 04, 2008

Remember when.....

Respect used to given freely. Now it’s tossed aside with the morning trash.

Whether it was your boss, your grandparents, politician or older sibling, everyone had your respect. But now respect seems to be fading as quickly as the summer’s warmth.

One fine example of this is how disrespectful the District of Coldstream is coming across to taxpayers, and particularly the fire departments.

The fact that the council fired a man who has dedicated himself to the community’s safety by volunteering his time for nearly 25 years is a complete slap in the face. Leo Lecavalier was dismissed as fire chief Aug. 1, and although a month has passed, community furor is still fresh.

But it’s the history behind how a fire department operates that has really been disrespected.

The Coldstream Fire Department is strictly volunteer. Members do receive a small annual payment for their services. It’s far below what they deserve, but remember, they don’t do it for the money – hence the term volunteer.

Like so many other departments, Coldstream’s members are screened and voted in by the membership. It is also the membership who votes on the chief.

Coldstream council claims it has final approval on the chief and every member. While that may be true, the dismissal of a chief is traditionally not a role any municipality takes on.

The fact that council rammed a decision down the throat of the fire department, against its members' wishes, is beyond disrespectful to every one in the department.

Council not only disrespected the membership’s decision to have Lecavalier as their chief, but council did it behind closed doors, without first consulting with those very members who voted the fire chief in.

Double slap.

Then there is the simple fact that these are our community’s heroes. They are the ones who brave the hellish face of fire to save our homes, our landscape, our environment, our lives.

History will show you that firefighters have always been highly respected in society.

Don’t Coldstream’s firefighters and fire chief deserve the same respect?

Another act of disrespect comes to both the department and the entire community as council hides behind a door of secrecy.

Due to in-camera legislation which protects the employee (Lecavalier) they will not discuss why the chief was fired. That only leaves residents to come up with their own conclusions, and the longer council remains silent the deeper those conclusions will sink in.

On top of that, Coldstream’s administrative staff will not allow the residents to voice their opinions to their elected officials at a public council meeting.

One slap for freedom of speech (actually two, if you go with a conclusion many have formulated – that Lecavalier was fired because he spoke up over displeasure of how the fire department building process was handled).

While the public’s voice is being muzzled on this issue (along with the firefighters who have been told not to discuss the situation with the media), you can write a letter and council will consider it at an in-camera meeting.

All these slaps are adding up to a heaping pile of disrespect.

Not just for the fire department or the community, but for the District of Coldstream – staff, councillors, administration and all. Because in the end, most people will not only lose their respect for the district, but their trust too.

With so much disrespect, it can only breed more harsh feelings, which is in turn putting respect further along the endangered species list.

It sure makes you miss the good old days when high regard was respected.

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Special in-camera meeting of Council -- 09-04-08 (tonight).

SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM

TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2008
IN THE MUNICIPAL HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
9901 KALAMALKA ROAD, COLDSTREAM, BC
AT 8:30 PM

A G E N D A

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. RESOLUTION TO ADJOURN TO IN-CAMERA

Recommendation

THAT Council adjourn to an In-Camera meeting to discuss issues related to:

Section 90(1)(i) of the Community Charter.

3. ADJOURNMENT

Section 90 (1) (i) the receipt of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose;

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Readers write -- Some afterthoughts concerning the firing of our Fire Chief

As council and city hall have refused to come clean on the motives behind the summary dismissal of our fire chief and has threatened the remaining volunteer firemen with reprisals if they went public about their concerns, it has become the cause of much speculation and rumor within the community.

Whatever the reasons for dismissal are it is still important to ask the question about what this action really signifies. It may be more than a simple personal disagreement between two competing interests as I suggested in an earlier speculation. It may be the first sign of a huge change to fire protection in Coldstream in the near future. Namely, city clerk and council have decided that Coldstream has outgrown the services of a volunteer fire department and that for legal and security reasons it needs to upgrade to a full time professional fire department. How would that sit with you?

Think about it, when Coldstream was just a small largely rural population center, septic tanks and volunteer fire department were entirely adequate. Then when the 'old boys', with substantial property interests, noticed a demand for more single residential properties, by an influx of newcomers and they decided to take financial advantage of the situation by subdividing their land or selling to developers. It became imperative to produce an official community development plan that would require sewer service to higher density population areas [subdivisions]. It does seem rather odd that they decided on the layout of sewer lines even before they had the geotechnical information in hand. That is, which areas had poor underground drainage and would require sewer rather than septic. Also, it's curious that residents petitioned on proposed sewer line routes were overwhelmingly against putting in the lines. No matter, the lines were put in, 'we know what's best for you'. Since Coldstream Meadows is located beside Coldstream Creek it needed a sewer line, so council extended the line at our cost to help Borden with his proposed development and on top of that payed him an optional $250,000 late comer fee for his portion of the sewer line. If that wasn't a sweetheart deal then what is? Moreover they allowed Sugoi Development to change the zoning on his property to high density so that it would require a sewer line along Aberdeen road, which coincidentally just happens to pass beside the Mayor's large land holding. It would certainly facilitate the eventual subdivision of his lands. All of the above lends itself to suspicions about the sewer agenda.

Now let's come back to the new fire halls and the firing of our chief. All the recent population growth and particularly the building of Coldstream Meadows, required the upgrading of the existing fire halls. Perhaps the volunteer fire staff were lead to believe that the halls were also built to accommodate their needs. All is well expect that the ratepayers have had to take on long term debt to service Coldstream Meadows and other proposed developments. This begs the question: did the residents of the community really want sewer lines, a new city hall, new fire halls and a mega sports complex? I think not! The agenda was driven by some influential propertied interests in Coldstream largely at the expense of the public purse [rate payers].

So now imagine what would happen if the fire Chief found out that he was redundant and expendable because the community now requires the service of a full time professional fire department. Could that explain his dismissal? Moreover, how do you feel about the fact that councils have driven development to such a level that we must now incur the additional debt burden of a professional fire department? Wouldn't it be cute if one of the councilors, who used to be a fireman, were hired as the new fire chief or member of our new fire department?

Of course these are all mere idle speculations which have no basis in fact but it does serve as food for thought. Think about it! Please be more discriminating in whom you vote for in the next municipal elections :'To Serve Your Interests'.

Your resident political observer and commentator:

Pete Peto

P.S. These opinions are in no way shared by the Coldstream Ratepayers Association and should be attributed solely to myself, a concerned ratepayer.

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Democracy shoved aside -- By Richard Rolke

Published: September 02, 2008 7:00 PM

For anyone who ever sat through a political science class, lessons about democracy always got back to a basic point — that rank-and-file citizens have a right to have their voices heard by elected officials. But I'm getting the feeling that the powers-that-be in Coldstream failed the course completely.

Resident John Hegler is concerned about the district's recent decision to dismiss volunteer fire chief Leo Lecavalier, so he decided the best way to express his views would be to appear before council Sept. 8. As the process dictates, Hegler wrote district staff asking to be added to the agenda as a delegation.

Late last week, though, Hegler received word that his request was denied because the district didn't like the subject matter.

"That's not right, that's not democratic," he said.

"I have a right as a taxpayer to ask how they voted (on firing Lecavalier)."

Wendy Kay, chief administrative officer, confirms that Hegler's request to make a presentation, as well as that from the Coldstream Ratepayers Association, has been turned down.

"It's an employment issue," she said of Lecavalier being removed from his position.

"Council is bound by different legislation and they can't discuss it in an open meeting."

Kay goes on to say that, "If people wish to provide letters, council will discuss them in-camera."

But that, quite frankly, isn't good enough when it comes to an issue that saw a veteran community volunteer shown the door.

And to say that residents can't appear before council because of provincial in-camera legislation is a complete joke. The rules only prevent council members from not openly discussing the matter. Nothing precludes them from sitting there and listening to residents provide their input. Of course they would be forced to stay quiet, and politicians being politicians, that could prove difficult for some.

Ultimately, council is telling residents that their views are unimportant and decisions can be made in isolation from those who put them there. Talk about top-down government.

As I indicated a few weeks ago, if council truly believes that firing Lecavalier was the right decision for the community, and it can be defended legally, then what is there to hide?

Why can't residents at least know which members of council voted to dismiss Lecavalier and who didn't?

We should also keep in mind that there are serious ramifications from the entire issue.

Who has the right to select the chief — council or the volunteer members of the fire department? Who has the right to determine who actually belongs to the department — district administration or the firefighters? If the volunteers get fed up with interference and walk, will the council have to hire full-time firefighters at a huge cost to taxpayers? If there is an interruption in service, will property and lives be put at risk?

I don't believe council and administration seriously considered all of the implications when the decision was made to let Lecavalier go.

But the most serious breech of judgement is telling voters that they can be seen but not heard. And that's especially true when you consider who pays their salary.

"I am their employer," said Hegler.

If democracy continues to be cast aside in Coldstream, I suspect the employers will be handing out pink slips to a few of their employees during November's civic election.

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Another salvo in the saga of the fire chief firing.

Mr. Heeren:

Your email has been passed on for a response.

Due to the nature of your resolutions, Council may only have discussions or receive comments through an In-Camera Meeting. A legal opinion has been obtained with respect to this matter. This is not to protect Council, but to protect the person involved. Leo is protected through three different legislations: Local Government Act, Community Charter, and Protection of Privacy Act.

Council would welcome written comments from residents regarding this matter, but those comments will be dealt with at an In-Camera Meeting.

Wendy Kay

Chief Administrative Officer

9901 Kalamalka Road

Coldstream, BC V1B-1L6

Phone: 545-5304 Fax: 545-4733

cc: Mayor and Council

From: Steve Heeren
Sent: Sunday, August 31, 2008 3:53 PM
To: Keri-Ann Baggett
Subject: Re: Coldstream Ratepayers Association - Resolutions from meeting of August 21, 2008

Hello, Keri-Ann:

I was very disheartened by this denial of our request to appear before Council to present the recent resolutions of our Ratepayers Association. The citizens and taxpayers of Coldstream have the right to present to Council resolutions passed by over 150 taxpayers regarding the firing [sorry, "letting go"] of the Fire Chief. If we can't honour and abide by this fundamental aspect of democratic process, what direction are we heading?

I want to remind you that the taxpayers are the foundation of the District of Coldstream and, thus, its governance ultimately rests in our hands. Therefore this denial of our request, based on the decision of the Administrator, contradicts the notion of democracy.

Sincerely,
Steve Heeren, President
Coldstream Ratepayers Association

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"Leo is protected through three different legislations: Local Government Act, Community Charter, and Protection of Privacy Act."

I wonder how Leo is protected by any of those pieces of legislation.

He is fired (sorry, "let go") from his job and his name is tarnished by not disclosing the reasons for his dismissal. How is that supposed to protect him? Against what?

It seems to me more like protecting administration than protecting the chief.

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Some thoughts on the "evils" of NORD.

The following excerpts were taken from the Vernon Blog as presented by Don Quixote.

Don Quixote Note: As an illustration of the amount of money that would be removed from the control of NORD if Vernon took over the Parks and Recreation Service: (These figures were taken from a spreadsheet titled 2008 'Analysis of changes in the City of Vernon Requisition')

60 (IMP.) Recreation Area #1 $7,252,536
Vernon $4,794,697, Coldstream $1,276,328, Area B $586,489 Area C $595,022

62(IMP) Multi Use Facility $2,246,200
Vernon $1,484,976 , Coldstream $395,295, Area B $181,643 Area C $184,286

66 (IMP) Community Theatre $1,219,500
Vernon $806,219 , Coldstream $214,612, Area B $98,617 Area C $100,052

The total amount of these 3 services for the 4 ex GVSC Participants are $10,718,236 and represent 62 % of the 2008 NORD Requisition (taxes) of $17,278,442.

Vernon's share of $7,085,892 represent 75.67% of Vernon's share of the 2008 NORD Requisition (taxes) of $9,364,415.

Two of the more important functions of NORD appears to be

Facilitating services for four jurisdictions (Vernon, Coldstream Areas B and C).

Be a scapegoat for those same jurisdictions.

Many people in Coldstream and Areas B and C would be quite happy if Vernon took over those services. After all Coldstream is contributing $1,886,235 annually, according to above list. However, if those services were not going through NORD as a Function with the four jurisdictions cooperating, the entire bill would have to be absorbed by Vernon. Coldstream could use the above funds for its own parks and recreation services.

The main point here is that the four jurisdictions agreed to form the function through NORD and all participants contribute equally on an assessment basis. Only the six Directors who form the Committee (3 from Vernon with 14 votes, 1 each from Coldstream, B and C with a total of 9 votes) participate in voting on financial matters. It is obvious that Vernon controls the purse strings as Coldstream and the B and C only have 9 votes. The rest of the NORD Board members (13 in all) only vote on the approval of borrowing and taxation as these powers cannot be delegated by the Corporate Board. It’s a rubber stamp procedure, the decisions on the mill rate of taxation or amounts of borrowing are made by the 6 participants.

This is where NORD’s other function (being the goat) comes in handy. Politicians like to blame NORD for decisions made by them in those committees. They blame NORD for the taxes that were actually approved in committees by politicians sitting on those committees.

Vernon always wanted goodwill from Coldstream and Areas B and C. The disagreements usually came when the rest of these jurisdictions expected reciprocation of goodwill. Perhaps the most glaring example of this lack of goodwill came when Coldstream requested conversion of Duteau Creek water on Middleton Mountain to Kalamalka Lake water and the request was voted down by Vernon. Cooperation should be a two way street!

NORD is what the participants make of it, nothing more, nothing less. Every taxpayer in these Functions pay the same mill rate, thus there is no reason to cry foul. The exact amount each property owner pays is controlled by the assessor.

Lastly, there is a process to leave the function and if politicians are not satisfied with the arrangement they can always pull out as Vernon has just done with part of Greater Vernon Water.

That is more or less the full story in a nutshell.

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