A couple of dangerous highway intersections, meat licences and manure management are among the issues being championed by local politicians in hopes of some provincial support.
Coldstream has set up a list of topics and corresponding ministers to meet with at the Union of B.C. Municipalities in Whistler Sept. 22 to 26.
Most of the issues being brought to the ministerial meetings aren’t new, but it’s hoped that perseverance will pay off.
Coldstream is requesting a meeting with Agricultural Minister Norm Letnick to share its support for the Agricultural Land Reserve (in light of recent changes) and to get an update on manure management regulations.
“They had a white paper on that and it kind of died,” said Mayor Jim Garlick of regulations which Coldstream has been pushing for over the past several years.
It’s also hoped that the Regional District of North Okanagan will meet with Letnick over meat licences.
“Before the election, the provincial government has promised to bring licences back to our area,” said Coun. Richard Enns. “That has yet to happen.”
Coldstream will also be asking RDNO to request a meeting with Minister of Transportation Todd Stone over the dangerous intersection of Highway 97 and Birnie Road.
“Improvements are needed to improve public safety and prevent any future tragedies,” states Trevor Seibel, Coldstream’s CAO in a report.
Coldstream also hopes to meet with Stone on an extension of Highway 6 work to improve the King Eddy intersection with acceleration and deceleration lanes.
The Kal Lake lookout is also on the agenda with the province again.
“I think that’s an important one to look at,” said Coun. Pat Cochrane.
Coldstream is also looking to meet with Environment Minister Mary Polak on Coldstream Creek testing and the issue of testing being downloaded on Greater Vernon Water Authority.
“That is to me beyond their ability or mandate,” said Coun. Maria Besso.
Coun. Gyula Kiss is also hoping to get RDNO to request a meeting with Coralee Oakes, community development minister, regarding grants for water separation.
“We tried last year,” said Kiss.
Seibel, Garlick, Besso, Enns and Coun. Peter McClean are all planning to attend the conference.
Five rooms have been booked but Besso will be seeking alternative accommodations in order to save costs.
