Richard Rolke’s opinion piece (Decision falls flat – Feb. 20) is right on the money. Starting with his closing statement, I would like to elaborate and point out that it is not just in the area of starling control that the current council fails to deliver the goods to the residents of Enderby and its rural areas.
This council has steadfastly refused to see the highway re-alignment project for the farce that it is. That the previous council gave their approval to the ill-thought-out plan we citizens are trying to muddle our way through, is no excuse.
Politicians, at any level, are responsible to the electorate. Let me say to you, council: we, the electorate, are not impressed.
Numerous business owners and private citizens have spoken to various council members about the impact of this transportation debacle and the consensus seems to be that its a fait accompli.
Then there was the panhandler. It took numerous complaints to city hall, the mayor’s residence and the RCMP by citizens and business owners before Enderby city council took the belated step of drafting a panhandling bylaw.
Several stores experienced a loss of income from patrons apprehensive about being accosted yet again. That this bylaw didn’t already exist is another puzzle, given that every other municipality in the Okanagan seems to have one.
Now, the starling control. The attitude of this council can best be summed up by two statements that Mr. Rolke quotes.
Mayor Cyr says that. “Council believes that its not a major problem in our area.” Councillor Case adds, “We don’t have any grapes and council thought the money could be better used elsewhere.”
The major disconnect evidenced by these statements is quite alarming.
Perhaps it’s time that Enderby city council looked past the borders of its own myopic little world and took a look at the bigger picture.
I, for one, would be more than happy to contribute my portion of $601 to help eradicate a nasty little avian pest. That would be money better spent than $15,000 to re-brand our little city.
Hey, wait a minute, we could become famous as the starling capital.
Mark Levey
Enderby
