Dear Sir:
Open Letter to Chair and Board of Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine
April 10, 2015
Residents Advocating for a Sustainable Inclusive Environment (RafaSIE) wish to inform the Regional District Kitimat-Stikine (RDKS) that we believe the “public” we represent have no confidence in their commitment to serve the needs of the public that they are tasked to serve.
Consultations with the public, over the course of many years have exemplified the lack of sincere interest that the RDKS Board has in hearing and acknowledging the voices and concerns of its constituents.
The recent ad (March 2015 Terrace Standard) to have members of the public apply for the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine Board-directed Curbside Collection Working Group failed to gain sufficient response from the public based on the terms of reference put into place by the RDKS.
This, despite the fact that numerous community members had submitted letters requesting opportunity to sit on this proposed committee in order to provide feedback on the recently imposed Bylaw No. 640. These individuals were not informed about the application process and their letters to the board were not considered in the RDKS selection process. This example, in addition to the many public petitions and letters which, over the course of several months and years have not been heeded or respectfully responded to by RDKS administration or its Board has led to conviction by the public that the RDKS Board is incapable of adequate democratic representation.
The Collection Working Group is just one example of failure by the RDKS.
Several other “Consultative or Advisory groups” have seen resignation after resignation occur as members within saw first hand the underhanded manipulation of the RDKS administration.
Public Consultation meetings further revealed to the public that the RDKS has no intention to consider the concerns or the opinion of an engaged public. At this juncture the public recognizes that the board has become dysfunctional.
Regional District Kitimat Stikine Board Directors are sworn to serve the best interest of the public.
Evidence reveals that the apathetic response by the RDKS Board to petitions, letters, emails and presentations demonstrates public disrespect.
Current RDKS board directors have failed the public and in turn have failed to adhere to their sworn mandate. Evidence that the RDKS board is not doing so constitutes their removal.
On behalf of the more than 4,000 public voices who are represented under the title of RAfaSIE, we therefore demand that the Regional District Kitimat Stikine Board Directors elected in 2014 be removed from office.
Diana Penner,
RAfaSIE
Terrace, B.C.
