It looks like we can chalk up another costly debacle to the inability of our local governments to get along and co-ordinate themselves. The recent turndown of the proposed sports facility was blamed mainly on a clear lack of vision and co-ordinated proposal by the various local governments.
This sounds similar to the recent lengthy, costly and dysfunctional attempts to agree on a regional parks plan, not to mention the water wars. Should I go on?
The real losers here are the local youth, athletes and families that are left with no facilities to properly train, compete and spectate at.
A town this size to be without even a modest regulation running track or football field is completely ridiculous! Think of the numerous events and competitions that are passing by our city which relies heavily on tourism.
We as taxpayers are also losers. The local governments do not mention the true cost of all this infighting and inability to co-ordinate efforts.
Consultants, lawyers, city planners and staff are being kept busy coming up with plans, ideas and legal arguments to forward their ill-fated but honest attempts to improve our region.
When these ideas and plans are shot down who is left picking up the tab for no results?….the taxpayer!
Has anybody actually tallied up the hundreds of thousands of dollars wasted that could have gone into improvements?
I know that amalgamation is almost a swear word in this area, especially in Coldstream, but it would help to put an end to the constant infighting and jockeying for position amongst local governments.
The duplication of services that should all be under one roof is also a huge cost to the local taxpayers.
Amalgamation (oops I said it again) may be our only option if we as a region and community plan on moving ahead and gaining the proper co-ordinated infrastructure needed to sustain our Okanagan lifestyle.
I for one call for an end to the madness! Let’s amalgamate before we waste anymore taxpayers money. Lets move forward as a region with a united vision and plan for our future…does anyone else agree?
L. Pearson
Vernon
