The twice-yearly inconclusive bulk garbage pickup in the RDN was eliminated over two years ago but our property tax did not reflect a decrease and an increase of illegal dumping in the back-country is noted. We should return to that program again.
Another smoldering issue, despite many inquiries to the RDN and Ministry of Environment for several years requesting that the regional Horne Lake Park acquire a connection to Terasen’s underlying natural gas line that is on site and therefore rid itself of the 20-hours plus daily usage of an on-site diesel generator and it’s resulting unrelenting pollution.
I am told last year that this would cost approximately $175,000 and further studies would be required.
Submissions to the RDN’s budget this year included this request yet somehow the RDN figures that a $100,000 Zamboni is more important.
I look at this and realize that the Oceanside Place complex has saddled us with long-term surcharges on our property taxes, as well as the pending upkeep for that facility and the water monitoring referendum and the Arrowsmith Dam.
Too many surcharges are bleeding us but a longstanding request that can wean the district and potentially the Horne Lake cabin owners off extreme fossil fuel emissions seems to be at the very bottom heap of any priorities here.
Peter Bolten
Parksville
