More than 50 people held a rally outside Mission municipal hall Monday afternoon in support of council’s decision last week not to construct an additional water source at Stave Lake for Mission and Abbotsford under a public private partnership (P3).
Mission citizens were supported by Chilliwack and Abbotsford residents, many waving signs stating their opposition to private involvement in the project.
Water Watch Mission-Abbotsford (WWMA) began planning the action last Friday after members heard from at least one councillor there was to be an in-camera meeting Monday afternoon. WWMA spokesperson Janet Chalmers said she became worried when the mayor didn’t respond to an e-mail questioning which items were on the agenda.
The crowd’s fear was put to rest shortly after the night’s regular council meeting began inside chambers when Mayor James Atebe assured the audience that council’s decision last week stands.
He noted that some members voted differently, but “once council makes a resolution, it’s what we will do.”
While Mission voted against the joint water project with Abbotsford, the local council deferred the vote to April 18.
