VIMC good corporate citizens
As a former resident of the Municipality of North Cowichan, and an admitted motorsport enthusiast, I have followed the events of recent weeks with some interest and have read the documentation between the muni and GAIN re VIMC.
Following the most recent rejection of the application (which I understood to have been withdrawn), I reflected on what VIMC has brought to the community.
Obviously the value of the property has been enhanced so property taxes have increases revenue for the muni.
There is business activity in terms of visitors, suppliers, utilities etc., that heretofore were not available.
As a regular contributor and participant in the annual Motor Gathering I know there has been substantial contributions made to the Cowichan District Hospital and a number of families have benefited from the generosity of GAIN and its suppliers from the event.
There has been infrastructure work completed at GAIN’s expense and no cost to the muni in areas unrelated to the track operation.
They have supported many, many community events.
Every small municipality should have such good corporate citizens.
Having done three courses on driving at VIMC, I know for a fact that these activities make for safer drivers on our public roads.
I also found it curious that 80 people who live outside the muni get to dictate that taxpayers within the muni should be exposed to potential legal liabilities in the order of $2,000-$2,500 per capita should GAIN prevail in court.
Finally, as the saying goes, those who fail to learn from history are bound to repeat it.
Several years ago the MNC approved an operation in Chemainus to process bio-waste. It was a nightmare. The odours were horrendous.
This got me to thinking.
I wonder how a rendering plant on that site might be viewed? How about a smelter of scrap metals? Not far down the road is the Bing waste facility. How about having that on the site with its odours and truck traffic.
These would all fit within the I2 zoning.
In the end, the 80 failed in their private lawsuit against GAIN and has now got the deep pockets of the muni taxpayers to go to battle for them.
Yes there was emphasis made that the decision does not affect the current operation but one has to scratch one’s head over that.
Since the proposed expansion is to the back of the property as it was presented in the original plan and whether it goes ahead or doesn’t I fail to see the logic because Ms. Rimmer et al’s current problem is not going away. Phase 1 will continue to operate well within the standards set by the MNC and self imposed limits set by GAIN themselves.
Alex Currie
North Saanich
