Here is a quick view of what happened of interest at the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen:

1. Resolution on Smart Meters and high Fortis electrical bills proposed by Area C Director was voted down – unanimously including Allan Patton. The wordy motion, it was argued, was convoluted and needed another look. It most likely won’t be seen again.

2. Directors finally approved wording in a motion on the method of raising $1.6 million dollars for a new fire dispatch radio system. A counter petition method is being used to get approval from voters. 6864 people would have to disagree with the borrowing and then a referendum might be held.

On the operational side another consultant reported today to allay fears about the decision made to construct tower apparatus on Okanagan Mtn. to link all fire departments to the dispatch center in Kelowna.

The main argument today given by CAO Bill Newell – this new system has a back up but will be radio based – so redundancy is now built in. Other operational issues will be discussed and decided upon by fire chiefs. Both Summerland and Osoyoos who expressed concern about a loss to the system voted in favour of the motion – so it appears that a green light is now showing at the intersection.

RDOS Director Michael Brydon (West Bench) said he had spent at least 20 hours of deliberation on this one subject and the board had beaten the issue to death.

3. A letter from the former Rural Director for Hedley Elf Christensen was received only – with a request asking for board support of a proposed Telus Mobility tower to service the area. Because a number of people objected to the idea – Telus moved on to other priorities. The current area director Angelique Wood says until the stated concerns are addressed she wants to represent all interests – not just one side.  She says 45 people in a survey stated they liked the tower idea but not the location.