I am not a rural resident but I would like to talk about four subjects not covered in the last thought piece about a District Municipality

taxes

roads

zoning

governance

If a district municipality is to be made attractive – taxes have to be assessed on the same basis as they are now. If you live in the rural area I doubt you have sidewalks and signal lights, storm sewers or neighbourhood parks and therefore should not have to pay the same as those in the village. Cost of sewer service, water service, garbage/recycling, parks, fire service should be consistent with all homeowners.

If the idea of getting into a Greater Oliver is to be attractive – the maintenance of rural roads is a big issue and a costly one.  The Government of BC could continue to maintain with the cost being carried by all those within the new circle on a sliding scale starting at 5% and ending at 100% in 20 years. The agreement could leave Black Sage, Tucelnuit Drive, Sawmill Road as transport corridors maintained by the province.

If the idea of joining two juridiscations is thought as desirable – two OCP’s must first be respected and then joined. But the village area must be designed to go up in density and the rural agricultural area planned for the retention of farmland with limited or no growth of any subdivisions and multi-family buildings needing sewers. All land in the ALC would remain in the “green belt” – and not be thought as more fodder for the land speculators.

The area(s) selected to be adjoined should be carefully selected – encompassing a variation of the domestic water distribution system and the fire district. It should not try to encompass Willowbrook, Upper Fairview or areas east of the OIB. It might not be designed to handle anything north of McAlpine Bridge (meaning Gallagher or Vaseux)

Governance – rural areas within should retain a representative from the north and the south, the village 2 – all councillors and a Mayor elected at large. 2 other councillors could be elected at large.  One table in Oliver – decisions made by people from Oliver about our community. And the table no bigger than it is now. Responsible government elected by the people.

What would the positive results be: Decisions on heritage, parks, fire, policing, zoning, land use, growth and development discussed and decided upon in our District.

Initiatives to bring us together (in the past) have resulted in a fine park & recreation system and a great fire department. More can be done.

Jack Bennest

(The topic of a district municipality was brought up in an open council meeting recently and I challenged those participating that day to put their thoughts on paper and send to ODN. With today’s submission – that makes two of council who have explained their views.)