RDOS member communities to pay for Penticton Channel walkway maintenance

I was both astounded and disappointed with this decision.  It is certainly a slap in the face for Osoyoos taxpayers.

The Town of Osoyoos has participated in and supported many Regional projects such as the upcoming Challenge event, but to claim that the maintenance of the channel walkway is of regional significance is preposterous.

It is obvious that this was a Penticton-centric decision.  All but one Similkameen/Princeton directors and the Town and Area directors of Oliver and Osoyoos (excluding Chair Pendergraft) were opposed.

There is no developed policy on regional trails and no definition of maintenance other than the definition in the just passed contract.

This was a money issue so it was a weighted vote and Penticton rules in that format.  Had it been a simple majority vote the results may have been different.

On the brighter side, these decisions along with Rural land use procedures where the Towns have no vote, further highlight the ineffectiveness and unfairness of this Regional District model of governance for municipalities.

Stu Wells

Mayor  |  Town of Osoyoos  |  8707 Main Street, Box 3010, Osoyoos BC V0H 1V0