Who Dropped the Ball?

After attending the public information forum at the Community Centre last Wednesday night, it became apparent to me that the audience was divided on the impending presence of the remand centre being built north of town- some strongly for its location sighting employment and economic opportunities – others opposed, fearing a deteriorating social environment and stigma affecting the tourism industry.

One of the recurring themes in the question and answer session after the formal presentation period was: “when were the citizens of the town consulted as to whether THEY wanted the correctional institution to be located on the OIB lands?”

Oops – Someone Dropped the Ball.

The MINISTRY called for interested parties to put forth their proposals. Once in the hands of the bureaucrats they used a matrix table to evaluate the merits of the site, cost benefit analysis, etc.   All very secret.   The OIB proposal won. Did Victoria poll the local community? No. Did they have to? Should they have considered the wider implications? Definitely!

Oops – Someone Dropped the Ball.

The OSOYOOS INDIAN BAND was one of the parties that put forth a proposal to lease land at the business park on the northern edge of the reserve. Good for the band? Yes. Good for band members? Definitely. Were they legally responsible as part of their proposal to consult those living off the band lands? Should they have consulted and sought input from the town populace? Definitely!  After all, they want to have their say, when anything remotely has an impact on their culture, lifestyle or livelihood.

Oops –  Someone Dropped the Ball.

The OLIVER TOWN COUNCIL went to Victoria to support the OIB proposal and lobby to have the Okanagan Correctional Facility located near Oliver. Did the council of the day hold public meetings or a referendum to gauge the sentiment of the residents as to the impact of the prison, both positive and negative, prior to heading to the capital? No. Were they legally required? The project was not on town, regional district or crown land. Would it have been a good idea? Definitely!

Oops –  Someone Dropped the Ball.

So now, thankfully at the request of mayor Ron Hovanes, the bureaucrats emerge from Victoria, to see the whites of the eyes of those who will see benefits and drawbacks. The horse has bolted and it is too late to close the barn door I fear. As that ball rolls closer and closer to 2016, I hope that it is merely a balloon that will pop – rather than the boulder from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Russell Work