Heading out to a meeting on the “drought”. What drought I might ask. Everyone is talking about  the drought .

Couple of points in my humble opinion – a number of people and organizations are whipping up hysteria.

One man told me that Victoria lawns are brown and in Oliver we are wasting the water on lush parks and nice green lawns.

You have to trust someone – do you have faith in elected officials or the fear mongers. The summer is almost over – we have had fires, some dry conditions but nothing out of the regular – to me.

The hysteria in the media will probably change the mind of a couple of elected politicians soon but it is too late. Schools will be in session and other activities will replace the discussion. We can get back to the bear population, cougars in Kelowna, species at risk, mussel control. I see no relationship to orchard sprinklers and the fish stocks in the Okanagan. There are a lot of things at play and we must do more to understand that. Some accurate information and statistics on lake, river, creek and aquifers is essential.

One man told me this morning we should conserve the water in our aquifers because in an instance it could all be gone if there was an earthquake. Think about it – we would conserve to see it all disappear in an instant?

What Oliver needs is a made in Oliver plan – not a reactive knee jerk set of decisions. Here is something to think about.

Encourage people to conserve water, water barrels- just one example.  BUT most important prove by example that local government bodies are NOT wasting water while trying to preach to the locals.

Devise a policy on conservation – no sprinklers on during the day. No sprinkling/watering on sidewalks and roadways. Rain sensitive switches so you don’t water in a rainy period. Investigate more drought resistance grasses and plants.

Don’t over-react. True leadership is to plan and execute wisely.

Okay…..give it to me.