Credibility lost after only one council meeting

Editor:rnIt took only one council meeting for the current council to lose its credibility. At the Dec. 12 public hearing on two rezoning bylaws, there was an overwhelming opposition expressed to the proposal to change the Swan/Finch/Main St. single family zoning to high-density institutional assisted living space. Yet, the only councillor who heard the opposition, Alan Carswell, was 1000s of kilometers away. The councillors who were at the hearing chose to ignore the opposition and in a well-rehearsed display at the Dec. 19th council meeting, they brought forward the Osoyoos Community Plan amendment change and then voted in the rezoning. As Councillor Carswell was not in on the early discussions, he was left out in the cold, or maybe he chose to be left out so that his integrity would remain intact. He made a motion to abandon the proposed change in light of the public opposition but no other councillor would back him up so the charade continued.
In recent editions of the Times and on TV, the mayor alluded that changes needed to be made and that listening to the people was important. Well Mr. Mayor, actions speak much louder than your words.
At the open forum Councillor Cronmiller stated, We need to hear what the people say. What did Ted hear?rnCouncillor Wells in his campaign office and in public pronouncements stated he was listening and that we could hold him accountable. I thought he meant listening to his constituents or his conscience. Is this accountability?rnThe chatter at the council meeting table was that this could still be turned down or stopped if the developer didn't adjust things. No safeguards were put in place. The land is now rezoned. Maybe this developer should/could now sell it and let a high rise or other monstrosity be built.
Not only has this council lost its credibility; it has lost my trust and that of many of my neighbors. Farce, and Foney are still in the Town's vocabulary. FAIR has not made it there, it is still an illusion.
A.J. Albo, Osoyoos

Editor:rnAfter our recent election our mayor realized he had won his seat by approximately 40 per cent of the vote.
He made a statement admitting he was surprised and would give the matter some serious consideration.
I thought this is good, he has seen the light and as a representative of all the citizens perhaps he will try to get council to consider the wishes of the other 60% of our taxpaying citizens.
However it seems a single developer gets more consideration than the taxpayers: approx. 1 developer for this project and 34 property owners against rezoning.
At the public hearing there were 6 written submissions against and none for. Of the 10 speakers 9 said no.
So I would say to mayor and council if they believe in a democratic vote why don't they advise the developer to not waste more money on this project that is not properly zoned and help him find a property that is zoned right.
We can't blame developers for trying to make big bucks through rezoning but we should be able to trust our mayor and council to put the rights of our citizens ahead of the developers who do not respect all the neighbours nor our zoning laws.
I would suggest to our council they get an OCP in place quickly, even if they have to hire extra help, because this rezoning willy nilly must stop before it tears this town apart.
S.J. StromgrenrnOsoyoos

rnEditor:rnIn Dec. 14 paper I wrote thanking Jamie Elder of Unity Board Sports for his many contributions toward building the new skateboard park. However, I neglected to also thank Jamie's 'better half' Gillian Buchanan for her hard work and infinite patience.
I apologize for my oversight and thank you, Jill!rnLauni HamptonrnOsoyoos

rnEditor:rnPer the information on pages 9 and 10 of the Fortis BC Capital Plan posted on their website www.fortisbc.com, this proposed power line will be running along Highway 3 from east Osoyoos to west Osoyoos. A line of this size and height will have a debilitating effect on our view and property value.
Please re-considerer this proposal by doing one of the following:rn1. Install the cables underground.
2. Coordinate the overhead line along the base of the Anarchist Mountain to the north end of the lake. Provide a new substation here.
3. Run the cables beneath the lake bottom.
As taxpayers, we object to the current proposal from Fortis.
Please advise what is happening with this power line plan.
Dwayne and
Debbie Gargusrn