This conceptual drawing presented to councillors in their agenda package shows what the completed new fire hall could look like. Council has backed away from a referendum.
Dear Editor:
After many weeks of reading letters from individuals, usually the same few, speaking out against the new fire hall, I am now speaking out to show another perspective on this issue.
I have been to the open house at the fire hall as well as the public hearing. I have spoken to members of the Osoyoos Volunteer Fire Department and have seen with my own eyes what the issues are with the current hall and why a new one is needed.
I listened carefully at the public hearing and from what I can see there are two “issues” that some seem to be hung on up; the alternative approval process and the cost.
Firstly, we are getting our say, our vote.
If you are not in favour of the town borrowing the money needed to build the fire hall then you can express this by filling out the paperwork at town hall.
If you are in favour then you have your vote by not filling out the paper work. Plain and simple.
Just because this process is not the traditional method of checking a box on a piece of paper, does not mean that the voters are not getting their say.
As to why council chose this method, maybe they actually felt that the taxpayers of Osoyoos would see the need for this project and would actually stand behind protecting public safety in our community.
As to the cost, yes it is a big bill, however, construction is expensive and will only get more expensive.
In the article about his intent to run for mayor, Mr. Vandenberg referred to the new fire being built in Nanaimo costing only $3.2 million suggesting that the price tag for ours is outrageous.
What he does not tell you is that Nanaimo currently has five fire halls serving that community and that this station will be the sixth.
Yes, they are capable of building smaller fire halls at a lower cost because there are five more readily accessible to them should they need help.
This is our ONLY fire hall, which covers a massive area including the Indian Band Land and Rural Fire Protection District (who have already voted to contribute financially bringing the town cost to $4 million).
Also the new hall contains space for emergency operations should the need ever arise in our community as well as training facilities for the firefighters.
The cost to taxpayers is less than $50/year or one cup of Tim Horton’s coffee a month.
I know the safety of my family and friends is worth far more than that to me.
Let’s face it, the issues with the current fire hall, including Worksafe BC infractions, were identified seven years ago.
This process has been delayed long enough.
This fire hall in needed now.
Our community needs it now. Our fire department volunteers, who put their lives on the line with every call, need it now.
Thank you for allowing me to write about this.
Cheryl Smith,
Osoyoos, B.C.
