Economic development should be under town control
We agree with councillor Tom Shields that economic development should be moved back under the direct control of the Town of Osoyoos.
In fact, the sooner the better.
The reason is simple – accountability.
Currently, the town politicians and staff have little, if any, control over economic development issues. Those are handled by Destination Osoyoos, which is controlled by its own self-appointed board.
Thus, instead of having the ability to make decisions on a case-by-case basis, the town's politicians (who are the only taxpayer-elected representatives of this town) are simply left with one hammer when it comes to setting the direction for economic development in this community, and that is to pull the funding. It is a flawed system.
Having a diverse board that looks at important economic development issues makes sense, but that board should have to answer to the town's politicians, not to itself.
The recent public hearing in which Destination Osoyoos spoke in favour of a 12-storey tower is a perfect example of how this system doesn't work.
The role of an economic development committee is not to speak out in favour of specific developments but to look at opportunities that exist within the community and try to help expediate those economic opportunites that mesh with the community's own vision for itself.
That vision must be set by those elected to represent this community, and no one else. However, as long as unelected people are allowed to set that vision, Osoyoos will continue to operate with a flawed system.
