DO should not be agent for Greyound
More than one eyebrow was raised when Destination Osoyoos became the host agent for Greyhound Bus. That included the Town of Osoyoos which sent a letter to DO regarding the issue.
The problem for the town is that the public-private relationship between DO and Greyhound doesn't fit within the terms of the agreement between the town and DO, which is contracted to look after the town's economic development and tourism functions.
But there are also other questions which have been raised by many members of the community.
For example, why did DO become the host agent for Greyhound? Was Greyhound unable to come to an agreement with another private business? And if not, then why not?
Also, by taking on the Greyhound role, is Destination Osoyoos, a publicly-funded body (mostly locally funded) now in competition with private business? What's next – a fruit stand because most of the tourists come to that location anyways?rnDO chair Arnie Polischuk responded to the town's concerns in a letter at council's last public meeting. However, his response seems to be more of a threat than a response to what are very valid concerns. Basically, Polischuk says that unless an agreement can be worked out with Greyhound the bus service will leave the community. While it is hard to understand Polischuk's motives, it certainly appears as though he is trying to ensure that Greyhound stays at DO. And why wouldn't he? It brings in more than $30,000 in revenue thus creating another fulltime position at DO.
However, what DO is failing to understand is that creating more positions in their office isn't what local taxpayers signed up for when they contracted DO to look after economic development and tourism.
Instead, DO should be using this opportunity to create a partnership with Greyhound and another local private business. After all, isn't that what true economic development is all about?rn
