Scheffler-Shields meet to discuss issue of town boundary expansion
Boundary expansion has to be an issue the town and rural area work on together, according to two prominent elected officials.
Town of Osoyoos councillor Tom Shields, who was just elected in a byelection, and Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen Area 'A' director Eike Scheffler met on January 26 to find common ground on the parameters and implications of boundary expansion by the Town of Osoyoos, which is planned for this spring.
Both men agreed the best solution to not only expansion but other issues is to become a district municipality, so both sets of interests are working in concert.
Shields said if the town and the rural district present a united front, it will be easier to deal with the provincial government.
When you're in agreement, you stand a way better chance of getting what you want. If we're all on the same page, it's difficult for the provincial government to say no, Shields said.
Scheffler said despite the possible perception he is against boundary expansion, he has not made a decision on the matter.
I'm not for or against boundary expansion, I just have more questions than answers, Scheffler said.
But Scheffler also said he saw no need to rush into boundary expansion.
Why rush? There's no hurry, and we have to live with this decision forever. Once the boundaries have been expanded, it'll be very difficult to go back, he said.
He added if boundary expansion were to fail, establishing sewers for the lakeshore would also fall apart.
And sewers have to be our number one priority, he said.
Scheffler also pointed to the money being spent on the Osoyoos airport and other major projects could be better used to improve the sewer system.
Both Scheffler and Shields emphasized the importance of creating a unified front, not only for boundary expansion, but for continued economic and social development in Osoyoos.
If we do things in a piecemeal fashion, it'll destroy the community, he said.
Shields also noted many people who own businesses in the community live in the rural district,and vice versa.
Shields said he encourages both the town and RDOS Area 'A' to come together into a district municipality.
It's not rural joining the town, it's joining our own entity, Shields said.
He added with a unified front, a district municipality would be able to plan further ahead into the community's future.
Both Shields and Scheffler agreed while boundary expansion may appear to be a politically driven issue, it should be a process where everyone has input. Scheffler said the process should be taken out of the political realm and dealt with on the basis of available information.
It shouldn't be the regional district or town council's sole decision, Scheffler said.
He also dismissed what he said are perceptions that the rural district freeloads due to a lower tax base compared to the town.
But Scheffler said rural residents do all their shopping in Osoyoos and pay into service agreements with the town, which mitigates to an extent disparities in taxation.
Is it fair? I don't know; but if we're all together in a district municipality, then it is fair for everybody, Scheffler said.
