Area C director Allan Patton can’t think of another name for the street re-naming initiative, so he calls it “the project from hell.”
That was the term he used at last week’s meeting on the budget and priorities for rural Oliver.
Patton said he is hiring someone to assist residents with their new house numbers, which is critical for emergency services. The director said the Willowbrook Fire Department is assisting residents in that area.
The next priority Patton discussed was bringing sewer services to Gallagher Lake (on the west side of Highway 97). He said there isn’t enough money right now to sewer the east side. The goal is to establish a sewer system to service future development at Gallagher Lake. Patton said he hopes the new whiskey distillery proponents are happy with the news.
Another priority the director talked about is expanding the trail network in the area (north of McAlpine Bridge to Vaseux Lake).
Other priorities include keeping residents better informed of Area C issues; enhancing the relationship with the Osoyoos Indian Band; and improving the local transit system.
Patton said improving air quality in the region continues to be on his radar. He noted the proposed smoke control bylaw did not work very well, but they are still trying to encourage people to use efficient stoves and burn responsibly by not creating a lot of smoke.
Resident Gordon Kirby questioned Patton on how far is he going to push to keep the status quo on burning. Kirby acknowledged that Patton is only opposed to wood burning if it’s done improperly.
The director agreed, saying he has no desire to stop farmers or residents from burning, he just wants them to do it properly. Patton said prying into the wood burning stove practices of homeowners is not on the agenda.
Patton reminded farmers that the regional district still offers its chipping program as an alternative to burning.
Resident Dave Whalley expressed a concern about town boundary expansions whittling away at Area C.
“The only way to stop that is to become a municipality,” Patton said.
He cited the Desert Hills development as an example of the Town expanding into Area C.
“No, we can’t stop them. They (the Town) have that right as part of a municipality. If we want that right, we have to become a municipality,” Patton said.
The director stated that Area C can join Oliver or Area A (rural Osoyoos).
Resident Bill Ross questioned policing costs when the next census rolls around, pushing Oliver over 5000 population. “Will that affect the rural area?”
Patton said no, unless the area surpasses 5000. “It’s important we keep police services in the rural area (to monitor the drug houses),” the director said.
