Think globally, VOTE locally

While most of us identify ‘green’ or environmental issues as a top priority in federal, provincial and even municipal elections, we often don’t take the steps personally to make an environmentally sustainable future for our children and all future generations. Some local politicians would like us to believe that voting in favour of the proposal to remove 118 acres of prime agricultural land from the ALR to go to non-agricultural use is a positive vote for a ‘greening’ of the community. I hope voters aren’t fooled. This isn’t a move to make Coldstream a ‘greener’ or more physically fit community.

We often hear slogans during elections or campaigns. “Think globally, act locally’ is a fine example of a slogan. It’s not just a commercial jingle or a snappy t-shirt message. It holds real meaning to many of us. I may not feel personally responsible for huge CO2 gas emissions, or global warming, devastating storms, floods in lowland or island nations, or the like, but in reality we are. We Canadians are some of the world’s biggest polluters. What can we do to fix this problem? (Didn’t mom always say that when you break something, you have to take responsibility and fix it?) Well, step one is really easy.

Taking prime agricultural land out of the ALR is short-sighted and in the long term will only make our environmental footprint larger. The further our food travels, the more CO2 gas emissions. That’s just a simple fact. So, step one to the solution is: Leave local agricultural land alone and support your local farmers!

I urge all eligible voters to vote No on Dec. 15th and send a message to the politicians. “We support local agriculture and a real sustainable community for our children.”

Sincerely, P.E. Szeliga.

Letter to Morning Star Editor - awaiting publication

When we first moved to Coldstream some of the things that we initially noticed were probably some of the same things that you did. There were the quiet neighborhoods, the lovely scenery, the beautiful vistas, and the verdant farmlands. However, we also noticed that some things were missing. Where was all the noise, the traffic, the paved parking lots, the light pollution, the screaming fans at sporting and music festival events. Where was all the litter and garbage on the side of the road that follows such events? It didn't take us long to arrive at the same conclusion that a few others have. What this community needs is a Mega Sports Complex built on prime farmland!

Come on, let's get with the times. Everywhere from the vanishing rain forests to the vast urban sprawl of poorly planned towns and cities, everyone's doing their share. Why should Coldstream be left out?

We've heard it said that if we build this sports complex, taxes will go up and that no one really knows what all this is going to cost. We believe that there is no greater excitement than buying something without any idea of what it will cost.

When we go shopping we like to tell the sales person, "Don't tell us how much it is, surprise us! We'll give you a signed cheque today, and you can just write in the amount of your choosing at a later date.

"Besides, once this "Fun Park" becomes established property values in Coldstream will no doubt go down. For many, Coldstream will become a less desirable place to purchase a home. By "many" we mean of course those who don't like to take risks, don't like surprises and don't like "Parks". It just stands to reason that if property values go down taxes will too eventually. In the meantime, we're all for raising taxes. We didn't know what to do with all that money we have anyway.

Speaking of "Parks", we've recently learned that the word "Park" can be used for all sorts of things. It's a very nice word and we have been having fun lately finding other meanings for it. Some of them you may already be familiar with, such as "Car Park", "Shopping Park"...."Industrial Park". Though we aren't as clever as some, I'm sure if we put our minds to it we could come up with a few other uses for the word "Park" as well.

Now as for the devastating loss of prime farmland. Everyone knows that all the food for ourselves and our animals comes from the supermarket or feed store anyway, not from some field, somewhere. If the stores happen to run out we can always truck more in from someplace else. Gas is cheap, we all know that. Prime farmland is old fashioned and should all be paved over and developed as soon as possible. There's nothing that says progress like a big shiny new parking lot filled with cars and trucks. It's so much prettier than some green farmland, cleaning the air and reducing the gasses that lead to global climate change. Everyone knows that's just a hoax anyway right?

So now's your chance. If you vote "NO" on Dec. 15th, all this will never come to pass. Your children, grandchildren and future generations will know that you were one of those that took a stand against the joy that comes from having a Mega Sports Complex built in your area. They'll be able to say that you said, "NO" to the beauty of urban sprawl, paved parking lots, increased traffic, bright lights, pollution and noise that comes from a field full of screaming fans. Just think of it.... if you vote "NO" we won't be able to have our very own "Field of Screams", because remember..... if we build it, they will come.

Mr. & Mrs. Janse

Letter to the Editor - Morning Star (awaiting publication)

Now is the time to consider the long-term future of the historic Coldstream Ranch. Aside from its aesthetic, agricultural and environmental values, its rich history makes it worthy to be considered as one of Canada's World Heritage Sites.

Parks Canada's mandate states: "we protect and present nationally significant examples of the people of Canada, we protect and present nationally significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage and foster public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative integrity for present and future generations".

Coldstream Ranch is rich in all these values. If this property is seen as having a value to the community beyond farming then why not enlarge our scope to envision Coldstream Ranch as an international tourist destination? The site, as well as being a working ranch could include an interpretive center presenting the history, flora and fauna of the ranch.
Coldstream Ranch was purchased by Lord and Lady Aberdeen in 1891. Lord Aberdeen introduced the first commercial orchard in the Okanagan:
"it was obvious to all concerned that the value of the rich bottomlands for fruit farming was far greater than any value they might have for ranching". The End of an Era 1895-1905

Lord Aberdeen went on to become the Governor General of Canada in 1893 and held the position through the terms of Prime Ministers: Sir John Thompson, Sir Mackenzie Bowell, Sir Charles Tupper and Sir Wilfred Laurier.

One can only imagine what Lord and Lady Aberdeen would think of a proposal to build a controversial project on prime agricultural land.

Katy Pace

The Wrong Message - Richard Rolke, MorningStar Dec 12 2007

Coldstream residents head off to the polls Saturday thinking they can make a difference in their community. Boy, are they mistaken.

As advance polling started last week, the District of Coldstream was undermining the entire electoral process.

“Council’s not bound by the results of the referendum,” said Wendy Kay, chief administrative officer.

Kay went on to say that council will make the ultimate decision on forwarding a sports complex application to the Agricultural Land Commission because the referendum “is just an opinion, it’s not about money.”

And that is an extremely poor message to send to residents, and especially those who have campaigned on both sides of the controversial issue.

It leaves the public with the impression that their opinions don’t count and the politicians and bureaucrats will do what ever they want.

And you would have thought Kay would understand that situation after the municipal office fiasco of a few years ago.

In 2001, residents were asked through referendum to borrow money to construct a new municipal office. The proposal was shot down in flames, but instead of abandoning plans, council found other ways to proceed with the office. The excuse was that the referendum was about how to finance the office and not whether the building should be constructed.

Technically, the council and administrators of that era were correct but it left many residents feeling that their politicians were arrogant and out-of-touch.
Flash forward to 2007 and once again the bureaucrats are technically correct.

It is council — or at least a majority of them — that will have to officially send any application for the Aberdeen Road site off to the ALC for consideration.

Kay indicates that the referendum is just an opinion, but if that is entirely the case, why bother asking for it?

Residents expect that when they are asked to vote in a referendum, that the prevailing outcome will be accepted by the politicians and not just cast aside like yesterday’s laundry.

Two scenarios are in the offing for Saturday — a majority of voters support sending the application off to the ALC or a majority want it put through the shredder.

If it is a no vote, Mayor Gary Corner and Councillors Glen Taylor and Carol Williams better be willing to get with the program and accept the fact that current plans for Aberdeen Road are dead.

But if it is a yes vote, a similar onus is on the anti-complex forces — namely Councillors Doug Dirk, Bill Firman and Jim Garlick — to not stand in the way (I have not placed Coun. Mary Malerby in a camp because she is a wild card and could go either way).

Ultimately, this is not about what politicians want or their own personal views.

That point was made loud and clear when Garlick announced his intention to run for council in 2005.

"I'm wanting to serve my community, not serve myself,” he said.

Kay’s comments last week were inappropriate and they could have some residents questioning whether they should even vote Saturday.
With just a few days left, council members need to be abundantly clear that whatever the results, it is the voters who will ultimately decide the fate of the issue.