Spallumcheen Mayoralty Candidate Should Visit Coldstream

...and see how "people's freedom of speech"--as he puts it--has fallen.

Dave Brew--a former councillor in Spallumcheen--will let his name stand for mayor of the predominantly farming community because he's ticked off by a couple of things.

One is Spallumcheen's rescinding of the previous Class 9 farm tax rate which now will see farms taxed at almost double from last year.

The second "really aggravating" thing was--as the Morning Star put it--"taking away people's freedom of speech" in removing the question period segment at the end of regular meetings until after the November election.

Huh?
Spallumcheen had a question period for the public at the end of regular meetings?

Sheesh.
The District of Coldstream hasn't had THAT since Kia was a pup.

Hell, even longer.

Hell, I can't remember when the last time was that the public could ask questions at the end of a Coldstream Council meeting.

Have a look at the first page of this Coldstream council June 9 agenda, Item 3.

For those who don't want to CLICK, here's the text:

"This time (at the beginning of meetings) is to afford members of the public the opportunity to provide additional information on issues directly related to an item on the agenda dated June 9, 2014, if members of the public want to ask questions on an issue, they must provide written questions that will be replied to in writing. Any other requests or comments should be directed through a delegation request.

Please provide your name and address and the agenda item you wish to speak to.  Comments should be limited to additional information (not previously provided) for Council's consideration or clarification.

Issues that are not on this agenda will NOT be heard by Council.

If you have items to address that are not contained in this agenda, please contact the Corporate Officer to make a formal request to appear as a delegation at a future meeting of Council."

Dave Brew should consider himself lucky, as his area's council only recently stilled the public voice (for whatever reason).  In Coldstream's open-to-the-public council meetings, the much-touted freedom of speech has been replaced with "freedom to write a letter and ask".

Dave stated "Anybody should be able to ask a question about anything that's developed during that particular session," (at the end of meetings, in a question period).  

He said "That (quashing) has never been done before."

"Bring your own duct tape if you contemplate a move to Coldstream," says Kia.

...and kiss the ground in Spallumcheen where Free Speech most recently reigned.