Rolke Rollover

And it's nothing to do with a pension.

Simply put, Richard Rolke's op-ed piece in the Morning Star suggests keeping three local governments--within a five-minute drive of each other--because we'd still end up with two if amalgamation occurred.

That's akin to saying "yeah, my household has a lot of debt but since it's so hard to save $100 versus spending $100, we'll just carry on as we were." Even after those who know better have stated it's an inefficient and expensive way to operate.

His March 13, 2013 piece entitled "Don't expect panacea" is reprinted, slathered in bold with blog comments, starting with the awkward title that scored a mere 67 out of 100 on http://www.grammarly.com/.

"Don't expect a panacea" would be grammatically correct.
But I digress.

His piece:
"There's been a lot of talk about amalgamation since a consultant suggested that route would create efficiencies for Vernon."  A consultant?  KPMG, merely the highest rated among business professionals!  And it began long before that report.  The amalgamation issue--called governance review--was called by sometime-provincial-minister Ida Chong years before the KPMG report, as noted here and here and here and here!  Rolke continues:  "It's generated letters to the editor and some scuttle when politicians gather. 

However, while merging Vernon, Coldstream and the two electoral areas appears simple on the surface, there are some key factors to consider.

Specifically, while many believe there would only be one level of governance instead of three, the reality is there would be two.  Regional districts are mandated under provincial legislation and all municipalities must belong to one (even in the case of larger communities like Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna)."  KPMG knows that.  It's the work of the NDP's two consecutive terms, which increased bureaucracy to previously unheard of levels.  And will again.  

"If Greater Vernon were to join together ...join together?  (as in repeat again? redundant!) as a single entity, it would obviously take some current duties away from the Regional District of North Okanagan, such as water and parks and recreation."  Historically, water was managed by the Vernon Irrigation District.   Parks were dotted throughout communities, often adjacent to public schools, some lands were donated by pioneers; not funded by/forced on developers.  Recreation?  People got all the recreation they could handle operating farms and acreages.  For those who sought more, private recreation facilities were available that had no competition from government (versus RDNO's recent plans to build a disc-golf facility at a park).  Children rode several miles to school on bicycles...on roadsides, without the need for bicycle paths (at a time when there was a realization that the Okanagan had ~5 months of winter).  Rolke omitted "culture"...so we'll add that for him.  Culture was something grandparents did.  And they did it well.  Children learned gardening from their parents and grandparents, not a $10,000 a year Community Garden Coordinator.  As to water "management", it now depends on how the wind blows:  we spent $30 million on the Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant ($12 million of which came from the Feds).  Within two years, there is talk among politicians that a further $100 million is needed because "that wasn't the way to go" in addition to Interior Health wanting filtration. 

"However, even under a diminished form, RDNO would remain as its purpose does not hinge on Greater Vernon alone.  It is a collective of six municipalities in the North Okanagan and provides governance for the five electoral areas, which include rural Enderby, rural Lumby and Cherryville besides the two adjacent to Vernon."  ...all able to be rearranged with sufficient will from residents fed up with continually increasing taxes, 50 per cent of which now go to bureacratic wages.  (To compare, large retail food stores have a wage cost between nine and 10 per cent).

"Through that collective, a number of functions are provided."  Many residents recall it took a month or two of several local governments chatting, after which they decided a responsibility would be called a "function", and what it would entail.  "Among them is representation at Okanagan Basin Water Board, which focuses on water quality and quantity and attempts to control milfoil in our lakes."
The unelected Okanagan Basin Water Board, a relative newcomer in the scheme of things.  The OBWB likely had considerable influence on Coldstream Councillor Kiss, who was reported to have met privately with water consultants and now proposes the transfer of a public asset--a water licence from the upland to Kal Lake.  The reasons for Kiss' statement '(the transfer) may have some benefits' have never been made public in The Morning Star newspaper, let alone Coldstream Council minutes.  One thing's for sure:  the late Brian Harvey would roll over in his grave at the money mismanagement.  Richard Rolke should do an in-depth story on the purported benefits of the water licence transfer -- but that would involve doing research, something he's averse to doing.

"The region, as a whole, is also looking at growth and how development occurs in the years to come.  Housing, employment, transportation and the environment know no boundaries."  "If" development occurs is more accurate, based on the RDNO's Growth Management Strategy.  And the environment knows no boundaries?  Exactly, as the multitude of burning regulations prove.  The environment?  No-one in our myriad local governments gets off their office-arse to head into the hills and prevent water contamination by the public on Crown lands adjacent to the water source.

"Perhaps the most important function, though, is solid waste.  Under provincial legislation, it is regional districts, not municipalities, that are responsible for managing garbage and recycling.  That scenario wouldn't change if Greater Vernon merges."  Residents joke that the Mafia has taken over big-city garbage and recycling, so we'll leave that to them.  As for the real waste generation--people poop--rural areas will never be on sewer.  And shouldn't be.

"It's also interesting that talk of amalgamation comes while the City of Vernon has been warned about its infrastructure deficient -- a whopping $78 million."  And Coldstream is in the clear?  Nope.

Amalgamation would expand Vernon's tax base, but expenses and liabilities would also climb.  All of a sudden, existing city residents would be on the hook for maintenance of sprawling roads throughout the BX and Commonage.   Because electoral roads fall under the jurisdiction of the provincial government, many have been neglected for years."  So how would residents be 'on the hook' if rural roads remain the provincial government's responsibility?  It's one or the other, not both.  "As an example of the potential burden, Vernon has experienced a significant cost for roads -- and meeting demands for urban standards -- since Okanagan Landing was absorbed 20 years ago."    Urban standards...like nonsensical traffic circles--for which there's a $10,000 provincial 'grant'--yet their cost is ~30,000.  Now Coldstream wants to do a traffic circle at Kal and Kidston Roads.  (Sigh).  The new Okanagan Landing Road that Vernon built is beautiful.  

"If there is one positive from amalgamation, it could be the end of the fighting that flares up every few years within Greater Vernon.  Obviously there would also be fewer bureaucratic hoops to jump through if development policies were handled by the same entity dealing with water and parks."  Bureaucratic hoops...maybe new employers would actually consider locating here but they're caught in a maze of jurisdictions, quickly giving up to head south.  If amalgamation had taken place 10 or so years ago when the question first arose...Coldstream would not now have a new municipal hall; nor would Coldstream be planning a Town Center.  Residents didn't want that then, and they don't want a Town Center tomorrow.   How many millions did that Hall cost?  Now the new Mechanics Shop; all debt.  Coldstream would today be the rural community we all knew 40 years ago, riders on horses meandering along the roadsides, waving to residents puttering in their yards.  Not the cookie-cutter-city wannabe it is becoming because politicians are jumping at senior bureaucrats' planning wishlists at annual Union of B.C. Municipalities meetings.  Residents are infuriated that councillors seem in lock-step with Victoria's demands for controlled communities.  

"But, it should be pointed out, that presently, all three jurisdictions are working together and resolving outstanding concerns."  The salient point is entirely missed.  Residents don't care whether or not politicians or bureaucrats argue; we care about how much money three local governments need from residents and the debt they are acquiring despite residents' continuing opposition.  We care deeply about over-governance and redundancy; we care about efficiency, as does the commissioned KPMG study.   Many people recall that Coldstream spent $16,000 to landscape the traffic islands at Kal General Store!  Sixteen thousand dollars for $500 worth of plants and $1,000 in irrigation plus labour!  Absolutely ludicrous!

"And in terms of cost savings, all that would likely be trimmed are a few politicians and senior administrators.  There would still be a need for the rank and file workers to meet public demands, which won't shrink just because there's fewer jurisdictions."  Nobody's recommending thinning the 'rank and file', people who repair waterlines and plow roads.  They provide the public with necessities.  But many people wonder what duties a Traffic Demand Coordinator performs!  Second-guessing KPMG has led to Rolke's conclusion of  'a few politicians and senior administrators', an entirely laughable conjecture.  

"Ultimately, amalgamation of part or all of Greater Vernon may occur, but for anyone who believes this is the gateway to panacea, they may be disappointed."  Or they may not.  An earlier Rolke op-ed referred to Ottawa's amalgamation of 10 municipalities, now celebrating the 10th anniversary of their merger...and celebrating how much money is now available for worthwhile projects.

"Rolke's become a shill for Coldstream," suggests Kia, "rolling over like a puppy."

Residents will continue to watch politicians whose only focus is to kiss up to Victoria.
Because we can do something about that.

The only reasons amalgamation is ever suggested is due to burgeoning costs to residents (with little, if any, obvious benefit), and because Coldstream and Vernon are becoming communities controlled and directed by Victoria's wishlists.  

We do miss the good ole' days here.