Local Government Invades For-Profit Sector

Local government uses business taxes to compete with business.
Several businesses.
Yup.

A couple of years ago, plans were unveiled to convert a defunct Vernon landfill into a Park.
The idea was welcomed by residents, as it was felt by many that parkland development hadn't kept up with growth.

But that's where bureaucracy blurs the lines of offering services to their residents and competing with for-profit business.
You see, it's not just a park--where swings and teeter totters and green grass and picnic tables and shade trees are found.

Nosireee Bob!

This park will include a disc golf course and bike skills area at a cost of $1.8 million.

Disc golf? 
Bike skills?
Bureaucrats call them "amenities".
Two local area golf course owners call them "subsidized competition".
And Silver Star Mountain, with its for-profit mountain bike area, will likely have a similar comment or two.

When I first heard of the plan several years ago, I called a Regional District bureaucrat whose name I've now forgotten.  I indicated that free disc golf at the park would be unfair competition to area golf courses.  He said "it's unfortunate you feel that way."
Period. 

The Morning Star article today explained:  "The park is one of five regional projects aimed at lowering greenhouse gas emissions and creating cleaner air and water.  Each of the projects is made possible thanks to $4.15 million in federal gas tax funds."

Huh?
Disc golf lowers Greenhouse gases?
Constructing a bike skills park lowers Greenhouse gases?

"We're only bringing your tax money back to you," said Member of Parliament rep Colin Mayes of the tax that levies five cents on every litre of gas we purchase.
That's not only what the project is doing; it's competing with area businesses who have also paid property tax money--and gas tax money.

Parks are a good idea.
Competing with area businesses is not.  

This area's plan for disc golf in parks isn't a first.
Kelowna has one at Knox Mountain Park.
Prince George, too.
Lots of places, all of which compete with their area for-profit facilities.

Commercial business opposition isn't simply a case of sour grapes.
Note this from the newpaper article:  "We play in the winter -- it's not restricted to spring/summer play...and we have little LED lights...glow in the dark discs," said Andrew Best, a Falkland resident with the Kelowna disc golf association.

Winter?
Night-time operations?

So now is probably a good time to mention Highlands Golf's "covenant" -- imposed by Coldstream Council -- to "only during the (typical) golf season, AND must close to the public two hours after sunset daily during the golf season." 
So it seems there isn't a similar covenant on season or hours for the park's disc golf "amenity"? 
Nope, no restriction, no covenant.
No annual business license!

Neither did the park plan have the required public hearing (Highlands had two!), or development permit.
Because it's government!
Only industry has to jump through the red tape associated with development.
Not government.
Not bureaucrats.

"Chipping away at taxpayer investments," explains Kia.

...Wonder if the B.C. Assessment Authority (that sets property values for the purpose of taxation) will be able to see beyond what area bureaucrats see.