Divergent Views Abound

It's all in how you look at it.
Black or white or, to some folks, grey.

Take two topics today from the Morning Star, as an example.

"I'm not sure what he thinks his role is as ex-administrator," said Lake Country mayor James Baker of Randy Rose's response to restructuring in that community.

Former chief administrative officer of Lake Country, Randy Rose, "blasted council Tuesday for its role in reorganizing departments and handing pink slips to staff," says the newspaper.

What'd Mr. Rose say to council?

"...This council will go down in history as the council that wasted a million dollars, thumbed its nose at its hardworking predecessors and destroyed an award-winning organization," he began, continuing:  "One million dollars thrown away on severances, consultant reports and legal fees.  Add on the cost of the work yo will not get done.  Add on the cost of more consultants and high fees.  Add the cost of production lost by creating a work environment of fear, deception and bullies."

"You have just set this municipality back 10 years," comments which Councillor Lisa Cameron agrees with, adding "Chasing the illusion of savings by firing the people around you is still an illusion."

Two opinions, decidedly black or white.  No grey.

The other topic is headlined "Economic conditions rebound" in the same issue, with political heads of our communities attending the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce mayors and planners breakfast at which "the worst of the financial downturn is over and growth is moving ahead."

To politicians, a sign of an economic upturn is increases in building permits.
To the general public, that's not a sign of an upswing.
Why? 
Because building permit fees add to government coffers, they do not equate to more money in the cash registers of local merchants.

Have a look at what comprises the building permits lauded at the meeting.
Or, at least, who/what is applying.
Is it other "arms" of government with new offices, spending money that originated with taxpayers?
Let's see.

Coldstream building permits are ahead of last year, presumably all residential applications while in Vernon building permits are up 20 per cent from last year.

Vernon's Mayor Rob Sawatzky said one is a $1.4 million facility for Environment Canada.
Government office!

Another in Vernon is an application for "a large expansion to BC Hydro's complex that could cover seven buildings over 120,000 square feet."
Crown corporation...government again!

None of those--nor the others listed in the article--will bring back close to 13,000 jobs that were lost in the North Okanagan over the last few years.  Those were the young-ish folks (under age 45)--with or without families--who went to Northern BC and Alberta and Saskatchewan to get out from under the rut of flipping burgers or pumping gas or seasonal employment on farms or ski hills or golf courses.

Recently a 40-year old who has been working in Saskatchewan "for the big bucks" told us that--on his shift alone--there were eight workers whose home used to be in Vernon or Coldstream.  Eight people on his shift!  Who knows how many on the company's other shift(s)?  Who knows how many from the North Okanagan on numerous companies' payrolls up north?

Yet vice-chair of RDNO, Rick Fairbairn, says "It's important that we (meeting attendees) collectively get involved to make this a great community."

Huh?
It always WAS a great community; at least our communities used to be.
Before bureaucrats put up tall fences (don't truly "assist" applicants by placing obstacles before them) and horrendous fees and a myriad of ballooning permit requirements.

And before politicians thought the sign of an upturn was more government spending more of the money they got from us in the first place. 

Black and white opinions?  Sure.

The only grey is the stack that vents the smoke from continual "smoke 'n mirrors".   

US--or Canadian--the caption applies.

"Our communities ALWAYS WERE great--it's government(s) that are changing that, but they don't see it," offers Kia."

I suppose that's the grey.