Retired Bank Economist Defends Amphitheatre

...by blaming NIMBYism, of all things that could be blamed on the Amphitheatre defeat.

In Kelowna's Daily Courier on Tuesday, June 7th, David Bond (reportedly an author and retired bank economist), wrote under the heading Economic Letter:

"NIMBYism is the result of our growing isolation..."

"The rise of Not-In-My-Back-Yard activists (NIMBYs) appears to be rampant in our society."

He blames Vancouver's Mayor Gregor Robertson of "vehemently opposing the doubling of the existing Trans Mountain Pipeline bringing crude oil from Alberta to the Lower Mainland for export."

After another paragraph expressing that shipping crude by rail is "vastly more risky", he then states:

"The same is true of the folks who objected to the planned outdoor amphitheatre in Greater Vernon.  They attacked the professionalism of the project's distinguished architect and the head of the society proposing to build the facility.

They trumpeted (apparently proudly) that no amount of due diligence would change their position.  And, regrettably, the provincial government, looking toward the upcoming election, has caved in to these localized complaints before any of the planned studies to address the issues of sound containment and traffic management could be completed...of course, ignoring reality is standard operating procedure for the folks in Victoria."

Another paragraph about folks in Maple Ridge who, in March, protested the provincial government's plans to buy a vacant hotel and convert it into a shelter for the homeless.  It would be a 'low barrier shelter', which apparently means that addicts would be able to use drugs on the premises...Lots of opposition from the neighbourhood.  He retired bank economist then concluded "In truth, they had no interest in helping the homeless if help was to be offered in their neighbourhood."

He then postulated:

"In communities across the province and indeed the entire nation, similar conflicts, big and small, are all cases of NIMBYism.  Why so much conflict?  This is a non-trivial question because NIMBYism frequently blocks economic and social development.  What has happened to our society?  Is positive change now simply unachievable?"

He goes on about intelligent individuals and what they and their not so intelligent counterparts believe, he continues that progressive persons will not make a rational argument against cultural facilities or housing for the homeless.  And that it's a "lack of social cohesion, fear of the unknown and preconceived beliefs which are immune to rational discussion."


"Could it be that the 'really good ideas' were exhausted long ago?" questions Kia...

 

Interesting NIMBY story?
Perhaps.

In an odd juxtaposition--one could say--the Daily Courier published a story that could much easier have been the feature on their "Opinion" page.
Instead of Mr. Bond's letter on NIMBYism.

It was entitled "Tax-Dodging 'Farmers' force you and me to pay more", written by their columnist Ron Seymour.   And it's infinitely more interesting--and considerably of wider interest to more people generally--than Mr. Bond's 35-mile away opinion on Vernon's amphitheatre!

So here's the link to Tax-Dodging 'farmers' and why everyone else now has to pay more in taxes.
Because the owner of the property with the highest assessment in the entire Okanagan last year--at $10.8 million--applied for (and received) "farm status", which dropped his assessment to a measly $3.9 million, saving him about 40 grand in annual property taxes!