The Coldstream Dinosaur

Nope, it's not the District of Coldstream competing with the Okanagan Science Center's display (which runs until August in Vernon).

The dinosaur term describes the "workings" (or not)  of the District of Coldstream's elected officials.

Today's Morning Star story had Mayor Jim Garlick berating Councillor Peter McClean for having only attended two meetings since the beginning of November.  Even Councillor Cochrane said "(the absence) is out of hand."

They point to the B.C. Community Charter, which states:

"...if a council member is absent from council meetings for

(a) a period of 60 consecutive days, or

(b) four consecutive regularly scheduled council meetings,

whichever is the longer time period, the council member is disqualified from holding office."

Peter's been in Arizona since November and countered the District's criticism with a valid point:

  "Despite efforts to get council into the 20th(sic) Century--isn't it the 21st Century?--they still have yet to create the policy to allow us to attend meetings via the Internet while away."

The iPads that taxpayers bestowed on councillors provide the capability to video conference.

Mayor Garlick's in a snit that Councillor McClean missed the meeting where his vote would've been welcome to break the council tie relating to an ALR farm housing variance.

Oh, and just in case Mayor Garlick's ready to get into the 21st Century, here's GeeksBlog's instructions on video conferencing. 

Easy peasy, especially since that's what iPads were designed for.

"Doesn't Coldstream have an IT person?" Kia would've asked.

And Garlick could choose to video conference ONLY when there'll be voting taking place.

The Mayor?  or a Steggosaurus(sp?)

Note to Peter McClean:  When you return from Arizona, you can go visit Dinosaurs Unearthed at the Vernon Science Center.

Or just go to Coldstream municipal office.

Coldstream's Congestion

Oh, for heaven's sake!
Who thinks of these idiotic, ludicrous ideas?

A roundabout for one hour a day congestion?
Can that even be called congestion?

The District of Coldstream wants to install a roundabout at Kalamalka and Kidston Roads, besotted with the fact that a grant is available from the Infrastructure Planning Grant Program.

The program's detail is:  "Grants up to $10,000 are available to help improve or develop long-term comprehensive plans that include, but are not limited to: capital asset management plans, community energy plans, integrated stormwater management plans, water master plans and liquid waste management plans."
   
Who thinks a roundabout is "infrastructure", especially in a community of only ~10,000 people!
Nobody I've talked to!

Fortunately Councillor Peter McClean doesn't think so either, saying the roundabouts he sees in Vernon leave something to be desired; this one at 32nd Avenue:   https://maps.google.ca/maps?q=32nd+Avenue,+Vernon,+BC&hl=en&ll=50.265317,-119.262207&spn=0.000856,0.002642&sll=50.270134,-119.259386&sspn=0.000855,0.002642&t=h&hnear=32+Ave,+Vernon,+British+Columbia&z=19&layer=c&cbll=50.265317,-119.262207&panoid=8_HcLumi3e-3j6_DZDKbTw&cbp=12,301.39,,0,16.9


Even Councillors Guyla Kiss and Maria Besso--in decidedly lucid moments--aren't convinced a roundabout is necessary.

Consider what the provincial grant (money from our taxes) could be used for--authentic infrastructure like replacement of aging waterlines and water pumps, or the District's much-touted and needed improvements to stormwater and drainage. 


What a bunch of nonsense...Coldstream congestion.



"Maybe indigestion," suggests Kia, "just more gas from Coldstream."

Edit:  So where did the roundabout idea originate?  Discussion between the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, Mayor Garlick, and the Chief Administrative Officer at the 2012 Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention.