Spallumcheen Mayoralty Candidate Should Visit Coldstream

...and see how "people's freedom of speech"--as he puts it--has fallen.

Dave Brew--a former councillor in Spallumcheen--will let his name stand for mayor of the predominantly farming community because he's ticked off by a couple of things.

One is Spallumcheen's rescinding of the previous Class 9 farm tax rate which now will see farms taxed at almost double from last year.

The second "really aggravating" thing was--as the Morning Star put it--"taking away people's freedom of speech" in removing the question period segment at the end of regular meetings until after the November election.

Huh?
Spallumcheen had a question period for the public at the end of regular meetings?

Sheesh.
The District of Coldstream hasn't had THAT since Kia was a pup.

Hell, even longer.

Hell, I can't remember when the last time was that the public could ask questions at the end of a Coldstream Council meeting.

Have a look at the first page of this Coldstream council June 9 agenda, Item 3.

For those who don't want to CLICK, here's the text:

"This time (at the beginning of meetings) is to afford members of the public the opportunity to provide additional information on issues directly related to an item on the agenda dated June 9, 2014, if members of the public want to ask questions on an issue, they must provide written questions that will be replied to in writing. Any other requests or comments should be directed through a delegation request.

Please provide your name and address and the agenda item you wish to speak to.  Comments should be limited to additional information (not previously provided) for Council's consideration or clarification.

Issues that are not on this agenda will NOT be heard by Council.

If you have items to address that are not contained in this agenda, please contact the Corporate Officer to make a formal request to appear as a delegation at a future meeting of Council."

Dave Brew should consider himself lucky, as his area's council only recently stilled the public voice (for whatever reason).  In Coldstream's open-to-the-public council meetings, the much-touted freedom of speech has been replaced with "freedom to write a letter and ask".

Dave stated "Anybody should be able to ask a question about anything that's developed during that particular session," (at the end of meetings, in a question period).  

He said "That (quashing) has never been done before."

"Bring your own duct tape if you contemplate a move to Coldstream," says Kia.

...and kiss the ground in Spallumcheen where Free Speech most recently reigned.

  

Ed Hanoski, councillor Par Excellence

It's obvious that Ed Hanoski doesn't live in the District of Coldstream.

And that he hasn't been poisoned by toeing the provincial line from the Agricultural Land Commission, whose unparalleled joy at Coldstream's promotion--indeed attempted forcing--of RU10, RU30 rezoning as it relates to secondary structures was almost audible.

A councillor in the district of Spallumcheen, Mr. Hanoski is unique among elected officials, certainly among those in Coldstream.
He doesn't seek to gain points with senior bureaucrats in Victoria.
He actually represents his constituents.

During his bid for councillor, he actually banged on doors and asked people what they wanted.  And it sounds as though he didn't simply bang on the doors of leftists and NIMBYists. 

Agricultural Land Reserve rules state a secondary suite is only allowed inside an existing dwelling, or by placement of a mobile/manufactured home on the property.

That regulation is, naturally, under the guise of keeping as much arable land available for farming.
But a guise--a ruse--it is.
Because it's all about conformity, all about control.  

Ed's discussions with property owners convinced him of what he already knew...that people want the ability to have aging parents (the previous generation who farmed) to be able to live on the property where they can be cared for by family members, but that each of the two generations would be able to maintain a modicum of privacy and comfort.

To his credit, the rest of Spallumcheen council unanimously supported Mr. Hanoski's view.  Their recommendation will form a resolution to this year's Southern Interior Local Government Association. 

He's made other good recommendations too.

Good luck with your proposed resolution, Mr. Hanoski.

"Just don't sit beside Maria Besso at the convention," warns Kia.

Coldstream Councillor Maria Besso has never farmed acreage but believes she knows infinitely more than those who currently do, or did farm acreage.

Maria Besso would suggest Spallumcheen farmers open a teahouse...

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."  W.Churchill