11 replies to this topic

[gumgum]

Time to break up the CRD, say some politicians
Several municipalities eager to split up CRD now that B.C. severed region up-Island
Bill Cleverley, Times Colonist
Published: Monday, July 23, 2007

There will be renewed calls for a shakeup of the Capital Regional District following a decision by the province to split the Comox Strathcona Regional District into two, say local politicians.

In fact, many say the decision could spark an avalanche of requests for changes to regional governments throughout the province.

"The CRD ran Langford for 20 years and all we got was a steady stream of traffic headed downtown," said Langford Mayor Stew Young.

"I'm glad that the government is looking at a better way to deliver services."

Young said he would like to see the CRD split into three areas -- the core municipalities, the Saanich Peninsula and the West Shore. That would inevitably lead to amalgamation of municipalities within the three regions, he said.

In a surprise announcement last week, Community Services Minister Ida Chong announced the creation of a new Comox Valley Regional District and a second regional district for Strathcona/Campbell River by December.

Some, like Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard and Colwood Mayor Jody Twa, said Chong may have opened a Pandora's box with the decision.

"I think the minister is going to be getting lots of letters from around the province," said Leonard, a past president of the Union of B.C. Municipalities.

There have been a number of regional districts that have had tensions over the years and Comox Strathcona is one of them, Leonard said.

Typically, the province has been reluctant to step in because each regional district presents its own set of problems that can't be easily corrected with a single piece of legislation, he said.

"She blinked," Leonard said.

"Rather than saying to everyone: 'We're happy with the legislation that's in place now. We're happy with the structures in place now. What we need you to do is work on best practices ... the stock answer that's been used for more than 10 years ... she has blinked. She's now got to come up with a new answer," Leonard said.

"I'm surprised," said Twa in reaction to Chong's decision, adding similar problems likely are to be found throughout the province. "Obviously, there are going to be other parts of British Columbia, based on this decision, who are going to put a case forward to the ministry to split their districts."

Historically, many of the West Shore municipalities have been critical of the CRD, he said.

"Many times I've heard the statement that this region would work better if it was split up maybe into three districts -- the peninsula, the core and the west.

"Geographically, we seem to be different. We seem to be different in how we govern," Twa said. "It would be interesting for us to take a look at that to see if it would work for this region."

Langford Coun. Denise Blackwell, who chairs the CRD, says there's no question there are a lot of people who would like to see the CRD split into three.

"To a large degree it makes some sense. But then when you look at the fact for all this time our pipes are all intertwined for our sewage treatment; we only have one landfill that we share. I don't know how we would exactly do that," Blackwell said.

Up-Island, representatives of the more urban areas of Campbell River, Comox, Courtenay and Cumberland have long been lobbying for regional government restructuring.


© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2007

[Baro]

So they want free water and services coupled with absolute total independence to completely sprawl over every square meter of their fiefdoms without having those damn pinko fascists at the CRD oppress them with evil things like land use rules?

[3rd World Water]

Not true. We just want municipal water. We will pay for it. Clearly the CRD can not effectively govern such a large area with such differing needs. To quote Jack Hall "East Sooke will get water over my dead body. This is Victoria's view scape". Congrats to the 30 homes in Anderson Cove for your success in getting a clean reliable water supply. Congratulations to the 45 homes on Arden Road and the handful on Seanus Cres. Has there been rampant development on those streets. No. These are existing homes with a water supply issues. Clean water is a basic need for health and safety. . Seedtree is next. And if that means splitting up the CRD so be it.

[3rd World Water]

Free? We pay our taxes just like everyone else. We also put forward a user pay proposal that was shot down rudely in a public forum.

[SusanJones]

Apathy gives us the governance we deserve

(Letter to the Editor - Times Colonist) 

"Only six of the 24 members of the CRD board were committed enough to hear from the community. Except for Saanich’s Mayor Richard Atwell and Coun. Colin Plant, there were no reps from the core municipalities or the West Shore. Further, it was discouraging to note the absence of reps from any of several business or economic associations to state the case for regional strategy that reflects the economic opportunities of our region.

Given this indifference, we deserve to suffer frustrations of business constraints and as residents, tourists, taxis, buses, ambulances and commercial vehicles get stuck in traffic jams."

 

Saanich affordable housing development runs into stiff opposition

(Saanich News article) 

 

"Coun. Fred Haynes described the proposal as a “fabulous development” that would be highly desirable in Japan and Europe. In fact, he seemed to gently wag his finger at opponents of the project when he noted the implicit trade-off between density and affordable housing in council’s decision to ask for revisions. “And that is the price Saanich will have to pay to satisfy the neighbourhood,” he said, words that drew audible murmurs from audience members."

 

 

Residents have been harangued (see several politicians social media accounts where residents are targets), admonished at public meetings and voice/vote not respected (see non-binding referendum last municipal election as example).

Showing up, speaking up, volunteering countless hours about governance/policy, residents know they either will not be listened too or targeted in various ways. 

Residents are busy working, taking care of families and getting by, why would they take that precious time, risk being subjected to the admonishment?  My guess is new and reasonably good people will step forward for next municipal election, and that is how residents will participate. 

Jack Knox is correct, the 4 years is a long time to put up with this. 

 

Jack Knox: Four-year council terms leave bite marks

 

 

Edited by SusanJones, 29 October 2016 - 07:26 AM.

[Mike K.]

Four year terms I feel are too long. Is there any chance that we may be able to have the terms pushed back to three years?

[Nparker]

Four year terms I feel are too long. Is there any chance that we may be able to have the terms pushed back to three years?

Or back to the pre-1990 2-year terms, with half the council coming up for re-election annually?

...Remember that it wasn’t that long ago — prior to 1990 — that B.C. local officials were elected for two-year terms. Not only that, but elections were held annually, with half the council being elected one year and half the next. Angry voters didn’t have to wait long to make a change...

http://www.timescolo...marks-1.2386659

[SusanJones]

Here is another take & reference to Anderson is this http://www.timescolo...serve-1.2385735

 

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[Nparker]

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[Victoria Watcher]

They keep spelling Stirling's name wrong. 

[dasmo]

I hear Nanaimo passed a bylaw for no natural gas in new builds. #yournetworthwillbezero

[todd]

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People still listen to AM? Advertise at the very least