Richard Rolke
contributor
The North Westside could be another step closer to determining its future.
Regional District of Central Okanagan directors instructed staff this week to prepare a report on North Westside governance after the North Westside Communities Association requested a study.
香蕉视频直播淭he board members showed great interest in the communities香蕉视频直播� desire for a governance study, and invested an hour and a half asking questions and getting answers,香蕉视频直播� said Bob Andrews, NWCA president and governance committee chairperson.
香蕉视频直播淭he gallery was full with residents in support, despite the fact that a portion of Westside Road was closed because of the Bear Creek fire and the residents had to travel more than an hour an half each way to go to regional district in Kelowna.香蕉视频直播�
Presently, the North Westside has one director at the 12-member RDCO board table, which also includes Kelowna, Lake Country, West Kelowna, Peachland and the Central Okanagan East electoral area.
Many residents have expressed concern that the current model doesn香蕉视频直播檛 represent the needs of the North Westside because the area is some distance from RDCO香蕉视频直播檚 office and service costs are growing. It has also been suggested the North Westside director gets outvoted by his counterparts.
香蕉视频直播淧eople want to make their own decisions,香蕉视频直播� said Wayne Carson, North Westside director.
香蕉视频直播淲e identify more with ourselves than with anyone else.香蕉视频直播�
A possible governance option is forming a municipality. The area香蕉视频直播檚 population is between 1,000 and 1,500, which isn香蕉视频直播檛 an uncommon scenario in B.C.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檇 be very close to Lumby in size,香蕉视频直播� said Carson, adding that the North Westside has a significant residential waterfront tax base.
香蕉视频直播淲hether we can afford financially to be a community is the critical issue at the end of the day.香蕉视频直播�
Carson hopes the staff report will be before the RDCO board Sept. 8 or 19 for consideration so he can pursue a governance study with Community Development Minister Peter Fassbender at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention.
Richard Rolke is a reporter with the Kelowna's Capital News' sister paper in Vernon, the Morningstar.
