Council needs to sharpen focus
By Kelsey Verboom
What do the most recent Invermere council meeting and a bout of lice have in common? They will both leave you scratching your head.
At a regular meeting on May 7th, Invermere mayor and council spent less than 10 minutes discussing a proposed commercial development on 13th Ave. before tossing it out the window, but spent close to an hour talking in circles and subsequently passing a motion that Councillor Paul Denchuk described as “a stick thrown under the train” to try and further stall the Jumbo development.
Mayor Taft and some members of council then contradicted themselves by saying the motion wasn’t at all about Jumbo, but about the “democratic process” and governance in general. In that same spirit, this editorial isn’t at all about Jumbo; it’s about the democratic process and governance in general.
Now, when was the last time a proposed commercial development passed before the District of Invermere? It certainly has been a while. The proposal wasn’t ideal in location, but it had the potential to bring businesses to Invermere — possibly a gas bar, yoga studio, or a restaurant.
Council made no mention of suggestions or compromises that might make the development more plausible, but instead talked ad nauseam about why they should oppose provincial legislation that may potentially affect a development an hour from Invermere.
The rest of council should take a cue from Councillors Greg Anderson and Justin Atterbury, who both pointed out that council’s time and energy could be better spent focusing on projects in town in need of attention, rather than debate a motion that Mayor Taft himself admitted would likely have no effect in the big scheme of things.
Listening to council’s rather lengthy debate about the governance of Mountain Resort Municipalities, I couldn’t help thinking how distinctly similar — albeit on drastically different scales — the words and actions of Mayor Taft and select members of council are to the headache-inducing deer cull issue the town just dealt with.
After two years of following proper process, working with the province, and making the correct applications, all the proper permits are in place to proceed with the cull, council told those opposed. You had your chance to speak and be involved; even though you don’t necessarily agree with it, it’s time to let the democratic process take place, mayor and council said.
Fast forward a few months and some members of council are throwing a paperwork tantrum because they don’t agree with a provincial decision. It is now an appropriate time for them to take their own wise words into consideration.
If council is going to tout the democratic process, it is best to let it take place. That way, Invermere’s leaders can fully devote their energies to improving issues in town that matter right here, right now.
Ms. Verboom, you hit the nail on the head. That head where we all just have to scratch our collective heads and wonder about this council’s priorities. Some one on council has their head straight; others, well, and as you said it, we just scratch our shaking heads.
Pity the poor town of Invermere.
I am certain that this type of behavior will all be justified under the impenetrable religious banner of “saving the world.” However the citizens of Invermere would be better served if the entire council could stay focused on delivery of services, economic growth and moving our town forward in a positive and responsible manner. There will be plenty of free time to dawn the super hero capes after you hang up your councilor hats! The council chamber is the appropriate workshop to grind your personal axes!
Please stop “throwing sticks at trains” and get behind the wheel and drive our town forward!
Thank you Councilors Atterbury and Anderson – I certainly hope to see one of you at the helm next time around!
Thanks for this editorial Kelsey – with all the finesse of a surgical sledgehammer you’ve managed to hit the nail on the head!
Very professionally written Kelsey and congratulations. It would seem that democracy to some of the fine folks only matters when it matters to them…and BTW..those that throw things at trains should be very cognisant of what might bounch back up at them.
wow ,wow ,,wow ,,,the best writen article in some time ,,,huge hats off to you kelsey ,,,,,,thats journilism the way it should be ,,,thanx and keep up the great work
I read your editorial to everyone at happy hour on my deck. First it made them laugh then it made them think. What more can you ask?
Great editorial Kelsey, Finally a newspaper that is reporting news relevant to our valley, my hats off to you for reporting council news and keeping the citizens in the valley informed.
Great article!
Finally a couple voices of reason in the wilderness. Councillors Anderson and Atterbury clearly “get it”. Council’s time could be so much better spent dealing with the more important issues at hand and perhaps trying to think of ways to make sure Invermere now benefits from Jumbo Glacier Resort rather than wasting time fighting something that the opponents don’t want to admit is a DONE DEAL. I’m looking forward to Atterbury and Anderson increasing their political profiles in the future. Great editorial Kelsey! You cut right to the chase, as usual.
Thank you also Kelsey for your perspective from Invermere Council’s “majority” view of Mumbo Jumbo. Thank God there are a few on council with the b-lls to state their views. This is not about democracy; it is about personal views. Would Mayor Taft agree if it would affect his new purchase of the Radium property? I think not. Yes, Mr. Taft, capitalism does prevail over socialism.
If I was as good at decision making as Gerry Queen, then I too would rapidly end up running a small town ice cream parlour.
All excellent comments & replies. Obviously great writing is contagious