Penticton Herald Editorial

Citizens ask RCMP to investigate Summerland election donations

The Vancouver Sun

Summerland News and Views

Find a collection of recent news articles on the controversy surrounding the 2008 election in Summerland here.

Mark Ziebarth on CBC radio

Mark Ziebarth talks about the Citizens for Smart Governance during an interview on CBC Radio Daybreak South.

Summerland Council In the News

Summerland made the front page of the Vancouver Sun:

"Illegal donations mean Summerland has no legitimate council"

Election Questions

Here are a few key questions it would be nice to ask every candidate.

According to Human Resources Development Canada, agricultural employment in the Thompson Okanagan grew from 5,500 employees in 2001 to 10,000 in 2005. This was the highest percentage rate of growth of any industry sector. Will you protect the ALR from development, and thus support our rapidly growing agriculture industry?

If elected will you put the needs and desires of existing Summerlanders ahead of the desires and demands of developers?

Kelowna's Development Cost Charges are approximately $20,000 more per home than Summerland's. If you are elected and, during your term, there is a need for additional taxes, will you increase Development Cost Charges or will you increase Property taxes?

Almost 1,500 taxpayers petitioned Council for a referendum vote on the sale of 300 acres of municipal lands to the Summerland Hills group. The petition was rejected by the existing Council. If you are elected, and you subsequently receive an equally large petition, will you support or oppose it?

Do you support or oppose the zoning change to allow seven storey buildings at Wharton Street?

Do you agree that no community, Summerland included, can grow and grow forever? If so, when in your opinion should Summerland stop growing? How large can Summerland become and yet retain its small town feel and quality of life?

Summerland Mayor responds regarding Water Treatment Plant

Mayor Gregory has responded to an earlier post regarding Summerland's Water Treatment Plant. He points out that during his 2005 campaign, he was critical of the Water System Value Engineering Report and has had concerns since that time. Part of his platform included a section entitled, "Bad Engineering Reports produce Bad Decision Making". He promised and delivered in having the report posted to the District website in 2005, and reported so during his inaugural speech.

Summerland Mayor submits opinion on PIB Crown Land Consultations

Through the Freedom of Information Act, citizens in Summerland have obtained copies of two letters sent by Mayor David Gregory with regard to the Summerland Hills Golf Resort and the consultations with the Penticton Indian Band. Both letters were signed David Gregory, Mayor and printed on District of Summerland, Office of the Mayor, letterhead.

These letters outline the Mayor's personal opinion on the PIB's claim to Aboriginal Title of the Crown Lands now within the District of Summerland's boundary. His personal opinion as a history buff, is not reflective of the sentiment of Council or of the Municipality of Summerland.

A councillor expressed concern (see item 8) that the Mayor's decision to contibute his personal opinion in this manner into the Provincial consultation process, was misguided and has jeopardized our community's positive working relationship with the PIB in the future.

Update, October, '08: Mayor Gregory has responded to this post by providing (quote) " a letter of request for information from the Provincial Government and a request for information from the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs. Both letters are addressed to 'Mayor Gregory'. "

Memo warned of issues with treatment plant

A memo from the City of Penticton Water Quality Supervisor in May of 2005 warned Summerland Municipality of potential issues with the design chosen for our nineteen million dollar Water Treatment Plant. Specifically, this memo refers to the solids in our creek source water.

Our Mayor and Councillors are all long time Summerland residents, as well as much of the District Staff. Anyone who has lived here for a significant length of time knows that Trout Creek experiences turbidity, especially in the spring. How is it, then, that the Treatment Plant design chosen by our Municipality is not able to handle this? Even after warned by another City Water Supervisor, our Municipality chose to continue with this Treatment Plant design. Discussions must have taken place with regard to the solids and sludge. Was there ever a plan to deal with this issue?

It appears the taxpayers of Summerland have paid nineteen million dollars for Water Treatment Plant that only does the job for six months out of every year.

Developers and District chose to ignore PIB

It is very important that the citizens of Summerland are aware that the Penticton Indian Band made their position on the Summerland Hills proposal, including their Aboriginal Title interest in the Crown Land, known to the both the developer and the District of Summerland in 2005, immediately following Summerland's boundary extension and the developers' Crown Land application.

The developers and the District undertook the past two and a half years of plans, negotiations, promotion, effort, time and expense with full knowledge of the PIB's clear opposition to this proposal. The Consultation and Accomodation process between the PIB and the Province is expected to take anywhere between 12 months and 5 years. Surprisingly, Randy Kowalchuk is quoted saying, "We are a bit of the victim". Summerland Mayor Gregory is quoted as saying he "regrets this turn of events and hopes the Crown Land issue will be resolved as soon as possible." The entire Summerland Hills Proposal has been based on speculation that the developers will acquire the Crown lands.

Through the Freedom of Information Act, citizens in Summerland have obtained correspondence between the Penticton Indian Band and the District of Summerland dated back to June 13th, 2005. This correspondence reveals that the CAO, the Economic Development Officer and the Mayor were all made aware of the PIB's postion. They just chose to ignore it.

PIB Letter to Hon. Bill Barisoff, copied to District, June 13, 2005

PIB Lawyer's Letter to Developers, copied to District, March 27, 2006

District of Sland Letter to PIB lawyers, March 29, 2006

PIB Lawyer's Letter to District, May 24, 2006

The Penticton Indian Band has followed proper legal process with regard to their concerns with this development proposal. Representatives of the PIB have publicly voiced their opposition at Public Hearings and Advisory Planning Committee meetings. The costly disappointment now felt by the developers and district is a result of their own failure to respect the importance of this legally required process.