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.

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?

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.

Wharton Street Development - Public Hearing

WHARTON ST. PUBLIC HEARING

Amendments to the Zoning Bylaw and the Official Community Plan

7pm on Thursday, April 3, 2008
at Centre Stage Theatre,
9518 Main St. Summerland

Attend this Public Hearing to comment on this Landmark Development!

View more details on this Proposal!

Public Hearing - Summerland OCP Bylaw

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN PUBLIC HEARING
7:00pm Tuesday, April 1, 2008
at Centre Stage Theatre
9518 Main St. Summerland

Attend this important public hearing to comment on the document which will direct future growth in Summerland.

Review the January 2008 Draft OCP !!

OCP Workbook Available Now

The municipality has asked for input into Future Growth Areas for Summerland by way of a Summerland OCP Workbook. This Workbook is available for pick up at Municipal Hall or a printable copy is available here.

Completed Workbooks must be returned by December 15th.

The community will benefit from a wide perspective of thoughts and opinions. Please pick up your copy and return your comments by December 15th.

Upcoming Community Events

Monday Nov 27, 10:00am at Council Chambers, Caroline Lamont from the BHA Planning Group will be presenting the latest draft of the Lowertown OCP.

Council is using the 1996 OCP as a template and is considering amending only three sections: Lowertown, Future Growth Areas and Downtown.

The progress on the Lowertown section to date has included public workshops, a draft Lowertown OCP amendment and one meeting of Council's input (so far).


Tuesday Nov 28 at the Arena at 6:30 pm Community Workshops on Future Growth Areas will be held. Council has also made a request for public comment on the possible use of a roundabout at the intersection of Rosedale/Prairie Valley/Wharton. This roundabout would have a greater turning radius than Penticton.

The community is encouraged to take the time to attend and give input into these issues.