North Westside Governance – Update June 2020
MLA Support:
20-06-25 – I want to thank our local MLA Ben Stewart who responded to the North Westside Governance Committee Delegation to the RDCO Board scheduled on June 22, 2020. In a letter to a resident Mr. Stewart referenced a meeting between himself, myself and two representatives from the NWCA, President Wayne Nixon and Callie Simpson, Director and Governance Coordinator. It was our intention to request Mr. Stewart help… but it was offered without the need of a request. He has also sent a copy of the letter from Ben Stewart to Minister Robinson to all RDCO Board Members through the Chair. This is the Ministry that oversees Regional Districts and Municipalities with authority over both the Local Government Act and the Community Charter.
Further to Ben Stewarts support we received a great North Westside support letter from Dan Ashton whose constituency boundary borders Ben Stewarts to the south and represents both Brent Road and the Star Place portion of Trepanier to the south of the connector. Dan’s letter is directed to the Minister (has been confirmed as delivered) in support of the NWCA initiative to move forward with a fact finding Governance Study for the North Westside. Thank you both Ben & Dan for your support.
200624 – As a result of the June 22 NWCA Presentation to the RDCO Board I made a motion for the Board to instruct staff to bring the January 2018 staff report that Callie referenced back for consideration at the next Board Meeting on July 9, 2020. At this meeting I will move a motion that the board instruct staff to work with the NWCA Governance Delegation on the Terms of Reference and application for the Provincial Re-structuring Grant for the North Westside Area.
The Board wishes the other areas of Trepanier, Brent Road and Bear Creek Road to build the same case for governance that the North Westside has done. Fair enough the ball is now in their court and I will work with them to educate the Board on their issues, primarily the lack of fire protection for their homes and loved ones.
Board Highlights – June 22, 2020 – North Westside Governance Presentation The Regional Board has received a presentation from the North Westside Communities Association requesting a letter of support to the Province for a possible restructure grant to fund a study into the area’s governance options. The Board has asked staff to provide an update on the steps taken since the January 2018 report from the Chief Administrative Officer following an independent third-party consultant’s services review within the boundary of the North Westside Fire Protection District. As well, staff will provide suggested recommendations on how to move forward.
JUNE 23 2020 – HERE IS THE LINK TO THE ZOOM VIDEO PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD
Recent History on how we got here:
On November 19 2019 Callie Simpson the NWCA Committee Chair for Governance submitted a request for delegation to the RDCO Board. This was the first request for the new NWCA Board & Governance Committee since the 2015 Governance Study Request to RDCO Board by the North Westside Community when the community first explored Electoral Area Governance.
In the continued quest for governance the NWCA made another Delegation Request to RDCO May 25, 2020 with a Request Denied as the RDCO response. This denial was followed up by an NWCA Governance Committee letter addressing the local concerns of the North Westside residents May 28, 2020 to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing Deputy Minister Kaye Krishna.
Related Media
Vernon Morning Star Twila Amato Yesterday • 12:30 PM (also Lake Country Calendar, Capital News) North Westside residents ask for study to determine if they should stay in regional district (Residents of the North Westside want another governance study, and they’re asking the Regional District of Central…)
