UBCM – Victoria
Morning Star Article on UBCM Meeting on the Governance Study
COMMUNITY UPDATE – North Westside Governance Study Request
It was an extremely busy week for me as the elected representative for Central Okanagan West. On September 23, I and Central Okanagan East Director Hanson and her alternate Director Bartyik met with Minister Fassbender and staff of the Provincial Ministry of Community, Sport & Culture to discuss Electoral Area Governance within the Central Okanagan Regional District. I presented the case for the North Westside Communities and Directors Hanson & Bartyik spoke for their areas.
Our planned 30 minute meeting went for 45 minutes and I presented the North Westside Petition and supporting documentation to the Minister and his staff. I then requested support from the Minister for the Governance Study the North Westside Communities Association and their Governance Committee had requested through me. Minister Fassbender thanked us for the information we provided and told us that they would read all documents and talk to the Regional Board before a decision is made.
On Thursday September 29 at the UBCM conference in Victoria I met with Minister Fassbender and his senior staff, Chair Given, CAO Reardon and Director Bartyik where we received his decision. Minister Fassbender stated that he is approving the Governance Study for the North Westside. In addition, he stated that the Ministry will provide Provincial funding for the study and once underway his staff will consider expanding that study to other areas as per the request from Central Okanagan East. Chair Given asked if the RDCO Board still needed to provide a resolution in support of the Study. Minister Fassbender responded that he was sending a senior staff member, as requested by the RDCO Board, as soon as possible (I’m hoping for the October Governance & Services Board Meeting on October 13) to answer any questions they may have and that they could “proceed with the Resolution of Support at that time … If that was the will of the Board”.
I am extremely pleased with the support we have received from Minster Fassbender and his staff and have thanked them on behalf of the residents of the North Westside Communities.
Wayne Carson
Electoral Director, Central Okanagan West
250-801-4859