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BC
Civic election November 2008
After listening to, the candidates for Mayor and Councilor at the all
candidates meeting in Osoyoos, to Destination Osoyoos presentation to
Council and to many people in the community. I can only conclude that the
fundamental issue that matters to everyone in Osoyoos is the Town’s economic
development model. Reminding, that lasting quality of life, good health and
a sound ecology entirely depends on investment in sustainable economic
development and production. In businesses that distribute wealth in the
community via better paid employment – rather than handouts and welfare.
Therefore, the society in Osoyoos should expect that the elected Mayor and
Council finally will carryout an unbiased analysis and evaluation of the
Town’s economic development model and its contract with Destination Osoyoos.
The question should be whether the model is science based and meets modern
standards in terms of analysis, planning and control? Does the model address
the social, economic and ecological realities facing Osoyoos and allow
development to usurp social, economic and ecological realities. Or does the
model merely bolster the positive and take credit for development that would
have happened anyway, and fail to address the issues that really matter to
society. Does the model stimulate investment in economic production that
creates better-paid employment in Osoyoos? Does the model create
uncertainties, whether it is the elected Council that is in charge for the
Town (as it should be), or is it a small special interest group in a private
closed society corporation that pulls the strings in the Town of Osoyoos, -
as it should not be? Could the tax transferred to Destination Osoyoos have
been better used in other directions – the opportunity cost? Does the model
produce the understanding and foresight in the Town council and
administration that the community depends on as it faces the future?
Rather than decrease, does the model increase disparities in Osoyoos,
contrary to §36 in our Canadian constitution. Therefore, it would be natural
that both levels of government and the auditor general study the Osoyoos
economic development model – to increase understanding. I trust the board of
Destination Osoyoos would welcome a current and past unbiased audit and
evaluation of its operation, why wouldn’t they?
Osoyoos November 13, 2008
OISD
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