A Big White community town hall forum planned for Wednesday, March 6, may take on an angry tone vented by those in attendance.
At issue is a vocal negative reaction from residents and the local business community to proposed changes to the service operation of the Big White transfer station put forward by the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB).
The regional district wants to reduce the waste management service to three days a week, which has generated a frustrated reaction from the Big White Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
In a news release issued Thursday, Feb. 15, the Big White Mountain Chamber of Commerce says there has been a history of concern from the community related to the value and effectiveness of services provided by the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary along with questions about how tax dollars collected are being allocated.
That dissatisfaction in the past has led to public expressions of the ski resort becoming aligned within the Regional District of Central Okanagan boundaries.
“The proposed changes to the transfer station have hit a nerve for two reasons,” said Richard Berrie, president of the Big White chamber.
“The first concern is that there appears to be a fundamental lack of understanding by the RDKB about our community and local economy. This is coupled with a recent engagement process that has left many community and business members feeling unheard.”
Berrie says the second concern is the regional district’s delivery of services to the Big White resort, with waste management being at the top of the list.
“We have over 100 businesses on the mountain, the majority of which relate to tourism. Imagine you are a local cleaning or property management company; you need daily access to the transfer station as people check in and out of accommodations,” said Berrie.
“One of the options the RDKB proposed was for the transfer station to only be open three days a week. That would be crippling for many businesses.”
Mark Hillhouse, president of the Big White Mountain Community Development Association, reiterated the chamber’s concerns regarding the relationship between Big White and the RDKB.
“When it comes to our transfer station specifically, the mechanical doors have repeatedly been inoperable for extended periods of time due to mechanical issues with long delays in repairs. This has been extremely frustrating and has resulted in other issues, one of which was a bear accessing the garbage in the transfer station last year,” said Hillhouse.
“The recent solution provided by the RDKB has focused on making the facility a manned station with different tax increase options proposed based on hours of service.
“Big White represents a significant tax base for the RDKB, yet the services we are provided for those funds seem wildly disproportionate.
“To even suggest a tax increase for appropriate waste management services when we are already underserviced is ridiculous. What we want are straightforward answers and meaningful dialogue.”
The RDKB town hall will take place on March 6 at the Happy Valley Day Lodge, starting at 6 p.m.
Both the local chamber of commerce and community association are encouraging residents and business owners to turn out.
More to come.
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