The Regional District of Central Okanagan is being accused of ignoring its residents.
The Communities Association has now had two requests denied to speak to the RDCO board about a power pole at Killiney Beach Park.
鈥淚t says to me that they aren鈥檛 interested in what our residents want. They have no interest in our opinion,鈥� said Michelle Carson, NWCA vice-president.
At an Oct. 13 meeting, chairperson Gail Given indicated that operational issues are not discussed at the board table.
鈥淏oard agendas should be filled with governance type items and not operational matters,鈥� she said.
Given also added that the NWCA can provide information about the power pole to individual board members.
The power pole was installed in the park in January 2014, not far from Okanagan Lake and below the high water mark.
鈥淲e wrote a nice, polite letter asking them to relocate the pole to the original place,鈥� said Carson, adding that the pole is an obstruction for those using the beach.
鈥淏ut the regional district stated it had all of the permits and the pole wouldn鈥檛 be removed.鈥�
The Ministry of Forests initially issued a removal order, but ultimately RDCO was given permission to maintain the pole where it is.
Frustrated with the situation, the NWCA filed Freedom of Information requests with the ministry and the regional district.
Carson says the documents show RDCO spent about $6,500 on reports as to why the pole shouldn鈥檛 be relocated.
She also points to staff time directed towards the issue at the ministry and RDCO.
鈥淭his added up to more than the invoice.鈥�
NWCA inquiries indicate that it would cost about $2,000 to relocate the pole.
The communities association is still pushing to appear before directors.
鈥淲e hope the board will give some direction to staff to work on behalf of their residents,鈥� said Carson.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a really messy situation that could have been resolved a couple of years ago.鈥�
At the Oct. 13 RDCO board meeting, chief administrative officer Brian Reardon stated he would discuss the matter with his staff.
鈥淲e can provide all background information to the board,鈥� he said.
Michelle Carson is married to Wayne Carson, North Westside鈥檚 RDCO director.
