SCRD directors:
You say our Coast people need more education about conserving water, and you will spend more tax dollars on conservation education. It is my experience that Coast people have a higher than average education and job expertise than other communities. We understand the ecological needs of our community and respond effectively. We are very concerned about our water, trees, land, animals, etc. Spending tax dollars to educate us is a waste.
Constituents have asked you to build water capacity – that means additional water storage besides the water in Chapman Lake. You have sat on your hands and done nothing to increase capacity for years. You have not refused building permits so there is greater need for water and less capacity.
You spend thousands of tax dollars on an agricultural plan, implement it, then decide that we cannot water unless we are an “official” farm. Again you place the cart before the horse. I do not see good financial stewardship of our taxes.
You say we have to have water meters because we use more water per capita than other areas. Look around – most of us live on lots covered by bush, which is not watered. There are fewer lawns, flower beds or vegetable gardens than in Metro Vancouver. We have smaller families with fewer showers, fewer toilets to flush, fewer dishwashers to fill, and less laundry to be done. But how many leaks are there in the system? Could that be the reason so much water is used?
Your constituents say no to water meters because you have not done the due diligence that is needed before meters are installed. You have decided that you do not have to listen to us. It is possible, at a fraction of the cost of the meters, to determine where the leaks are and then fix them. Why do you continue to sit on your hands?
You were elected to act on our behalf to ensure our access to community services. We do not see good management decisions, good stewardship of tax dollars and no forward planning. The Coast people expect more than a good old boys approach to local government.
Elizabeth Nordlund, Elphinstone
