Support not widespread for visitor info centre

Editor: On Dec. 22, I wrote to city hall regarding concern that council may be misinformed as to broad citizen support for the proposed Tourism Kelowna visitor information centre.

My primary concern was that council was relying upon correspondence received by the mayor and council identifying support, as well as representations from Tourism Kelowna based, partially at least, on carefully crafted surveys and the results thereof.

After delivering my correspondence, I received four lists of correspondence received by mayor and council related to the visitor information centre. The lists identified the authors, organization representation (if applicable) and whether or not the correspondence was in support or opposition.

While the determination of support or opposition by city staff is likely subjective, I have not yet viewed (but have requested an opportunity to view) the actual correspondence to determine if the determination is indeed objective and representative.

Of that “deemed” support correspondence received between Nov. 1 and Dec. 21, where the author and organization affiliation could be determined, a deeper analysis indicates approximately 83 per cent of the support letters are from Tourism Kelowna stakeholders, directors and/or their private company staff, Tourism Kelowna staff and volunteers, and tourism business interests from outside of Kelowna.

Clearly, this does not reflect broad public support for the project. On the contrary it only indicates broad stakeholder and vested interest support which is a biased, small portion of the citizen base.

The bottom line is that council does not have the claimed broad citizen support for the project.

Before essentially giving away prime waterfront public property to a special interest group with questionable, at best, accountability/transparency to the citizens of Kelowna, the mayor and council are duty bound to expose all aspects associated with the citizens of Kelowna.

Short of a binding referendum, I suggest that mayor and council publish a detailed fact sheet on all aspects of the project so that the citizens can provide informed feedback prior to any decisions on whether or not the project receives council support — firstly on the land use process, secondly on the city’s 100 per cent contribution of landscaping/servicing, and lastly on negotiation of the proposed ground lease rate/terms.

The recommendation for a city fact sheet on the proposed project needs be comprehensive, unbiased, supportable and provided well in advance of the Jan. 24 public hearing as it will be scrutinized closely.

Will mayor and council direct staff to prepare and distribute a comprehensive and un-biased fact sheet so we can be informed? If this is not possible, will mayor and council resolve to send this matter to referendum?

One last thing. For the record, I am opposed to any support of the project by mayor and council.

I look forward to hearing back from city hall at the earliest opportunity.