Amalgamation just makes cents

Dear editor: Government is expensive and when it is multiplied by four – regional, municipal, provincial and federal – costs can easily escalate out of control.

It takes responsive, concerned politicians with non-mercenary motives to take on the responsibility of keeping costs down. Those are unfortunately as scarce as hen’s teeth.

Kelowna is a good example. Kelowna directors of the local regional district (RDCO) are meeting for as little as seven minutes at a time, with Kelowna councillors averaging $750 an hour (Herald, A6, April 13).

According to the 2018 budget, the average Kelowna householder with a house the value of $692,000 paid $182.52 for the privilege of being milked by their local council. West Kelowna ($682,000) paid $196.19. Lake Country paid $202.67.

Why wouldn’t it be of benefit for these three municipalities to amalgamate and go to the ward system for individual representation and accountability?

In the Regional District of OkanaganSimilkameen just south of the RDCO, Penticton pays about 40 per cent of the RDOS budget. The percentage varies year to year. In return for this we get milked by the surrounding communities that depend on us for their recreational needs. We pay the shot and they graciously participate.

Penticton is facing a $40 million infrastructure shortage, and pressure to increase infrastructure to fulfill the needs of the community at large.

Vernon has a better system with a graduated payment contribution structure for services used. The Greater Vernon Parks, Recreation and Culture service area includes the City of Vernon the District of Coldstream and the RDNO Electoral Areas B and C.

Amalgamation and the disbanding of the RDOS has been an issue in Penticton for years. But the satellite communities have the attitude of why pay when you can ride for free?

Need water? Go to Penticton (West Bench). Need sewer expansion to build shopping centres and housing developments? Penticton will do it (Penticton Indian Band).

And our politicians are too spineless to stand up to them and demand they return the favour by supporting other recreational services. West Bench alone lends small support.

Duncan/Cowichan is considering amalgamation. Also Victoria/Saanich and the District of North Vancouver and City of North Vancouver are considering a referendum on the subject. According to a North Shore News poll conducted April 12, 72 per cent of North Vancouver residents favor of amalgamation.

Doubling, tripling and quadrupling of the civil service to fatten the purses of politicians is an abuse of hard-earned tax dollars. Elvena Slump Penticton