Politicians afraid to make RDOS pay
Dear editor: Defined by population numbers, Penticton pays approximately 40 percent of the RDOS budget. The satellite communities – namely Naramata, West Bench, Kaleden, Okanagan Falls, Skaha Estates and Heritage Hills – should be supporting according to their population numbers the recreational infrastructure financially subsidized by Penticton taxpayers.
The reasoning of individuals in the satellite community surrounding Penticton apparently is the old mantra: You owe me. I shop there. I don’t use it so I’m not going to pay for it.
The individual directors knowing the regional model is only sustainable by population contribution feed on this baloney, taking the easy way out. Then they force feed this baloney to the four regional directors of Penticton whenever this subject is brought up.
The fact that individuals decide not to use certain infrastructure that is available for their use is immaterial.
I have never curled, yet the curling rink is part of the infrastructure of Penticton and all Penticton taxpayers financially support it as it is a recreational need in the community.
This is called the common good and it is expected that cities will provide a variety of recreational infrastructure for the use of various needs of its society. That is the purpose of cities and why people group together. People are stronger together than apart. Common goals are more achievable together.
The regional district is evading its responsibilities and obligations to the region’s common good instead enforcing the status quo: a free ride subsidized by Penticton residents.
They claim if Penticton doesn’t want regional district citizens using their recreational infrastructure they should charge a higher rate to those out-of-town citizens. They ignore their regional responsibility knowing full well that their stance is an unworkable solution.
When the regional district evades its responsibilities in this manner it is time for Pentictonites to question whether continuing on within the regional district is in our best interests. This issue has been unresolved for several years now. It must be resolved.
The answer is automatic contribution by population for the satellite areas in the same way that the regional district financing arrangement is set up. Elvena Slump Penticton
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