Summerland council not easily swayed

Editor: I had been sitting on the fence for a while watching the debate on the Banks Crescent proposal when something struck me. I was reminded how the Summerland Hills Golf Resort project suffered delay after delay and ended up being cancelled because of the opposition by a small but vocal special interest group that had, all of a sudden, turned into raving environmentalists bent on saving our community.

So I started looking into the facts and discovered some similarities in method with the present anti-project group.

I noticed misleading questions on their petition that really had no bearing on the discussion about the project. I have also heard that businesses have been threatened with boycotts if they come out in support of the project.

So to gather more facts, I took a drive to the site. I could totally understand how the surrounding homeowners might be upset at losing their gorgeous view of vineyards and the lake. Unfortunately, when you don’t own the properties in front of that view, there is always the chance that the view can change.

However, I also understand that Summerland needs more good jobs. We need more upscale residents to move to our beautiful town and contribute to our tax base and shop in local businesses.

After some analysis, I was heartened to see that mayor and council were actually doing the job we elected them for in not letting a small vocal group influence them.

It appears our elected leaders are properly looking at the facts and not rhetoric in determining whether this project will or will not get the green light.

I also expect mayor and council to keep the developer honest and have all the facts before making a decision then making what they believe is the right call for all the citizens of Summerland. That is what we elected you for. Andy Richards, Summerland