Editor:

I cannot sit back and let such misinformation be circulated and believed. Goetz has misinformed the public about the Exit 286 project. To clarify:

1. There is no million dollars sitting anywhere in government for this project.  Back in 2007, Premier Campbell declared Exit 286 to be the “gateway to the Interior” and that his government would allocate $3 million for a new tourist information centre.

At our 2010 UBCM meeting with Premier Campbell he was quite clear on the fact that these funds no longer existed, and councillor Goetz was in attendance.

2. This is not a joint project with the city of Merritt and the First Nations bands. It is a First Nations project that the city of Merritt was supporting in principal only.

The province showed its support by assigning a project manager to bring all involved ministries, First Nations and the city together to discuss the challenges and process involved to bring it to fruition.

When I last touched base with the project manager in late fall, nothing was proceeding until the Lower Nicola Band was on side with the conditions and setup of the project.

The province is remaining vigilant in maintaining that all of our local bands must be in support of the land acquisition to one entity, a corporation that will hold the land.

This corporation is structured so that each and every band can buy shares into it, thereby enabling a representative to sit on its board, and also granting the ability for each band to buy into whatever they can afford.

Then the plan is for the corporation to lease out space for the development of business. Profits go back to the corporation to be paid out per share.

The project manager is Susan Fitton, based in Kamloops. Perhaps council should have a discussion with her to find out where the project is sitting, prior to going to UBCM, in order that you have up to date, factual information.

The previous council was updated on the progress at council workshops and by emails regularly.

3. It is not up to Merritt city council to determine if this project goes ahead or not, it is the province and the First Nations bands only that can determine this.

Should the City of Merritt decide NOT to support it any longer, that lies on their shoulders.

The City has very little invested into this project: my time from attending all the past meetings and a staff member’s time from attending meetings, nothing else.

4. We have not been confirming every year that $1 million is still there.

We were told quite plainly in 2010 that there were no provincial government funds for this project. Any discussion at UBCM is to keep the province current that the City of Merritt continues to support the First Nations bands in this project.

5. Since there are in fact funds sitting on a shelf anywhere, there is nowhere else they can be applied to. No government would ever allocate funds for a specific project and then allow council to move those funds to whatever project it may determine to be more deserving or popular.

It is difficult enough for new council members to get caught up on all the city is involved in, but when a two-term councillor continues to mislead and misinform without challenge is so very wrong.

I for one will not sit idly by and say nothing. Shame on you, councillor Goetz for your actions in knowingly giving incorrect information. To what purpose I ask?

 

Susan Roline

Former mayor of Merritt