GIFTS AND GRIPES

(Page 24)
A Question of Trust
Dear Editor
What will we be reading in the Western Wheel next? In an unprecedented attack on Diamond Valley Centre 78 Society, Turner Valley Councillor, Nathan Jones, has announced the planning of a new multi-use facility in Turner Valley. His idea comes from the original Centre 78 architectural plans and business plans. Yes, the very business plan that Turner Valley council rejected as not being viable. Now it's a viable proposition? I ask, “What's in it for Jones?”
Centre 78 Society paid over $20,000 for IBI Group Consultants to write a grant application for $2.9 million. As soon as the grant was approved Turner Valley Council claimed it, decided they couldn't be the fiscal agent to monitor the spending of the grant money and told Centre 78 Society to go away. Now they are complaining because they did go away…to Black Diamond. Have Turner Valley even reimbursed Centre 78 for the $20,000+? No way!
The very Business Plan in question was presented to Turner Valley council IN CAMERA, which means that it is not for public eyes. One Turner Valley Councillor took that confidential document to the Sheep River Library Board and disclosed its contents at a Library Board Meeting where members of the general public were in attendance. How's that for trust?
So, Turner Valley stole the new library idea, after sitting back and letting Centre 78 volunteers do all the work. Now they are planning on stealing the Multi-Use Community Centre Facility plans and operational ideas….right down to the retail portion. More trust issues?
How will they cover the $15 million needed to build it? Just take out another debenture without asking their taxpayers? Probably, after all the taxpayers trust them, don't they?
According to the article in the Western Wheel dated August 18th, 2010, Jones now also wants the funds raised by the Centre 78 Society to be given to them. Why? Less work for Jones or is he just trying to inflame residents? Jones is also a local developer. Conflict of interest and more trust issues?
Should the Centre 78 Society have trusted the Town of Turner Valley's council members with their plans? Apparently not! Hind-sight is 20/20.
Councillor Pollock introduced a By-law a couple of years ago to ban the use of Styrofoam products in the town. Now he has allowed Styrofoam to be used as the insulation in the new library building. Why?
At the Centre 78 open house in Black Diamond one Turner Valley resident stood up and announced that she personally knew that a new community hall for the Town of Turner Valley had been on the books for the last 11 years because she had worked for the Town. The question was raised so why hasn't it been built already?
Mayor Dona Fluter told the Western Wheel last week that it had been in their long range plans since 2005. So which is it? 11 years or 5 years or 5 months?
Trust? How can community residents trust a council that tells (or leaks) so many different stories?
Black Diamond Councillor, Michel Jackson, raised the question of contaminants in the soil that the library is being built on. Why is that deemed to be wrong? Don't we all want reassurance that our new library will be built in a healthy environment, when our children will be encouraged to go there? Turner Valley council maintains the soil is free from contaminants. Have they produced a signed and certified copy of a recent environmental test? Oh right, we must trust the council when they tell us it's okay! Just like the reservoir soil was okay!
Really, are we all that blind that we can't see the self-serving interests of the power hungry people that we are supposed to trust taxpayer's money to?
I can't wait for the elections. Unfortunately I don't think we will see enough new blood running for council so we will be stuck with the old council, by acclamation, and the trust (or lack thereof) issues will continue. And really, can you blame people for not wanting to inherit the mess?
No wonder Black Diamond residents didn't want to amalgamate with us.
Joy M.
Thankfully just a resident NOT a taxpayer.

All “Letters To The Editor” are more than welcome at the Gateway Gazette and whenever possible we will endeavour to print them. We reserve the right to edit or not publish submissions if they are in extreme bad taste, vulgar or could do damage to other specific persons. Please note that published submissions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Gateway Gazette, staff, associates or family. The Gateway Gazette (along with anyone connected to the Gateway Gazette) does not assume any liability or responsibility in light of the opinions of others. With all of that out of the way, please feel free to send us your thoughts or opinions, preferably by email at: gazette@telus.net, you can fax them to: 938-2473, or you can drop them off in our drop-box at Coyote Moon in Turner Valley or at Pharmasave in Black Diamond.