Mackenzie Avenue Rehab Loan Authorization Bylaw 2108, 2009 - AAP Process

As you are all aware, today starts the 30 day AAP (Alternate Approval Process) Process or Counter-Petition opportunity to oppose WL Council's desire to borrow up to $3.5 million to repair Mackenzie Avenue. The last day to register your opposition to Council adopting Bylaw #2109, 2009 is Monday, February 22nd, 2010 at 4:00pm at Williams Lake City Hall

Earlier today, I submitted my AAP Process form opposing WL Council's desire to borrow up to $3.5 million to repair Mackenzie Avenue. Previous to this, I did inform WL City Councillors' Surinder Rathor and Geoff Bourdon of my reasons to oppose Bylaw #2109, 2009 and now I wish to share them with you:

Reason #1

At present, there is no plan as to how the City intends to proceed with the repair of Mackenzie Avenue except for a general statement on this project and that is unacceptable. I feel that if the City placed a high priority on this project, it should have held a "Town Hall" meeting on this project and answered any/all questions of the public prior to it proceeding with the formal request for permission to borrow up to $3.5 million for Mackenzie Avenue.

Reason #2

WL City Council has decided to use the AAP Process or Counter-Petition opportunity to gauge public support or opposition to borrowing money to repair Mackenzie Avenue. Given that Council is seeking permission to borrow up to $3.5 million, a binding referendum should have occurred and furthermore, the cost of the referendum could have been included in the budget for the Mackenzie Avenue Rehab Project

Reason #3

Mayor Cook, while campaigning last fall for the Mayor's Office, criticized the then Council for how it handled the borrowing of $6.5 million for the new Fire Hall (and yes, I voted against that borrowing bylaw as well) and yet, she and her Council are using the same process as the last Council used to borrow money for the new Fire Hall. If one is going to criticize sitting politicians, at least criticize, come up with your own solutions and then implement them. In my opinion, Mayor Cook's actions on this file completely make her a hypocrite

Again - if you are opposed to Council borrowing up to $3.5 million for the repair of the entire length of Mackenzie Avenue, you have until Monday, Feb 22nd/2010 to register your opposition. If you want more information, see the City's website at http://www.williamslake.ca/ or contact the Mayor and Council. Their contact information is as follows:

Mayor Kerry Cook - mayor@williamslake.ca
Councillor Surinder Rathor - srathor@williamslake.ca
Councillor Natalie Montoya - nmontoya@williamslake.ca
Councillor Tom Barr - tbarr@williamslake.ca
Councillor Laurie Walters - lwalters@williamslake.ca
Councillor Geoff Bourdon - gbourdon@williamslake.ca
Councillor Sue Zacharias - szacharias@williamslake.ca