The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) board of directors discussed question period, cuts to Canada Post and Greyhound services at the last board meeting on Nov. 1 at the Grand Forks Regional District of Kootenay Boundary board room.
RDKB turns down section in agenda for question period
A motion to put a section in the agenda for a question period for the public was voted against after much discussion.
Greenwood Mayor Nipper Kettle pointed out that the RDKB meetings are open to the public and raised the issue of having a section in the agenda for question period.
“We have it in our regular (Greenwood) council meetings and I believe we should have it in the beginning or end of these meetings,” he said. “It would give people in the audience to ask about times of concern on the agenda.”
Chief Administrative Office John MacLean noted that discussion was raised earlier this year.
“The feeling at the time was that it would not be a part of the agenda,” MacLean said. “If it was a part of the agenda, then we’re writing notes and resolutions can fall over everything else. What the practice has been is when we have had members of the public in attendance, which is actually rare, that immediately following adjournment, Chair (Larry) Gray would open the floor for discussions or questions. But it would not be part of the formal agenda.”
The motion was denied, with seven directors voting against and six for the motion.
Greyhound services
Concerned about lack of accessibility and safety, the board of directors and city representatives unanimously agreed to write a letter to Greyhound in regards to their plans for reduced services.
Kettle made the motion at the meeting, noting the City of Greenwood has already sent in a letter of concerns.
“We’re sending a letter to Greyhound saying this is a concern for residents, including the Boundary, because on the weekends they will reduce services,” he said. “This raised some red flags because I think it’s the wrong thing to do. If they want more ridership, they should lower prices, not raise them.”
Midway Director Marguerite Rotvold agreed, adding lack of accessibility was also an issue.
“When you cut back on the number of trips, it also limits options for residents in the Boundary to go east or west,” she said. “It’s an inconvenience to everybody.”
The application suggests a reduced minimum route frequency between Kelowna and the Alberta Border and Hwy 3.
Canada Post services to be cut in Beaverdell
The RDKB also agreed to write a letter to Canada Post in opposition to closing its services in Beaverdell on Saturdays.
Rotvold added the decline of postal services in one small rural community would spread to other rural communities.
“Because it’s not a designated federal post office, it’s easier to cut back hours there,” she said. “Our council in the past has been against any reduction in services.”
Rossland Director Kathy Wallace did note that there are very few people who used the post office during Saturdays, though she is against the idea of loss of jobs.
“There’s no business on that day,” she said. “But there should be other ways to attract customers into the business.”
In a letter to the RDKB, Canada Post Beaverdell branch vice-president Carolyn Elliot explained that the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (a bargaining agent that represents over 8,000 employees of Canada Post Corporation working in rural post offices) received notice that Canada Post Corporation is proposing a reduction of hours and would no longer offer Saturday service in Beaverdell.