RDCO Board Chair asked to resign

[erinmore3775]

I agree with GF. Hobson mat be slow and methodical, but he is fair and has always had the best interests of Kelowna and the Rwgional District at heart.

This is the Kelowna Mountain project:

http://kelownamountain.com/kmc

Like all developments of this magnitude it is packaged in in glossy words and pictures that leave many questions unanswered

- water sources for the homes, winery,theme parks etc,
- sewer connections
- roadways
- how does it fit in with the rest of the plans for the District area?

A project of this magnitude has to be evaluated fully and not just on the basis of a glossy webpage production. There is no hurry to make an immediate decision. I would hope that the area residents, elected officials, and citizens of Kelowna would take the time to evaluate this project carefully before deciding it is the best thing or the worst thing that ever happened to the area. In the meantime I hope Hanson gets all the info she needs and everyone else develops a little bit of patience.

[grammafreddy]

Because of the grandiose magnitude of the KMD, I would sure want to have a VERY comprehensive study done on the impact it will have on the City of Kelowna and the people and businesses who are along the route to get to the mountain.

There are so many things to be considered ... and I'll just toss out one little one at this time because West Kelowna is going through some "growing pains" right now over the new additional residential (and commercial?) development at Mission Hill Wines. (Man, I hope I have that all straight - I am NOT a winery person). Seems the increased traffic is causing some existing residents some consternation.

While I will agree this project appears to have great economic benefit, I am not so dumb as to think that just because a developer says, "Jump" I need to lift a foot off the floor until I know just what he REALLY is asking for. TG for Robert Hobson who wants to know the same thing and is willing to slow the tide of heady excitement to ask the questions before they get in too deep.

What concessions is he asking? How much of the extension or creation of infrastructure service is he paying for? (It should be ALL of it) Roads, sidewalks, gutters, dedicated bike paths? How much does he need and how will he provide it? These roads will be heavy truck routes for delivery vehicles, too.

Is he wanting connection to the city's electrical, water and sewer service? Who is paying? What percentage? How much will existing households and businesses along that route have to pay for the extensions and services - and upgrades to service HIS place?

Are these homes family year-round residences? Where will these kids go to school? How will they get there? Does a new school need to be built? Is he setting aside land and zoning it for this purpose? Is he coughing into the building kitty to build the actual school - it is, after all, intended for families of his development and no development would mean no increased taxpayer costs to build it - right?

How about protective services - fire, ambulance and police? This project will place an additional burden on these services. Do we have the manpower, the equipment and the appropriate buildings for them?

I don't know Ms Hanson but I suspect she might be suffering from the common paranoia known as, "Oh no, he might change his mind and go away!"

I highly doubt this project is going to go away. There is too much invested up there already for it to do that. The investors will bide their time, make a few veiled (and some not so veiled) threats, hedge and hum and haw a bit, try to bluff, and just generally see what he can weasel out of the city in return for his "wonderful contribution to the economic benefit of Kelowna" - his selling point.

............... and then there's all the star-struck folks who might be dreaming of rubbing a few elbows with the rich and famous up there. Here's a hint ... other than Tom Cruise, they all wipe their wealthy tushes with TP - just like you and me. Mr Cruise has special toilets that wash his bum with a gentle spray of water. :nyah:

[dinosaur]

Politicians who use their seat for self intrests and not the good of the whole should be called out for it and held accountable for their actions.

You are kidding right? You realize its the counselors who get developments through inspite of long-term planning who would get the bribes, fishing-trips, etc... If long-term planning had been followed in the 80' (e.g. all the strip-malls along the highway) Kelowna would not have half the problems it has today. I dont know how you guys are managing to turn integrity upside down. I'm guessing some of you are PR agents or interested parties with the development?

[grammafreddy]

This gets interesting ....

http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/74358/Wingnut

Board resignation request confusion
by Wayne Moore - Story: 74358
Apr 25, 2012 / 11:20 am

Okanagan East Regional Director, Patty Hanson seems to be backtracking somewhat on statements made Monday night at the Regional Board table.

At the meeting, Hanson called for the resignation of Regional Board Chair, Robert Hobson and Director of Planning, Dan Plamondon.

She also made the same comments in a news release sent to media members prior to the meeting.

In a third email Wednesday morning, Hanson says she meant to say she only asked for Hobson and Plamondon to step aside when the Kelowna Mountain project is up for discussion at the board table.

"I forgot to include my area only (in original email) because I can't speak for the entire regional district. I'm just speaking for my area only," says Hanson.

"That's what I should have included and I forgot to even include it. That's why I sent the email this morning because there is confusion out there. I just wanted to clarify it."

Kelowna Mountain is a 259 hectare (640 acre) piece of property just south of Kelowna city limits above the Upper Mission area.

The owners hope to be able to construct a large resort complex which would include a ski hill, golf course, winery, suspension bridge, hotels, commercial development and 200 residential units.

The property falls within the electoral area Hanson represents.

"I don't think Robert Hobson wants any development on the South Slopes," says Hanson.

What she hopes is that whenever discussions of Kelowna Mountain come up at the board level, assistant chair, James Baker (Lake Country Mayor) should assume the chair.

"James Baker sitting as the chair when we go through these issues would be more beneficial for my area because he's neutral. It doesn't affect him at all," adds Hanson.

"Robert (Hobson) can still be a councillor around the table for discussion but I don't think comments will be made and then retracted. That's why I asked for the resignation of the chair when issues in my area come up."

Hanson says she has been asked to retract her statement but continues to stand by everything she said in her original statement.

"I got a letter from Robert Hobson asking me to publicly recall my statements and I told the administrator (Paul Macklem) no. I said I've been putting up with this hassle for years," says Hanson.

"I have every right to ask for the chair to step aside when it comes to my area if I think he's got an issue with development in my area."

Hobson, who is on vacation in Europe told Castanet he is looking at all of his options including possible litigation.

[twofingers]

I believe she may have a case of Headus in rectumus

[Yoga Wannabe]

I applaud Robert Hobson for taking due diligence to ensure that this project (which appears to have suddenly appeared, as in "what are the bright lights above the Mission?") is not an environmental disaster or, equally bad, a poorly planned grandiose vision which fails and is forever a blemish on the Mission hillside. I don't live in that area of Kelowna but I can't imagine that Mission residents want this process rushed (and then, where does the blame lie?). I, for one, can't really comprehend how a hill at that elevation could viably be a ski area ... unless they have to artificially create the snow?

Seriously, Patty Hanson, just because Hobson does not jump on this project, does not mean he needs to step aside for its discussion and review. Instead, I am seriously questioning YOUR judgment and motivation to push this project forward.

[damngrumpy]

The project should be decided on its own merits. Hobson may or may not be in favour.
He only gets one vote, and if we have to have a neutral person for chair on every issue
we will have to elect a lot of councillors. Actually making him chair is a better plan.
The chair votes in case of a tie usually, therefore if there is a majority to vote in favor
Hobson wouldn't be actually voting.
Development anywhere in the city raises concerns and opportunities for all of us therefore
I want to hear all points of view. There are a lot of concerns, traffic volumes, environmental
concerns, water issues and more. Best we hear all the pros's and cons before anything is
decided.

[mountainmama]

I agree with Patty Hanson's stand. It's nice to see that she has finally grown a pair.

[Carmencat]

I think it is interesting that the majority on the castanet poll agree with Patty Hanson as well. I love that she has shaken up the Old Boy's Club.

[weavesilk]

The project should be decided on its own merits. Hobson may or may not be in favour.
He only gets one vote, and if we have to have a neutral person for chair on every issue
we will have to elect a lot of councillors. Actually making him chair is a better plan.
The chair votes in case of a tie usually, therefore if there is a majority to vote in favor
Hobson wouldn't be actually voting.
Development anywhere in the city raises concerns and opportunities for all of us therefore
I want to hear all points of view. There are a lot of concerns, traffic volumes, environmental
concerns, water issues and more. Best we hear all the pros's and cons before anything is
decided.

Absolutely correct - Good post! Totally agree. Also, to ask a chair to leave because he has an opinion on a topic or application isn't wise or necessary. Unless a chair has a personal conflict of interest, he should not have to excuse himself from the meeting. It is hoped that elected people will vote on the merits of an applications, not because of personal opinions. I think if anyone can do that, it's Robert Hobson. He's proven himself over the years to be a fair and intelligent Chair and board member. So are we to expect Board Directors to be asked to step aside whenever something comes up where they might have a personal opinion. I think not.

[Nebula]

The chair votes in case of a tie usually, therefore if there is a majority to vote in favor
Hobson wouldn't be actually voting.

Not true. This is a common misconception about how voting works during local government meetings. Everyone present votes. It is covered under the Community Charter, Section 123:

General voting rules

123 (1) Unless otherwise provided, a motion on a bylaw or resolution, or on any other question before council, is decided by a majority of the council members present at the meeting.

(2) Each council member has one vote on any question.

(3) Each council member present at the time of a vote must vote on the matter.

(4) If a council member does not indicate how he or she votes, the member is deemed to have voted in the affirmative.

(5) If the votes of the members present at a council meeting at the time of the vote are equal for and against a motion, the motion is defeated.

(6) A requirement under an enactment for an affirmative vote of a specified portion of all members of a council means an affirmative vote of that portion of the number of members of which the council consists under section 118 [size of council].

(7) The voting rules established by this section also apply to council committees.

[weavesilk]

Nebula wrote: "Not true. This is a common misconception about how voting works during local government meetings. Everyone present votes. It is covered under the Community Charter, Section 123:

That is correct about the voting Nebula. It actually wasn't me (weavesilk) who made the comment about the voting in case of a tie.
It was: damngrumpy wrote:The project should be decided on its own merits. Hobson may or may not be in favour.
He only gets one vote, and if we have to have a neutral person for chair on every issue
we will have to elect a lot of councillors. Actually making him chair is a better plan. The chair votes in case of a tie usually, therefore if there is a majority to vote in favor
Hobson wouldn't be actually voting. "

I was agreeing with the other comments in damngrumpy's post about deciding on the merits of the project & the development etc. etc. But I didn't make that clear. Thanks for the clarification! :127:

[Nebula]

Sorry 'bout that. I messed up the quote. Fixed now.

[skitter13]

I think it is interesting that the majority on the castanet poll agree with Patty Hanson as well. I love that she has shaken up the Old Boy's Club.

The wording of the poll asked if one agreed with Ms. Hanson going public with her concerns, not if one agreed with Ms. Hansons comments.

[Nebula]

Today Patty Hanson apologized for her statement calling for the resignation of Hobson and Plamondon at a special regional district board meeting.