CN railway

[Swoop]

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=59770&start=60

...that thread's been up for a few weeks...

[Straight Shooter]

Wasn't it the same OIB that squashed plans for the BC Government to built a prison near the Hiram Walker Distillery plant in Lake Country? The Osoyoos Indian Band could have given the OIB an lesson on good business sense, since it is that band that is reaping in the benefits of a correctional centre being built in their own back yard. So maybe this is the OIB way of recouperating some of the million of dollars lost in their neglected hindsight?

[the truth]

great point 10/10

[kgcayenne]

I am fairly disgusted.

[KL3-Something]

That's it OKIB politicians, keep driving that wedge deeper and deeper.

[Anonymous123]

OKIB opposes purchase . Shocking , who would have thought ? Why does the expression WHAAA come to mind ?

OKIB opposes CN Rail sale

There is no mention of what the OKIB wants to do with the land if they should acquire it. Maybe they are also on board with the idea of a multi-use recreation corridor. Has any one inquired?

“We offered the mayors the opportunity to back our claim.

First, it would have helped to build much needed bridges between parties and cultures and second, it would have saved the tax payers $22M.”

[KL3-Something]

They would have said that if they were on-board for the multi-use corridor. I highly doubt that the taxpayers would "save" on this one. The OKIB doesn't have the means to purchase the property outright. Like they said at the outset months ago, they want the government to buy it back for them.

I can see it now....The north end of Wood Lake and the western shore of Kalamalka Lake lined with lease cabins like the north end of Okanagan Lake.

Does this mean that the OKIB gets to poke it's nose into the sale of every piece of property that is within their traditional territory?

[the truth]

yup

[westbankkid]

The OIB state the land was taken with the caveat it be returned to OIB if it was not needed anymore. Hmmmmm Where is the agreement showing such an intention?


NO TICKEE NO LAUNDRY!!!!

[kgcayenne]

http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-st ... htm#129111

The Okanagan Indian Band has reaffirmed its opposition to the sale of the CN Rail line between Kelowna and Vernon. And who can blame them?

The land was taken from the band, after all, for creation of the railway. Now the trains are gone, the band says the land should be returned.

But, it’s what the Indian band is not saying that is most concerning.

The band should be clear in its position on whether the scenic trail would remain open to the public. Much effort has gone into securing the property for future generations. Indeed, the purchase by local municipalities is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to preserve what could become a magnet for tourists, cyclists and hikers surpassing even the Myra Canyon trestles.

A few things need to happen to restore public confidence in the process, however.

The Indian band should come clean on its intentions for the rail line lands.

If the line is to revert to the band, the federal government should pay the whole shot to buy it back from CN, not local governments. It’s the feds who took it in the first place.

While the band did ask local mayors to back its land claim, a more positive scenario might see them working together with a commitment to maintain public access. The municipalities could put the $22 million they’d save toward maintenance and trail improvements, while the band could realize significant business opportunities by operating ventures such as bicycle rentals, SeaDoo rentals or a snack shop or cultural centre along the route.

Lastly, no one wants to see tolls on the path. Paying to play would simply lead visitors elsewhere.

Till now, attention to the land claim has mostly focused on the Duck Lake Reserve area, but Chief Byron Louis restated this week the band’s claim to the most scenic stretch along Kalamalka Lake as well.

It would be a shame to see it fenced off or, worse yet, built on.

We're confident that, in a spirit of openness, co-operation – and reconciliation – this project can go ahead, for the mutual benefit of First Nations and non-natives alike. Let’s make it happen.

– News Director Jon Manchester

~Well said. What can we 'little people' do to help?

[the truth]

give the chief the money he wants and and lets move on, they love money too.

[kgcayenne]

Seriously, though: Other than a truckload of money, what can be done to convince them to back off and give future generations something for which they can be appreciated?

[the truth]

imo, its just about money ,nothing more ,nothing less

[Treblehook]

If the OIB really wants to *bleep* everyone off in the valley.. people and business interests, they ought to just press on with this objection of theirs, minus any expressed intent in respect to it's future use. Nothing less than stupid and narrow minded thinking. Instead of building a strong and inclusive business reputation and demonstrating the desire to co-exist like the Westbank Band and Osoyoos Band.. they are doing the exact opposite.

[maryjane48]

If the OIB really wants to *bleep* everyone off in the valley.. people and business interests, they ought to just press on with this objection of theirs, minus any expressed intent in respect to it's future use. Nothing less than stupid and narrow minded thinking. Instead of building a strong and inclusive business reputation and demonstrating the desire to co-exist like the Westbank Band and Osoyoos Band.. they are doing the exact opposite.

who made you god? its free country, they can do as they like