The Jumbo Debate

Annalee Grant

A banner signed by Jumbo Wild supporters was prominently displayed outside the RDEK office.

As begun in yesterday's, Bulletin, Kimberley's Mayor and Council had a frank discussion Monday evening about the period leading up to the controversial Jumbo vote last August.

It was the contention of Coun. Brent Bush that Council should have been formally consulted as to their thoughts before Council's representative, Mayor Jim Ogilvie, cast his vote.

In yesterday's story, it was noted that Ogilvie was supported in his right to make an independent decision by Councillors Albert Hoglund, Bob McWhinnie and Bob West-Sells.

As the discussion continued Coun. Paddy Weston said that she agreed with Coun. Bush.

“There are two aspects I am concerned with,” she said. “One is with the process and the other is about the decision itself. This is what I am hearing from the public.

“What I read in the letter from Mr. Tersmette, dozens of people have said to me. A significant number of people in this community are opposed to Jumbo. I'm not sure what the appropriate process to address something like this is. With something this big, Council should have been consulted.

“If I was in the position of having to make that decision, I would want other points of view. I agree that the Mayor's door is open and I have had productive discussions with him. But it behooves our representative to the RDEK to say this is something significant and I will bring it to Council to discuss it. People make the assumption that this was discussed with Council.

Coun. Albert Hoglund said that the Jumbo issue had been on the radio and in the paper and that Weston, having been on Council for a year should have been fully up to date on it.

She however, replied that the date for the actual vote came up very fast at a time when she was on vacation and out of phone contact.

“I don't travel in the same circles as Councillor Weston, but I don't get the same sense that there is overwhelming support that the RDEK should shoot it down,” Ogilvie said. “If you want to debate the Jumbo issue, I am more than prepared to do so.”

However, Bush was more concerned with the process on Monday.

“It's my belief that something this large should be discussed at Council. I didn't know until a day before the vote that it was taking place. It's a classic political trick —do it in the summer, no one is paying attention.”

“It's not a political trick,” Ogilvie said. “It's my reputation and integrity that's being challenged here.”

At this point Acting Chair Hoglund asked for order.

“I believe this issue was conducted the same in all East Kootenay communities,” Ogilvie said. “Their member went there unfettered to vote any way they chose.

“If Council wants to change that they have to recognize that the RDEK is an independent body. You can give someone advice on how to vote they are not obligated to vote that way. I contend that the land use issue was settled in the CORE process.

“If you want me to take a resolution to the RDEK asking them to change their mind, I don't believe it will pass. I reiterate, I voted what was best for the RDEK and what was best for Kimberley.”

Coun. Bush did not push for a change in procedure on how the City's RDEK representative voted.

“We've had a discussion and that's all I wanted,” he said.

Tomorrow, Mayor Ogilvie presents the research on which he based his decision.

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