Another burning issue

City council dealt with a burning issue at their regular weekly meeting today.

Specifically, the issue of slash burning. Resident enviros Denis Walsh and Nancy Bepple wanted to stop the practice within city limits, the rest of council were okay with it.

“It’s hypocritical” to ban backyard cooking fires but allow slash burning, said Walsh.

An interesting comparison, one that has been used by opponents of the Aboriginal Cogeneration Corp. gasification project, and one that’s totally bogus. How can you ban backyard cooking and allow this terrible toxin-spewing outrate, they ask.

Of course, council would ban the ACC project if they could but fact is, a backyard barbecue puts out about the same emissions as the ACC plant would. At least that’s what the scientists say, though the facts don’t seem to hold much weight with some people.

Anyway, it’s kind of interesting that the same folks who voted on the side of slash burning — Mayor Milobar, councillors O’Fee, Lange, Harker, Wallace and DeCicco (Marg Spina was absent) are the same folks who voted in opposition to the cogen plant.

Question is, why is the notoriously polluting practice of slash burning okay, but a project that will have very minor emissions and be under extremely tight permit rules not okay?

Oh, I know getting rid of interface fire fuel is extremely important and it’s not possible to haul all slash to a chipper or a biomass incinerator, but would it be different if a hundred people showed up demanding that council put a stop to slash burning? You think?

Is Kim Sigurdson wasting his airfare?

Armchair Mayor column, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010

The railway-tie controversy has me thinking about the kind of community we have here.

The word “community” is used too easily these days. They talk about the “international community” and its duty to help out Haiti. Don’t they really mean “all those other countries” rather than community?

I even heard someone refer to “the straight community” during a radio interview this week. What is the straight community? Do straight people get together every once in awhile to celebrate straightness? Not that I know of.

By traditional definition, a community is simply a bunch of people living in the same place. I prefer to think of our community being defined by more than its geography, but rather, in the most positive sense, by its common interests and aspirations, by the way it treats people.

So, I ask myself, what does the Save Kamloops campaign against Aboriginal Cogeneration Corp. say about Kamloops? Has it brought out the best, or the worst, in us?

We know all about our best. Whenever someone is in need, donations pour in. Kamloops people are always ready to help, at any time, whether it be someone who’s down and out at Christmas, or who’s lost home and family in a natural disaster continents away.

We have the spirit, that extra something that goes above and beyond. I think it has to do with the simple joy of life, and being proud of who we are and — as the video says — sure of where we’re going. Fifteen thousand showed up for the Torch Relay, and that many squeeze into Riverside Park every Canada Day. Give us any excuse to celebrate our community and we’re there.

Are we also the kind of community that welcomes new thinking about old problems, or do we just say no without bothering to listen? Are we curious, open to ideas, willing to think?

Are we a community that believes in rules, in which people can do business knowing that when they follow those rules they’ll be respected rather than rejected?

Can we disagree in a constructive manner, can we analyse an issue and come to consensus, or are we a community that thrives on fear, accusation, cheap rumour?

As I think about this, I’m aware of stories being circulated by prominent leaders in this community about Aboriginal Cogeneration Corp. that have nothing at all to do with whether its gasification plant will operate in an environmentally safe manner, and everything to do with trying to discredit ACC as a business and its owners as people.

I’m also aware of TRU profs who — instead of just teaching students — actively solicit support for their own biased views on social causes through the use of class email lists, encouraging them to take part in protest rallies and to hijack forums.

I know doctors are very good at mending broken bones and diagnosing illness, but I doubt they know much about gasification technology.

I hear people saying, in effect, “Don’t talk to me about science, facts don’t matter.” They say they think ACC would be bad for our image.

What of our image as a place that doesn’t renege, doesn’t back track, doesn’t say one thing and do another? Businesses give that pretty strong consideration when they’re looking to set up shop.

I’m banking on Kamloops living up to its reputation of fairness. That’s why I approached ACC president Kim Sigurdson a couple of weeks ago and told him he’d better come to town for a public meeting. I told him I thought I might be able to get the chamber of commerce on side to host it.

Since I’d joined the chorus demanding that he come to explain his plan, I figured I should do something about it, not just talk about it.  That’s why, as a director of the chamber, I talked with president Leslie Brochu, and why she talked to the rest of the board.

Sigurdson believes the chamber will run a fair forum. That’s why he’s coming here March 11 to “face the music” as it were.

Will Kim Sigurdson get that fair hearing, or will he be jeered at? Will questions be sincere, or just an excuse to promote the cause of his detractors?

Will they tie up the microphones to argue, to belittle, seek headlines, or to seek information? Will they let those who have real questions, and want real answers, have their turn?

Will the organized opponents salt the crowd with hecklers to shout insults, wave provocative banners, try to drown him and the other speakers out, call them liars because their words don’t match the view espoused by Save Kamloops?

I’m hoping not, and I believe not, because the energy that has gone into the public campaign against this project is exactly the same energy that makes Kamloops such a kind, thoughtful, fair-minded community.

And, by the way, will our two MLAs, having led the charge demanding Sigurdson come, and threatening to withhold government funding if he doesn’t, have the political courage to acknowledge he’s met their demand, and withdraw their opposition?

Now that Sigurdson is doing what we want him to do, isn’t it time to shift from venting to fact-based discourse and to prove once again we can agree or disagree, calmly, rationally and respectfully?

If we can’t do that, Sigurdson will be wasting his airfare.

Artificial budget ceiling might backfire

I had a choice last night. I could go home after a long day, pour myself a cheap U-brew Chardonnay, or…. go on down to City council’s annual public budget meeting.

Chardonnay…. budget meeting. Maybe it was wrong of me, but having been through quite a few of those budget meetings, I opted for the cheap Charonnay.

The meeting was pretty predicable anyway. A handful of taxpayers would show up, listen, ask a few questions, and go home. Granted, the turnout last night was way higher than most times in the past — two dozen. I have it on reasonably good authority that the winner of this year’s pool on turnout was community and corporate affairs director Len Hyrcan, whose prediction was way low but quite a bit closer than everyone else.

Anyway, sure enough, there were mayor and council issuing assurances that, not to worry, they’re going to pare things down to come in under the magical two-per-cent budget increase.

Two per cent has been the rule of thumb for years. It seems to keep taxpayers relatively happy. I think it’s a good number to shoot for, but there have been years when there’s just too much to be done, when the two-per-cent target becomes an enemy.

Things like roads and sewers can be put off, but they catch up with you, and pretty soon you need to put in a big honking investment all at once to catch up, which was the case just a few years ago.

When council goes the next step and starts cutting from the so-called “wish list,” such things as police, fire control, and bylaw services will be among considerations. When you start cutting back on those things, the wisdom of an artificial ceiling comes into question.

It’s one thing to cut your coat to fit the cloth, and another to cut off its arms.

Didn’t take long for ‘racism’ charge

It didn’t take long for someone to call me “racist” over last Saturday’s column.

“You may try to say your  not a racist, but your words tell us other wise,” wrote Kathleen Manuel in an email that appeared in yesterday’s In box. Manuel is a Secwepemc language teacher and took offense to my comments about the Secwepemc language.

If you read Saturday’s column, you’ll know I was comparing perceptions between natives and non-natives about each other. At one point I wrote that “I understand the importance of bringing back indigenous languages — how can you have a healthy, vibrant culture if your language is gone?” And I added, in brackets, “It seems no two people, of any descent, are able to even pronounce Secwepemc the same way.”

It was an exaggeration, of course, and maybe a little tongue in cheek, based on what I hear from politicians in particular who attempt the word. They all have some trouble with it. Even Chief Shane Gottfriedson has taken lessons in the Shuswap/Secwepemc language so he can use it, especially on public occasions. Good on him.

It simply emphasizes the dire straits in which native languages find themselves. Indeed, many are already extinct and more are endangered. That’s a terrible thing. It’s an excellent thing that Kathleen Manuel has taught the Shuswap/Secwepemc language to 100 students. Good on her, too, because young people are the real hope for rescuing these languages.

But why is it OK to call someone a racist for even mentioning it, and for identifying examples of misunderstandings between natives and non-natives?

All of which perfectly makes a key point I was getting at with the column: the “racist” label is so readily thrown about that most people are afraid to even talk about the differences and issues between natives and non-natives. It’s so bad now, it would seem, that you aren’t even allowed to mention someone else’s racism without being called a racist yourself.

Real racism is easy to identify and easy to find. Don’t insult those who want to do something about it.

Krueger, Lake can’t win for trying

Well it just surprises the heck out of me that the railway-tie issue has become a political football. B.C. New Democrats today are accusing Terry Lake and Kevin Krueger of “trying to rewrite history” in their position that ACC hasn’t fulfilled its “social licence.”

They say our two MLAs supported the project until public opinion changed their minds. That’s a bad thing, according to the NDP. Of course, if Lake and Krueger were saying the project is great and they’re with it all the way, they’d be accused of not listening to public opinion.

Some days a politician can’t win for trying. Anyway, here’s the press release:

“Instead of trying to rewrite history B.C. Liberal MLAs Terry Lake and Kevin Krueger need to take responsibility for not ensuring a full environmental assessment was done before permits were issued to build a plant that would burn toxic creosote-soaked railway ties near downtown Kamloops, say New Democrats.
 
“The B.C. Liberal government could have ordered a full environmental assessment of the project before issuing permits to the company, but instead of advocating on behalf of their constituents, both MLAs were quick to dismiss the concerns of the community and support the toxic project:
 
“·        B.C. Liberal MLA Terry Lake criticized the people of Kamloops for being ‘emotional’ about the plant, and expressed his support for the proposal, saying, “being a politician is tricky, for sure, because you want to please everyone. I’ve learned that you can’t please everyone. You have to live up to your own principles. If people don’t like that or don’t respect me for that, then I’ll go back to neutering cats and dogs.” (CHNL, The Jim Harrison Show, Jan. 14, 2010)
  
“·         B.C. Liberal MLA Kevin Krueger expressed his support for the plant by saying “I know that various people are saying very emotional things about it, but we trust scientists and engineers when we get on airplanes. When we permit sewage and water treatment facilities. When we write permits for industry. And I’m satisfied that people have done their jobs, and that our health and safety is not going to be compromised by this facility.” (CHNL, Jan. 15th, 2010)”

Meanwhile, of course, the New Democrats and leader Carole James are, according to them at least, the good guys.

 ”Mr.Lake and Mr. Krueger’s decision to ignore the concerns of Kamloops residents until opposition to the project reached a fever pitch has increased the likelihood of a costly legal battle for the province, and their continuing reluctance to call for a full environmental assessment- which is what residents want- shows that their sudden conversion on this issue is shallow one.”

Of course, there was no provision for a traditional environmental assessment under the current process, but there certainly will be a very thorough de facto environmental assessment via the appeal, so all the politicking is so much blather. 

Memories of duck-feet soup

Over the years, the annual TRU Foundation Gala has become the big social event, and last night was no exception. It was packed as usual, and raised a tremendous amount of money for the good work done by the foundation.

In trying to find an interesting new theme each year, dinner at the gala can be a bit chancy, and hasn’t always found the mark. Last night, I admit I had my concerns about the Forbidden City theme, as it included a dinner of roast duck and pork belly. Duck is one of those dishes you love or hate. If it’s good, it’s okay; if it’s oily it’s really bad.

The TRU culinary arts staff and students pulled it off. As is often the case, there was a bit of compromise involved, since true Chinese food (as opposed to the pretend Canadian version involving rice and almond chicken) can be quite disturbing to the Western taste.

I was reminded of trips to China that included such dishes as duck-feet soup (seriously, duck feet in a broth), duck tongues (toasted up and served as a snack, sort of like potato chips), pigeon heads, shark-fin soup, stewed hooves, frog bellies and other delicacies. There is no part of an animal, it would seem, the Chinese don’t find a way to eat. Not being an adventuresome eater, I always found myself girding my stomach and giving it all a taste in order to avoid an international incident, but it was a challenge.

Not to worry at the gala. It was all done in such a way that you could enjoy at least enough of it to get into the spirit of the thing. It always amazes me how they can put together a very special meal and serve it to 400 people all at once. Tremendous job.

What we need is to figure each other out

Armchair Mayor column for Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010

When you’ve been at this as long as I have, you get called a lot of things — racist, woman hater, redneck, even New Democrat.

I’ve been called all of the above, and deny them all — and am quite confident my record in life proves it.

A prominent local doctor, apparently unable to think of anything better, or worse, to call me, once labeled me “stupid” in writing. (Having personal knowledge of this man’s atrocious bedside manner, I simply considered the source.)

‘Racist’ is just about the worst thing anyone can call you, though. I was once accused of being a racist by a band chief at a public gathering at UBC called to debate the facts and myths of the Chilcotin War, an event in our province’s history that occurred in 1864. The basis of the insult was that I disagreed with his characterization of what had happened. Ergo, I must be racist.

That’s what people do. If you disagree with them, they look for ways to discredit you. Being called a racist if you challenge the way things are being done by First Nations is common enough that a lot of people are afraid to speak up.

On the other hand, the true racists don’t give a damn. Like the gutless wonders who hide behind anonymity and fill the Internet with their bigotry. Like the disgusting nut bar who accused Aboriginal Cogeneration Corp. president Kim Sigurdson of being a “f…… money hungry crackhead Indian.”

It pains me to repeat even that much of that person’s hateful diatribe, but sometimes you have to hear it or read it to truly understand the depths of race-based hatred.

That bigotry lies beneath many a principled cause, and it can easily bubble to the surface. I’ve been grateful that, while I disagree with a great deal of what opponents are claiming about ACC, the battle is being fought for the great part on environmental issues, not race.

Nevertheless, it’s there. On an unrelated matter, a letter to the editor a few days ago urged that native Indians stop “whining” and “join the rest of us.” It wasn’t racist per se, because the role of First Nations in Canadian society is legitimate grist for discussion. But it touched off an online debate that has been, at times, thoughtful and, at others, at least bordering on racist.

I will pause here to note that even someone with a name like Rothenburger can have a few drops of Indian blood — several of my ancestors were native or Metis. Though I’m proud of that, I’m not a registered Metis and I don’t consider myself worthy of the title. But it’s given me a special interest in the history and culture of our aboriginal peoples.

So let’s set aside for a moment the true racists, native and non-native, and try to understand why there’s such a gulf between average natives and average non-natives who would rather just all get along.

I understand why many Canadians chafe under the knowledge that status Indians get special tax breaks. I also understand that, while it’s not so evident in our neck of the woods, Indians in many parts of Canada live in appalling conditions.

I understand the intensity of commitment to land issues, the feeling of disenfranchisement that time can’t remove. But I also understand why some non-natives get annoyed whenever someone gets in front of a mike and welcomes everyone to Secwepemc territory.

I understand the importance of bringing back indigenous languages — how can you have a healthy, vibrant culture if your language is gone? (It seems no two people, of any descent, are able to even pronounce Secwepemc the same way.) Yet people struggle with the insertion of those numeral 7s in the middle of the English alphabet and wonder how that’s supposed to help anything.

Non-natives, some anyway, are frankly sick and tired of hearing about “aboriginal rights and title,” Delgamuukw, “extinguishment,” land claims and “meaningful consultation.” On the other hand, if my great-grandfather’s land was taken away from him and I was living with the consequences I think I’d be seriously pissed off.

It’s not hard for me to see why rights and title are so important to native people, but I can’t see how an Austrian ski team using the slopes of Sun Peaks to train on is a problem for anyone.

Non-natives, I think, have a legitimate curiosity about why Indian bands are not more accountable for how they spend federal support money. Natives, I’m sure, figure it’s nobody’s business but their own.

I guess I can even understand why some people can’t figure out why Indians a generation removed from residential schools continue to “whine” about it, but I also get that that kind of hurt doesn’t go away quickly.

By the same token, while I can see why natives harbour grievances that span several generations, I can also see why non-natives are confused as to why they’re constantly being blamed for the sins of their grandfathers.

If I had an actual answer to any of this, we could do away with treaty commissions, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, lawyers and mediators.

I’ll say this, though: if there’s anything good in this cultural divide, it’s that it reminds us of the fact we aren’t all the same, nor should we be, nor should we try to be.

We just need to keep working, respectfully, to figure each other out.

AROUND TOWN: While Cowboy continues to be first choice for downtown coffee drinkers, a lot of caffeine addicts are trying out the unique Italian blends at Café Ariana, corner of Lansdowne and Third. . . MP Cathy McLeod is busy meeting with anybody and everybody who has opinions about what should be in the upcoming federal budget, and figures she’ll have the equivalent of an MA thesis to write in time for a meeting with PM Harper in Vancouver shortly. . . Annual TRU Foundation gala is on tonight with a Forbidden City (that’s the ancient royal palace in Beijing) theme. Dinner? Roast Beijing duck, of course. Among auction items are an imported Chinese sword, porcelain artwork by Metis artist Terry Jackson, and a whole bunch more.

Wasting public money on so-called polls

It’s amazing how many good ideas can come forward when a dozen intelligent, informed people sit down in a room. MP Cathy McLeod invited the chamber of commerce board to meet with her for an hour this morning as part of the pre-budget consultation process and there was no shortage of ideas on where the feds should put their priorities over the next while.

I’m sorry to harp on this, but the change in manner from our last MP is so refreshingly pleasant I can’t help it. Instead of lecturing us on how things are done and should be done, McLeod listened carefully, took her own notes, asked relevant questions and made us feel sure she’ll take it all forward to the prime minister.

And provided coffee and muffins to boot. After the meeting, she and I had a chance to talk about railway ties for a few minutes. She has her views, I have mine, but she’s capable of a reasonable discussion.

I wish I’d remembered to ask her about those constituency mailers that bug me so much. The latest one includes what has become the norm for those things — a pseudo survey on what constituents think.

“Do you think the prime minister is on the right track?” was one question. “Do you support the federal government’s action for Canadian families?” was another.

Really, to what possible use can the answers to such vague, self-serving questions be put? They are, to put it bluntly, a waste of paper.

Tony Milobar passes away

I was saddened this morning to learn of the passing of former Kamloops City councilor, and father of our current mayor, Dr. Tony Milobar, who died around 6:30 a.m. at Royal Inland Hospital.

I well remember Tony as a councillor when I covered City Hall shortly after coming to Kamloops to work. I remember him as simply a very nice man who did not take politics too seriously, though he did make an unsuccessful run for mayor.

No doubt, his own past involvement in council made him especially proud when son Peter was elected to council and then, a year ago last November, succeeded in becoming mayor. I chatted with Tony about that as he sat in Peter’s campaign headquarters after the election results were in, and you could tell how happy he was for his son.

Tony Milobar was a man who served Kamloops well in many ways, and his family will have his legacy of achievement to remember. Sincere condolences to Maryann, Peter and their families.

Enjoy the ceremonies, Mr. Mayor

Back in the armchair after a couple of weeks and catching up on everything from small to large, but the troops seem to have done just fine without me.

Looking into the issue of Olympics tickets today. A lot of people seem to have their shirts in a knot over politicians accepting tickets to the Olympics, as though it represents some kind of graft. Or, at least, an insult to all those who are unable to attend.

Gifting to politicians is a sensitive issue, but let’s remember these are the people we’ve chosen to represent us, so let’s let them do that, shall we? Chilliwack mayor Sharon Gaetz is in the news for turning down tickets to the opening ceremonies, noting the optics would not be good.

On the other hand, Kamloops mayor Peter Milobar has accepted tickets to those same ceremonies. Who’s right and who’s wrong?

Both pairs of tickets were offered by the B.C. Lottery Corp. but the source is not of key interest here. Is it right for a mayor to accept such a freebie?

I say yes, no problem. In Milobar’s case, our city is home to the head office of the Lottery Corp. but, again, that’s not really the issue. The issue is, what is so wrong about a mayor attending the opening of one of the biggest international events in our province in recent memory?

Travel expenses and the acceptance of gifts are both important issues, and mayors should not take either lightly. But this is well within the realm of mayoral responsibilities and fully justified.

As for Gaetz and her concern that taking the tickets would contravene the Community Charter (that’s the legislation that governs what municipalities can and can’t do), she has nothing to worry about. No contravention involved.

Gaetz comes off as a bit of a grandstander, while Milobar is doing the right thing. But, as he told me today, “It’s one of those things where you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.”