Editor:
Five years ago, Mike Evans posted his excellent letter in The Coast Reporter, stating the reason not to proceed with water meters in Sechelt was it is not the “will of the people.” He correctly stated, “that alone should be enough to defeat the plan.” Officials did not listen then and they are not listening now.
At the last SCRD infrastructure services committee meeting (Sept. 17), all members voted to once again hold an AAP vote for a 20-year loan for around $7 million plus around $3 million in interest, to install water meters in Sechelt and the Band Lands. In taking this vote, they did not even extend the courtesy of consulting with their own hand-picked water supply advisory committee. We feel that this water supply advisory committee can provide the obvious low-cost solution to our summer water shortage, which is clean, pure groundwater from wells, along with vigorous leak detection methods.
Two good wells could solve the problem and are possible in the Sechelt area. Even more wells would put us in a surplus position. That is a lot different than the “hair on fire” approach the SCRD is currently taking. Imagine how many wells could be drilled with all the money that has been frittered away over the last five years.
We urge all voters to keep this information at front of mind when that AAP vote comes along. Vote “No” to borrowing for water meters in Sechelt. Meters are not necessary to solve our three or four-month summer problem. That would remind our officials for a second time that “the public will” counts for something. Burning money for loan payments for 20 years is “madness” as Mike Evans so appropriately stated five years ago.
Geoff Bedford , Karl Glackmeyer, Howard Bishop, Sechelt
