Okanagan horses should be licensed
We license dogs and cats don’t we?
Despite the fact that horses are grazing on public roadways and major highways and generally making a nuisance of themselves to the taxpayers in our region, the RDOS seems to be stymied on how to handle the situation. Year after year the problem never goes away.
I would suggest the RDOS look at instituting a nominal licensing fee for horses similar to that for dogs and cats.
If the animal remains on the owner’s land then it is not a problem. If the animal is loose; interfering with the property of others; or on public lands without the proper licensing the bylaw officer should impound the animal.
If the owner doesn’t claim his animal within a certain specified time then the regional district should deal with the animal in an appropriate manner the same as they do with dogs and cats.
Interior Health apparently thinks Penticton should monitor the health of our beaches. Again we are faced with a bureaucracy trying to unload more costs on municipal taxpayers.
The health of our lakes is a regional issue. I would suggest that if Interior Health is unable to continue monitoring beaches the responsibility and cost of the monitoring service belongs with the regional districts.
Penticton has no ability to control what other municipalities or rural areas surrounding our lakes do. Whereas the regional district board is composed of all the municipal and rural areas within its district.
Responsibility for monitoring safety of the lake shouldn’t be downloaded onto municipal taxpayers.
The rural community swims boats and water skis on this lake the same as municipal taxpayers. The time is long overdue for a more equal distribution of capital costs and running costs for services regionally; services from which we all benefit.
Thank you Coun. John Vassalaki for bringing to the forefront once again two-tier rec fees for Penticton.
Your reasoning is sound. As you say if the outlying communities surrounding our city want the service they can buy it cheaper from us, or if they prefer, spend more going elsewhere.
We need more business people on council with a basic understanding of the consequences of ignoring regional allocation of capital and running costs to Penticton tax bills.
Elvena Slump
Penticton
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