Dear Editor,
No one could be more astounded than me to find myself entangled in Creston’s fire hall controversy. My preference is to live quietly and follow my own interests (which basically means having my nose buried in a book.)
But involved I am, as secretary for the Committee for an Affordable Fire Hall. It’s interesting to me that I am seen as a negative “naysayer”. It is true, I feel strongly about saying no to the Fire Hall project as it is being proposed. I feel it is extravagant and poorly located. I feel it is a project of a huge out-of-town company who has made a great business out of building fire halls (45) for small communities, and who, according to their web page, pride themselves on being involved in many successful referendum campaigns. I feel it places an unnecessary burden on an already strained taxpayer.
I am well aware my committee of very smart, dedicated, hardworking volunteers are up against a machine, who seem to have endless money, resources, and paid staff to throw at this thing.
We have a few donations, some posters, colorful lapel buttons, and social media. The “yes” side, which is seen as “positive” has threatened the livelihood of one of our committee members, removed our signs and posters from community bulletin boards, fences and postal boxes (attached with magnets so as not to damage the box.) Our Mayor, at a public meeting, rather than seeing us as concerned citizens, dismissed our group as a “vendetta” group. We have been maligned, called selfish, in one instance, physically threatened and, ironically, told WE are in a feeding frenzy of negative energy. We have been accused of spreading “misinformation” the specifics of which have not ever been divulged to us so that we can correct it, if indeed, it is true.
On the other hand, there are people like Tiffany (Vachon) Storey, one of Creston’s wonderful volunteer firefighters, who has extended uncommon grace to me though out this. And people like Trish Drinkle, who constantly remind us that we are friends and neighbours, a community, and that love and respect for one another must prevail.
Through it all, I have held to this: what a privilege it is to live in a democracy. It is my absolute right to hold an opinion of opposition. Our forefathers, in acts of wisdom I see as inspired, set a system in place for dealing with contentious issues. It’s called a referendum. It is not a rubber stamp process, but an opportunity for each citizen to have a say.
We will, eventually, get a Fire Hall that will suit the needs of our community and keep our firefighters safe, but we have to work through a process to get there. I want to thank the people on both sides of this issue who are passionate about their community, and who have respected the rights and opinions of others while expressing that passion.
Collette Caron, Lister, B.C.