To the Editor:
The Regional District of Central Kootenay board of directors has decided to use the alternative approval process for the Pet Adoption and Welfare Society bylaw, outlined in the advertisement in the July 25 and Aug. 1 editions of the Creston Advance.
If passed, the bylaw is negative option, “the practice of giving people a service that was not previously provided and then charging them for the service unless they specifically decline it.”
The flaw in the process is that it gives those in favor of the bylaw 100 per cent of the vote at the beginning and it’s up to those opposed to start a campaign with only 30 days notice. Those in favor of the bylaw don’t have to do anything because they win by default.
It’s mid-summer, and many people are on vacation, making it very difficult to ramp up a campaign with 30 days’ notice.
While the RDCK may choose to use the alternative approval process defined by the BC Governments Community Charter, in my opinion, it’s not democratic.
Mike Somerville
Wynndel