Jumbo petition seeks 5000 signatures

Carolyn Grant
Kimberley Daily Bulletin
September 11, 2009

It may be a difficult thing to change the mind of a government body, but those who oppose the Jumbo decision feel that they must try.

Last week Douglas Anakin from Invermere presented a petition to the RDEK Board asking that no action be taken regarding the RDEK decision to ask the provincial government to make the land proposed for the Jumbo Glacier a mountain resort municipality. Also, that RDEK directors review, reconsider and rescind the motion regarding the proposed change in zoning decision.

Steve Tersmette of Kimberley wants to keep that petition drive going and his goal is to have 5000 signatures to present to the RDEK Board at their October 9 meeting.

"On August 7, 2009 the RDEK directors stripped the democratic process from the hands of the people who elected them into power and turned a local land use decision over to a provincial government who has all but disconnected itself from our region," he said. "Led by Sparwood mayor David Wilks, who is closer to Lethbridge than he is to Invermere, the board voted 8-7 to hand over the Jumbo decision to Victoria. We need to focus on developing existing communities rather than adding yet another ski hill to a list of resorts which currently do not operate at capacity. We need to realize that this is not sustainable development and nothing more than a frivolous land grab. We need to make some attempt to preserve our backcountry areas for future generations."

To make things easier, the petition can be signed online. Just send an email to summit@summitimages.ca with your name, phone number, town/province and email address.

Tersmette has only lived in the East Kootenay for three years, but says he feels compelled to act because he is appalled at the way the RDEK Board went against the clear will of the majority of people in this area.

"It's been interesting to watch how significant the opposition has been and yet every step of the way, government undermines the public voice. It shocked me. For the Board to vote as it did ignores everything that has been said for the last 19 years."

Tersmette says he is currently looking for a sympathetic RDEK director who will allow him to bring the petition forward.

"My goal of 5000 signatures may be a little lofty, but let's see what happens," he says.