Open Letter to CRD: Biosolids Spread and the Democratic Process

My name is Dylan Kos. I had made the required arrangements to participate in the webinar commentary [CRD Board of Directors meeting] regarding the biosolids program that is of quite the source of contention to those of us living within proximity to the said project.

I am a resident and land owner in the community of Willis Point. In the past few years I have attended the "meetings" we've had here at our Community Hall with representatives sent from the CRD. I was one of many who voiced their concerns regarding what appeared from the very beginning to be a total lack of empathy and even realistic reception of said concerns by residents of Willis Point by the aforementioned representatives. Some detailed questions, as well as statements were made over and over again, only to have these members of the CRD placate us with nodding heads and disarmingly few words. What transpired a couple of weeks ago, as I was scheduled to speak via this aforementioned webinar, was that I was "locked out" of this meeting for being 8 minutes late. This was a bit of a shock considering the solicitation by the CRD's request that we 'the commoners' be patient with any "technical difficulties" that may arise during the proceedings. Obviously this did not extend to "us," those of whom carry full time jobs and other so-called modern responsibilities, and being those same 'commoners' whom this subject of debate greatly impacts.

Too bad. Democracy is bound -- it would appear -- by the confines of poor technological interfacing on behalf of the CRD.

Tale of David and Goliath

What we have here is a fable of sorts. Specifically, that analogous tale of David and Goliath. David, of course, being the tax paying citizens of Willis Point; and Goliath being the vested interest of the CRD with regard to its suspect handling of the exponential expansion of Hartland Landfill. There has been no true or reasonably honest conciliation offered to the people of Willis Point regarding this dubiously constructed expansion of Hartland's biosolids project, but merely a venue at our own Community Hall "permitting" us to vent our collective concerns and frustrations about a political system that is so biased and draconian, that in return we are favoured with the aforementioned group of CRD representatives who -- again -- have offered us nothing more that patronizing head nods and grumblings about their "understanding".

I, like many of the residents here in Willis Point, moved here because of the natural beauty (NATURE) that is our living environment. A subsequent potential lifting of a 2011 ban on the use of biosolids as fertilizer (??) is not merely alarming but down right reprehensible, given what the 2011 ban was initially implemented to prevent: the quite probable adverse results affecting natural environments such as surrounding lakes and watersheds as well as prolific wildlife, and communities -- communities paying taxes into a political entity that now seeks to disregard its own ban as well as those who are the most susceptible to these very probable adverse health risks. And all because of an incredulous oversight regarding the 5 week unavailability of the physical removal of "processed" biosolids being removed from the Hartland site to the Lower Mainland. This would seem enough to give anyone -- even a political entity -- pause. But no. This, along with exponential traffic growth (Trucks) travelling along Willis Point Rd all day, along with a complete negation of full democratic process unfortunately represents what the CRD continuously demonstrates not as an overt proclamation of its service(s) and protection(s) of tax paying citizens, but as an arrogant yet muted exercise of its political will.

Consult the better part of your conscience

As futile as it may seem to me now, I will tread forward and encourage each and every one of YOU to honestly consult the better part of your conscience, and ask yourselves if every possible assurance has been made to protect the health and safety of every citizen potentially affected in this surrounding environment, and that that effort of assurance not only reflects the truly best you have to offer as British Columbians but also Canadians (with our admittedly collective dark and bloody past), or if you are merely obediently and, perhaps therefore, blindly following the very short gained path before you.

Calling on Your Courage, Intelligence and Sincerity

Nature may be slow but possesses an inherent efficiency and wisdom that it would seem in these early days of the 21st century very few can comprehend. On the other hand, arrogance and ignorance are human characteristics; but ones that can be potentially overcome with a modicum of courage and intelligence, and a truly consulted upon sense of sincerity.

You have the opportunity to do the right thing. But will you?

Sincerely,
Dylan Kos
Resident, Capital Regional District