Municipality of North Cowichan wants to remain cops’ landlord at taxpayer’s expense
I do agree the Cowichan Valley needs a new facility to house the RCMP. They have clearly outgrown their current rundown quarters, which is owned and supported by the Municipality of North Cowichan, which probably fetches a handsome rental income.
What concerns me is that the Municipality of North Cowichan seems to believe they are solely responsible for this needed change. Granted the Municipality of North Cowichan is a big part of the Cowichan Valley, it seems to me this in an entire regional issue, as it will all be serviced from this facility.
The ruling body is the CVRD as they cover the entire region. Unfortunately they have been very quiet over this issue, strange?
So this is just one example of the Municipality of North Cowichan hidden agenda. I would like to see this issue be handled by the CVRD regardless of boundaries and population. With the population explosion in our Valley, the magic number of 5,000 does not pay for policing. This must be looked at harshly as the city of Duncan has grown too.
My father was an RCMP officer for 25 years; he and his men managed to do their jobs effectively from less than state of the art facilities.
For example the old Canadian Tire store is in need of a tenant. With renovations covered by the province and the RCMP, I’m sure it will prove quite adequate.
So folks, if you care? Send in the Electoral Response form. Go Cowichan!
Scott Hayden-Luck
Duncan