Former director sends letters to RDCK for new referendum
By Nelson Daily Editor
By Timothy Schafer, The Nelson Daily
A call for another referendum on the vote for library service in Area F was dismissed Thursday by regional district Area F’s current director.
Ron Mickel said despite a “stack” of six letters and printed emails from former regional district director Al Dawson, in opposition of the area’s narrow ‘Yes’ vote in mid October — to join into a financial service on the Nelson Municipal Library — he will be sticking with his previous decision to not spend around $7,000 for another referendum on the issue.
The Regional District of Central Kootenay board of directors received the stack of letters for information on Thursday, but passed the motion without comment.
“There were some good points brought up and concerns and I think we need to answer those,” Mickel said. “There are obviously some very unhappy people with the results, but there were some happy people with the results.”
Although he wished there would have been a more definitive response one way or another, he said the RDCK felt they had followed the protocol on the referendum and everything was above board.
Unless the Province directs the RDCK to conduct another referendum, said Mickel, they won’t.
Area F won’t pick up the vacant satellite service that was promised for Area E where the vote did not pass.
“Area F is served well by the city library,” he said. “Right now our increase in service is limited to extending the hours and addressing parking issues. We’re trying to make it as convenient as possible for Area F residents to access the library.”
The official vote count on Monday, Oct. 18 showed 416 ‘yes’ votes to 413 ‘no’ votes in Area F, enough to enter into service for the Nelson Municipal Library. The previous library referendum in Area F in 1991 when Dawson was director failed by 11 votes.
The Nelson Library financial contribution is to be set at a rate of $10.30 per $100,000 of property assessment.
Just as they promised
Nelson Municipal Library is moving ahead in its effort to make good on the promises made prior to the referendum.
The Nelson Library board has two new seats available, one each for representatives from electoral areas F and H.
Residents of these areas interested in this community service position are asked to contact chief librarian June Stockdale for more information at jstockdale @ nelson.ca or 250-352-8256.
The deadline is Thursday, Dec. 2.
You can download the application form here: application form.
For more information about the Nelson Library board, click here.
