Spallumcheen agricultural committee can only review potential members
Members of Spallumcheen’s agricultural advisory committee will be able to review applications for prospective committee members.
They just won’t be able to select them.
Spallumcheen council unanimously voted to amend a recommendation from the advisory committee that the existing members be involved in the review and selection process for any new committee members.
Council took out the words “and selection” from the recommendation after some discussion.
“The discussion at the table was that they wanted more small farmers on the committee,” said Coun. Ed Hanoski, who attended a committee meeting on May 15.
The current committee and its voting membership consists of three agricultural representatives, two public community at large representatives and one member of council. The term of the committee coincides with that of council. Their continuation will be determined after the 2014 municipal election.
Coun. Christine Fraser said the committee should have a variety of representatives from the agricultural community.
“I think it’s important to have someone from every part of our farming community,” said Fraser. “We want to have a diverse group that may offer different opinions. We don’t want a committee that agrees on everything.”
However, the committee’s motion rankled at least one council member.
“I read the minutes and the tone I get from their meeting is that they feel they’re the decision makers and we’re the advisory board,” said Joe Van Tienhoven.
Acting Mayor Todd York recommended that council send applications to the committee for review and seek their suggestions as to who should be on the panel, leaving the final decision up to council.
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