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EDITORIAL: Minister drops the ball over Stickle

Claire Trevena just repeating bureaucratic policies on Vernon road
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The new NDP government has at least one thing in common with its Liberal predecessors — rubber-stamping what the bureaucrats come up with.

In a letter to a local resident, Transportation Minister Claire Trevena has defended plans to extend 20th Street as a way of diverting traffic from Stickle Road and Highway 97.

“To reduce or eliminate any potential environmental impacts, the ministry will complete a comprehensive environmental management plan; acquire an environmental monitor on-site while work is being carried out in sensitive areas; conduct mitigative measures, including re-vegetation and erosion control throughout the project area and develop new wetland habitat in the area through a partnership with Ducks Unlimited,” she wrote.

“The ministry examined a number of alternatives for improvement, including speed reductions, traffic signals and roundabouts. An independent third-party was consulted to review the ministry’s findings and that review supported the current plan,” she said.

Trevena is simply repeating what the ministry has been saying for months.

A more sincere approach would have been to come to Vernon and meet with businesses, civic leaders, residents and environmental groups. It would only be after hearing directly from locals that Trevena could assess the situation.

But until that occurs, it’s obvious that the NDP government is only interested in sitting down with bureaucrats and not the public they represent.