Incorporation.
The word is like nails on a chalk board for many who recall the bitter feuds that took place nine years ago when Area A faced a referendum to decide whether or not to become independent from the Sunshine Coast Regional District. A shiver of discomfort is running down the collective spine once again as Area A Director John Rees proposes we take a look at it again in the form of a feasibility study (see page 16).
In 1999, I was just in the process of relocating here and my first impression of the divison taking place in the community was one of disgust. Since I had just moved back, I refused to take sides. In part this was because I had only passively followed the politics here for the 10 years previous and wasn’t confident I understood the details. That’s what I told people anyway.
I was more concerned that, by aligning with either side, I would instantly alienate myself from half of the community I was trying to integrate back into. And man, people were nasty! Long-time friends refused to acknowledge each other and reports of vandalism to property that posted "Yes" or "No" signs were commonplace. Though some of those scars remain, many things have changed since the last referendum and it definitely warrants another look.
But it’s not as simple as just cutting ties from the SCRD and "doing it ourselves." Rees says incorporation, as it was proposed last time, was not feasible. If we want to keep the areas between Egmont and Pender Harbour together — which I think we do — then there needs to be a different model. That is what a feasibility study should provide information on.
But if it comes down to a clear decision that it makes economic sense to split (in some form) from the SCRD, we shouldn’t accept that it’s going to be easy. Right now, if there’s something that miffs us, we can demonize a common enemy — those greedy dictators down at Wilson Creek. At least they’re removed and out of sight. When, and if, we ever have a locally-formed district council, any perceived conspiracies (and everything’s a conspiracy, right?) will come from within the community.
Ask any volunteer who has sat on the health centre or local water boards about how easy it is to govern on issues around here and you see the real challenge might be finding enough masochists to fill the council positions.
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