Yellow Fever
October 17th, 2008, 07:33 AM
Chamber likes idea of merger
But pros, cons of Metro link needs studying
Marcia Downham, The Times
Published: Tuesday, October 14, 2008
The Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce will ask the city, after its new mayor and council are voted in next month, to consider the possibility of joining Metro Vancouver, said the chamber's executive director.
Using Abbotsford's airshed and waste concerns as examples, David D. Hull said if Abbotsford were joined with Metro Vancouver, the city would have had more input and a direct vote on whether or not to build six waste-to-energy facilities.
"The waste is just one really good example - we're invited to listen and give our input, but we are not a voting member, and gosh, you have to wonder maybe it would make sense to be there and vote," said Hull.
He said the chamber is not "presumptuous" enough to know whether it would be a good or a bad idea to join Metro Vancouver; they just want the city to discuss how it could all play out.
"I can't or nobody else can say what the right thing or wrong thing to do is until we look at it," said Hull.
"So many decisions, activities and jurisdictions have a direct affect on Abbotsford, and the thought is that it would make sense to be on the inside helping to make decisions instead of on the outside saying 'hey what about us?' "
If Abbotsford did join Metro Vancouver it would not be a small player as it would be the "No. 5" city at the table, said Hull.
"Size-wise and power of position we would actually be well placed," he said.
© Abbotsford Times 2008
But pros, cons of Metro link needs studying
Marcia Downham, The Times
Published: Tuesday, October 14, 2008
The Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce will ask the city, after its new mayor and council are voted in next month, to consider the possibility of joining Metro Vancouver, said the chamber's executive director.
Using Abbotsford's airshed and waste concerns as examples, David D. Hull said if Abbotsford were joined with Metro Vancouver, the city would have had more input and a direct vote on whether or not to build six waste-to-energy facilities.
"The waste is just one really good example - we're invited to listen and give our input, but we are not a voting member, and gosh, you have to wonder maybe it would make sense to be there and vote," said Hull.
He said the chamber is not "presumptuous" enough to know whether it would be a good or a bad idea to join Metro Vancouver; they just want the city to discuss how it could all play out.
"I can't or nobody else can say what the right thing or wrong thing to do is until we look at it," said Hull.
"So many decisions, activities and jurisdictions have a direct affect on Abbotsford, and the thought is that it would make sense to be on the inside helping to make decisions instead of on the outside saying 'hey what about us?' "
If Abbotsford did join Metro Vancouver it would not be a small player as it would be the "No. 5" city at the table, said Hull.
"Size-wise and power of position we would actually be well placed," he said.
© Abbotsford Times 2008