Dear Editor,

For those of you missing the NHL season, Mayor Taft delivered an unexpected hat trick in Invermere’s recent loss to credibility.

First, he insulted the Province of B.C., declaring that provincial democratic processes aren’t democratic unless you get what you want. Then he insulted the former long-term Mayor of Radium (a former RDEK Director and well-respected local businessman) by calling him in effect a “puppet”. To cap off the trifecta, he insulted you the taxpayer, resident and local business community by telling you that all these insults are in your best interest.

Here’s my take on what is in Invermere’s best interests:

1. Fix our drinking water system so that it complies with treatment requirements;

2. Fix our wastewater system so that it does not contaminate shallow groundwater;

3. Fix our roads and sidewalks and pay proper attention to new roads so that they are built with the proper testing and do not become a maintenance liability to the taxpayer;

4. Make it our goal to increase the residency factor; that is, make it our goal to have seasonal occupants spend more time in the valley and actually track that statistic;

5. Revitalize the downtown core to make it people-friendly, bike-friendly and pedestrian-friendly and to decrease the “alarming” vacancy rate;

6. Take ownership of how Invermere “looks and feels” — non-profit groups shouldn’t have to take the lead in “beautifying” Invermere, that’s an administrative responsibility;

7. Make it our goal to attract business and entrepreneurs to Invermere and create opportunities;

8. Provide more support for the non-profit groups that improve the quality of life in Invermere and that develop amenities that benefit residents, tourists, senior citizens, and youth; and

9. Instead of “BC First”, make “Our Town First” our priority.

If we take those nine simple steps, we will find that our resources are sufficient to support sound administration, education, medical and infrastructure systems. And we will find that our resources are sufficient to support “green” initiatives as part of the free economy.

Nick Berzins

Invermere