By Colleen Dane - Comox Valley Record
Published: December 01, 2009 3:00 PM

Cumberland councillors who voted to replace Mayor Fred Bates at the Comox Valley Regional District board faced questions about their decision at this week’s town hall meeting.

Local Chamber of Commerce president Meaghan Cursons raised the concerns, questioning whether it was a good time, amidst the work on the Regional Growth Strategy, to pull Bates off.

“Do you think there might not be a risk in not taking this opportunity?” said Cursons, pointing to Bates’ position as chair of the CVRD board in particular as an asset to the village.

Coun. Leslie Baird, who was voted to replace Bates, said she had told him her name would be put forward, and that she hoped to put a bigger emphasis on the village in light of regional planning initiatives.

“I think it all boils down to what can Cumberland do for themselves,” said Baird.

Coun. Kate Greening, who nominated Baird and Coun. Gwyn Sproule as her alternate at the board, said she didn’t think mayors should be allowed to serve on the board at all.

“Their main asset is to be looking after our village,” she said about Cumberland’s head.

The mayors of Courtenay and Comox both sit at the RD table.

Greening added that she felt Bates’ reports regarding CVRD business to council were insufficient — and she focused on the need to push the village’s agenda at a regional level.

“Right now, I’d like to see the Village of Cumberland do it for themselves, instead of always being asked the regional implications for it,” she said.

When Cursons noted that in discussions around the RGS, she’s heard a lot of disappointment about the loss of leadership with Bates leaving the board, Greening came back.

“I’ve heard a lot of thank yous,” she said.

Sproule, who also voted in favour of replacing Bates, didn’t attend the town hall meeting.

Another person in the audience echoed Cursons’ concerns, saying he questioned the timing of the change.

“I think it sends a really poor message to the rest of the Comox Valley,” he said.

Bates stayed out of the discussion largely — adding only at the end that he felt he had reported back to council adequately, and offering a reminder about the benefits that have come to the village as a result of regional co-operation.

“My concern would only be that we don’t become isolationist again as a community,” said Bates.

Baird’s term with the RD will begin this month, with the inaugural meeting Dec. 10.

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