This letter is in reference to the ratepayers meeting held by the RM of Keys on April 16.
The public forum portion of the meeting lasted over two hours, mainly due to the repetitive questions asked but politely answered by the RM staff of councillors, reeve and administrator.
I found it ridiculous how many times the same or similar questions were rephrased by different people about the procedure executed by council to move in the direction of amending the existing zoning bylaw. (I will return to this matter below.)
It seemed that some attendees felt that they had been misrepresented and finally questions were asked that I found inappropriate: which councillors had been present for the readings of the bylaw and how had each of them voted?
I expect the person for whom I voted to hold the position of councillor or reeve to be knowledgeable, honest, professional, and fair.
No matter what the issue on that council, I trust that that person will inform himself or herself fully about the issue, consider the pros and cons and finally make an informed and conscientious decision on what he or she feels is best for everyone in our RM, including the Hamlet of Crystal Lake.
It may not be the decision I would have liked, but I will not think less of him or her, or no longer consider him or her my friend because of the decision made. That would be infantile of me.
There are two issues at hand.
One is the Intensive Livestock Operation that was applied for by the Hutterite Brethren, the other pertains to the bylaw mentioned above. My comments are in reference to the bylaw amendment.
Perhaps if the ratepayers who were against the rezoning bylaw had done some research on human rights, they would have fully understood our council’s move towards amending the existing bylaw to allow for the communal living that is part of Hutterite life and belief, so that they may settle on the land that they have purchased within the RM of Keys.
To me it became very clear that the strong upset expressed by certain attendees over the amendment to the existing bylaw basically reflected a general feeling of, “We do not want the Hutterites settling here,” but no one would openly state it nor would anyone identify who was responsible for the detailed handout on the entry table that was titled “Just Say No!”
My question to these naysayers would be this: would you think differently if the application had been made by a group of Benedictine monks (who might have a slaughterhouse, even a brewery) or perhaps Doukhobors? Both of these groups also believe in a self-sustaining communal lifestyle.
I ask the ratepayers of the RM of Keys and the Hamlet of Crystal Lake to remember that certain people will quickly spread misinformation based on their own interests, biases and agendas. I am hoping that you would do your own research and think for yourselves.
