e-KNOW Editorial

At first blush, it may have seemed like just another organized photo shoot, designed to fill page five or 15 in a community newspaper (or serve as a Fernie and East Kootenay news post in e-know.ca).

It was a group of elected officials and government staff clutching spades that were so new the red stickers on them seemed to glow in the mid-day Elk Valley sun. In front and behind them were piles of dirt, some freshly shoved into piles, indicating recent big machinery fun.

To the untrained or unfamiliar eye, it really did appear like just another grip and grin. But burbling just below the surface of this small celebratory scene was a sense of accomplishment and relief that was in no way displayed in the photo shoot.

Smiles all around, for sure; even some well-deserved back slapping and feelings of optimism for the future. After the shoot, several people lingered and chatted.

It was the long-awaited celebration of the construction of the Fernie Transfer Station.

Put that yawn away!

For those who watch local politics in action (I said put that yawn away!), you will know there was great cause for celebration. By rights, the photo shoot should have been followed by a full-out drunken brouhaha, complete with shots of tequila, threats of arrest and safe rides home.

It took more than 15 years for this celebration to take place. The Fernie Transfer Station was, for many years, the most contentious issue in the Elk Valley.

Oh the tales that can be told of discussions around the Regional District of East Kootenay board room table, and lo, the even more delicious tales that could be told of discussions held around tables at the Chattanooga. Politicians came and went, who dealt with this issue, and many who had a hand in the whole thing panning out, were not around to take part in the ceremony.

Without daring to go into any more detail for fear of an implosion within the skull, and possibly re-igniting the Great Garbage War of 2000, just know that this moment, on Friday, Sept. 23, should be recognized as a grand hailing point when the three municipalities within the Elk Valley were able to fight the currents that separated them and became one. Albeit at a much greater cost. But to hell with that for now. Celebrate Elk Valley.

All the elected officials involved in the shoot, and those who served before them, are to be commended for doing the right thing – eventually.

The RDEK board has, for the most part, always been an extremely cohesive collective, despite the fact its members represent three unique and amazing locales. The fact that Elkford, Sparwood, Fernie and Electoral Area A were finally able to set aside differences and views and come to this conclusion is proof of that.

Finally, congratulations to the RDEK administrative staff for being able to put this issue to bed.

Garbage is a real pain in the ass for elected officials and the administrations of all jurisdictions. Every time the word ‘garbage’ or ‘landfill’ comes up, people immediately begin to see red and start throwing punches at shadows and dust motes.

Just like garbage itself, the issue can become something people just want ‘to be dealt with’ and sometimes the best decisions are not made when it comes to the stuff.

We don’t think that is the case this time around.

And we still think the Elk Valley should hold a howling ‘yeehaw’ infested brouhaha, with safe rides home all around.

The Fernie Transfer Station issue is dead!

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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