News Room » Yes to Opportunity Campaign Launches for Boundary Extension Referendum
Yes to Opportunity Campaign Launches for Boundary Extension Referendum
Campaign office officially opens at Noon Rally September 22
September 17, 2008 - Cranbrook, B.C. - Today, a group of concerned Cranbrook citizens launched the Yes to Opportunity Campaign to promote the benefits of the East Hill Boundary Extension during the Referendum campaign. Cranbrook City Council recently voted to proceed with a referendum on the issue of the boundary extension. The Referendum is binding on Council and will be held November 14, 2009.
The Yes to Opportunity Campaign believes the East Hill Boundary Extension represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to plan ahead for future generations. The boundary extension will enhance the quality of life in Cranbrook and will create more opportunities by diversifying the economy and the tax base.
"We are finding the campaign team is growing rapidly as people learn the truth about this important issue and hear about what we are doing," says Brian Sims, co-chair of the Yes to Opportunity Campaign.
The Yes Campaign started when several local citizens including Joey Hoechsmann, Brian Sims, Courtney Magro, Len Knudsen, David Kaiser and others, realized that Cranbrook needs another voice on this issue.
"The boundary extension referendum is about Cranbrook's future and it is about the opportunity that exists right now for long term positive planning to help ensure prosperity for the next two or three generations," Sims says.
During the referendum period the Yes to Opportunity team will be recruiting supporters, organizing rallies, and planning an informative educational campaign on the issue. Most importantly they are encouraging people to get out and vote yes to the boundary extension on November 14. Next week the team is opening its campaign office.
"We are encouraging anyone who supports the boundary extension to join us for our first campaign rally and office opening next Tuesday, September 22 at noon," says Len Knudsen, retiree and Yes supporter. "A catered lunch is being served and we encourage supporters to stop by, grab a bite to eat and find out how they can get involved."
The Yes to Opportunity Rally and campaign office opening will be held at their office located at 323C Kootenay Street North. If anyone wants to join the growing list of supporters or request more information they can email info@yesvote.ca
The Yes to Opportunity Campaign
We are a group of concerned citizens eager to see Cranbrook achieve its full potential. To us, the East Hill Boundary Extension is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - one that will allow our community to plan ahead and create the best possible future for Cranbrook, enhance the quality of life for everyone who calls Cranbrook home and expand the opportunities for us and for future generations. That is why we are voting YES! to opportunity on Referendum - November 14, 2009.
Background on the Boundary Extension
The boundary extension is an opportunity to improve the quality of life in Cranbrook through controlled growth and prudent planning. A referendum on Saturday, November 14, 2009 will now decide whether or not the boundary extension will go forward.
It is essential to manage Cranbrook's growth with a long term vision. Cranbrook needs to secure lands for future growth and the boundary extension will allow for careful planning while accommodating the city's growth well into the future.
Bringing these lands under the City's jurisdiction will ensure an opportunity for the people of Cranbrook to have a say in how the lands are planned and in how our City will grow. If these lands remain outside of our city's boundary, when development occurs, the people of Cranbrook will have no say. It's that simple. If development were to occur outside of Cranbrook, new residents would use our community's services and infrastructure without contributing in any way to its tax base.
Although Cranbrook City Council voted in favour of the boundary extension, due to the Alternative Approval Process, the City is now holding a referendum on the boundary extension issue. Referendums are binding on Council and it is imperative that the citizens of Cranbrook vote yes to enable the boundary extension to go through.