TIME TO SPLIT UBCM IN TWO?

The Union of B.C. Municipalities is getting too weighted in favour of
B.C.'s hinterland, according to Delta Mayor and Metro Vancouver board
chair Lois Jackson.

She said rural towns that come to the convention with lots of
delegates this year voted down some key issues advanced by urban centres.

Jackson said there appeared to be a lack of understanding of urban
challenges, leading to the defeat of resolutions such as one
advocating Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods legislation to clean
up drug-riddled, unruly areas.

She noted the Lower Mainland now has only two of 10 seats on the UBCM
executive - first vice-president Barbara Steele of Surrey who is in
line to be president next year and Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz -
despite having well over half the population.

"Some of our concerns down here, like transportation, are so different
from the rest of the province," Jackson said.

She said there have been suggestions that UBCM could be split in two,
with one body serving the Lower Mainland and another acting for the
rest of B.C.

"I don't know if it would be feasible or advisible, but we do have to
look at a different way of doing things."