Is it time for the residents of the Similkameen to make their feelings known to the province regarding the future of the Keremeos Grist Mill?
The latest Request For Proposals regarding the Grist Mill does nothing but create uncertainty for the present operator, who I feel, after two years, deserves better.
When I ask myself whether the RFP could turn up a better deal for the province and the Similkameen Valley with respect to the operation of the Grist Mill, I come up with the answer, “not likely.”
Chris Mathieson, in my view, has done more to bring the Grist Mill to self sustanance than any operator in the past decade. He has struck liasons with just about every service group and business in the valley, promoted the mill tirelessly in addition to constantly coming up with new ideas and creative ways to draw people to the mill grounds and use the property.
I think he is doing all the right things. I think he has shown commitment to the task of making the mill a self sustaining entity. I think he has demonstrated that he has the purpose and creative energy to achieve the goal. I think he deserves a better opportunity than the present one offered by the province.
The Victoria bureaucrats who are masterminding the future of the province’s heritage sites need to step back from their generic approach to divesting them from the public purse, and start looking more closely at each operation.
I think if they were to take a closer look at what Mathieson has been working towards over the past two years, they might recognize what they already have in place.
As much as the province would like to cut the financial strings to the mill and dust the flour off their hands, it’s unrealistic to think this can be done with one giant cut. I’m not an advocate for government spending, but I believe heritage sites are important to the province; the Grist Mill is extremely important to the tourism industry in the Lower Similkameen, To that end, the idea of declining financial support as the Mathieson’s management gains traction is something I feel I could support.
Give the man three more years and see what happens. I think his track record warrants that kind of faith.
This might be a good time for the public to make their feelings known about where they see the future of the Grist Mill. With a municipal election looming, it might even make an election issue.
What do you think about the present management of the Grist Mill? Can you think of a scenario offering the taxpayer a better deal than what we presently have? (Heritage values preserved, while public access is maintained and encouraged, revenues and attendance on the rise).
If you are concerned about the future of the Grist Mill, please take a few minutes to make your feelings known to our MLA, Linda Larson at: Phone: (250) 498-5122, or by email at: http://lindalarsonmla.ca/contact/
Locally, a call to Keremeos Mayor Manfred Bauer (250-499-6505) and Area “G” Director Angelique Wood (250-499-0503) wouldn’t hurt, either.