Pubdate: Fri, 27 Oct 2006 Source: Chilliwack Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Chilliwack Times Contact: http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1357 Author: Paul J. Henderson UNITED IN THEIR FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS The battle against drugs is a recurring theme for Mayor Clint Hames and the five Chilliwack city councillors in Victoria this week at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention. "It's one of the themes for sure," Coun. Sharon Gaetz told the Times via phone from the convention yesterday. Resolutions looking at regulating the sale of products related to the illegal drug trade, allowing regional districts to enact property bylaw legislation, and extending a provincial crystal meth program, were among the drug-related issues brought up at the convention. One resolution that passed unanimously was to regulate drug paraphernalia and the tools used to grow marijuana and make crystal meth. So will your purchases from Minter Country Gardens be under increased scrutiny? No, picking up fertilizer for your petunias won't be regulated, according to Gaetz. The move is aimed at those who are "buying huge quantities of grow lights" and other marijuana grow-related materials such as Voodoo Juice, a product specifically designed for hydroponic marijuana growing. "This is one more tool to try to fight drugs in our community," Gaetz said. "Is it the silver bullet? No." Gaetz said that under section 59 of the community charter, municipalities currently think they have the power to do this, but they want this authority to be more clearly articulated. Another resolution passed by delegates was one that would allow regional districts to enact property bylaw legislation, which they currently can't do. Currently municipalities can enact bylaws to track excessive hydro consumption, but since regional districts can't, this has the potential to lead regional districts to get dumped with the grow-op problem. Some other resolutions discussed: Port Moody councillors brought forth a motion to extend municipal terms from three to four years. This was narrowly defeated by around 30 votes with a standing vote in a room of around 400 delegates, according to Gaetz. She voted against the extension of terms suggesting that people's lives change too quickly these days. Delegates were strongly behind a motion ensuring they retain the power to set tax rates for different property classes. Gaetz said that the UBCM have had "heated dialogues" with the province about this issue as well as the red-tape-reducing issue of local governments being removed from the process of power project approval. Water protection and clean air quality were also discussed, but Gaetz said she was comforted that Chilliwack has "looked ahead" and has stringent bylaws regarding particulate matter from burning. Public safety was on the agenda in a panel including local MLA John Les with a particular focus on jail sentences for repeat and dangerous offenders. "We need to hear that dangerous offenders are having their activities curtailed," Gaetz said. For comic relief, Port Moody introduced a motion to reduce the age of voting to 16. Gaetz, along with most delegates, did not endorse this motion. "We know there is a lethargy in the voting system, but I don't think the way to increase that is to lower the age," she said. "Do these kids vote for their school board?" - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine