A sewer system helped bring me to Summerland.
No, I didn鈥檛 paddle a canoe along channels of stinky effluent and sludge. It was nothing quite that disgusting. Instead, it happened as I watched a lively, heated debate about sewage.
This took place 30 years ago, during the Labour Day weekend of 1994.
On the Friday of that weekend, I arrived in Summerland to meet with the management and staff of the Summerland Review. The town and the paper both left me with a positive impression. I felt at home as soon as I arrived. But before choosing to relocate here, I wanted to be certain the community would be a good fit for me.
During the weekend, the community was holding a downtown street festival. I spent some time watching the events, listening to live music and enjoying food from some of the local vendors.
At one point during the weekend, I noticed two men, near the corner of Main Street and Victoria Road, having a lively, heated discussion. Their voices were raised as they debated whether Summerland needed to have sewer.
In the mid-1990s, Summerland did not yet have a sewer system in place. Every property was on a septic system. The proposal to bring in a sewer system was foremost in the minds of many in the community.
As I watched the debate continue, I became impressed.
These two people with differing views on an important issue were able to discuss it, without descending into insults or attacks and without compromising on their strongly held views.
It was possible they could stop at the bar later that evening, enjoying a beer as friends.
That was the moment I realized I wanted to live and work in this community.
I wanted to be in a place where people could disagree with each other 鈥� strongly at times 鈥� and still remain civil and respectful.
Three weeks later, I started at the Summerland Review.
The sewer system is now a reality. The groundbreaking for the $27 million project took place on Nov. 1, 1996. At the time, it was the second largest infrastructure works project in the province.
Today, I don鈥檛 see strongly worded comments or letters to the editor about the need for a sewer. We鈥檝e moved on since then.
Over the years, I鈥檝e watched as the people in this community have faced a number of other big issues.
At times, development proposals have generated strong reactions. Land use is often a contentious issue. Proposed borrowing, whether for a police station, a recreation centre or any other large-scape project, generates some passionate views on all sides.
The success of these discussions, as I see it, depends on whether the comments can stay focused on the issue at hand and whether the people commenting can get along, despite any differences of opinion they may have. The outcome is less important than the tone within the community.
The sidewalk debate I watched three decades ago demonstrated a way to have a healthy, vibrant discussion about a controversial issue. I still remember it as the moment I realized I wanted to live in this wonderful community.
John Arendt is the editor of the Summerland Review.
