Dinwoodie Weighs In

The first bombshell in the debate over Westside Governance came from an unexpected source Wednesday night.

Westside Electoral Area Director, Aaron Dinwoodie, shocked many of his fellow committee members when he used a debate over whether members should make their personal feelings known to make his known.

The veteran Regional District Director and Ex-Officio member of the Governance Committee told those in attendance, "In my heart I like the idea of incorporation, but when I think with my head, I agree amalgamation is the way to go."

He says the region is stronger together than it is apart.

Dinwoodie says geography, government funding formulas and the ability to hire the best public sector brainpower to run services all favour amalgamation.

When asked if he would actively campaign for the amalgamation side, Dinwoodie said no.

"I think I'll allow the grassroots committees to do that, but I'll always be there to answer questions, to take part in debates and to be accountable for my position."

And, after sidestepping the question of whether he would be a candidate for a larger Kelowna City Council, Dinwoodie finally said he wasn't sure.

Dinwoodie said he picked Wednesday night to make his stand clear because it was the meeting with the most committee members, most public and the most press in attendance.