A petition is making its way around cyberspace (Facebook) demanding that Greg Deck be removed as chair of the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) board of directors.

The petition, started by Jim Ross of Slocan Park, states that by handing Deck the CBT board chair, the Trust is stating it approves the controversial Jumbo Glacier Resort project.

Deck, who has been a supporter of the $500 million to $1 billion ski resort proposal for the upper Jumbo Creek Valley, 55 km west of Invermere, since it first hit the public books in the early 1990s, when he was mayor of the fledgling Village of Radium Hot Springs, was last year appointed as mayor of the Jumbo Mountain Resort Municipality.

And by graduating Deck from his position as vice-chair of the CBT board to chair, the Trust is “giving their tacit approval to the Jumbo Resort project and telling residents of the (Columbia) Basin they aren’t concerned about this controversial and divisive project,” Ross’ petition states.

“Deck accepted an appointment as Mayor of Jumbo, demonstrating he doesn’t represent residents of the basin but his own self or someone else’s interests, namely patronage appointments from the current BC Liberal Government,” the petition concludes before asking people to sign to “remove Greg Deck as the chairman of the board of Columbia Basin Trust.”

Deck, who has served on the CBT board since it was founded, told e-KNOW he believes it is “unfair” for people to make connections between Jumbo and CBT.

“What’s important to note is these are two different jobs. There is no conflict of interest. People who are angry have a completely wrong label for their anger. They are angry that someone who supports something they are opposed to was given any more credibility by CBT,” he said.

Deck noted his ascent to the CBT chair position wasn’t an overnight deal.

“I was vice-chair for much of Garry’s (past chair Garry Merkel) term,” he said, adding he was one of the Regional District of East Kootenay’s board representatives beginning in 1994 and ending when he left office in 2008.

Deck also pointed out that his support for the Jumbo proposal has not been a secret.

“This was not an ambush. I didn’t change skins in any way and people who work with me don’t have a difficulty with it.  I am being caught up in a campaign about something else. My preference is deal with issues and not people but that’s not what is occurring here,” he said.

As of Feb. 18, 172 people have signed the petition.

Tomorrow (Feb. 19), Deck will chair the first council meeting for the Jumbo Mountain Resort Municipality, beginning at 1 p.m. at the Village of Radium Hot Springs council chambers.

A rally is planned, beginning at 12:15 p.m. outside the village office, by project opponents.

Above image: CBT chair Greg Deck, right, presented past-chair Garry Merkel Feb. 13 with a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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