An Ashcroft-area environmentalist was removed from the TNRD’s regional solid-waste management plan monitoring advisory committee (PMAC) because he has opposed the Cache Creek landfill and because he has written government signing himself as a committee member.

Cache Creek Mayor John Ranta made the motion as Thompson-Nicola Regional District directors discussed a list of eight names of people volunteering to sit on the committee.

Ermes Culos has sat on the PMAC for years. The TNRD is currently seeking up to 12 people to sit on the volunteer group for two-, three- or four-year terms.

Ranta said Culos appealed the Cache Creek landfill permit in the late 1980s, and has appealed — without success — several variations to that permit made since.

“Over time, in my mind, it’s evolved that he’s a conscientious objector to the Cache Creek landfill,” he said.

Culos also embraced a report critical of the landfill that was subsequently discredited. Additionally, he uses his PMAC title on letters he’s written to the Minister of Environment and other officials, Ranta said.

“I find it inappropriate that he continues to sit on that committee. He’s been on it for years and in my mind, he’s run his course.”

Area A director Jessoa Lightfoot said she met Culos many years ago, and found him to be reasonable.

"I have a difficult time putting a lid on people who don't have a convenient point of view,” she said.

Area P director John Sternig felt taking Culos off the PMAC just because he has a different point of view would be wrong.

“I have an objection to disposing of people who disagree with your view,” he said.

Culos has a right to not to support the landfill, and there are reasons for that, Sternig said.

The list of names came from the people themselves, who volunteered to sit on the PMAC. The committee is advisory only, so it can make recommendations to the TNRD board, but has no powers itself.

Sun Peaks director Al Raine agreed with Ranta, saying people on an advisory committee shouldn’t use that position to lobby the public on issues.

Area I director Steve Rice said it would do more public-relations damage to remove Culos from the PMAC than to leave him on. He has received emails from the environmentalist and believes Culos has done a lot of research.

Lightfoot pointed out the committee has room for 12 people and the list of volunteers was only eight. However, she suggested Culos be warned about using his position as a member of the committee to promote his viewpoint.

“If no one has pointed it out to him, I think that needs to be done before we revoke his membership,” she said.

TNRD staff indicated Culos had not been addressed directly about the use of his committee membership in writing letters expressing his personal opinions.

Kamloops director Pat Wallace said if she wrote a letter to the editor disagreeing with a decision of council, she would sign it as a City councillor.

“This is part of his resume and he’s got that right. How do you stop someone from participating as a volunteer and not referring to it?” she said.

The vote to remove Culos was passed, with most directors in favour. Lightfoot, Sternig and Wallace were among the few opposed.

The list of the remaining seven volunteers was passed.

Culos said afterward he’s sat on the committee for several years and was on the group that put together the current solid waste plan.

“I suppose I feel a bit disappointed. Maybe more than a bit disappointed. For this reason in particular: I’m surprised John Ranta would decide to reject me from the committee for the reason I’m being told,” he said.

That reason cited was using his PMAC title on letters opposing the Cache Creek dump.

“I happen to be a member of a committee thats purpose is to monitor what happens in these landfills.”

He had never been told he shouldn’t be signing his title on letters, he said.

“This is the first time an objection of that sort has been expressed.”

Culos said Ranta has expressed strong opinions in the opposite view to his, showing him to be partial in favour of the Cache Creek landfill.

“Many times, he should have excused himself from proposing a facility at board meetings because his views were absolutely partial on the other side,” he said.

“It seems as if I’m being booted out because I’m doing my job.”