Dear Editor
While I realize all businesses have a need to be competitive in the marketplace, there is an aspect to the operation of co-operatives that they seem to be allowing to go by the wayside.
Recent announcements of the closing of small branches of Innovation Credit Union are disturbing. Smaller satellite communities are finding it difficult to remain viable as it is.
The co-operative movement set as one of its goals to bring services to the people at the lowest possible cost. This should remain a major objective.
Decisions to remove services should be made locally, not by larger centralized head offices. Some of these branches may close anyway, but the decision should be made locally and not be foisted onto these area communities by a centralized board or management.
All too often, the situation is not adequately outlined to the people of these communities and they become aware that a problem exists only once it is too late to respond.
I would certainly encourage co-operative organizations to be more sensitive to smaller communities and their needs. The success of the more centralized and larger co-operative enterprises may well be partially rooted in the public's belief that co-operatives are offering services and products to people in locations where other private businesses cannot operate.
Cooperatives, as a whole, need to consider whether they really want to compete with the "big boys" everywhere and in every aspect.
Brian Gardiner
North Battleford
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