Sleeman may fetch four bids

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story
Four brewers are expected to belly up to the bar today and pitch offers for Sleeman Breweries Ltd. as the auction of the $220-million beer maker enters its final stage. The two major domestic players, Molson Coors Brewing Co. and Labatt Brewing Co. Ltd., are expected to make bids. So too are a pair of overseas brewers that distribute their suds through Sleeman, Royal Grolsch NV and Sapporo Breweries Ltd. All are expected to make formal bids by a Sleeman-imposed deadline of the end of today, according to industry and investment banking sources. Sleeman, which holds 7 per cent of the Canadian beer market, announced a "strategic review" in May that could include the sale of the Guelph, Ont.-based company. Sources say the brewer hopes to announce a buyer by October.

Don Quixote Note: Sleeman grew through acquisition, snapping up regional micro brewers across the country including ,Okanagan Springs and Shaftsbury in British Columbia Upper Canada in Ontario, Unibroue in Quebec and Maritime Beer in Atlantic Canada.

Library Proposals Needed

http://www.1075kiss.com/whatson/news.jsp
Officials with the Okanagan Regional Library are not in any rush to build a new Vernon branch.The funding for it has been in place for a number of years, but the project has been on hold while thecity decided what to do with the cultural complex.Now that city council has shelved the complex plan, Library board chair Carol Williams says they're waiting for another proposal.Williams says,'The ORL staff has been meeting with the city staff looking at ways where we can, in fact, get a new branch.'Williams says there's no pressure from the public to build a new branch, adding most library users are happy with the service they're getting.(Pete McIntyre July 31)

Mayes says he’ll seek nomination

By Scott Neufeld Monday, July 31, 2006http://www.dailycourier.ca/article_410.php
Okanagan-Shuswap member of Parliament Colin Mayes has made his intentions known about his political future.Mayes has announced that he will be seeking the Conservative Party nomination for the local riding in advance of the next federal election. He said the rush announcement was made because the minority government could be brought down at any time.“There is a possibility that the current minority government could fall sooner than expected,” Mayes said in a press release. “With this in mind, the party wants candidates ready in all 308 federal ridings by this fall.”Mayes said the record of the Conservative government speaks for itself. He said he hopes he will continue to be a part of the government into the future.“Canada’s new government has been sitting for 75 days and has made positive gains,” he said. “I look forward to representing the Okanagan-Shuswap as this government moves forward with its commitments.”The incumbent MP added he hopes that he will continue to receive the support of his constituency as he continues on in his political career.“I hope to be given the opportunity to serve the great communities of Okanagan-Shuswap for many years to come,” he said.Conservative riding association president Dean Skoreyko said it is no surprise that Mayes is going to vie for another nomination. There was no indication that the current MP was poised to leave his post, he said.Now that Mayes has declared Skoreyko said it is possible that others will make their intentions known as well. However, with no official nominating committee in place, entering the race at this point is a bit premature, he said. “All we know for sure is that sometime in the fall there will be a nomination race,” he said. “It will be in October maybe even in November.”Even if other candidates came forward there is no guarantee that they would be eligible for the race, Skoreyko said. The nomination process has to be followed before an applicant can be considered for inclusion and that process won’t begin for some time, he said.“There is no final nomination process right now,” he said. “There is no real committee to take the nomination to.”Starting today a selection committee will begin searching for potential candidates. Once that search is complete a nomination committee will be struck and a voting date set to select the candidate in the local riding.

Developers to be dinged ( KAMLOOPS)

By MARKUS ERMISCHStaff reporterJul 30 2006 http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/
Kamloops homebuilders expect a “considerable hike” in development cost charges as city hall adjusts its estimates for what it costs to extend city infrastructure to new developments. And since development cost charges (DCCs) are usually passed on to homebuyers, it could herald even higher housing prices.Although homebuilders often oppose high development cost charges (DCCs), the fees, and the frequency at which they are reviewed, point toward a vibrant economy and a growing city. Last week, city officials met with representatives of the Kamloops chapter of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association to solicit input into the biannual DCC review. Patsy Bourassa, the organization’s executive officer, said that although the discussions are at the preliminary stage, she expects a “considerable hike” of DCCs this fall, which would take effect in early 2007. After the most recent review in 2004, DCCs for a single-family home increased to $6,758 from $4,658, and commercial DCCs increased to $43 per square metre from $33 per square metre. At the time, council opted to give a 10 per cent assist factor for road DCCs. An assist factor lessens an increase by subsidizing DCCs through another source of revenue. So far, the city has not mentioned an assist factor during this year’s review discussions, Bourassa said. David Trawin, who heads development services at the city, said the dollar amount of growth-related DCC projects — such as extending roads, sewers and water to new developments — has increased by 50 per cent, to $60 million from about $40 million. This means that DCCs must rise by a similar amount unless they are subsidized from another funding source. By law, the city is not allowed to run a deficit. Farther to the north, the City of Prince George is also reviewing its DCCs — for the first time in nine years. A stagnant economy, which has only picked up in the last two years, has made DCC adjustments redundant as little new development has been seen in the forestry town. In 1997, Prince George city council decided on a 50 per cent DCC assist factor. However, comparing DCCs between cities is futile, said Dave Dyer, chief engineer with the City of Prince George, because of different levels of taxation and land prices. In addition, Dyer added, some cities in British Columbia, such as Fort St. John, do not even charge DCCs, but have higher tax rates. Prince George is also different from Kamloops in that it divides the city into sectors. Different DCCs apply to different sectors.
Trawin said Kamloops opted against doing likwise because the cost to extend city infrastructure is approximately the same across the city.

Tories quietly boost top bureaucrats' pay

CLICK ON CARTOON TO ENLARGE

The federal government has quietly handed pay raises and increased bonuses to senior government officials and the heads of Crown corporations, alarming a tax watchdog and the biggest public service union. Government executives and deputy ministers are in line to get a 2.5-per-cent pay raise and chief executives of Crown corporations get three-per-cent raise -- retroactive to April. Executives and deputy ministers will also get a 1.1-per-cent increase to a scale of end-of-year bonuses tied to performance and objectives. They're also eligible for another bonus of three to five per cent if they earn all the basic bonus. The raises are part of a strategy aimed at preventing high-level public servants from jumping to more lucrative positions in private enterprises. There was no formal public announcement of the increases from the Conservative government. A spokesperson for Treasury Board President John Baird, said the information was released on the board's website. "What troubles me is this is a government that was elected to ensure greater transparency and they've decided to shelve a public announcement," said John Williamson, federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. John Gordon, president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, said the salaries of senior staff should face the same scrutiny as those of other public servants
Mon, July 31, 2006 OTTAWA -- http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/National/2006/07/31/1710982-sun.html
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DON QUIXOTE NOTE: PROVINCIAL MANAGERS GOT PAY RAISE AT: JULY 22
http://vernonblog.blogspot.com/2006/07/taxpayers-federation-upset-at-pay.html Raises of up to 12 percent for some staff is required to keep them from fleeing to the private sector. ALSO NOTE THAT THE CITY OF VERNON'S BUDGET GUIDELINES FOR THE 2007 YEAR HAS A 3% INCREASE TO THE ADMINISTRATION SALARIES BUILT IN ??

Frustration comes to fore (KAMLOOPS)

By MARKUS ERMISCH Staff reporter Jul 30 2006 http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/
At a city hall meeting with the province’s minister of community services Friday, Mayor Terry Lake vented his frustration with municipalities having to deal with “glaring infrastructure needs.” Lake also criticized the sluggishness with which the federal government initiates infrastructure programs. “We’re left with a gap in funding,” Lake told Ida Chong, who was in town to take in the B.C. Summer Games. Costs are shooting up, whereas the ability for cities to generate money is limited. “We are left with a gap in funding,” Lake said, noting that smaller cities cannot charge a tax on gasoline to help fund public transit, a system the Greater Vancouver Regional District uses to pay for Translink. Chong grew slightly defensive during the exchange, and said that, in fact, the Liberals have increased funding to local governments. The Oak Bay-Gordon Head MLA pointed to the traffic-fine revenue refund as one example of how Victoria is helping communities. “A whole lot of monies have gone into [the Union of B.C. Municipalities],” she said. Speaking after the meeting, Lake said he finds it especially frustrating how Ottawa distributes taxes to provincial governments, from which a fraction then trickles down to municipalities. Often, municipalities have no choice but to raise property taxes, Lake said, noting this is not always the most desirable option. Kamloops still wants funding for several infrastructure projects, most notably the expansion of the airport and the construction of a sewage-treatment plant, expected to cost at least $20 million and $40 million, respectively. Chong, prompted by a question from Coun. Peter Milobar, also talked about industrial taxation. She said industry must be prevented from leaving communities, especially when such industries are the mayor employer of a town. She noted some communities in the Interior often rely on one industrial employer to provide jobs for at least half of the workforce. Kamloops recently grappled with the challenge of providing tax relief to its industrial tax class, finally agreeing to limit tax increases. Yet industries must understand, Lake said, that they, too, benefit from the tax dollars they pay to a municipality.
Chong is currently visiting communities throughout B.C.

MY TOWN -door-to-door marketing

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY TERRY PAKENHAM POSTED WITH PERMISSION: (Originally published in the Vernon Daily Courier)

Recently I was made aware of an individual going door-to-door marketing carpet cleaning services. As a result of some follow-up enquiries it was determined that this individual did not possess a Vernon business license and produced a business card with nothing more than a business name, a 1-888 phone number, and a description of the services that could be provided. In this particular case both the individual and the business he was representing may be perfectly legitimate but there should have been “red flags” going up before anyone contracted the services. Many situations similar to this rests in the old adage of “buyer beware”. As consumers we must all be careful as to the products and services we buy. One of the first questions that should be asked is if the business or individual has obtained a business license through the City of Vernon. The next thing that should be determined is if the business or individual is based locally and if they have both a verifiable business address and phone number. It also wise to get a written estimate or quote for the work that needs to be done and then obtain a second opinion. Do not sign anything until you are completely satisfied that all your concerns and questions have been answered. This may sound like a lot of effort for a $50-$100 job but we have many reported instances where the bill ends up being $200 or more. Do not be drawn into the special deals for limited times. This is a typical high pressure sales tactic often resulting in the consumer making a decision without going through the cautionary checks before getting the work done. Ask for verifiable references so that you can make contact with them and ensure that the services provided were adequate. Remember, as a potential consumer you have the first right of refusal when being offered a particular service. For door-to-door sales the first line of defense is the locked front door. If you are at all concerned about the individual advise them to leave information and you will review it at your leisure. If you are being solicited over the telephone be very careful as to the information or commitments you are providing. If you have any concerns simply hang-up.
If you have any particular concerns or questions you feel would make an interesting article please make contact with me, Terry Pakenham, at my fax line 260-5866, or my direct office line at 260-5276.

New law reaches beyond Wal-Mart, wage issues

by Sandra JonesTribune staff reporterPublished July 28, 2006 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0607280139jul28,1,4453858.story?coll=chi-business-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true
The new local ordinance mandating big-box retailers pay higher wages and benefits to workers sent a chill through the Chicago retail industry, from high-end department stores to hardware outlets.Aside from Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the primary target of the hotly contested ordinance, the law would cover at least 18 retailers operating more than 40 stores in the city.Nordstrom, Marshall Field's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Carson Pirie Scott & Co., Toys "R" Us, Home Depot, Lowe's, Menards and Kohl's are just a few of the stores affected, according to a list compiled by the City of Chicago's Department of Planning & Development."It's certainly stunning," said Susan Wachter, a professor at University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School in Philadelphia and an urban development official during the Clinton administration. "This clearly isn't only going to affect Wal-Mart. It's going to affect Wal-Mart's competition."Retailers complain they don't want city government dictating what their workers are paid.Many of the big Chicago retailers fall below the ordinance's requirement to pay a minimum of $9.25 an hour starting next July and $10 by 2010. Calls to selected stores affected revealed hourly pay rates ranging from $6.50, the minimum wage in Illinois, for entry-level sales positions, to $9for overnight stock work.The ordinance would not have any impact on wages at Nordstrom Inc., which already offers wages from $10 to $18 an hour.But the crux of the ordinance deals with an even thornier issue: health insurance.Traditionally, part-time retail workers don't earn benefits, a practice that has helped retailers manage already-slim profit margins but also has contributed to the country's swelling population of uninsured workers. The big-box ordinance mandates retailers pay benefits on par with some of the industry's most generous retailers.Under the ordinance, retail workers are required to receive benefits if they work 10 hours or more a week and are employed at least 180 days, or if they work 30 hours a week and are employed for at least 90 days. The benefits must be worth $1.50 an hour initially and then rise to $3 by 2010.

SOLUTION TO WATER QUALITY IN VERNON ??

CLICK ON CARTOON TO ENLARGE

See the Following Link for story behind Cartoon. (An Article from the Daily Courier.)

http://vernonblog.blogspot.com/2006/07/new-permit-may-mean-more-waste-in.html

Park lodges require review

Jul 30 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/ EDITORIAL
B.C. is internationally known for its provincial parks, but we could be walking a fine line between expanding recreational opportunities and jeopardizing the natural values that we all cherish. On the surface, Victoria’s plans to allow fixed-roof accommodations in Fintry and Silver Star provincial parks sound like a great way of bolstering tourism, especially leading up to 2010. Environment Minister Barry Penner is right when he says that “not everyone who wants to stay in a park wants to sleep on the ground in a tent.” But there are numerous people that do, and the prospect of a 100-bed lodge with all of its amenities may force many people to abandon their favourite park. With an increasingly urban Okanagan, preserving rural areas is vital. Certainly the argument can be made that Silver Star and Fintry parks are not natural. Fintry has a campground and heritage home in it, while Silver Star features Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre and an adjacent downhill ski resort. But if commercial operations can take root in these relatively developed parks, how about more wilderness ones, such as Mabel Lake or Kalamalka Lake? Once the door is open to development, can it ever be closed? Is this just the start of rampant commercialization of our parks? We would hope that all North Okanagan residents consider the government’s proposal and whether they see it as beneficial or problematic. If there is support or concerns, they should be passed on to our MLA. Such a potentially dramatic change to our provincial park system deserves that much.

Province pushed to support library

By richard rolke Morning Star StaffJul 30 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
There’s intense lobbying under way to ensure the provincial government supports a new library in Greater Vernon. MLA Tom Christensen met with Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert and Okanagan Regional Library officials Friday to discuss the plight of the community’s branch. “It was an opportunity to bring me up to speed on the work the board is doing in terms of getting additional space,” said Christensen. As a result of the meeting, Christensen will try to determine whether there is provincial capital funding available for an expanded library, whether it is at the current site or another location. “That (grant) could play in to their plans,” he said. Based on information he received during the session, Christensen is convinced that Vernon, Coldstream and the two electoral areas require a larger library. “They strongly made a case that, in terms of physical space, the area is under-served,” he said. Carol Williams, a Coldstream councillor and ORL chairman, was pleased to meet with Christensen. “The more people who understand why we need to move forward on this, the better for the community,” she said. Williamson believes provincial grants would be beneficial if development of a larger branch proceeds by taking some burden off local taxpayers. “Grants certainly would help us move forward,” she said. However, even if Victoria doesn’t participate, ORL has been putting money aside for a Vernon branch and has the ability to levy funds. Also attending the meeting were Vernon Coun. Patrick Nicol and regional district director Rick Fairbairn.

Bait Boats?

by Wayne Moore - Story: 20722 July 29, 2006 http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-20722-11-.htm#20722

Building on the success of the bait car program, the provincial government is now introducing bait boats. Solicitor General John Les introduced the program Friday as the latest tool to help law enforcement in the fight against crime. “More than 160 boats have been stolen in and around the Lower Mainland in the past year and a half," says Les. Les says in Kelowna and Penticton, 32 watercraft were stolen, including everything from jet bikes to large pleasure craft. According to Kelowna RCMP Constable Annie Linteau, approximately 26 watercraft were reported stolen in Kelowna in 2005, with another 12 thefts reported so far this year.

MY TOWN motorized wheelchairs and scooters

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY TERRY PAKENHAM POSTED WITH PERMISSION: (Originally published in the Vernon Daily Courier)

As I mentioned in last week’s article operators of motorized wheelchairs and scooters are to be treated as pedestrians and have the responsibility of complying with all the rules associated to pedestrians.The other categories of transportation that have recently gained much popularity are motor assisted cycles and limited speed motorcycles. A motor assisted cycle is a cycle, either two or three wheels, that has a seat, pedals and electric motor. They do not require registration, license plates, insurance or a driver’s license for the operator. The operator must be 16 years of age or older, must wear a bicycle helmet, and must operate the cycle on the roadway. The motor must be electric with a rating of 500 watts or less and cannot propel the cycle at a speed greater than 32km/hr. on level ground. The regulations governing their operation are the same as that for bicycles and rules of the road are exactly the same. The next grouping is commonly referred to as limited speed motorcycles and would include the “pocket” bikes or miniature motorcycles and scooters. A limited speed motorcycle is defined as having no more than a 50cc displacement or 1.5kw motor rating, does not require the use of a clutch or a gear shift, it has a maximum speed of 70km/h on level ground, it weighs no more that 95kg, and the wheels are more than 25.4cm in diameter. The regulations dictate that the operator must have the limited speed motorcycle registered and insured and that the driver must possess a valid driver’s license of any class. At this time the use of motorized skateboards and the human transporter, referred to as the Segway, is not allowed on any sidewalks adjacent to roadways nor on any public roads in the Province of BC. Regardless of whether you are operating a limited speed motorcycle, a motor assisted cycle, or a motorized wheelchair or are sharing the use of our local sidewalks, streets, or avenues we must all understand that common courtesy and obeying the rules of the road will go a long way in preventing problems with the various user groups.If you have any particular concerns or questions you feel would make an interesting article please make contact with me, Terry Pakenham, at my fax line 260-5866, or my direct office line at 260-5276.
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Scooter In Hit & Run by Wayne Moore - Story: 20718July 29, 2006 / 9:57 am http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-20718-1-.htm#20718
Kelowna RCMP are on the lookout for the driver of an older model white Honda following a hit and run Saturday morning at Pandosy and Queensway. Witnesses say the vehicle with a lone male inside cut the corner while attempting a right turn onto Pandosy. He clipped a motorized scooter that was already well into the intersection. An elderly male riding the scooter was transported to Kelowna General Hospital complaining of a sore arm. If you have any information, you're asked to contact Kelowna RCMP.

Will the D.V.A., Chamber of Commerce or City Council stand up for the small businesman ???

Did you know that in 2006 according to the City's Finance department that the average Business Property Assessment went up 8%. However 2 of the local banks only increased by 2.6% and 1 actually decreased by 2.8%.
Don Quixote Note:
I've been pushing a simple plan to help lower the property tax burden on the small business owner in this area. It takes a leadership role to champion the cause and persuade the Provincial Government to change its legislation re the property tax exemption already given to all business from $10,000 to $50,000 (or any other figure agreed upon). You can see by the history of my previous postings that I have asked the City Council, D.V.A. and the Chamber of Commerce to take up the fight but to no avail. Once again at the last Council Meeting with the new head of the D.V.A. in the audience I suggested that they get together and discuss the idea so The City could take it to the UBCM meetings in the fall.
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JULY 24/2006 Suggested that the council bring up the subject of raising the business tax exemption from $10,000 to $50,000 with the DVA at their upcoming meeting. This exemption is in the balliwick of the Province but if it was championed at UBCM and ministerial meetings then it might be the way to help small businesses in our city
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May 8. 2006 A Small Business Property Tax Break While I'm on the help local business theme I am reintroducing an idea that even the Council Watchdog has indicated has merit. I call it A small business tax break . Naturally the local press ignored it because it contained big mind numbing number I guess. It was presented to representatives of the DVA and Chamber of Commerce with no response. Small local business people who have seen the proposal are quite impressed but no one will take a lead to make it an item on the provincial Agenda. The bottom line is that this proposal would allow the small business owner to pay less municipal property tax while the big business (read BIG BANKS, WALMART, BOX STORES [whose profits leave Vernon in most cases]) would pay more. I actually proposed this plan to city Council during the budget input meeting in Feb 2006 but it seems to have been forgotten. Now I know the Chamber of Commerce and the DVA represents both types of businesses (Big and Small) but surely they can get off their ASS and explain to their members why they can not support this idea and lobby their local Council and their local MLA. Let's lighten the load on small local businesses. Maybe the CITY COUNCIL can ask the DVA for their opinion on this tax matter when the BIA extension comes to Council shortly. --------------------------------------------------------------
July 11/2005 Don Quixote presented this idea for a small business property tax break at the last council meeting July 11/2005 They were asked to check the numbers and the feasibility of this proposal and to endorse its implementation to the Provincial Government through our local MLA. I maintain that the local small businesses (drug store, local pub, local radio station or locksmith) should be taxed at a different rate than the big businesses (banks, Walmart, Staples etc.). I was told that this was not allowed by provincial regulation. On closer examination I discovered that the big businesses were already paying at a higher effective rate than the smaller ones and had been doing so since 1984. In 1983 there were no exemptions to property assessments. In 1984 the first $10,000 of property assessment has been exempted and this continues to this present day. Now if the total amount to be taxed to the entire business class is a hypothetical $1,000,00 than the tax charged to the individual businesses changed from 1983 to 1984. It is obvious that a $10,000 exemption is worth more to a small owner whose property is assessed at $100,000 (10%) than the big owner whose property is assessed at $1,000,000 (1%) PLEASE TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PROPOSAL. THERE WOULD BE NO EFFECT ON THE RESIDENTIAL TAXPAYER.

Canada's new government invests gas tax funds in British Columbia's cities and communities

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2006/28/c2050.html
OTTAWA, July 28 /CNW Telbec/ -
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Ida Chong, B.C. Minister of Community Services, and Marvin Hunt, President of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM), are pleased to announce that British Columbia's local governments have received their first of instalment of Year 2 federal gas tax payments. Over $29 million in federal gas tax funds were distributed today to 151 local governments outside of the Greater Vancouver area and to the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority (GVTA). This is in addition to $60 million that BC's cities and communities received last year.

Eligible Recipient Amount
City of Armstrong $ 29,691
District of Coldstream $ 50,373
City of Enderby $ 24,039
City of Kamloops $ 481,509
City of Kelowna $ 416,725
Village of Lumby $ 19,002
North Okanagan Regional District $ 83,654
City of Penticton $ 138,290
Township of Spallumcheen $ 34,058
City of Vernon $ 148,547

Local governments are able to use their gas tax funds for environmentally
sustainable infrastructure projects. Eligible project categories include water
and wastewater, solid-waste management, public transit, community energy
systems and local government capacity building. Decisions on how these funds
are invested will be made locally in a way that responds to the infrastructure
needs of each community and results in environmental benefits such as clearer
air, cleaner water and reduced greenhouse gas emissions for all British
Columbians.

Parks Plan Slammed

http://www.1075kiss.com/whatson/news.jsp

The N-D-P is slamming the B-C government for opening up provincial parks to hotel developments.Opposition environment critic Shane Simpson says this is just the beginning of a major privatization of B-C parks.He says the Liberals have ignored advice from a parks panel that said any hotels should be built outside parks so the local community can benefit.Simpson is also critical of the government's lack of public consultation when coming up with the new policy.The Western Canada Wilderness Committee says the new park lodge strategy will allow private, for-profit development within park boundaries and lacks public consultation.Spokeswoman Gwen Barlee says she's concerned that when parks are managed for an economic bottom line, the ecological bottom line gets lost.She says parks are a public legacy for the people of B-C and should remain intact for future generations.The provincial government is seeking proposals to build fixed-roof accommodations in 12 provincial parks, including at Sovereign Lake in Silver Star Park and at Fintry on the west side of Okanagan Lake.

Federal Conservative Retreat

http://www.vernon.thesun.net/node/389387
The agenda for the Federal Government for the fall will be discussed at the Conservative Government's summer retreat. Okanagan Shuswap MP Colin Mayes says he wants to get caught up with what has happened in the softwood lumber deal. Mayes says he is getting mixed reviews from the industry and the public and he would like the trade minister to clarify. The retreat is where the caucus can voice all of their concerns to the Conservative group.

GVSC bungles park issue

Jul 28 2006 EDITORIAL http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Coldstream Mayor Gary Corner is right to question the holdup on the Sovereign property. The Greater Vernon Services Commission purchased the 5.3-acre site in 2003 and yet absolutely nothing has happened with it. Instead of being ready for the public this summer, it will be another season before services are in place. Certainly the current budget overruns are understandable because of the blazing-hot construction sector, but one has to wonder why it has taken this long to actually get things moving there. Yes some planning had to take place, as did consultation with adjacent residents and budgeting. But three years later, all that’s apparently been accomplished is a fence and a parking lot to be constructed within the next few weeks. The delays at the Sovereign property come at the same time that Greater Vernon’s population is growing and demands for lake access and green space are at a premium. Here is a case where a beautiful piece of property, with considerable lakeshore is in the public’s hands, but it’s been left in limbo. GVSC staff say the public can use the property now, but does anyone know that? Has there been any publicity to that fact? Why would you encourage anyone to visit the site when there are no washrooms or parking? If it wasn’t for Corner’s insistence Thursday, the process for permanent washrooms would have been stalled until next year. If reserve funds are accessed, hopefully they will be actually available for next summer. In the end, GVSC took a bold step when it purchased the Sovereign property, but its actions since then are highly questionable. The public deserves better for its investment.

NEWS BRIEFS MORINGSTAR July 28

http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/ Jul 28 2006

Hospital conditions on council’s agenda
Vernon Jubilee Hospital will be on the agenda when city officials get together with their provincial counterparts. Council is currently setting up meetings with provincial cabinet ministers for the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention this fall. The goal is to meet with George Abbott, health minister, about the hospital. “It would be an ideal opportunity to discuss our concerns,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham. Doctors recently asked council to lobby Victoria over poor facilities at VJH, as well as a lack of physicians in the area.

Sister city committee back on track
Vernon council has decided to reinstate the sister cities committee. The committee fosters relations between Vernon and communities in the U.S., Japan and Italy. John Topping, who has been involved with the program in past, is pleased the city is taking an interest in the committee. “We’ll begin working with the city on the committee and on planning for a major exchange with Modesto, Calif. in 2007,” he said. The committee will receive funding from the city although an exact amount has not been determined.

New DVA administrator down to business
The Downtown Vernon Association’s new executive director is quickly establishing relationships with the city. Earl Hansen introduced himself to council Monday and he has already discussed issues of mutual concern with Leon Gous, the city’s chief administrative officer. Hansen told council that he is looking forward to an upcoming meeting between DVA directors and council.

New transit group gets the green light
The City of Vernon is moving ahead with transit issues. On Monday, council adopted the terms of reference for a new transit advisory committee. The committee will consider the need, costs and benefits of expanding and modifying the existing transit service and routes in the city and provide recommendations to council. The committee will have seven voting members, including three residents, two business people, one KIA Transit official and one B.C. Transit representative. Coun. Pat Cochrane questioned the need for two business people. “It may be difficult to find two. They’re far too busy and it makes sense to have one appointed by the DVA,” he said.

Park project lags behind schedule

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star StaffJul 28 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
There is considerable concern that development of a new park is being dragged out. Greater Vernon Services Commission directors voted Thursday to go to tender on a washroom project on the Sovereign property in Coldstream although staff had been recommending that the process be delayed until December.
“The public’s perception was the park would be ready this year and the reality is it’s not,” said Gary Corner, GVSC chairman and Coldstream mayor. GVSC purchased the property a few years ago, and while the public can use it, no services are in place. The entire budget for all works on the property was $294,000, and with only $53,203 left, there isn’t enough to cover the washrooms, which will cost between $170,000 and $200,000. Directors agreed Thursday to go to tender by the end of August, with a final decision on the project coming in September. If it proceeds, it’s likely the funds will come from reserves, which will then be paid back in the 2007 budget. Corner fears that if tenders don’t proceed this fall, there is a good chance facilities won’t be in place for next summer. “If we have a park there, we need washrooms. It’s something we need to move ahead on,” he said. Al McNiven, parks and recreation administrator, blames the financial situation on rising construction costs and a shortage of skilled trades. “It’s not the easiest time to find contractors,” he said. Fencing has been completed on the site and it’s expected a parking lot will be installed within the next few weeks. “People can use it,” McNiven said of the Sovereign beach on Kalamalka Lake. Anyone accessing the property right now is asked to park at Kidston Elementary School. “People should also realize there is a caretaker in the house and not to infringe on their privacy,” said McNiven. “We ask that they also respect the neighbouring properties and stay in the park.”

Water Project Delayed

http://www.1075kiss.com/whatson/news.jsp
Brew Back on Bill
There's been an interesting twist in the by-election set for Spallumcheen next month.Dave Brew, who resigned from council in April for health reasons, now wants to return to council, sayinghis health has improved.Brew is one of two people running for the seat vacated by Terry Frame.There are five people running for the two other vacant positions, one of which was created by Brew's resignation, and the other by the death of Murray Blackwell.Both by-elections will be held August 26. (Pete McIntyre July 28-06)

Water Project Delayed
Residents on the Duteau Creek water source will be waiting longer to get better quality water.Greater Vernon Services has been told, the timeline for the new clarification plant has been delayed by six weeks.That means completion, originally set for late 2007, is now pushed back to the spring of 2008.The project will remove most of the colour and turbidity problems.The engineering firm, Earth Tech, has been awarded the $161000 contract for the plant's preliminarydesign. (Pete McIntyre July 28-06)

Pottery Park Plan
The former landfill site on Pottery Road, is being targeted for new park-space.Greater Vernon Services says the 27 acre site would be suitable for pathways, a picnic area and dog park,and could also form part of a walking route from Coldstream Valley Estates to the Hillview School area.The plan will move forward as long as NORD agrees to construct fencing, an access road and a parking lot. (Pete McIntyre July 28)

Police Chief Graham faces probe

UPDATE : Police chief was just joking: ex-mayor
Jeff Lee, Vancouver SunPublished: Friday, July 28, 2006 http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=8f3dd1bf-cea4-4286-9ac0-87a3c5db22df
Former Vancouver mayor Larry Campbell says Vancouver Police Chief Jamie Graham confided to him earlier this week that an incident in which he placed a shooting target on the city manager's desk was a prank that had gone wrong.Campbell says the conversation took place at the funeral of an RCMP constable in Regina on Tuesday -- two days before Graham went public in a brief news release about the controversial incident.Graham is now under a preliminary investigation by the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner to determine whether he breached the Police Act by putting the human-shaped target on the desk of city manager Judy Rogers.

ORIGINAL STORY

Jeff Lee, Vancouver SunPublished: Thursday, July 27, 2006 http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=89f657e3-c713-4a79-8e35-6d8fd96078e3&k=58041

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Jamie Graham left his shooting range target, with bullet holes in the head and heart, on the city manager's desk. She was concerned and went to the mayor. Vancouver Police Chief Jamie Graham is under investigation after he left a silhouette police target with bullet holes through the head and heart on the desk of the city manager.City manager Judy Rogers was concerned about the incident and went to Mayor Sam Sullivan. Sullivan advised the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner 10 days ago, and on Wednesday, the deputy police complaint commissioner, Bruce Brown, confirmed he's opened a preliminary investigation. Brown said the circumstances could lead to a full inquiry by commissioner Dirk Ryneveld. The incident is the latest in a series that have damaged relations between the police chief and city hall, and comes at a time when Sullivan has signalled he wants to bring the police department more under the control of the city.

Integrating Transportation and Planning by Jane Weixl

(Posted with permission of Author - A letter to the Editor originally published in Daily Courier on June 29 Waiting to be published in Morningstar)

An Alternative to More Roads

Vernon is experiencing increased traffic congestion. If you have been driving on local roads lately, you have probably experienced delays and have come to the realization that things are going to get a lot worse over time. Since Vernon is about to revise its Official Community Plan, I think this is an excellent opportunity for everyone in Vernon to decide how we, as a community, want to deal with traffic in the future. I am convinced that Transportation Demand Management would benefit everyone in Vernon. In the past, the focus has been on continually supplying new roads, freeways and parking to accommodate vehicles. There is a growing realization that it is no longer possible, or even acceptable, to totally meet the increasing demand for road infrastructure. Few taxpayers are interested in paying the rising costs of road works and even fewer are keen to have Vernon’s agricultural land, scenic vistas and hillsides paved over. Building more roads, or increasing road capacity, meets with very limited long-term success. Many cities that have tried that approach now realize that as capacity is increased, demand increases at a similar, if not more rapid rate. As more and more people drive, the air becomes more polluted and noise pollution increases. Transportation Demand Management (TDM) focuses on reducing the demand for roads. TDM aims to encourage more public transit, cycling and walking. We can only be sure that we will not be totally dependent on the automobile if our land use policies and zoning bylaws are supportive of public transit, cycling and pedestrian pathways. We need to say no to urban sprawl developments far from the downtown core. I would like to see our new Official Community Plan direct growth into existing urban areas first. Developments with huge homes on huge lots have so few residents living in them that they can not support public transit or shops. Without transit or shops residents must continually drive their private automobile back and forth to town for work, shopping, recreation, entertainment, etc. Vernon residents should discuss how much density they are willing to have in any new development. As density increases, per capita hours and miles of automobile travel decline. As density increases, public transit, cycling and walking increase. There should be enough people living in new developments to support public transit and shops. I feel residents should consider what land use mix they would like to see as well. When a development contains a mix of land uses (e.g. neighborhood scale retail shops, residential, open space, schools, and office space) less people drive and more people walk, cycle and use transit. Housing should meet the needs of the whole community: students, single working people, young couples, families of various sizes and seniors. TDM is cost effective and benefits the entire community in many ways. I hope residents attend the OCP public input sessions to discuss TDM and other ideas that may be of interest to them. What made you move to Vernon? What would you like Vernon to look like in 20 years? What is your vision?

New permit may mean more waste in water

By Scott Neufeld http://www.dailycourier.ca/
The City of Vernon could soon be operating under tougher sewage disposal guidelines as a result of the water reclamation plant that opened last year. In a letter to the Ministry of Environment, the city has asked to have their operating permit changed to reflect the plant’s increased capacity. A new agreement would allow more effluent to be disposed of in the MacKay Reservoir or, in case of emergency, through the outfall pipe in Okanagan Lake. “It’s an all together change in our operating certificate,” he said. “Anyone who operates a sewage treatment plant and disposes effluent in any fashion has to have a permit. The existing permit applies to the plant that the city used for the past five decades. The new permit would reflect the cleaner wastewater that comes from the new facility. “The issue before was because we couldn’t (treat sewage) really well (the ministry) was very strict on where we could spray irrigate,” he said. “The water is of such a high quality . . . we meet the (standards) to spray irrigate without notice.” As much as possible the city has tried to reuse wastewater by treating it and then using it as spray irrigation on fields all over the city. Under stricter environmental standards, the city will have to live up to those quality levels in monthly tests. The wastewater is now clean enough that the city could dump all of it into Okanagan Lake, but Gous said Vernon chooses not to except in emergencies. He said “political will” prevents them from pumping waste into the lake. “It is more onerous on us because the new plant meets much higher standards,” he said. Incidents where effluent is pumped into the lake are rare and the last time the city dumped waste into Okanagan Lake was 1998. Gous said an emergency would include a situation where there is a power outage and waste could not be pumped to the reservoir and had to be pumped into Okanagan Lake. The outfall pipe would also be used if reservoir levels grew too high and threatened to burst the dam as it did in 1998, he said. The new wastewater treatment plant uses the most cutting edge technology, Gous said. Large inorganic materials like paper and metal are filtered out at the beginning of the process. After that the wastewater passes through a series of clarifiers where bacteria, organic matter and harmful nutrients such as phosphorous and ammonia are removed. The final product is treated to make it meet Canadian drinking water guidelines, Gous said. As part of the application to the provincial government the city has to give public notice of the potential change. Residents who may be adversely affected by the changes have 30 days from the final public posting to provide written comments to the city and the Ministry of Environment.

JUST IN CASE OUTFALL PIPE LICENCE TO BE RENEWED

CLICK ON CARTOON TO ENLARGE
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NOTICE File No. ME-12215
READ FULL NEWS RELEASE AT :

http://www.vernon.ca/news/index.html#environment and http://www.vernon.ca/news/docs/060726.pdf
Application for an Amendment to a Ministry of Environment Operational Certificate Under the Provisions of the Environmental Management Act
The Corporation of the City of Vernon, 3400 30th Street, Vernon BC, V1T 5E6, has submitted an application to the Director to amend Operational Certificate (OC) ME-12215, issued October 31, 1997 and last amended February 25, 1999 which authorizes the discharge of reclaimed wastewater to ground by irrigation, and effluent that is surplus to the needs of the irrigation system to Okanagan Lake, from a municipal sewage collection system and sewage treatment system.
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Any person who may be adversely affected by the proposed amendment and wishes to provide relevant information may, within 30 days after the last date of posting, publishing, service or display, send written comments to the City of Vernon at 3400 30th Street, Vernon BC, V1T 5E6, with a copy of the written comments to be provided to the Assistant Regional Manager, Ministry of Environment, Environmental Protection Division at 102 Industrial Place, Penticton, BC, V2A 7C8. The identity of any respondents and the contents of anything submitted in relation to this application will become part of the public record.

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DON QUIXOTE NOTE: The outfall system valued at $3,395,161 on Vernon's books should be fully paid after 2007 and this item will disappear from your Tax Bill if you were one of the lucky ones who was paying for it the last 20 years. The answer to the Premier's question is there are 1,000,000 litres in a megalitre.

Doctors want more beds in tower (KELOWNA)

By Don Plant Thursday, July 27, 2006 http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/article_2674.php

Doctors are resisting the design of a proposed tower at Kelowna General before it’s even been approved.The provincial government is mulling over a multi-storey building that would be erected in the current parking lot in front of the hospital. Health officials are referring to it as an ambulatory-care centre, something doctors are cringing at.“I feel uncomfortable when people use that term. It means the focus is on ambulatory care, which is not what we need,” said Gary Goplen, a neurosurgeon and president of the Kelowna Medical Society.“We need in-patient beds and in-patient operating rooms, with ambulatory care added as ell.”Patients who don’t need admission to hospital will undergo day surgery, diagnostic procedures or therapy in the new ambulatory clinic — orifice scoping, for example, pacemaker installation or cardiac-stress testing. The tower, budgeted for about $105 million, is designed to feature parking, an expanded ambulatory-care facility, six new operating rooms (three of them shelled for future use) and a renal-dialysis program, hospital administrator Rick Riley said last spring. One of the floors is set aside for medical students at UBC-Okanagan by 2010, he said.Jeff Eppler, chief of emergency, is all for a new tower to expand the hospital’s physical space. But he’s afraid health officials will devote too little room for what KGH really needs – more surgery and beds.“People are coming here for more and more complex surgeries from all over. Those people won’t be serviced by an ambulatory care centre,” he said. Eppler is not opposed to ramping up the number of day surgeries at KGH. But the hospital is not keeping up with demand, he said. “I know surgeons are here until late at night doing cases that should have been done in the daytime. . . . It’s ridiculous. We are under-resourced.”“We need more beds. People hate that. I’m all in favour of improving utilization . . . making sure the beds are used appropriately . . . but it doesn’t change the fact we have fewer beds than we had 10, 12 years ago. And yet the population has grown enormously.” The hospital now has nine operating rooms and an ambulatory care wing many say is too small. Goplen wants the tower to feature a full-service surgical suite that offers “many” operating rooms and cardiac surgery. “If ever there was a time to overbuild a hospital, it would be in Kelowna now. If we had a tower with more beds, ORs and ambulatory care, we could do a lot more for people in a much more timely fashion,” he said.Health Minister George Abbott said Tuesday he’s confident KGH will receive new capital investment. He has seen tower plans that include an expanded ambulatory-care centre. As for a new surgical suite, he said: “It may well be part of the discussions ongoing.”

Tolko takes on gasification

By MARKUS ERMISCHStaff reporterJul 26 2006 http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/
The rising price of natural gas is forcing forestry companies to search for cheaper energy sources. In Kamloops, two companies have found the answer to their energy woes right on their doorstep. On Monday, Tolko Industries Ltd. announced it is switching a part of its Heffley Creek plant to gasification, which will save the Vernon-based company more then $1.5 million annually. This makes the local plant the first Tolko mill to use this technology. Gasification means burning wood residue, a byproduct of the veneer plant, to generate thermal energy to heat the veneer drier. Traditionally, Tolko has used natural gas for this process and burned about $3.75 million worth of the fossil fuel every year. “The energy portions of our business are fairly substantial now with natural-gas costs having increased,” said Jim Baskerville, Tolko’s regional manager, noting the price of natural gas will continue to rise. Therefore, he said, Tolko, has an incentive to reduce its reliance on natural gas. Baskerville said switching to burning wood residue, which until now has been sold for a nominal amount, gives the company an advantage over its competitors. Other forestry companies, however, are planning to use the same technology. In May, Nexterra Energy Corp., the company that developed the gasification technology, reached an agreement with the Kamloops Weyerhaeuser pulp mill to verify that gasification would work for the mill’s lime kilns. Nexterra spokesman Raymond McAllister said his company doesn’t yet have a commitment from Weyerhaeuser that it will actually buy the technology. He said Nexterra will spend the next six months to demonstrate the technology to Weyerhaeuser at its Kamloops product development centre. If Nexterra succeeds in convincing Weyerhaeuser to switch from natural gas to burning wood residue and thus set an example for other pulp mills, it would be a boon for the Vancouver-based company — North America’s embattled pulp and paper industry is burning $8 billion US every year. Mills across the continent, including Weyerhaeuser in Kamloops, are facing stiff competition from low-cost pulp producers in the Third World and are searching for ways to slash costs. Gasification also has environmental benefits.According to Nexterra, the technology now used at the Heffley Creek Tolko plant will cut greenhouse-gas emissions in Kamloops by about 12,000 tonnes per year. This is the equivalent of taking about 3,000 cars off the road. Should Weyerhaeuser decide to use the same technology in Kamloops, greenhouse-gas emissions would be reduced by a further 25,000 tonnes, which is the equivalent of heating 4,000 homes. The federal government has supported Nexterra’s development of the gasification technology with about $1 million through TEAM, which stands for Technology Early Action Measures. It is an investment program aimed at promoting the development of technologies that reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. The provincial government has contributed a smaller amount.

Silver Star Water Plan

Silver Star Water Plan http://www.1075kiss.com/whatson/news.jsp
The regional district has made a decision aimed at meeting the water demands for Silver Star Mountain in the coming years.At a special meeting, the NORD board agreed to having one water utility for the area, and to secure a 3.5 million dollar loan.The money will be paid back by the resort and used to construct a large reservoir to be filled by melting snow.NORD chairman Stan Field calls it a big step forward.Field says, 'The resort ownership is in favour of it, and this means that we can, the Regional District, the residents up there can all move ahead and we should see that resort flourish and grow in the next while."Field says the resort area is currently serviced by wells, which don't have adequate supply to meet the future demand. (Pete McIntyre July 26)

ASKING QUESTIONS IS PART OF THE JOB

Managing editor David Wylie EDITORIAL July 26 http://www.dailycourier.ca/
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It's a shame that Vernon city councillor Barry Beardsell is becoming notorious as a naysayer. There are times when Beardsell, who is serving his fourth term on Vernon council, seems to be the lone voice of reason.Or at least the only councillor gutsy enough to hold city staff accountable and speak his concerns.One of the issues he's been chipping away at is city spending on furniture. Of course the city needs to buy furniture for its many offices and departments. So it wasn't the $86,000 that was spent last year that raised Beardsell's eyebrows, as much as the fact $66,000 of that cost was buried in the budget - invisible to Beardsell, who is by profession a chartered accountant.So at Monday's council meeting, Beardsell took the chance - the last chance he'll have - to question retiring finance manger Bernie Fehrmann about why the original sum wasn't originally reported.For his efforts, Beardsell received boos and hisses from the peanut gallery.Mayor Wayne Lippert told him to look more closely at the financial reports next time, and Coun. Jack Gilroy snapped, "I don't think you should pick on Bernie anymore."It seems more and more Beardsell has been the lone "No" in a chorus of "Yes'"during council.And Beardsell's concerns haven't only fallen on deaf ears during council meetings. During Monday's council meeting Beardsell said he was frustrated with the responses he has received from the city finance department aboutthe expenditures on the city's Mastercard program, which totaled more than $720,000 last year.The question is: What did staff buy with that money?Council would be wise to remember they are in charge. It's their responsibility to keep staff accountable and to question relentlessly. We aren't saying city staff have done anything wrong; all we're saying is that the city's financial books should be fully transparent.That's not "picking on Bernie." It's simply being responsible to the taxpayer, a lesson Beardsell has obviously learned during his decade on council.

MY TOWN -Operating a cell phone while driving a vehicle

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY TERRY PAKENHAM POSTED WITH PERMISSION: (Originally published in the Vernon Daily Courier)

While recently hosting a workshop one of the participants raised a question regarding the legalities of operating a cell phone while driving a vehicle. At present neither the Province of BC nor the Government of Canada have banned the use of cell phones while driving a motor vehicle. However, there is existing legislation under the BC Motor Vehicle Act which does cover driving without due care and attention or dangerous driving. There is also some doubt, as a result of research both in Canada and the US, that specifically identifies cell phone use as a causal factor in motor vehicle crashes. Logic, on the other hand does indicate that any distraction while driving has the potential of contributing to crash rates and cell phone use can be a clear distraction for some, if not all drivers if they are used in an unsafe and irresponsible manner. Unfortunately we cannot legislate common sense and as a result rely on existing and future cell phone users to be mindful that, given the right set of circumstances, there is potential that crashes can occur when cell phones are being used. Most major insurance and safety groups have included tips on responsible cell phone use as part of their road safety messages. Web sites such as the Canada Safety Council (www.safety-coucil.org), Canadian Wireless telecommunications Association (www.focusondriving.ca), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (www.nhtsa.gov), Transport Canada (www.tc.gc.ca), and ICBC (www.icbc.com), all have interesting and helpful tips on the safe use of cell phones while operating vehicles. The use of cell phones has increased dramatically over the last decade and even more so in the last 5 years with a large percentage being people under the age of 25. With this increased use of cell phones in this particular age group we now have the unfortunate mix of driving inexperience with potential distractions cell phones can cause. Safe operations of a cell phone can become as simple as pulling over when either making or receiving a call or investing in a hands-free model. It’s the simple and common sense things that can make the difference. If you have any particular concerns or questions you feel would make an interesting article please make contact with me, Terry Pakenham, at my fax line 260-5866, or my direct office line at 260-5276.

107.5 KISS FM NEWS BRIEFS

http://www.1075kiss.com/whatson/news.jsp
Council to Participate in Study (Pete McIntyre July 26)
Vernon city staff will be able to take part in a governance study being proposed for the North Okanagan.Council approved a request to provide information to a consultant who will be hired by a non-profit group, to conduct the study this fall.Mayor Wayne Lippert along with several councillors were concerned the process may be a burden for the already busy city staff.However, in a letter, Pat Lett from the Society for Future Governance of the North Okanagan says it will not be time consuming.He also says the consultant they chose will probably be well known to local administrators and elected officials.

Women's Centre in Need (Pete McIntyre July 26-06)
The Vernon Women's Centre is making a plea for donations of food and other items.Drop-in coordinator Abbie Wellington says they need towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, combs, and personal hygiene products.Food items are also being requested such as soups, juices, fresh fruit, sugar and milk.Items can be dropped off at the Women's Centre located at 3309, 32nd Avenue, in the KISS FM building.

Cultural complex left in limbo

Jul 26 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/ EDITORIAL
Vernon’s cultural complex committee may be without work, but the fate of the proposal is still uncertain. Council did little to instill confidence in anyone interested in cultural services in the community Monday. The volunteer committee that pursued the matter was disbanded, but the politicians gave no details as to the next step. There were some sketchy details from Coun. Jack Gilroy about a cultural district with greenspaces and walkways. But there was absolutely no concrete information about what will happen with the museum and the art gallery. There’s been some suggestion that the two agencies could relocate to the former Coldstream Hotel site in conjunction with commercial space and residential housing units. It’s possible that was the subject during an in-camera session Monday, but all council would state was the discussions revolved around land, and, as a result, were confidential. Giving the cultural committee its walking papers made sense because its extremely narrow mandate has been fulfilled. It looked at the prospect of bringing the museum, library and art gallery under one roof. It didn’t have the authority to consider options such as housing units. But such options have to be considered if there is any chance of meeting the cultural needs of the community while not placing further financial burden on taxpayers. The next step is clearly in council’s hands, but based on the lack of details Monday, residents are left wondering if the city actually has a sense of direction.

City tackles rumour mill

By Richard RolkeJul 26 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Officials with the City of Vernon are acting swiftly to deal with the conspiracy theorists. Instead of cheerleading a proposed study into North Okanagan governance, some council members spent Monday trying to firmly establish that they’re not related to the citizens’ group that has initiated the process. “There’s a perception of conflict of interest in the community. There needs to be assurances that it’s just perception and one does not exist,” said Coun. Buffy Baumbrough. The reason for perception is that three of the founding members of the Society for the Future Governance of the North Okanagan — Jack Borden, Richard Hamilton and Pat Lett — are appointees to the city’s land corporation, while another used to work for the city — Jim Radford. As individual citizens, they should be encouraged to take an active role in democracy, including raising issues of concern to them. There is also the reality that most of the individuals in the society have been friends for years and they share some common beliefs.But the fact that they also have an existing relationship with the city will have some people naturally trying to read between the lines. There could be suggestions that this is just a backdoor attempt by the city to push amalgamation or to turn the screws on the regional district. With Vernon city hall the target of so much rumour and innuendo in recent years, it made complete sense for council members to tackle the issue head-on Monday. The other focus of the debate was the society’s claim that the consultant conducting the study will act independently on his work and will not give a preordained outcome to target. “To pretend they will have no influence on who they will hire is naive,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham. That was countered by Coun. Barry Beardsell, who stated, “They won’t hire a puppet to appease their egos.” As someone who has followed studies and reports over the years, I subscribe to the philosophy that you get what you pay for. The society will be establishing the terms of reference for the study and hiring the consultant, so there will be direction given to the process. While the society has promised not to influence the consultant, Borden also states individual members may express their personal opinions to the consultant. While there may not be an official position from the society, a consultant may take views from his individual employers very seriously. If the society is truly interested in having the process seen as an independent evaluation of Governance, it would establish the ground rules, hire the consultant and then walk away. Its only other job should be to accept the consultant’s report once it’s done and then pass it on to local jurisdictions and the provincial government.

Study concerns city council

By RICHARD ROLKEMorning Star StaffJul 26 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
The City of Vernon is trying to distance itself from a study considering regional governance. Some council members expressed concern Monday that they may be linked to the Society for the Future Governance of the North Okanagan because it includes current city appointees and one former employee. “There’s a perception of conflict of interest in the community,” said Coun. Buffy Baumbrough. “There needs to be assurances that it’s just perception and one does not exist.” The society’s participants include three members of the city’s land corporation — Jack Borden, Pat Lett and Richard Hamilton — and a former contract employee — Jim Radford. There is also a concern that someone living outside of the North Okanagan could get involved in the society and push their own interests. “I don’t want it perceived that an outside source, such as a developer, comes in and buys a membership,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. Coun. Juliette Cunningham questioned the society’s claim that it will not pre-determine the outcome of a study. “We’re accountable to taxpayers but they’re accountable to no one. To pretend they will have no influence on who they will hire is naive,” she said. Coun. Barry Beardsell defended the society. “Several of its members are on the land corporation but it’s not a conflict in what they’re setting out to do,” he said, adding that they are acting as residents. Beardsell also stated that he has confidence in the society and that any study will be conducted properly. “They won’t hire a puppet (consultant) to appease their egos,” he said. The society also denies that it is working on behalf of the city. “Pat, Richard and I have been friends for years before the land corporation formed,” said Borden. “The society has pledged not to influence the consultant. Individual members may make submissions but we want the consultant to be independent of the society and local government.” As for Lippert’s concerns, Borden says the preference is for society members to be North Okanagan residents or have a vested interest in the region. “Membership in the society will be extremely broad and we won’t allow any one member to buy enough memberships to skew the process,” said Borden. Council voted Monday to provide the society with any information it may require. Opposition came from Cunningham. “What concerns me is the amount of time from staff. Staff is overworked,” she said. However, Coun. Jack Gilroy played down the issue. “If staff is too busy with something else, that committee will just have to wait,” he said.

Beardsell questions retiring finance manager

By Scott NeufeldWednesday, July 26, 2006 http://www.dailycourier.ca/article_399.php
The annual public hearing on the city financial report gave council and the public one last chance to question retiring city finance manager Bernie Fehrmann about the state of the city's coffers.In his final council meeting Monday, Fehrmann was again questioned by Coun. Barry Beardsell. The councillor said that staff have not explained why expenditures on furniture last year were far higher than first reported and what was purchased.“I haven’t seen any satisfactory answer to the $86,000 expenditure of furniture,” he said. “I was told a lot of furniture was purchased for the yards but there’s no indication of when or how.”When he was the chair of the finance committee last year, Beardsell said he questioned why $20,000 was spent on furniture, never knowing that the actual total was four times higher.“If this can go on with furniture it can go on with anything else in the budget,” he said.Mayor Wayne Lippert suggested that Beardsell look more closely at the financial reports, to which the councillor replied, “I have looked at it closely but I haven’t got an acceptable answer if this is the way to do business in Vernon.”Gilroy came to staff’s defence suggesting that former chief administrative officer Ron Campbell was to blame for the expenditures.“Barry, I worked for the city for 32 years . . . and staff couldn’t do anything without the permission of the (chief administrative officer),” he said. “The guy at the top said to spend the money so I don’t think you should pick on Bernie anymore.”Beardsell responded that if the accusation is true staff should let council know. He said council should be told the whole truth about how the money was spent.“That’s a wonderful defence and if that is the case then that should be said by staff,” he said.Beardsell added he was frustrated with the responses he has received from the city finance department about the expenditures on the city’s Mastercard which totalled $721,848.20. He said the department needs to give better answers so that council can find ways to improve the purchase program.“Can we generate something better out of this program than the waste we currently have?” he said. “If something can be improved upon let’s do it.”Fehrmann said that the finance department is still working on a response about the Mastercard issue and that council will have the information soon.

Council disbands cultural committee

By RICHARD ROLKEMorning Star StaffJul 26 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Vernon’s cultural complex committee has been handed its walking papers.
Council voted unanimously Monday to disband the cultural complex committee and that has chairman Sigrid-Ann questioning where the community goes next in terms of addressing the long-term needs of cultural agencies. “I don’t get a sense of what their direction is. It’s very vague,” she said. “It (scrapping the committee) is not a positive move. It’s a move.” Thors isn’t sure that council is trying to fulfill the terms of the committee’s report, which was presented two weeks ago. “They’re trying to decide what to do with that (Coldstream Hotel) lot. Some on council see culture as important and some don’t, so I’ll be interested to see what they do.” Thors acknowledged, though, that the committee was a child of the city. “They have every right to do that,” she said of bringing the process to an end. “We fulfilled our mandate and there was lots of good work done.” Councillors defended terminating the committee. “The committee needs to be thanked for all its hard work. The reality is they’ve fulfilled their mandate and council is moving forward,” said Coun. Pat Cochrane. The city had mandated the committee look at establishing a central home for the museum, library and art gallery. Council now wants to look at a variety of issues such as establishing a cultural district or pursing some private development to help make the concept a reality. The city recently decided to look at expanding the current library building, and Coun. Jack Gilroy is convinced that having several cultural sites downtown is the best move. “We could make a cultural zone with greenways and pathways,” he said. “Right now, the cultural complex at $29 to $39 million is not looking good for the taxpayer.” While the committee has been disbanded, its members may be utilized in an advisory role in future.

DON QUIXOTE AT THE ANNUAL REPORT PUBLIC INPUT SESSION (PART 2 of 2)

Well, I tilted at windmills again and presented a 5 page series of questions and observations about the 2005 annual financial statements to the city council at Monday's meeting. Rather than bore you with all the details (which are part of the public record of this session and will be posted by the City at their website in 2 weeks) I will briefly highlight my concerns and some of the answers I managed to get immediately and the ones that I got no answer to YET. Not all of my concerns were seeking answers but some were merely advising Council of actions that they should consider in the future (city's responses or my version of them in red below)

1. My concerns about an item that I have been seeking an answer since July of 2002 re the terasen gas Franchise fee and the result of the UBCM group that was working on the problem will be addressed by the new financial Manager in the future.
2. I asked once again to have the 2006 line item detailed budget put online as was authorized by council resolution in Feb. No response yet
3. DCC's - I once again indicated the loss of 2.3 million to this trust fund by council's decision in Dec /04 to change the implementation date from the original date of Dec13/04 to March 1/05. I then asked the same question I had asked earlier in the year at the budget meetings "How long are the building permits good for and if they have to be extended will the the DCC's be renegotiate upwards. I believe the answer was that the building permits are good for 1 year from issue date and if they are extended by the building inspector then they would be charged the DCC rate in effect at the time of the extension. (i.e we might recover higher DCC's from units that were not started within a 1 year period from permit issue date.)
4. DCC's - I brought up the history of the charging of DCC's on the construction of 3 or less self contained dwelling units on April 25/06. Previous to this this practice was not allowed and these units would be DCC exempt. I asked Council to review this decision with the eye to allowing "low cost housing" in infill areas to once again be exempt of the City Dcc's. (or at least the Road Dcc's).
5. Tax Ratios I commended the council in their decision to review the Light Industrial and Utility Tax Ratios and rates for the first time in 10 years by Oct1 /06. I then launched into a long boring harangue on Heavy Industrial Tax rates and indicated that they explore the subject in view of the pending resolution at UBCM about a Provincial cap on these rates.
6. Suggested that the council bring up the subject of raising the business tax exemption from $10,000 to $50,000 with the DVA at their upcoming meeting. This exemption is in the balliwick of the Province but if it was championed at UBCM and ministerial meetings then it might be the way to help small businesses in our city.
7. RCMP Budget - I gave my usual rant about the loss opportunity last budget to reduce the excess funds above 1,000,000 and give a tax relief of 3.45%. I noted that the budget surplus thanks to the excess in the first half of 2006 of another $350,000 made this reserve account projected to be $1,843,000 at year end. (this is the equivalent of almost 3 roundabouts or 18 police officers at 100,000/officer. I am happy that we have a police reserve set up now where any movements are debated and decided in open council and transparent to the public. I just think there is a difference of opinion on the cap that should be put on this reserve. After all the political need always expands to fit the amount of money available. I also again requested that the Police fine revenue from the province flow through the police reserve to provide the best audit trail.
8. In the 2007 budget instructions the staff has been asked to use a 3% increase to the Mayor and Councillors salaries. To avoid adding this wiggle room, slush fund or initive fund I requested that council pass a resolution to forego this 3% potential increase in 2007. Surprisingly I got no takers from this council.

Well it was a good tilt at the myriad of Windmills at City Council.

COUNCIL DISSOLVES CULTURAL COMMITTEE

SCOTT NEUFELD http://www.dailycourier.ca/
After taking a few more hours to deliberate, Vernon city council had little new to say to the public about the cultural complex committee'sfinal report.Council had been scheduled to discuss the report at the committee of the whole meeting but delayed discussion until after an in camera session later yesterday morning. When council finally discussed the issue at the regular council meeting, Coun. Jack Gilroy read a statement thanking them for their effort but proposing that the complex committee be disbanded."When we do move forward with the Cultural Complex Zone we will need their input," Gilroy said. Sigrid-Ann Thors, chair of the now disbanded cultural complex committee said she was a bit puzzled by council's discussion. She said outside council chambers that she doesn't know what council has planned for the facility's future."They have every right to do that; we have fulfilled our mandate," she said. "I can't say it's a positive move - it's just a move."Thors said the she and the other committee members are willing to continueto give what help they can. She said they still believe in the project but don't know what council plans to do next."It will be interesting to see which direction they will go," she said. "Idon't get a sense of what their direction is - it's very vague."Coun. Barry Beardsell said council needs to inform the public about its intentions for the Coldstream Hotel block. Beardsell appeared to be surprised at the suggestion of a cultural zone."Cultural zone, what cultural zone?" he said. "Is there nothing more . . . we're going to say about cultural activity in the community?"Gilroy clarified that he was referring to a zone around the city hall complex where there would be cultural buildings, pathways and green spaces"Right now this cultural complex at this $24 to $39 million dollar cost is not looking very good for taxpayers," he said.Cochrane said that council is still looking at all of the possibilities surrounding the use of the property slated to house the library, gallery and museum. He said that high-rises and commercial uses are still an option."We're looking very hard at what we can do with the accumulated properties," he said. "But we're going in a direction to take advantage of options with public private partnerships. "Beardsell reiterated the need to have a public discussion, but the request was not taken up by the rest of council."I think the public, with all the time and money invested (in the complex report) needs to hear a bit of discussion about it," he said.Council voted unanimously to disband the committee but did not make any firm plans to continue discussion of the cultural complex.