Society aims for $100,000 by Sept.

By Scott NeufeldTuesday, July 18, 2006 http://www.dailycourier.ca/article_373.php

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A study to recommend changes to local government structure could be completed as early as December if enough money can be raised by the end of summer.Jack Borden of the Society for the Future Governance of the North Okanagan said he is confident that they will be able to raise their goal of $100,000 by September so that a consultant can be hired for the study. He said he does not want to prejudge what the report will find but hopes there will be some positive recommendations.“The society will not influence the consultant in any way,” he said. “Individual society members will make submissions to the consultant.”According to the society’s website $75,000 will go to the consultant, $20,000 will go into a contingency fund and the remaining $5,000 will be for administration costs.The society hopes to raise the money by selling memberships to the society for $100 a piece. Currently, there are four more positions available on the membership committee. Their website lists committee members as accountant Pat Lett, Fraser Financial Group co-founder Gary Huston, former Armstrong mayor Eric Hornby, past Kal Tire partner Richard Hamilton, The Rise vice-president Jim Radford and former Coldstream councillor Jack Borden.Each committee member is responsible for signing up 100 new members.Lett said that the idea for a study was sparked by the constant news stories about local government bickering and complaints from people having to deal with different levels of bureaucracy. “I have so many clients that have to deal with different jurisdictions,” said the accountant. “They just found it really frustrating to do.”Lett compared the North Okanagan and the Central Okanagan saying that in the north, 45 politicians serve a population of more than 73,000; while in the central valley, 27 elected officials serve more than 165,000 constituents. He said that the more politicians and political boundaries there are, more difficulties are created.“We’re just over governed,” he said. “Naturally, that leads to bureaucrats defending their turf.”If the society does not manage to raise enough money Lett said that they may look to the provincial government for a grant for the remaining funding.Tony Stamboulieh of the Vernon and Districts Taxpayers’ Association said that he applauds the idea of a study looking into local government. The Taxpayers Association has called for the dissolution of Greater Vernon Services, the sub-regional government that looks after the local water utility. Stamboulieh said that as a councillor Borden was in government during the creation of Greater Vernon Services and he wondered if that may affect the consultant’s report.“The notion that an appointed consultant will be independent of the people who hire him/her requires belief not only in Santa Claus but also the tooth fairy,” Stamboulieh said.Stamboulieh said that he and the rest of the Taxpayers’ members would be willing to work with the society, however, the membership fees are a little too steep.“If they are truly sincere in reducing bureaucracy and improving local government we would be delighted to work with them,” he said.For more information about the society or to become a member visit the society’s website at www.sfgno.org.