Society For the Future Governance of The North Okanagan

http://www.sfgno.org/11.0.html (P.2) BACKGROUND

• The North Okanagan and Greater Vernon are facing some unprecedented political challenges. Recent events are a clear indication that our community is in turmoil and dysfunctional. For example:

The City of Vernon administrator resigned and received a severance package worth an estimated $122,000.

• The Greater Vernon Services administrator resigned over a dispute with the regional district administrator and others regarding the authority delegated to GVSC (Greater Vernon Services Commission).
• Coldstream’s administrator resigned and took up a new position at NORD.
  NORD’s administrator resigned and received a work continuance/severance package worth an estimated $450,000.
• According to press reports political infighting amongst the Greater Vernon political participants continues to be rampant for example:
  Annexation Raises Concern, Mayor Lippert’s meeting with Minister upsets NORD director (May 31, 2006 Morning Star)
• Dispute Worsens over GVSC changes (May 31, 2006 Morning Star)
• Spending Gone Crazy (May 31, 2006 Morning Star)
• Lippert Drops The A-Bomb (May 31, 2006 Morning Star)
• NORD dishes up snow job (May 31, 2006 Morning Star)
• Councilor odd-man out over vote (June 2, 2006 Morning Star regarding Councilor Firman voting at NORD against the wishes of his Council on GVSC matters)
• Furor over GVSC escalates (June 2, 2006 Morning Star regarding GVSC members reacting angrily to bylaw changes approved in principle by NORD)
• Call for study spurs debate (June 4, 2006 Morning Star regarding calls for a Greater Vernon amalgamation study)
• Directors getting out of hand (June 4, 2006 Morning Star regarding the political situation in Greater Vernon has gone from the ridiculous to the absurd)
• Former politicians debate GVSC purpose (June 4, 2006 Morning Star)
• The complexity of having 9 political jurisdictions managing regional, sub-regional and local government in the North Okanagan is impeding our ability as a community to function efficiently and effectively.

The members of the Society believe it is time for residents of the North Okanagan to take action. It is abundantly clear that the regional and sub-regional political structure is totally incapable of creating efficient and effective government. Therefore the only way that this can be accomplished is if we, as a community, independent of the political process, identify opportunities and challenges facing our community. Once the study is complete, and the members of the Society endorse the plan, the plan will be presented to all politicians and political bodies in the North Okanagan and the provincial government and the Society will lobby for changes that have been identified in the study.