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.