Directors boycott governance discussions

By Richard Rolke Aug 02 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Two Greater Vernon politicians are boycotting a discussion about governance. Cliff Kanester and Stan Field, electoral area directors, refuse to attend Thursday’s special meeting of the Greater Vernon Services Commission. The topic is a bylaw before the North Okanagan Regional District that would stipulate what activities the GVSC is responsible for. “It’s a governance issue and governance issues are to be dealt with by NORD,” said Field. “Governance has never been part of the mandate of GVSC.” NORD is expected to deal with the bylaw Aug. 9, and the document has been sent to member municipalities and electoral areas for feedback. “It’s now in the hands of the (regional) board. It’s not an issue for GVSC to discuss because it’s a committee of NORD,” said Field. That is also the view of Kanester, who insists that GVSC can’t make any changes to the bylaw. “It’s a decision of the regional district board.” Kanester points out that there was no motion to hold the meeting. “It’s only (Barry) Beardsell. He’s the one who wanted it, no one else,” said Kanester. Beardsell requested the session during GVSC’s regular meeting July 27. Based on that, chairman Gary Corner asked staff to set up a meeting. Beardsell, a Vernon director, has expressed concerns about the bylaw, saying the wording is too vague. He believes Thursday’s meeting is an opportunity to look at the matter further. “If there are any comments on the proposed changes (to GVSC) we should discuss them and pass them on,” he said. Field and Kanester are getting some sympathy from Vernon director Wayne Lippert. “I can understand where they’re coming from,” he said, adding that governance is not part of GVSC’s mandate. However, Lippert will attend the session. “The meeting was called so I’ll go to represent the citizens of Vernon,” he said. Not attending is the prerogative of Field and Kanester, according to Corner. “I don’t see any harm in getting together and talking but they do,” he said. “It’s not like we’ll make any decisions. NORD should be interested in what all of the participants think.”