I attended the GVSC meeting boycotted by the Areas B & C reps. The main point of contention was section 7 of the new proposed Governance bylaw. This is the section that one of our local newspaper describes as follows when they are downplaying Coun. Beardsell's concerns about it: “In the past he's stated the new bylaw is too vague. Yet, most people who read the document will tell you the text is abundantly clear. " Before the meeting was even a few minutes old it was announced by the chair that Nord would probably not be making their decision on Aug. 9th because they were looking at amendments to this section that if passed would have to go out to all Councils etc. for comment.
IF THIS SECTION IS SO CLEAR THEN WHAT ARE THESE MYSTERIOUS AMENDMENTS THAT ARE NOW REQUIRED?
And from what Council or Area did they come from? They were not produced so they could be debated. So they started discussing a bylaw that would be amended but they wouldn’t say how. (Like pissing into the wind, if you were really good you would only get your shoes wet!)
Coun Beardsell then had the floor and expressed a list of possible concerns and problems that might ensue. He gave a brief history of the setting up the GVSC, the enabling bylaws that had been created and approved by NORD and the concern about the alleged legal misdeeds re water" and whether this study was been looked after. He noted that the original bylaw had given "maximum authority" to the GVSC in their decisions and running of those areas delegated to them. He interpreted that to mean all authority except that that was not allowed under the Provincial Community Charter i.e. BYLAWS AND BUDGET.
Mayor Lippert of Vernon in a conciliatory mugwumpian* manner asked whether this position of "maximum authority" sans Bylaws and budgets was the message that should be sent to NORD. He suggested that some of the concerns that had been expressed by his fellow Vernon council member as well as those of Mayor Corner of Coldstream should instead be those that would be conveyed to NORD. He asked Coun. Beardsell if he wanted the "maximum authority" statement to go forward as a resolution. Sensing the voting pattern in this gathering, (Mayor Lippert and Coun Firman of Coldstream are NORD Directors) Beardsell didn't proceed with a formal motion.
The meeting was adjourned shortly thereafter.
It was like watching the Mad Hatter's Tea Party. There were two members from areas B & C (Kanester and Fields) that boycotted the meeting. The City of Vernon who gave up proportional representation on GVSC in favour of 3 members with an effective Veto were represented by 1 person who lives in Vernon and 2 others who live in Areas B & C. This may be legally O.K. under Provincial Legislation but the effective voting strength on GVSC by residency is Area B (2), Area C (2), Coldstream (2), Vernon (1).
I just witnessed a legal neutering and only 1 person was protecting the family jewels. “Curiouser and curiouser!” Cried Alice
Personally I think that the GVSC will be split apart into its two main components, a water Authority and a Parks, Rec. & Culture Component. All other matters of mutual concern between Coldstream and Vernon will be handled on a cooperative council to council basis and the balance will revert to NORD.
*Definition of mugwump:
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