There will likely be considerable debate within Vernon as to how the court handled former mayor Sean Harvey Wednesday. For some, the judgement wasn’t harsh enough while considering breach of trust by a public official, while others will think it was too heavy handed towards an individual who brought some energy to previously staid city hall. But if you
read Justice Bradford Chapman’s judgement, it is quite obvious that it is fair to everyone involved — local residents, the City of Vernon and Harvey. Harvey is being punished for activities that he has admitted are wrong. For those who believe a softer sentence was warranted, they must understand that the duties awarded to Harvey by voters were abused. A case can be made that he had a positive influence on some aspects of the community’s development, but they are irrelevant to the case. For those perhaps thirsting for the heavy hand of the law, there would be no benefit in sending Harvey to jail. He is not a threat to the community and others, who are, should have a place in a cell. By placing Harvey under house arrest, he will be allowed to work, giving him the ability to financially support his family and continue restitution to the taxpayers of Vernon. Life will be different for Harvey for the next two years as he experiences constant surveillance of his time through house-arrest, curfews and probation. The RCMP are still investigating Harvey’s business activities while mayor, but we would hope that Wednesday’s sentencing is essentially the end of a sad chapter in Vernon’s history. It is time for the community to get refocused on other pressing issues.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sentence attracts widespread debate co
By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Sep 22 2006
There appears to be broad acceptance that a former Vernon mayor will serve house arrest for abuse of power. Sean Harvey was given a one-year conditional sentence Wednesday for breach of trust by a public official. It will include six
months house arrest and a six-month curfew. Following that, there will be one-year probation. “It was appropriate,” said Coun. Pat Cochrane, who served on council with Harvey, who resigned in July 2005. Between February 2003 and April 2005, Harvey filed 90 false expense claims worth $13,838. He began restitution last year, and the sentence calls for him to pay a minimum of $300 a month until the full sum is recovered. As of Aug. 21, $8,588 was still owing. “I’m glad we’re getting restitution and he’s been doing that,” said Wayne Lippert, Vernon’s current mayor. Lippert was unwilling to give his personal thoughts on the sentence. “Some will say it’s not tough enough and some will say it’s too tough,” he said, adding that Harvey has undergone public humiliation and that should be considered. “He’s had to face up with wrongdoing and he pled guilty.” Lippert has no new information on an RCMP investigation into Harvey’s business activities while mayor. “Hopefully they will have something back to me by the end of the year,” he said of the police. Cochrane welcomed a conclusion to the breach of trust case Wednesday. “I hope this is the end of it. There’s been a big impact on the community and it’s time to move on,” he said. The man largely responsible for bringing Harvey’s activities to light was saying little about the sentence. “I have no thoughts on it. It was up to the court,” said Greg Armour, who requested Harvey’s expense account through Freedom of Information. “I had no expectations. My part with it ended long ago.” Eleanor Down, a well known volunteer in Vernon, was in court Wednesday to show support for Harvey. “He’s done so much for Vernon,” she said of developments that occurred during Harvey’s term. She was satisfied with the ruling from Justice Bradford Chapman. “I thought he did very well with what he had to deal with,” she said.
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