Cochrane lashes out at Beardsell

By richard rolke Morning Star Staff Oct 11 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Emotions ran high at Vernon city hall Tuesday as a politician came under attack for comments he made recently about his colleagues. Coun. Barry Beardsell drew fire from Coun. Pat Cochrane over his suggestion in The Morning Star that most of council didn’t attend a Greater Vernon Services Commission meeting Sept. 28 because TV cameras weren’t present. “I routinely put the city ahead of my family and work and your comments were inaccurate and inappropriate,” said Cochrane. At one point during Monday’s council meeting, Cochrane slammed his fist against his desk, apparently in reaction to what he perceived as Beardsell’s actions at the other side of the room. “Barry stop laughing, it’s serious. It (comments) is written in the paper and some people take what you say as the gospel. When you say something directed at council, it’s given weight. You’ve damaged my reputation.” Cochrane went on to detail a number of meetings and special events he’s attended as councillor in the last two weeks. “Some people don’t know me and they will read it (media report) and say he’s a slacker and he only goes to meetings where there’s TV cameras,” he said to the media following council. Beardsell says his comments were not intended to malign his colleagues, and “it was said tongue and cheek.” He denied that The Morning Star had taken him out of context. “I said it and I had a grin on my face,” he said. “He (Cochrane) took it seriously and I’ve said I apologize.” Beardsell’s comments were in regards to Cochrane, as well as Councillors Juliette Cunningham, Jack Gilroy and Patrick Nicol, not attending the Sept. 28 GVSC meeting where Polson Park and the grandstand were discussed. While none of the four politicians sit on GVSC, Beardsell had invited them to attend to provide input to the GVSC board. Also concerned about the absence of council was Mayor Wayne Lippert, who sits on GVSC. On Tuesday, Lippert provided some words of caution. “I sympathize with him (Cochrane) and it behooves us to watch what we say,” said Lippert. “The media has a job to do but we need to make sure our comments are recorded correctly.”