By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star StaffOct 29 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
A team approach brought critical North Okanagan issues to the table during a
provincial conference. While communities have traditionally vied for government support individually during the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention, that wasn't the case last week in Victoria. Instead, all North Okanagan communities focused on the same issues together - health care and water. "Cabinet ministers were getting the same message over and over again," said Wayne Lippert, Vernon's mayor. In terms of funding for water infrastructure improvements, lobbying came from the City of Vernon, the North Okanagan Regional District and the District of Coldstream. The three jurisdictions are hoping to tap into federal/provincial funding for a new clarification system on Duteau Creek to deal with issues of turbidity and colour. Those three jurisdictions, as well as other North Okanagan municipalities, used UBCM to raise concerns about current conditions at Vernon Jubilee Hospital as well as the shortage of physicians, including family doctors. Joining 
them was the District of Lake Country, which is in the Central Okanagan Regional District. Many Lake Country residents, especially in Oyama, access services at VJH. Lippert believes the common approach demonstrates to the provincial government that there is a new relationship among the local communities and their interests deserve support. "Most times, communities have their own issues but these issues affect all of us," 
he said. While at UBCM, the City of Vernon made a pitch to Environment Minister Barry Penner for a water license on Okanagan Lake. Coun. Buffy Baumbrough said the license would assist with long-term planning, but there's no guarantee the ministry will agree to the request. "The ministry is still waiting for the conclusion of its water studies. It's a complicated issue because not every community in the Okanagan is metered and they're not sure how much water there is."
A team approach brought critical North Okanagan issues to the table during a
provincial conference. While communities have traditionally vied for government support individually during the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention, that wasn't the case last week in Victoria. Instead, all North Okanagan communities focused on the same issues together - health care and water. "Cabinet ministers were getting the same message over and over again," said Wayne Lippert, Vernon's mayor. In terms of funding for water infrastructure improvements, lobbying came from the City of Vernon, the North Okanagan Regional District and the District of Coldstream. The three jurisdictions are hoping to tap into federal/provincial funding for a new clarification system on Duteau Creek to deal with issues of turbidity and colour. Those three jurisdictions, as well as other North Okanagan municipalities, used UBCM to raise concerns about current conditions at Vernon Jubilee Hospital as well as the shortage of physicians, including family doctors. Joining 
them was the District of Lake Country, which is in the Central Okanagan Regional District. Many Lake Country residents, especially in Oyama, access services at VJH. Lippert believes the common approach demonstrates to the provincial government that there is a new relationship among the local communities and their interests deserve support. "Most times, communities have their own issues but these issues affect all of us," 
he said. While at UBCM, the City of Vernon made a pitch to Environment Minister Barry Penner for a water license on Okanagan Lake. Coun. Buffy Baumbrough said the license would assist with long-term planning, but there's no guarantee the ministry will agree to the request. "The ministry is still waiting for the conclusion of its water studies. It's a complicated issue because not every community in the Okanagan is metered and they're not sure how much water there is." 
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