MLA TOM CHRISTENSEN GETS GRILLED

MLA at odds with council By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star StaffOct 08 2006
MLA Tom Christensen is questioning why there is such debate over closure of government liquor stores. Christensen met with Vernon council for two hours Friday on a variety of issues. Perhaps the most heated topic was on the Liquor Distribution Branch's decision to shut down its outlets at the Fruit Union and Vernon Square malls and centralize them at the Village Green Mall. "I'm a bit uncertain of their concern," he said after walking out of council chambers. "If this was a private store, no one would raise a question about it." Council has directly focused on the closure of the Fruit Union Plaza outlet, saying it will negatively impact the downtown core and residents who shop there. However, Christensen disagrees with that view. "There are significant other (private) liquor stores downtown," he said. Christensen added that the LDB made its decision based on market research and determined that a single Signature store, with speciality products, would serve the area better. However, city officials stand by their argument that the viability of downtown will be impacted. "We go to the extent in planning and worrying about downtown and a major institution does what it likes," said Coun. Barry Beardsell. Coun. Juliette Cunningham fears LDB's decision could shift consumer patterns. "If they chose to support the government liquor store, they will go to the north end of town and they'll do all of their (shopping) business up there," she said. It was also pointed out to Christensen that the LDB had previously committed to dialogue with the city when changes to its stores were made but this did not occur. "There's a desire to have consultation. These decisions have an impact on the city," said Coun. Buffy Baumbrough. On Friday, the BCGEU, which represents unionized liquor store workers, launched a petition to try and keep the Fruit Union Plaza outlet open. "We think we stand a good chance to harness widespread opposition through the petition campaign to put pressure on the provincial government to reverse the closure decision," said Betty Reid, with the union, in a release. The petition will be presented to Vernon and Coldstream councils Oct. 23, and a copy will be presented to Christensen.

City demands highway action By RICHARD ROLKEMorning Star StaffOct 08 2006

Okanagan Vernon MLA Tom Christensen got a rough ride Friday over a deadly stretch of highway. There were sharp words for the Ministry of Transportation over Highway 97, between Winfield and Oyama, as Christensen met with Vernon council. "It gets put off year after year and we're never told what year the government will do something about it," said Coun. Barry Beardsell. Vernon has joined the District of Lake Country's fight to have upgrades done to the corridor along Wood Lake. The area is known for motor vehicle accidents, including three fatalities this year. "(Transportation Minister) Kevin Falcon, tell us what year you're going to do it. That's all we want to know," said Beardsell. Beardsell openly accused the ministry of keeping communities in the dark over capital works projects. "The ministry is one of the worst for planning. It's like they're scared to say they propose to do something in year X. How can we plan for anything?" he said. Christensen does admit there's a problem at Wood Lake. "It does stand out as a piece that's not been completed in terms of four lanes," he said. "I and other MLAs are pushing the issue with the ministry." Keeping with Highway 97, council demanded to know when safety improvements will be made at the Bailey Road intersection, near Predator Ridge. Christensen stated there's a long-term plan to prohibit left-turn lanes on to the highway, but that answer wasn't good enough for Coun. Jack Gilroy. "This could go on for two more years before the ministry decides to do something," said Gilroy. Civic leaders also used the meeting to raise concerns about conditions at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. Coun. Juliette Cunningham targeted Victoria's advertising campaign and plans to solicit public input on health care. "There's big, fancy brochures, TV ads and consultations. It's a waste of money. I have a problem with spending money on issues where we already know what's happening," she said. Christensen defended the Conversation on Health input process. "People are frustrated because they don't know what's going on. The conversation is trying to engage people to determine solutions that are sustainable," he said.

Council fed up with Victoria EDITORIAL http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
While the conversation was cordial, there was no hiding the fact that the City of Vernon is unimpressed with the provincial government's handling of a lot of key issues. For two hours Friday, council made it clear to Okanagan Vernon MLA Tom Christensen that Victoria needs to do more when it comes to transportation and health care issues as well as consulting them on decisions that impact the community. The strongest language came in terms of Highway 97 between Winfield and Oyama, increasingly known as a deadly stretch of road. Concerns about the highway have been around for years, but Okanagan residents are no closer to knowing when or if upgrades will ever occur. "The ministry is one of the worst for planning. It's like they're scared to say they propose to do something in year X," said Coun. Barry Beardsell. With health, councillors wanted to know when concerns about conditions at Vernon Jubilee Hospital will start being taken seriously. There were also questions as to why $10 million is being spent on public consultation when there is countless information on what is wrong with the health care system. And while city council may be too preoccupied with the closure of government liquor stores, Christensen doesn't seem to understand the potential negative impact on the downtown core or the employees at the outlets.And he especially should determine why council wasn't consulted about the changes when the Liquor Distribution Branch apparently promised to do so.
If anything, it was clear Friday that Victoria hasn't instilled any confidence in local civic leaders and a lot of work is needed to get the relationship back on track.