GVSC authority under scrutiny

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Dec 06 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
A controversial agency overseeing Greater Vernon affairs could have its wings clipped. The North Okanagan Regional District board will consider a recommendation today to remove delegated authority from the Greater Vernon Services Commission, as well as the Electoral Area Services Commission. “They would be straight committees of the regional district. They would have very little authority,” said Stan Field, NORD chairman. Under the new scenario, GVSC and the EASC would be unable to make final decisions about their activities, but would provide recommendations to the regional district board for consideration.
Field says the EASC — which handles NORD’s five electoral areas — has worked fairly well, but the primary concern has been with the GVSC. “We tried something new with GVSC and it hasn’t worked.” While some politicians intended for GVSC to have virtual control over water, parks and economic development, others have suggested it was getting away from any accountability to NORD, its parent body.Almost a year of conflict has surrounded GVSC. “There was a lot of misunderstanding of how it was meant to work,” said Field. If authority is removed, GVSC’s operations could change. “There will be some impact but staffing is in-camera,” said Field. Prior to the NORD session at 2 p.m., Vernon council will hold a special in-camera meeting at 8 a.m. today to discuss the proposed changes. “We want to have a meeting to make sure council understands it all,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert, who sits on both NORD and GVSC. “We want to make sure everyone’s interests are taken care of equitably.” Gary Corner, GVSC chairman and Coldstream mayor, is watching the situation closely. “Am I happy about it, not particularly. But no one could define delegated authority before,” he said. Corner expects that the same politicians that sit on GVSC could also be on the NORD board, partly as a way of improving communications. “I hope this is an attempt to make GVSC work more efficiently.” Rick Fairbairn, EASC chairman and rural Lumby director, isn’t pleased with the possibility of authority being stripped from his group. “Personally I think it would be a step backwards to relinquish everything that’s been achieved,” he said.