I try not to make many predictions because I am generally proven wrong. And that certainly was the case at last week’s North Okanagan Regional District board meeting. 
Surprises rarely happen when directors gather at their December meeting to elect a chairman for the coming year. Often the incumbent chairman wins by acclamation, and even if there is a challenge, nothing eventful generally occurs. That’s why I was caught completely off guard when the ballots were counted and Stan Field was vacating the chair he’s held for seven years for Jerry Oglow. Immediately some individuals, especially among staff, were trying to determine what message, 
if any, was being sent by a majority of directors.If you put your conspiracy theory hat on, you could read almost anything into it. The most basic theory is that the bulk of NORD members decided that while Field had provided solid leadership since 1999, it was simply just time for a change. And with Oglow being Armstrong’s veteran mayor and NORD vice-chairman, some could say he deserved the chairman’s job. It’s sort of like Prince Charles sitting on the sidelines for his mom. But there are far more sinister conspiracy theories also at work. The most obvious one is the City of Vernon was fed up with Field and his perceived hostility/ambivalence towards them, and efforts were made to get Field out. There is no question that Field wears his ruralness on his sleeve, and his views don’t always jive with the city. Whether it is governance
or providing‑water to farms, he’s clashed with the powers-that-be at city hall. The friction certainly was at its worst when Sean Harvey was around, but differences of opinion have also arisen with current mayor Wayne Lippert. It’s been suggested that Field’s departure made it easier for the city to accept the Greater Vernon Services Commission’s authority being removed and it being turned it into a committee firmly under NORD’s thumb. Under the old system, the city was able to appoint who it wanted to GVSC without answering to anyone. As a result of the changes, the NORD chairman has the sole responsibility of selecting the committee, and it was feared that Field — if he remained chairman — would only name those politicians he wanted, even if the city cried foul. Oglow has stated he will consider recommendations from city council and he’s not likely to oppose them. That’s not to say that Oglow is Vernon’s yes-man. Like Field, I have found Oglow to be a hard working individual, who has very strong views and is committed to serving the public. 
The difference may be that Oglow more easily tries to find middle ground and bring diverse views closer together. But while Oglow is a master of compromise, I expect he will stand up to the city when he believes it is necessary. The city may wind up getting more than it bargained for. As for Field, he may not be chairman any more, but I am glad he’s still at the NORD table. I have always enjoyed his openness and willingness to speak his mind, even when it’s aimed directly at me. At a time when so many politicians are worried about how the public perceives them, Field has been refreshing. And it doesn’t hurt the City of Vernon to know it’s not the only game in the region and can’t always get its way.If anything, losing the chairman’s job may allow Field to be more himself. Instead of being restrained by protocol, there’s nothing to hold him back now.
Surprises rarely happen when directors gather at their December meeting to elect a chairman for the coming year. Often the incumbent chairman wins by acclamation, and even if there is a challenge, nothing eventful generally occurs. That’s why I was caught completely off guard when the ballots were counted and Stan Field was vacating the chair he’s held for seven years for Jerry Oglow. Immediately some individuals, especially among staff, were trying to determine what message, 
if any, was being sent by a majority of directors.If you put your conspiracy theory hat on, you could read almost anything into it. The most basic theory is that the bulk of NORD members decided that while Field had provided solid leadership since 1999, it was simply just time for a change. And with Oglow being Armstrong’s veteran mayor and NORD vice-chairman, some could say he deserved the chairman’s job. It’s sort of like Prince Charles sitting on the sidelines for his mom. But there are far more sinister conspiracy theories also at work. The most obvious one is the City of Vernon was fed up with Field and his perceived hostility/ambivalence towards them, and efforts were made to get Field out. There is no question that Field wears his ruralness on his sleeve, and his views don’t always jive with the city. Whether it is governance
or providing‑water to farms, he’s clashed with the powers-that-be at city hall. The friction certainly was at its worst when Sean Harvey was around, but differences of opinion have also arisen with current mayor Wayne Lippert. It’s been suggested that Field’s departure made it easier for the city to accept the Greater Vernon Services Commission’s authority being removed and it being turned it into a committee firmly under NORD’s thumb. Under the old system, the city was able to appoint who it wanted to GVSC without answering to anyone. As a result of the changes, the NORD chairman has the sole responsibility of selecting the committee, and it was feared that Field — if he remained chairman — would only name those politicians he wanted, even if the city cried foul. Oglow has stated he will consider recommendations from city council and he’s not likely to oppose them. That’s not to say that Oglow is Vernon’s yes-man. Like Field, I have found Oglow to be a hard working individual, who has very strong views and is committed to serving the public. 
The difference may be that Oglow more easily tries to find middle ground and bring diverse views closer together. But while Oglow is a master of compromise, I expect he will stand up to the city when he believes it is necessary. The city may wind up getting more than it bargained for. As for Field, he may not be chairman any more, but I am glad he’s still at the NORD table. I have always enjoyed his openness and willingness to speak his mind, even when it’s aimed directly at me. At a time when so many politicians are worried about how the public perceives them, Field has been refreshing. And it doesn’t hurt the City of Vernon to know it’s not the only game in the region and can’t always get its way.If anything, losing the chairman’s job may allow Field to be more himself. Instead of being restrained by protocol, there’s nothing to hold him back now. 
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