Some Vernon councillors continue their stinging 
criticism of the sterile insect release program, but its chairman is hitting back. “Some members of Vernon city council have expressed concerns about the SIR program and the cost of it,” said Kelowna Coun. Colin Day, chairman of the SIR board, which met in Kelowna Friday. One of the most outspoken critics is 
Vernon Coun. Barry Beardsell, but “every time we put on a presentation, he‘s been busy or wasn‘t able to make it,” said Day. “We have all the information that he‘s asked for. He‘s asking questions mostly related to the cost of the program, and we‘ve tried our best to answer them.”
criticism of the sterile insect release program, but its chairman is hitting back. “Some members of Vernon city council have expressed concerns about the SIR program and the cost of it,” said Kelowna Coun. Colin Day, chairman of the SIR board, which met in Kelowna Friday. One of the most outspoken critics is 
Vernon Coun. Barry Beardsell, but “every time we put on a presentation, he‘s been busy or wasn‘t able to make it,” said Day. “We have all the information that he‘s asked for. He‘s asking questions mostly related to the cost of the program, and we‘ve tried our best to answer them.”
If Vernon councillors have any questions or issues, they will have to go through Stan Field, SIR representative on the North Okanagan Regional District board, said Day. “So it‘s not really a SIR board issue; it‘s a NORD issue. It‘s the same as the Central Okanagan Regional District; the majority rules. Sometimes, when the majority rules, some of the minority don‘t like it, so they have to work that issue out, to work through it.” Vernon can‘t just pull out of the SIR program, Day explained. “It would have to be a majority of NORD directors and, as I understand it, a majority of them are in favour of the program. So, it‘s an internal issue.” Maybe Beardsell has some legitimate questions, Day added. “I really don‘t know. I haven‘t really had an opportunity to talk to him directly about it because he didn‘t show up to the meeting we scheduled and took the time to go up there prepared to answer the questions. He didn‘t make it to the meeting. Other people did; they had all their questions answered and obviously they were satisfied with the answers they received.” Day, an Okanagan farmer, says the big benefit of the codling moth eradication technique using sterile moths is that it‘s a green program. “It gets chemicals out of the air and out of our water system. I think at least in the Central Okanagan, there is a lot of support for the program because of that,” he said. “It‘s an environmental issue, and I would suggest that it should be an issue in Vernon and in NORD too that this is a green program that gets rid of those chemicals. And some of those chemicals are really bad, really, really bad. Guthion is one of them, and it‘s extremely toxic and deadly.” Beardsell could not be reached for comment on Sunday.
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