Pressure over city hall’s avoidance of a referendum 
could reach a critical point. The Vernon Taxpayers Association is holding an emergency 
meeting June 26 and urging all residents to show an interest in how the city is pursuing a proposed library/administration building. “The process is flawed and the attitude is flawed,” said Tony Stamboulieh, association spokesman. The city plans to hold an alternate approval process in July to borrow $20 million for the facility. Ten per cent of voters’ signatures are required to defeat borrowing of the funds. Stamboulieh believes a counter-petition isn’t democratic and people don’t understand how it works. He would like to see the matter put to a full referendum. “We are the people who pay and we insist on being involved.” The emergency meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the Schubert Centre. “It’s a focus on some important issues and from there, we will make some decisions,” said Stamboulieh. If the city doesn’t switch to a referendum, Stamboulieh expects residents could use the Politicians’ process against them. “People want to go out and start the counter-petition,” he said.
could reach a critical point. The Vernon Taxpayers Association is holding an emergency 
meeting June 26 and urging all residents to show an interest in how the city is pursuing a proposed library/administration building. “The process is flawed and the attitude is flawed,” said Tony Stamboulieh, association spokesman. The city plans to hold an alternate approval process in July to borrow $20 million for the facility. Ten per cent of voters’ signatures are required to defeat borrowing of the funds. Stamboulieh believes a counter-petition isn’t democratic and people don’t understand how it works. He would like to see the matter put to a full referendum. “We are the people who pay and we insist on being involved.” The emergency meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the Schubert Centre. “It’s a focus on some important issues and from there, we will make some decisions,” said Stamboulieh. If the city doesn’t switch to a referendum, Stamboulieh expects residents could use the Politicians’ process against them. “People want to go out and start the counter-petition,” he said. The association is also upset that city council is considering the library building and changes to 
the waterfront plan before the official community plan review is done. “Any big spending has to be part of the OCP. We are seeing a continuation of spot zoning,” said Stamboulieh. Mayor Wayne Lippert doesn’t have a problem with the association holding a public meeting. “They can do that but I want to make sure they have all of the information,” he said. “If there is strong enough opinion, council could consider the issue.” Lippert says the city opted to have a counter-petition instead of a referendum because delaying the issue could lead to government grants being lost for the library. “We’re not trying to jam anything through, but we need this building,” he said, adding that it would also meet the needs of city staff, the RCMP and the art gallery.
the waterfront plan before the official community plan review is done. “Any big spending has to be part of the OCP. We are seeing a continuation of spot zoning,” said Stamboulieh. Mayor Wayne Lippert doesn’t have a problem with the association holding a public meeting. “They can do that but I want to make sure they have all of the information,” he said. “If there is strong enough opinion, council could consider the issue.” Lippert says the city opted to have a counter-petition instead of a referendum because delaying the issue could lead to government grants being lost for the library. “We’re not trying to jam anything through, but we need this building,” he said, adding that it would also meet the needs of city staff, the RCMP and the art gallery. 
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