Rural governance gains interest

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Jun 03 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/

Interest in reviewing future governance of the North Okanagan’s rural areas appears to be growing. Electoral area directors are pleased with the public response to considering how the five jurisdictions should be governed, whether it is forming a single district municipality, a few combining or joining an existing city. “They think it’s long overdue. But they can’t say anything for sure until we have the (financial) numbers,” said Herman Halvorson, director for rural Enderby. Stan Field, BX-Silver Star director, says the topic has been raised at several social functions he has attended. “People think it’s good if it helps maintain their rural area,” he said. If a governance study proceeds, it will look at all of the possible options. “It’s about what makes sense. Everything is up for consideration,” said Halvorson.

For rural Enderby, that could include incorporating with the other four electoral areas, becoming its own municipality or joining the City of Enderby. “We’re kind of joined at the hip and we share a lot of things,” he said of the City of Enderby. “But people in the rural area want to protect rural identity.” While Field admits that the study could have BX joining Vernon, he believes the interests in the rural area are different than in an urbanized setting. “They (residents) don’t want it changed and they are happy with what they’ve got,” he said, adding that a separate municipality could give them more control over services. Sue Phillips, Enderby mayor, welcomes a potential study and is interested in the outcome of the process. “It would be nice if the city and Area F joined but that’s what they would determine,” she said.

The Village of Lumby is also watching the process closely because two electoral areas — rural Lumby and Cherryville — are nearby. “It’s good to see what’s available and what the people in the electoral areas want to do,” said Mayor Eric Foster. Foster sees benefits to Lumby expanding its boundary, but he also anticipates some negatives. “It would increase the tax base but it would increase costs. If it’s going to work, it has to work for the village,” he said.