Wrong message sent

By Richard Rolke Jun 27 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/

Most of Vernon council may have been oblivious to the fact, but the optics behind their actions look bad. On Monday, three readings were given to a bylaw that establishes an alternate approval process between July 15 and Aug. 15. Through this mechanism, the city hopes to borrow $20 million for a new library/civic building. Now the city has always maintained that an alternate approval process is a legitimate way of garnering public support and that hearing from residents is important. So some taxpayers may be taken aback to learn that even before the approval process has been held, significant steps are being taken by city hall.

On Monday, three readings were given to a bylaw that would allow the city to borrow the $20 million. This may be just a bureaucratic procedure that allows the city to act quickly once the alternate approval process is done, but raising hands for bylaws before the public has had their say sends a questionable message. More importantly, though, was a decision to short-term borrow $300,000 so an architectural firm can be hired to do design work. Even before the public input process has started, money is already being spent. But that really shouldn’t shock anybody.

On Monday, Mayor Wayne Lippert reiterated the common mantra, “The building will be built.” No matter what happens with the counter-petition, the politicians (except for lone critic Barry Beardsell) insist the project will go ahead. Council points out that the bylaw deals only with how to fund the building, and not whether it should go ahead. A similar tact was taken by the District of Coldstream council years ago when it came to a new municipal office. Technically, Coldstream council was correct. Residents voting against a borrowing bylaw didn’t prevent it from pursuing other options for the office. But many residents saw it as doing an end-run around democracy and emotions still run high over the issue. I suspect the same hard feelings will surface in Vernon if the city goes against a large chunk of voters.

And it is increasingly obvious that the city doesn’t have all of its ducks in a row. Two weeks ago, the city issued a press release indicating that if long-term borrowing is shot down, it could still go to the bank for short-term cash. But it has now discovered that provincial legislation actually prevents it from borrowing such a large sum on a short-term basis. Because of that, publicly owned lands may now be sold off to raise the necessary cash. The public open houses have also been misleading as they include information about the space requirements for the art gallery and museum. Missing from the equation is the fact that the museum and art gallery fall under the mandate of the Greater Vernon Services Committee and not the city. GVSC has not agreed to provide additional operating funds for expanded space, and until that occurs, it is unlikely either agency will be impacted by the city’s plans.

For a council that promised to be open and responsive to the wishes of the community, it is treading awfully close to being seen as out-of-touch and overbearing. Time will only tell if these actions are held against mayor and council during the November 2008 election.