Press Release from Vernon & District Taxpayers' Association re Library/Civic Complex Counter Petition Opportunity.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 24, 2007

Vernon City Council has now used taxpayer funds to promote their funding of a civic complex through the Alternate Approval Process, a recently created process that can bypass the Democratic Referendum process. The project to build a new civic complex at this time goes against the spirit of the present review of the Official Community Plan and against the majority of taxpayers, who have not been given the opportunity to vote in a referendum.

Council, in advertisements placed in the Morning Star, is using the logos of the library (placed in the centre) and the RCMP to promote this project. This is misleading advertising. The fact is that the library has its own funding and does not need to be in such a building. The RCMP also has its own funding and it, too, does not need to be in that location. The truth of the matter is that Vernon City Council is planning to build itself a $20 million city hall--without seeking citizen approval through a referendum, the cost of which would be less than the funds already committed to this project. Also, the referendum should have been planned well in advance so that there would be no 'deadlines'. The advertisements in the Morning Star are aimed at 'countering' the counter petition.

Voters should know that the City tried to limit the signing places for the counter petition to City Hall, the Library and the Art Gallery. Council must stop using taxpayer dollars for its own propaganda! Voters should know that the City of Vernon has accrued a debt of approximately $70 million...and counting! Time for Accountability. Time for a Referendum.

The counter petition is looking very promising and the Vernon & District Taxpayers' Association will maintain the campaign for transparency, accountability and respect for the legislative process by Vernon Council and afterward will hold Council accountable to the wishes of the citizens as stated in the Counter Petition. Citizens who can vote in Vernon Civic elections can sign the Counter Petition in the following alternate locations: Butcher Boys Okanagan Sausage Buy-Low Foods in the Landing Mall Farmers' Market AND OTHERS -- just look for the sign--CITIZENS OF VERNON -- PETITION --REFERENDUM BEFORE SPENDING Contact: Antony Stamboulieh 250-309-7488 or 250-260-1082