Mayor playing it close to the vest

Managing editor Scott Neufeld EDITORIAL Aug 23 http://www.dailycourier.ca/

This week the mayor began waving the white flag of surrender on the issue of the library/civic complex. But is he being sincere? Wayne Lippert has been firm in standing behind the unpopular alternative approval process. Now that the process has defeated the city’s $20 million borrowing plan, Lippert appears to be giving up. Earlier this week he told the Vernon Daily Courier “my thoughts are this is a clear message, we should not bother with the complex and let the library build.” However, the “message” is far from clear and the Lippert’s statements may be part of a deft political strategy. By appearing to give up on the idea Lippert may have done more to galvanize support than the city’s ill-fated advertising campaign did during the alternative approval process.

The plan wasn’t defeated because taxpayers are opposed to a library/civic complex, it was defeated in part because residents wanted a referendum. Others signed the petition because they opposed the size of the loan in a city already burdened with debt. Few voted against it because they opposed the construction of a library, art gallery and extra office space. With Lippert seemingly waving the white flag, library proponents will rally support and try and convince council to put the idea to a referendum. It’s a good move to draw supporters from the sidelines. To this point the naysayers have been able to voice their opinion but proponents have had no opportunity to make their voices heard. A referendum is the only way to make sure everyone can get involved.

Already some councillors appear to be leaning toward a full referendum on the issue. Going to the polls is the best way to resolve the impasse. Vernon could use a new library and when a group offers $9 million to build it, the city cannot turn its back on that kind of money. While many taxpayers are loan-weary, others may be willing to cough up the, on average, $38 per year needed to fund the project. The Vernon and District Taxpayers Association were able to collect an unconfirmed 6,000 signatures for the petition, but there’s no guarantee every one of them would vote against the library. By playing close-to-the-vest, Lippert may be able to get a sense of how much support there is for the library in the community. In the end, however, the best way to gauge that support is through a referendum.