By roger knox Morning Star Staff Aug 17 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Vernon and District Taxpayers Association is claiming victory in its counter-petition program to the City of Vernon’s alternate approval process to borrow $20 million to construct a new library complex. Joined by about 40 supporters on the steps of city hall on a sunny Wednesday morning, Taxpayers Association spokesman Tony Stamboulieh announced that his group had collected 6,000 signatures opposed to the alternate approval process. The taxpayers, who need 10 per cent of voters, or 2,777 signatures, to defeat the proposal, have been demanding council hold a public referendum on the spending of $20 million to build a new library facility. “Today, we are here to give Vernon city council a clear message, that we are the people they represent,” said Stamboulieh. “They do not represent special interests. The days of special interests are over, and at the next election, they need to know we are putting them on notice.”
Stamboulieh congratulated his group for their efforts in a democratic process, and blasted Mayor Wayne Lippert and his council for subjecting the city to “a rule of dictatorship.” “How many of you have seen council members and the mayor come down and find out what we really think?” asked Stamboulieh. “He’s (Lippert) unrepentant, he’s uninformed and he think it’s (result of process) going to be a close one. “We’re here today to teach him and his co-horts a lesson in civic life. We run the show.”
Lippert said if the taxpayers collected that many signatures, they did a good job. “When the clerks have the results totalled, they’ll present them to council,” said Lippert. The association’s counter petitions were given to Vernon assistant clerk Susan Blakely. Vernon councillor Barry Beardsell was the only member of council to attend the presentation, saying, in his own mind, he predicted 5,000 signatures on the taxpayers’ petitions, and wanted to see the result. Beardsell said the taxpayers association has made a very strong statement. “Other projects, like the multiplex and performing arts centre, were all by way of taxpayer inclusion by way of a vote on a referendum,” said Beardsell. “The $20 million of this, and the $9 million that the library would be committed, that’s still our money. “A $29 million dollar project and no say by the public? Ridiculous.”
Conservative Party of BC representative Miles Lehn praised former Vernon councils under Mayor Wayne McGrath for holding at least two public referendums on high amounts of spending. Arnell Larsen showed up at the presentation to make sure enough people are aware that Vernon taxpayers are annoyed with some of the things happenings at city hall. She hopes the mayor and council heard a loud message. “I honestly hope that council will sit back and look at these numbers, and understand that they are voted in by the people,” said Larsen. Beardsell hopes city staff will not waste its time going over all of the signatures. “The number is so far in excess of the 2,777 they needed, why waste city hall’s staff’s time?” said Beardsell. “If their time is wasted, no wonder the costs of administration are going through the roof. It’s because they’re wasting their time on foolish activities.” Lippert said, by law, the votes have to be checked. “Under the Community Charter, we have to check the signatures to make sure the numbers are correct,” he said. “It’s no different than an election.”
Council voted Monday not to allow scrutineers in during the checking of names of the petitions. Beardsell said if the alternate approval process is defeated, the city should go back to square one, get public input on the process and, ultimately, go to public referendum and not spend reserve money or change the budget within the next five years. Lippert said a referendum is one option council would consider if the alternate approval process is defeated. Signatures were also collected at sign-up books at the library, art gallery and city hall. Mail-in responses will also be considered.
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