By Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISS FM
The B-C government is pushing for a major change in the Okanagan's governance structure. Premier Gordon Campbell and two cabinet ministers have said at the UBCM convention, they would like to see the valley's three regional districts merged into one, to deal with common issues.Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert says the province feels the changes will allow the valley to better deal with growth.'The governance structure they see there now is not one they think will work and so they want to see a change and the word here is that the status quo will not do. Lippert says the various options will be discussed over the coming months, and he feels it could be put to a public vote in November next year.
NORD chairman Jerry Oglow says it makes sense to at least discuss having one board for issues like water, air quality, transportation and emergency plans.'If the taxpayers can get more service for less money, in a new structure, then why wouldn't we try to incorporate that, or work towards that. And really, that's all the Premier and the two ministers are saying.' Oglow says he'll be making more comments, and raising the issue for discussion, at NORD's October 3 monthly board meeting.
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