Even more evidence has established that this isn’t Sean Harvey’s city hall any more. We all remember Harvey as chairman of the board of Vernon Inc., an operation that was all about cutting red tape and encouraging free-enterprise. There was little room for 
social issues. In fact, it was Harvey’s administration that began demanding property taxes from worthwhile agencies such as Camp Hurlburt, and had a hostile relationship with the Vernon Women’s Centre. The common refrain was that social issues were the domain of senior government and nothing to do with city hall. But there’s been a complete turnaround since the November 2005 election. If anything, social issues have come to dominate the agenda at city hall.
The most glaring example of this is the recent decision to enter into a contract for service with the Social Planning Council. Under the leadership of executive director Annette Sharkey, the Social Planning Council is tackling a host of issues that impact every-day Vernonites. This work has included establishing a 75 per cent discount for people with disabilities at the recreation complex, trying to open an emergency homeless shelter, pursuing attainable housing and securing space at West Vernon Elementary for child care. While it would be easy to dismiss these issues as benefitting the poor and the homeless, there is a broader spectrum to them. With current market trends, even people making $75,000 a year can’t afford to purchase a home, so attainability impacts them. And virtually all of us know of a parent who can’t find child care. Often homelessness and drug addictions lead to crime and we all pay for that problem. But for the Social Planning Council to pursue these worthwhile efforts, it takes cash, and that’s always in limited supply for non-profit organizations. The financial support of the city means the Social Planning Council can actually focus on issues that matter to residents and not on trying to find the funds to pay wages and bills. Beyond endorsing the Social Planning Council, the social side of the city has been demonstrated by committees such as affordable housing and the environment. It can even be said that the shift from unfettered development to Smart Growth principles has a social perspective to it. “There is a recognition that we need to look at these issues because they impact the livability of the community,” said Coun. Buffy Baumbrough recently.
Even Dr. No has taken a firm social stand. Coun. Barry Beardsell has waged a battle against gambling in Vernon and the devastating impact addiction can have on individuals and families. Beardsell is like Don Quixote charging at windmills because the provincial government isn’t going to back off the gaming cash-cow. But his passion shows he is a man of principle. And it is this council that has reversed the wrongdoings of the Harvey era by restoring full tax exemption status for Camp Hurlburt. Peace has also been made with the Women’s Centre through the efforts of Coun. Juliette Cunningham who is the centre’s chairperson. In the end, the current council isn’t perfect and some significant errors in judgement have occurred. But some progress has also been made, and this city hall is far more representative of the community at large than it was just a few years ago.
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