Here’s the question of the day — has Vernon’s mayor been indecisive enough for you? Since late June, Wayne Lippert has flip-flopped on virtually every scenario to do with the proposed library/office complex. Starting back in June, Lippert insisted that the complex was going ahead no matter the outcome of an alternate approval process. “The building will be built,” he said at the time. But with 6,000 names on the petition and the ability to borrow $20 million defeated, Lippert changed his tune in August. “We should make it all a wash,” he said of abandoning the project he once vowed would proceed. However, that wasn’t the end of the saga. On Sept. 24, Lippert told Kiss FM that he wants the city to hold a referendum later this year. Obviously politicians, being the humans they are, are allowed to change their mind.
However, the lack of firm leadership coming from the mayor’s chair is having a direct impact on this issue not being resolved. Instead of council opting to scrap the project or going ahead — either through referendum or other funding options — there has been meeting after endless meeting, and another one is set for Oct. 11. Some councillors suggest more time is required so detailed information on the proposed complex can be compiled. But that leaves me wondering why that information wasn’t necessary when the city was threatening to force the project on to the public?
Of course, Lippert isn’t the only one at city hall playing flip-flop. Coun. Jack Gilroy stated in a Sept. 2 article that the city should hold off on a decision on the proposed Whitepoint Resort on the former Paraiso Point campground site. “With so many questions, maybe we should wait until the OCP review is done,” he said at the time. But on Sept. 29, Gilroy was one of two council members to vote against deferring the rezoning application until the the city’s official community plan review is completed. Based on that vote, why did Gilroy say what he did Sept. 2? Did he not fully understand the concerns coming from some residents about the 100-unit subdivision and beach house? Was he not aware of the message council would send if one developer was allowed to proceed while others are officially left sitting on the sidelines until the OCP review is wrapped up? It should be pointed out, though, that Gilroy wasn’t the only one to reverse thrusters over the resort issue.
Coun. Pat Cochrane initially supported sending the rezoning application to a public hearing, but on Sept 29., he agreed to table things until after the OCP review. But, this had less to do with Cochrane doing an about-face and more to do with a veteran politician understanding how the process works. Lippert was absent Sept. 29 and unless Cochrane shifted strategy, there would have been a tie-vote. Under legislation, that would have killed the matter completely and the developer couldn’t bring it back for consideration for nine months. Tabling it until after the OCP review was a smart move because the rezoning application remains on the table at city hall, and council will have to deal with it. Ultimately, there is a time and place for politicians to change course, but navigating that terrain can be either successful or a complete failure. In the case of Cochrane, he has exhibited the benefits to shifting gears, while both Lippert and Gilroy have only muddied the waters and undermined public confidence.
No comments:
Post a Comment