A veteran Vernon politician has been bounced off a high-profile committee and that’s not going over well. Mayor Wayne Lippert announced 2008 appointments to various boards Tuesday, and Coun. Barry Beardsell 
is no longer on the 
Greater Vernon Services Committee – the first time since GVSC was formed in 2001. “I’m very disappointed and it’s like a slap in the face,” said Beardsell. Beardsell is not sure why he has been demoted to an alternate director if the city’s three regular GVSC representatives can’t attend meetings. “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask the mayor because he hasn’t advised me,” he said. Beardsell had asked Lippert to remain on GVSC and he believes he could have still made a contribution to the Greater Vernon area. I’ve been through the parks plan, the cultural plan and the formation of the structure,” he said.
Lippert is quick to defend his decision. “I asked each councillor where they’d like to sit. A number of councillors are looking for positions at GVSC. He’s been there all along and there are some councillors that haven’t been in those positions,” said Lippert. Beardsell’s departure comes at the same time that GVSC is in the midst of service reviews and Vernon’s relationships with Areas B and C is strained. “Possibly a change in faces and personalities may assist in what we are trying to accomplish there,” he said. “Coun. Beardsell states his opinion and by no means is this an attempt to muzzle him.”
The city’s three representatives to GVSC will be Lippert, Coun. Buffy Baumbrough and Coun. Pat Cochrane.The other major change is removing Coun. Patrick Nicol from the North Okanagan Regional District board. “He’s trying to spread things around and give people an opportunity. It’s the right thing to do,” said Nicol of Lippert’s actions. Also sitting on NORD are Lippert and Councillors Jack Gilroy and Juliette Cunningham. Beardsell is back on the city’s finance committee after being removed from that function in 2005.
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Starlee Speers, Astral Radio News Councillor Unhappy With Appointment
A Vernon city councillor is angry the mayor has taken him off the Greater Vernon Services Committee. Barry Beardsell says he knows the ins and outs of the GVS and should continue to be a director. He says not being re-appointed to the Greater Vernon services committee is like a slap in the face.Beardsell says he was given no indication he was going to be taken off the committee when he met with Wayne Lippert the day before the appointments were announced.
Councillor Pat Cochrane is now on the GVS and councillor Buffy Baumbrough and the mayor will continue with their appointments.
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Beardsell Insulted Over GVSC Appointment By Pete McIntyre 107.5 kissfm
A veteran Vernon councillor says its like he's been slapped on the face.Barry Beardsell is upset Mayor Wayne Lippert has removed him as one of the city's rep on Greater Vernon Services in 2008. 'With the way it was set up it was a slap in the face to me. There was not consultation as indicated by the mayor.' Beardsell says its insulting the mayor doesn't want him on the committee given his years of service and the current turmoil in the area. Lippert says he made the change to allow other members of council to serve on the regional boards. Pat Cochrane will take Beardsell's spot at GVSC while Jack Gilroy will take over for Patrick Nicol at NORD.
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