Road access demands denied

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Sep 30 2007

Demands that a former Vernon road be reopened have been thrown off course. City council supported a staff recommendation Monday that Kosmina Road, north of Mt. Fosthall Drive, remain closed despite a 227-name petition asking that it be available to traffic. “I didn’t hear any justification to deviate from the staff recommendation,” said Coun. Barry Beardsell. But that move isn’t going over well with John Kosmino, who initiated the petition campaign. “I spent a lot of my time on the petition and they didn’t even consider it,” said the local businessman. He believes he has been ignored by council and city staff. “They couldn’t even send me a letter (on the matter),” he said.

That portion of the road has been in place for about 28 years and Kosmino insists that it could remain a viable route for residents there. “It would benefit all of the people on the left side of the mountain,” he said. According to the petition, Kosmina Road would take some pressure off Middleton Way. “Even with current upgrades to Middleton Way, drivers, pedestrians, public transit stops and children waiting for school transit are forced to contend with heavy industrial and residential traffic. Without access to the upper part of Kosmina Road, there will only be one main traffic route available to serve the entire mountain,” it states. The city launched the process to close Kosmina Road, north of Mt. Fosthall Drive, in 2003.

“The May 13, 2004 staff report examined the traffic volumes on Mt. Fosthall Drive and Middleton Way and found that these roads, especially with the upgrades to Middleton Way, will adequately handle expected traffic volumes,” said Laurie MacKay, transportation technician, in a report to council Monday. “The report also indicated that the portion of Kosmina Road to be closed has steep grades.” A road closure bylaw was adopted by the city in 2005 and the legal plan for the road closure was registered at the Land Title Office Jan. 13, 2005. “This portion of Kosmina Road therefore no longer exists,” said MacKay in his report.
It was reopened in July as a detour during work on Middleton Way, but it has subsequently been closed again. A portion of the former roadway will be disposed of by the city while the remainder will be turned into a bicycle/pedestrian path. “Trails are so important for the community,” said Beardsell.

Missed Photo Op (We really did sign the Charter)

Click on Cartoon to enlarge:

Divisions erupt over one district

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Sep 30 2007

The prospect of a single governance structure for the Okanagan is dividing local politicians. Community Services Minister Ida Chong and Premier Gordon Campbell told elected officials last week that they want a working group established to consider folding the valley’s three regional districts into one entity. “They’ve said the status quo is not an option,” said Wayne Lippert, Vernon mayor. The goal is to have the working group established by mid-November, with a draft plan completed in the spring. “They want to have it in place before the next election. They have an agenda,” said Herman Halvorson, rural Enderby director. Jerry Oglow, North Okanagan Regional District chairman and Armstrong mayor, is willing to be part of the process.

“Our fear was if we didn’t take part in the discussion and we put our head in the sand, something would be imposed on us,” he said. Oglow believes there may be a need to restructure how issues, such as water and transit, are pursued. “The issue is delivering services to people and is there a better way to do it?” he said. That view is supported by Rick Fairbairn, rural Lumby director. “Realistically the Okanagan is growing and we need to look at the future,” he said. Lippert admits he has mixed feelings about a single regional district for the entire Okanagan Valley. “If it looks at high-level issues that is OK, but we still want to be able to work on local issues,” he said.

Beyond one regional district for the valley, Lippert says the working group will also look at structural changes of the existing regional districts. “A district municipality (for the electoral areas) is one option and another option floated out there is possible amalgamations,” he said. Halvorson is unwilling to say if he supports a single regional district, pointing out that any change would have to benefit his constituents. “I want to see what the financial numbers are,” he said. Other politicians question how manageable a regional district would be if it covers from Enderby to Princeton. “We can’t get NORD working so how well does it bode for one covering the entire Okanagan?” said Barry Beardsell, a Vernon councillor.

Earl Shipmaker, an Enderby councillor, also questions the practicality of what Chong wants considered. “We have such a convenient geographical unit in the North Okanagan now and we (Enderby) are part of the Shuswap drainage system not the Okanagan,” he said. Shipmaker believes it would be more efficient to allow existing agencies, such as the Okanagan Basin Water Board, to handle valley-wide issues so the three regional districts can deal with community-based matters. Chong could not be reached for comment.

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Sep 30 2007 EDITORIAL

So Community Services Minister Ida Chong and Premier Gordon Campbell want to look at the future governance of the Okanagan Valley as a whole. On first blush, there is nothing wrong with that idea. After all, we all share the same valley and there are some common interests such as water, air quality, economic development and transit. And with unprecedented growth continuing, there is no question that the current system of governance has not kept up with the times. But the notion of a single regional district from Osoyoos to Enderby should also raise some alarm bells. Principally, what about those matters that aren’t the major attention-grabbers like zoning changes and parks and recreation? Those are items that must continue to be decided locally and not at some massive board table. Even when it comes to water and economic development, the needs are going to vary from community to community.
It should also be pointed out that the North Okanagan Regional District has often found itself in conflict despite its compact geographic base. It’s hard to imagine that things will be any better with one jurisdiction spanning from Princeton to Cherryville. And while the Okanagan is growing as a whole, the major population base is Kelowna/Westbank. Will that area want to dominate political decisions or will it be a co-operative partner? In the end, there is nothing wrong with considering possible governance options and perhaps more efficient ways of providing some services can be found. But hopefully all issues will be considered intensely, and the provincial government will allow Okanagan residents to decide their future. Because the last thing that is needed is a shotgun wedding.

Trade agreement draws opposition

By jeff nagel Black Press Sep 30 2007

Civic leaders from across B.C. voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to press the province to reopen its controversial TILMA trade agreement with Alberta to protect local cities. A large majority of delegates at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention backed the resolution that cites the potential for "far reaching negative impacts on local government" and calls on Victoria to either change the accord, negotiate exemptions for cities or else withdraw altogether. The Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement aims to create a more level playing field of regulations that would foster increased business in both provinces.

Municipalities would be required to ensure their bylaws and regulations treat Alberta and B.C. companies the same. Alberta firms could sue B.C. over discriminatory treatment here. Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen has repeatedly denied TILMA would weaken environmental standards or civic rules over development. But several delegates said they remain unconvinced after seeing Hansen debate the UBCM's top lawyer on the topic this week.
"Sustainable procurement practices are definitely threatened," said Vancouver Coun. Heather Deal, adding requirements to put all purchases over $10,000 out to tender will devour far too much staff time. Richmond Coun. Harold Steves said he remains unconvinced an Alberta company couldn't launch a challenge against B.C.'s Agricultural Land Reserve under TILMA.

"UBCM is speaking with one voice," he said. "It's not ideological left-versus-right – it's everyone who's concerned." The province had already pledged to consult with cities during a two-year phase-in period for TILMA and negotiate any required exclusions or special provisions. UBCM officials have drawn up a list of 10 areas where they want changes, including:

• Exemption of land use regulations.

• Exemptions to ensure local standards won't be harmonized downward, taking away local control over unacceptable business practices or other public interest issues.

• An exemption allowing cities to continue to provide assistance to a specific business if it's allowed under the Community Charter.

• Higher thresholds for procurement tendering and exemption from new rules on how winning bids should be chosen.

• Provision so cities can defend their measures if challenged under TILMA, regardless of whether or not the province mounts a defence.

The UBCM policy paper on TILMA called the agreement "vague" and without precedent, noting the uncertainty over its effects have spawned angst and opposition.

Treatment plant funds expected

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Sep 30 2007

Major funding for a Greater Vernon infrastructure project could be in the offing. Federal and provincial officials may be here Friday to announce a grant for the Duteau Creek water treatment plant. MLA Tom Christensen says planning for an announcement this week is underway but a firm date has not been finalized. “I’m optimistic funding will be coming through,” he said, adding that he is only in Vernon on Friday this week. The North Okanagan Regional District has been anticipating an announcement since June and nothing has occurred to date. “It’s been a long time in coming,” said chairman Jerry Oglow. The amount of the grant is not known, but the total price tag of the project is $24 million. “It’s a significant project and funding has been a key issue,” said Oglow. “Provincial and federal support is key to it happening.” Recently, NORD delayed awarding a $1.1 million contract for earth work until senior government funding is announced. There is concern that awarding the contract before an announcement would make that part of the project ineligible for funding. The treatment plant will benefit customers of the former Vernon Irrigation District by addressing turbidity, colour, giardia and cryptosporidium.

UBCM Resolutions etc.

By jeff magel Black Press Sep 30 2007

Civic leaders can usually come up with long lists of how the province could make their lives easier. This Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver is no different and one of the suggestions that got the loudest applause Tuesday was the concept of eliminating the property tax that goes to school districts. With a stroke of the pen, it was argued, the provincial government could eliminate a tax on local residents. "It is the simplest thing to do," said Kelowna Coun. Barrie Clark. "It could be done tomorrow." The unspoken motive: killing school taxes would free up extra room for cities to raise their own property taxes to cover infrastructure needs or transit.

By jeff nagel Black Press Sep 30 2007 Action on housing sought

B.C. cities will campaign for changes to entice developers to build more rental housing. Delegates at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver passed a resolution calling for Ottawa to pass a series of tax reforms advocates say would help put up new apartments or other units. Purpose-built rental housing is gradually disappearing, advocates said, and many older buildings are nearing the end of their life spans. "There is no incentive to rebuild them," said Vancouver Coun. Suzanne Anton. Reduced GST on rental housing, capital gains deferrals, and allowing rental investors to qualify for small business deductions are among the measures proposed.

Also passed Wednesday were resolutions that called on Ottawa and Victoria to provide more funding for floods and disasters relief and prevention, and to ban high-risk offenders from living in the town they committed crimes after release from prison.

Site found for shelter

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Sep 30 2007

A site has been identified for a homeless shelter in Vernon, but firm funding is needed before it can open. Non-profit organizations trying to establish a permanent shelter for men and women aren’t willing to disclose the possible site. “We are working on a contract for a specific location,” said Annette Sharkey, Social Planning Council executive director. Funding negotiations are currently underway with B.C. Housing. “We are hoping to have an announcement as soon as possible but certain steps have to be followed with B.C. Housing,” said Sharkey. Sharkey is reluctant to provide details on the location because of potential diverse public reaction. Service agencies had a site selected earlier this year, but an impromptu tent city on the property led to widespread community concerns, and the building was lost.

If the new facility proceeds, individuals could stay there as long as 30 days. The focus would be on immediate health needs, such as addictions, physical issues and access to food. A presentation about the shelter and its services would be provided to neighbouring properties. There would be an opportunity for them to raise concerns and to do some brainstorming with the immediate neighbours,” said Sharkey. The facility would be open 24-hours and Sharkey believes that could address some concerns. “The issue of line-ups and loitering would be addressed by having permanent staff on site,” she said. The goal is to have the shelter open some time in October. “Everyone involved feels the urgency. We are trying to go through the hoops as quickly as possible,” said Sharkey. “A great deal of work is happening behind the scenes to ensure that services can be put in place as quickly as possible.”

Regional district directors approve double-digit salary increase

By Penticton Western News Staff Sep 26 2007

The chair of the local regional district is defending a double-digit increase in the salaries directors will receive. Total salaries for directors will raise by almost 50 per cent immediately under the current system of meetings — less if the number of meetings change. Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen chair Dan Ashton said the increase reflects the growing responsibilities of the 18 directors representing municipalities and rural areas within the triangle marked by Summerland, Osoyoos and Princeton. “Their workloads have increased dramatically with what has been transpiring in the South Okanagan,” said Ashton, in an interview from Vancouver, where he is attending the annual convention of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. Directors approved the increase at their last board meeting Sept. 20 with Coun. Rory McIvor (Penticton) and Mark Pendergraft (rural Osoyoos) opposed.

Ashton said local directors — especially rural directors — earn less than directors in other regional districts. General manager of finance Jim Zaffino said two surveys found that RDOS directors receive considerably less than the average. The monthly pay of rural directors will rise to $1,643 from $1,049 while municipal directors will receive $475, up from $266. The chair will receive $2,464, up from $1,759. These new figures will bump regional directors to the 50 per cent average of the surveyed regional districts.

Province Wants One Okanagan Regional District

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.

PREMIER OUTLINES NEW STEPS TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE

VANCOUVER – The Province will introduce new legislative measures this fall that will mandate greenhouse gas reduction targets and provide legal tools to implement government’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent below current levels by 2020, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention.

Other actions outlined by Premier Campbell:

• Greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategies and targets will be legally required in all official community plans and regional growth strategies.
• Municipalities will be given the power to waive development cost charges as a way to encourage green developments, small unit housing and small lot subdivisions.
• All new government buildings or facilities shall be built to a minimum LEED Gold or equivalent certification.
• Legislation will be introduced next spring to require the adoption of California tailpipe emission standards to be phased in from 2009 to 2016.
• B.C. will be the first province in Canada to legally adopt California’s low carbon fuel content standards, a requirement that will reduce carbon intensity of all passenger vehicles by a further 10 per cent by 2020.
• B.C. will implement a five per cent average renewable fuel standard for diesel by 2010 and support the federal government’s plan to increase the ethanol content of gasoline to five per cent by 2010.
• The Province will provide an additional $50 million this year for BC Transit to purchase new, clean buses and expand public transit service across B.C.
• In the coming weeks, government will lay out a vision for transit. It will be on a scale and scope aimed at making B.C. a global leader in public transit.

Vernon body update

by Wayne Moore -Sep 28, 2007 / 2:42 pm CASTANET

An autopsy has been complete on a 53-year-old man found at the Vernon landfill Thursday. "The pathologist has determined that the man died as a result of injuries sustained by the compacting equipment of the truck carrying the recycling material from bins in the Vernon area to the landfill site," says RCMP spokesman, Gordon Molendyk. "At this point, foul play is not suspected." Molendyk says while the man was not homeless,his lifestyle was such that it would not be out of the ordinary for him to be in a dumpster to seek shelter. The man's name is not being released at the request of the family

911 dispatch concerns getting serious attention from RCMP (PENTICTON)

By JOHN MOORHOUSE Friday, September 28, 2007 Penticton Herald

One of the top RCMP officials in B.C. will be coming to Penticton next week to discuss 911 dispatch concerns with city council. Mayor Jake Kimberley said Chief Superintendent Robert Morrison has agreed to the meeting, although an exact date for the visit has not yet been confirmed. Council met briefly with officials at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver on Thursday when they were informed of the upcoming visit. Morrison is head of the RCMP’s operations strategy branch for the Pacific Region. Kimberley said the chief superintendent’s visit bodes well for council’s position. "It shows that we’ve made an impression upon them that we’re extremely upset with the dispatching services -- and they’re going to put some serious attention to it," he said. "Hopefully we won’t have to go through this again." Council’s ire was raised after it took the 911 dispatch centre in Kelowna more than four hours to alert Penticton RCMP of a vandalism complaint at the SS Okanagan earlier this month -- even though a witness followed the two suspects while in direct contact with a 911 dispatcher.

Kimberley noted this is the second time council has discussed 911 dispatching problems with the RCMP. Last year, an incident involving a drunk driver running stop signs and driving erratically also spawned a police investigation into how the incident was handled. The RCMP later promised to improve the response time and better educate 911 dispatchers in Kelowna about Penticton area neighbourhoods, Kimberley said. "Of course, this latest thing has caused all that to come back to the forefront again," he said. The mayor said council will likely reiterate its previous message -- either improve the 911 service in Kelowna or revert to Penticton-based police dispatchers. Currently only local 911 fire calls are dispatched out of Penticton. Ambulance calls are forwarded to Kamloops. Even if it’s determined to cost more, Kimberley said such a move could be worth considering. "What does safety cost? What does a life cost? That’s the issue for me -- you don’t put a price tag on lives," he said. The mayor said last year’s incident with the drunk driver could have easily resulted in injuries, and even the recent vandalism spree at the SS Okanagan could have been dangerous for the woman following the suspects. Two 18-year-old males were apprehended last week in connection with the incident. They are to appear in court on Nov. 19.

Body Found in Vernon Landfill Identified

Kiss FM News

An autopsy will be performed today on a body found in Vernon's landfill.The body of the 53 year old male was discovered Thursday afternoon. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says they are trying to determine if foul play was involved. 'We hope that the autopsy will help to determine the cause. Until then we are treating it as a serious case.'Mounties have confirmed the victim was a former Vernon resident who recently came back to the city.The body ended up at the land fill by way of a recycling truck that had been making pick ups during the day.Police are attempting to notify the man's next of kin before releasing his name.

One Regional District

Betty Selin, Standard Radio News

With growth comes change! The status quo won't be allowed by the province when it comes to the governance structure in the Okanagan.Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert says the concept of one regional district in the valley has been getting a lot of buzz at this week's Union of BC Municipalities convention. The concept of one regional district in the valley is going to be explored.Lippert says the Okanagan would be a pilot project because there will be change across the province. He says discussions are to start by mid-November, with a more detailed draft by March. Lippert believes we could see changes by the next municipal election in November 2008.

Election Canada will not render 17 Tories Impotent. Gonads no longer on chopping block ! More Liberals will have to have flu on Throne Speech Vote !

Click on Cartoon to enlarge:

City skips historic climate change agreement

By NATALIE BANK Friday, September 28, 2007 Vernon Courier

Vernon wasn‘t on the list of 62 communities who signed the Climate Action Charter in Vancouver Wednesday, but Mayor Wayne Lippert said it‘s still a possibility. Lippert and other leaders from across the province are gathered at the Union of BC Municipalities this week, pushing for and learning about a range of resolutions. Lippert said he didn‘t deliberately avoid signing the charter. “Yesterday was a busy day with ministers and with the premier, so lots has been happening down here and the schedules are pretty tight.” The main goal for communities who sign the Climate Action Charter is to become carbon neutral by 2012. In addition, local governments pledge to measure and report on greenhouse gas emissions and to create more energy-efficient communities. The province expects more communities to sign on to the charter in the coming weeks.

Lippert said there‘s a chance Vernon could be one of them. “I would expect that we will certainly be looking at doing that. We want to work through council because I myself can‘t speak for council on it,” he said. Lippert said many other communities have a handful of members represented at UBCM, while it‘s just him and chief administrative officer Leon Gous representing Vernon. The North Okanagan Regional District did not sign the charter either. Nearby communities who signed the agreement include Spallumcheen and Kelowna. Brenda Binnie, UBCM president, said most local governments have responded quickly and positively to the charter. “The challenges posed by climate change require intergovernmental partnerships at all levels, so we anticipate many more signatories in the near future.” Cities who are going carbon neutral must measure the greenhouse gas emissions from their own buildings and fleet vehicles, then reduce them to zero either by purchasing carbon offsets or developing projects to offset emissions.
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Don Quixote Note: Actually last Monday the Council voted 6-0 to sign the treaty. Apparently the Blackberry Message to our UBCM reps did not get through.

Body discovered in load of cardboard at recycling facility

By NATALIE BANK Friday, September 28, 2007 Vernon Courier

Body discovered in load of cardboard at recycling facility Employees at Vernon‘s recycling facility made a shocking discovery when a man‘s body was found in a load of cardboard dumped Thursday morning. Staff found the body at about 11 a.m. after a Waste Management truck arrived at the Greater Vernon Recycling and Disposal Facility, said Nicole Kohnert, solid waste manager for the North Okanagan Regional District. “The truck dumped its load and they found the body right away,” Kohnert said, adding the body was discovered in a pile of cardboard. Kohnert said staff believe the body was that of a male in his 20s. On Thursday afternoon RCMP spokesman Gord Molendyk said he still could not confirm any details. He said the investigation remains at the preliminary stage. “It‘s still too early to confirm anything. They‘re still on the scene. They‘re not even back yet.” Vernon RCMP arrived at the site just before noon to investigate reports that a body had been found in the recycling material near the city‘s landfill. Officers immediately cordoned off the area to investigate the crime scene. Shortly after 3 p.m. a coroner arrived but the body has yet to be identified, nor have police released details about the cause of death. Kohnert said the truck that was carrying the body had picked up the load including the body in the city centre and then brought it to the recycling facility. “It looks like they traced the load from a truck that came from downtown Vernon,” she said. Police are expected to release more information on Friday. The recycling facility is located four kilometres south of Vernon on Birnie Road, just off Highway 97. The facility is operated by a private company contracted out by the regional district.
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Body discovered - CHBC Video
Web posted on Thursday, 27 September 2007

Is it foul play? A body has been found at the Vernon landfill.

Hobson elected at UBCM

by Wayne Moore - Sep 28, 2007 CASTANET

Veteran Kelowna City Councillor, Robert Hobson, has ascended to the second highest position within the Union of BC Municipalities. Hobson was elected First Vice-President during the UBCM Convention in Vancouver on Thursday.

Shiner on leave after pay furor

Paul Moloney city hall bureau The Star.Com

Provincial Tory candidate David Shiner announced yesterday he is taking unpaid leave from his job as a city councillor until after the Oct. 10 election.Shiner, a veteran city councillor who represents Ward 24, Willowdale, had come under fire for keeping his $95,000-a-year city council post while at the same time seeking election as the Progressive Conservative candidate in Willowdale.Shiner told reporters the pay he's received since the election campaign began Sept. 10 will go to charity. His unpaid leave of absence began yesterday.

There is no rule on the issue, although the practice of Toronto councillors has been to take an unpaid leave if they run provincially or federally.Confusion erupted at council after Shiner rose to his feet during the morning session to announce simply that he will "be taking a leave for the balance of the election term."Some interpreted the announcement to mean he intended to take a leave with pay because he'd announced the day before that he intended to donate the pay he received during the campaign , which runs from Sept. 10 to Oct. 10.Later in the council meeting, Councillor Sandra Bussin, the council speaker, said Shiner wished her to inform council that "he is in fact taking an unpaid leave of absence. Secondly, Councillor Shiner has indicated that he is using a personal cellphone for the purposes of city and personal use and has done so since Sept. 1, 2007."

Councillor Adam Vaughan wants council to adopt a formal policy spelling out that a councillor must take a leave to run for another level of government. He said Shiner still stands to receive a tax benefit from donating the council salary he received during the campaign so far."The reality is that (donation) means he gets a tax receipt," Vaughan said. "So he's still receiving a private benefit while he's campaigning. The sense of entitlement this guy has is appalling.

Camp Tax Debate

By Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISS FM

A group that runs a kids camp will get a full tax exemption from the city of Vernon, but not without some debate.Camp Hurlburt, which is run by Trinity United Church, will be upgraded from its previous 50 percent exemption.At Monday's council meeting, Councillor Barry Beardsell accused finance committee chair Patrick Nicol of ignoring a special committee designed to examine the tax requests, and given the church favourable treatment.'You're a member of the United Chuch. That gives you a bit of a conflict right there. I've got nothing against the United Church but I want to see these things done fairly and on a logical basis. And that's the reason for the committee.' Nicol denied any conflict in response to Beardsell's accusation.'I think you're out of order on the conflict. I haven't attended that particular church for some time. I went to it when I was a child and appreciate the works they do, but I think your accusation is incorrect. I don't think, I know it is.'Nicol also defended the social benefits provided by the camp.

The John Howard Society in Vernon will also be getting a break on its city tax bill. Council approved a 100 percent exemption for the society which helps men in need.Several other groups were not as successful.The Vernon Muslim Association was denied an exemption after meeting all the requirements except for one: they don't have a fully completed structure. The Royal Canadian Legion also had its application turned down.

Budget Surplus prompts crackdown on E Bay. Yard sales next ?

Click on cartoon to enlarge

Great Canadian Gaming Corporation: Plans to Redevelop View Royal Casino Underway

VIEW ROYAL, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 27, 2007) -

Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (TSX:GC) (the "Company") announced today that it has commenced the formal planning phase for the redevelopment of the Great Canadian Casino located in View Royal, British Columbia. In anticipation of this redevelopment, the Company has entered into an agreement to acquire approximately 1.5 acres of commercial property immediately adjacent to the current casino location.

The View Royal Casino is located 20 minutes from downtown Victoria on Vancouver Island and currently has a floor area of approximately 32,000 square feet. The current gaming facility features 437 slot machines, 24 table games and ancillary food and beverage amenities. For the twelve month period ended June 30, 2007, the View Royal Casino generated revenues before promotional allowances of $26.7 million and EBITDA of $14.7 million. For the three month period ended June 30, 2007, the slot machine win per unit per day was $460, a level of performance well in excess of the British Columbia industry average.

The financial performance of the existing gaming facility demonstrates that customer demand is exceeding the available gaming supply. As such, the Company's redevelopment proposals include increasing the existing floor area by approximately 24,000 square feet to accommodate new gaming amenities, including slot machines, a poker room and teletheatre, where patrons can watch sporting events and wager on live horse racing. In addition, the Company is planning a significant expansion of the hospitality offerings at the property, including both new food and beverage options and a new entertainment lounge that will feature live entertainment. A key feature of the Company's plans is to increase the facility's parking capacity to accommodate an additional 380 cars.

The redevelopment of the View Royal Casino and any change to the gaming facility are subject to local government and British Columbia Lottery Corporation approvals. A development permit application has already been submitted to the View Royal planning department.

'Take Back the Night' Put on Back Burner

By Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISS FM

There won't be a 'Take Back the Night' march in Vernon this year.The local Women's Centre, which has organized the anti-violence event the last few years, says it's too busy working on the homeless situation.Executive director Ann Forrest says the need for an emergency shelter grows every day.The Centre is one of four agencies working on a new men's and women's shelter site, which could open by next month.

Federal budget surplus balloons to $14B

CBC Thursday, September 27, 2007

A booming Canadian economy generated such big tax revenues this past year that the federal budget surplus approached $14 billion, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Thursday.The final surplus for the 2006-07 fiscal year came in at $13.8 billion, Harper said at a Toronto news conference. That was far more than the $9.2 billion forecast in the Conservatives' March budget.The surplus will be used to pay down the federal government's accumulated debt, which stood at $467.3 billion as of March 31, 2007. Since 1996, the debt has been paid down by $95.6 billion.Harper called the announcement "good news for taxpayers," saying the $14-billion debt reduction would save $750 million in annual interest payments — savings that he said would be passed along to taxpayers through continued cuts to personal income taxes.The budget surplus for the 2007-08 fiscal year is also heading for the stratosphere. In August, the Finance Department acknowledged that the surplus would top its original $3-billion projection. For just the first three months of the new fiscal year, Ottawa has already pegged the surplus at $6.4 billion.

When in opposition, the Conservatives sharply criticized the Liberals for reporting hefty budget surpluses that were much higher than their forecasts.But Harper said his government wasn't guilty of the same thing."We were very critical of budget estimates that we thought were flagrantly untrue, deliberately underestimated," he said."That's not been the case with this government. We have worked carefully to produce the best estimates possible."

Editor screws up.

www.nicholsoncartoons.com.au.

Vernon, NORD, Coldstream etc. missing in Action ?

COMMUNITIES SIGN CLIMATE ACTION CHARTER

The BC Climate Action Charter commits the Province, UBCM and signatory local governments to taking steps to positively affect climate change. The Province committed to becoming carbon neutral in its own operations by 2010. Through the Charter, local governments commit to making their own operations carbon neutral by 2012.In addition to the goal of becoming carbon neutral, local governments pledge to measure and report on their community’s greenhouse gas emissions profile and work to create compact, more energy efficient communities. The Province and UBCM will support local governments in this work The following communities presented Premier Gordon Campbell with a copy of their signed BC Climate Action Charter on Sept. 26, 2007: Sixty-two communities signed the Charter during Wednesday’s UBCM session in Vancouver. In addition to a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2012, local governments pledged to measure and report on their community’s greenhouse gas emissions profile and work to create compact, more energy efficient communities. Regional district boards and municipal councils across the province have been considering adoption of the agreement’s goals over the two weeks leading up to convention and it is expected more communities will sign on in the coming weeks.

Local Cities Listed:

• Central Okanagan RD
• Kamloops
• Kelowna
• Penticton
• Spallumcheen

To view a copy of the BC Climate Action Charter, visit www.cserv.gov.bc.ca/ministry/docs/climate_action_charter.pdf online.

Interior Health dumps plan to privatize hospital cleaning staff

By NATALIE BANK Thursday, September 27, 2007 Daily courier

Cleaning staff at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital won‘t face privatization now that Interior Health has scrapped the idea of allowing potential developers bidding on its expansion project to hire their own cleaning crew. On Tuesday Interior Health announced it has reached the request for proposals phase from development teams to design, build, finance and maintain the expansion of Vernon Hospital and Kelowna General Hospital. Three teams were short-listed after responding to the request for qualifications for the expansions in June. Originally, housekeeping was an aspect the winning firm could be responsible for at the the hospital.
Murray Ramsden, CEO of Interior Health, said now cleaning will continue to be provided by IH employees. “When we went through those reviews of the respondents, we were not satisfied they met all of our requirements for housekeeping so we decided not to include that aspect in the request for proposals that went out yesterday.”

Excluding housekeeping staff from the scope of the project means job security for more than 250 workers who were concerned about the public-private partnership, said Judy Darcy, speaking for the Hospital Employees Union. “The decision to keep the current skilled, experienced cleaning staff working at these hospitals is a prudent move by the health authority that will benefit Okanagan patients now and over the long run.” The three development teams who responded to the request for qualifications were short-listed and asked to respond to the request for proposals. The three teams are made up of several local and international companies. The project proposal will still include the option to privatize facility maintenance – workers who take care of lighting, power and other mechanical operations. Darcy said that could affect 50 trades and maintenance workers. “Obviously we‘re disappointed that they did not exclude these highly skilled and experienced workers from the RFP, but we hope to change their minds during the procurement process.”

Ramsden said after teams submit their proposals in February, Interior Health will make the final decision about including maintenance in the contract. A team will be selected for the work early next year and construction is expected to begin shortly afterwards. The project includes the addition of a tower to the Vernon Hospital for diagnostics and treatment and the expansion of the Kelowna General Outpatient Hospital and its emergency department. The target for completion is 2010. Ramsden said the next few months and years will be busy, but he‘s looking forward to it. “It‘s an exciting time and I think it‘s going to be great for health services in the valley, not only for the next five years . . . but also for the long term.”

Full tax exemption granted for Camp Hurlburt

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Sep 26 2007

A youth camp is getting a break from Vernon taxpayers, but there are some strings attached. Council voted Monday to grant Camp Hurlburt a 100 per cent property tax exemption in 2008 although it has only received 50 per cent in recent years. But if the Eastside Road site is ever sold, the difference between the 50 and 100 per cent will have to be repaid to the city. “There’s some question as to whether they will maintain it. It’s an onerous thing they are trying to do with redevelopment,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham.

One hundred per cent exemption is now possible because the city’s finance committee recommended shifting Camp Hurlburt from the recreational to social services category. And that angered Coun. Barry Beardsell who says the matter should have gone to tax exemption classification committee first for consideration. “You just ignored them and changed it arbitrarily,” he said of the process established by the exemption committee. “It was to have a structure in place where people aren’t interfering.” But Coun. Patrick Nicol, who chairs the finance committee, defended the move. “Camp Hurlburt had this for years before,” he said of the previous council’s decision to change the camp from 100 to 50 per cent exemption status in 2001. “There is a social benefit to the entire community in the work that it does. It’s a social benefit for the young people who attend it.”

Trinity United Church, which owns Camp Hurlburt, had been pushing for a 100 per cent exemption. “It’s great. It’s very exciting,” said Loretta Bell-Hardy, chairman of the church’s board of governors. The taxes amount to about $6,000 a year. In terms of having to repay the city money if Hurlburt is ever sold, Bell-Hardy says that matter will be looked at by the church. Three readings were given to the tax exemption bylaw Monday. Besides Camp Hurlburt., a 100 per cent exemption was given to the John Howard Society while the Vernon Muslim Association was denied assistance because it’s mosque has not been constructed yet.

Complex focus of meeting

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Sep 26 2007

More details about a proposed library/office complex in Vernon could soon be known. Council will hold a workshop Oct. 11 to discuss the future of the planned three-storey complex between the museum and city hall. “There will be actual drawings and there should be costs available then,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham. The city’s hopes to borrow $20 million for the project were dashed during the summer when 6,000 people signed an alternate approval petition in opposition. Since then, the city has been trying to determine its next step. Cunningham believes the proposal may ultimately go to referendum.

“It will depend on the costs, design and who will make up that building (tenants),” she said. Coun. Barry Beardsell is still insisting that a number of issues be addressed including why Okanagan Regional Library wants to own its space instead of leasing it, and the decrease in circulation at the Vernon branch. “It’s incumbent on them to give us more information,” he said. But Coun. Patrick Nicol downplayed those concerns, saying that by owning its space, ORL could have some equity. “Many of the libraries that have expanded have increased their circulation,” he said. Coun. Jack Gilroy also aimed his comments at Beardsell, pointing out that Beardsell was the only member of council to oppose the proposed complex by city hall.“Six councillors committed to put it out there. A majority of council wants to get going on it,” he said. Okanagan Regional Library had hoped the city would make a decision on a new library branch by Sept. 30 but it recently agreed to extend the memorandum with the city until Dec. 31.

City puts Paraiso Point plans on hold

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Sep 26 2007

A developer is reconsidering his plans after Vernon council pushed his residential resort to the sidelines. Craig Stowe says he will have to look at his options after council voted 4-2 Monday to delay a decision on a 100-unit development on Eastside Road until the city’s official community plan review is completed in nine months. “I’m extremely disappointed it hasn’t been able to go to public hearing,” said Stowe, adding the proposal had the support of many residents in the Eastside Road area. City staff had recommended council support the application to rezone the former Paraiso Point campground from tourist commercial to resort residential, and that the matter go to the public hearing stage.

Despite council’s decision, Stowe believes some options may be available to him. “It’s zoned high-density tourist commercial now,” he said. Dave Pusey, a resident who has expressed concern about the proposal, is pleased with council’s actions. “The public has spoken and the OCP process will bear that out,” he said. “Anyone I spoke to is not interested in the lake house.” As for the prospect of high-density development going ahead under current zoning, Pusey says there is a covenant in place that only allows for a campground.

Councillors Buffy Baumbrough, Barry Beardsell, Pat Cochrane and Juliette Cunningham voted to delay Stowe’s application until the OCP review is wrapped up. “We’ve put a lot of resources into the OCP,” said Cunningham. “It runs in the face of the OCP when we’re trying to ram this thing through. If this is such a great plan, it will stand the test of time.” That was also the view of Baumbrough. “This council passed a resolution not to have further OCP amendments while the review is done and we all agreed to that,” she said. Stowe garnered support from Councillors Patrick Nicol and Jack Gilroy. “Something like this should go to public hearing. There are enough reasons both pro and con to go to public hearing,” said Nicol. Nicol pushed to have a decision delayed because Mayor Wayne Lippert was absent. “He should be given an opportunity to speak on this,” said Nicol. But Beardsell shot down that possibility. “It’s the mayor who sets the agenda and he allowed it to be on the agenda knowing full well he’d be in Vancouver at meetings,” said Beardsell. Cochrane wants the developer to abandon resort residential and just pursue a residential development.

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Sep 26 2007 EDITORIAL Council follows OCP process

It would be too easy to say the City of Vernon is anti-development after delaying a decision on a proposed residential resort in Okanagan Landing for nine months. If anything, this decision shows that council is committed to developing the community through a well-thought out process, primarily the official community plan. Considerable time and expense has already been placed into the OCP review. Once completed in June, it will be a blueprint for land use in Vernon. To allow for an amendment to the OCP while it is under review would undermine the process — a process that has involved extensive consultation with the public. And council, as a whole, acknowledged that earlier this year when it voted not to entertain any amendment applications until the review is done. To be fair to all other developers, the residential resort proposal on Eastside Road had to be set aside. It should also be pointed out that Mayor Wayne Lippert was missing Monday and there was a real possibility of a tie vote. If that had happened, the matter would have been legislatively dead and the earliest the applicant could bring it back was nine months. By delaying until the OCP review, the development proposal is still on the official radar screen at city hall. It will have to come back before council. Time will also allow the developer to consider the concerns of both residents and some politicians. That could ultimately lead to a project that all can embrace. In the end, slowing the wheels of the bureaucracy made sense on this occasion.

City council finally takes a stand

– Managing editor Scott Neufeld Vernon Courier

Kudos to Vernon city council for finally getting it right. In a 4-2 vote on Monday (not 3-2 as was reported yesterday) city councillors decided to delay a decision on the Whitepoint resort project until after the Official Community Plan was complete. Local politicians finally stood by their new policy to defer all projects that propose a major departure from the OCP to be put off until after the plan is done. At previous meetings, they had puzzled the developers and the public by seemingly allowing some developments. It’s still puzzling that the vote was as close as it was given that the new policy received the near unanimous endorsment of council. With the looming project delayed, the city can continue with developing a longer term plan to determine exactly what they would like to see happen with that neighbourhood. The city has so far gone to great lengths to solicit public input for the plan. Eastside residents need to fully participate if their vision for the future of the neighbourhood is to be realized.

A resort/residential project may be the best use of the land and may be what area residents want, but the community plan should reflect that vision. Now that the precedent has been set council needs to stick to the policy. Completion of the OCP is still several months away and there will likely be more contentious developments on the way. City councillors should remember why it was they approved the policy in the first place before they vote on future projects.

The Vernon RCMP appear to be entering shaky legal ground with their latest idea to choke out the city’s drug trade. Insp. Steve McVarnock suggested on Monday he would like to see a database of people involved with drug houses made available to property owners. There’s something unjust and possibly unconstitutional about essentially giving landlords access to someone’s criminal record. Having a criminal past should not be a characteristic on which someone can be refused shelter, otherwise no reformed criminals could ever be re-integrated into society. That being said, landlords and property owners should be held more accountable for ensuring drug activity isn’t taking place on their properties. The drug house remediation bylaw seems to be a good first step, however, some buyers are complaining that the houses aren’t being properly rehabilitated. This process needs to be cleaned up so that future homebuyers aren’t stuck with substandard housing. If the bylaw is fully enforced, it should be adequate to keep the rise of drug houses in the city under control.

Affordable Housing Committee meeting at Shubert Centre Today

September 26, Wednesday: Affordable Housing Committee – 2nd Strategy Session
1 – 4:30 pm Schubert Centre

Mayes campaign questioned ad money

By Natalie Bank Wednesday, September 26, 2007 Vernon Courier

Colin Mayes said he knew his campaign team was accepting extra advertising money from the national Conservative party in the last election, but he‘s not responsible for the details in how the dollars were divided. “I never did say I wasn‘t aware of it, but that decision and the process that had to be followed, or that was followed, had to do with my official agent and basically that‘s all I knew.” Two weeks ago Elections Canada identified the Okanagan-Shuswap MP and 16 other sitting MPs in a scheme that saw the party channel more than $1 million to pay for broadcast ads during the election. The party used “in and out” transactions to exceed campaign spending limits, which were discovered after candidates submitted election expense rebate claims for advertising costs to Elections Canada.

When the list came out Mayes said he was “surprised my name‘s mentioned in this thing,” adding a previous Elections Canada audit showed his campaign was in the clear. If something was amiss, Mayes had said, his financial agent “takes care of the dollars.” On Tuesday, Mayes again said the final call to use the extra money was not up to him. “I was just told this was a request between my campaign chair and my official agent and they worked out the dollars.” Mayes‘ former campaign manager Wayne McGrath recalled how the team was surprised when the national party, which had already spent its advertising limit, said Mayes could use $10,000 of their left-over money. “It certainly made many of us wonder about whether that was appropriate or not. We certainly questioned it and we were advised that it conformed with the Canada Elections Act and not to be concerned.”

McGrath said everyone, including Mayes, was part of lengthy discussions about whether or not to accept the money. They ultimately decided to use it, he said, because they were told it had been checked out by the national campaign and didn‘t violate election laws. Still, McGrath said, some of Mayes‘ campaigners felt they were violating Elections Canada regulations. “We were concerned because it seemed we were using money that wasn‘t really generated locally for our campaign and yet it showed as coming out of our expenses.” Mayes‘ office manager at the time, who asked not to be named, said she remembers the team discussing the money and being assured it was “perfectly all right.” She recalls being below spending limits before the money was accepted, and that everyone, including Mayes, knew about it. “He would know what was going on, and he might not have been looking in the books, but he would have been brought up to date.” Other sitting B.C. MPs listed as involved in the ad money transactions include Ron Cannan, Dick Harris, Jim Abbott and Stockwell Day.

In total 67 Tory candidates received thousands of dollars through a transfer from the party, then used bank transfers to pay the party for the ads. Elections Canada later rejected the candidates‘ election expense rebate claims for 60 per cent of the advertising costs. Mayes said he believes the problem lies in the technicalities of how the money was dispersed. “I feel there‘s just some issues that need to be worked out with Elections Canada and the Conservative party, and we just have to wait to find out what that is.”

Minority possible, PM says

Susan Delacourt Allan Woods Star.com Sep 26, 2007

Vote talk continues amid Tory battle with Elections Canada

Not only are the opposition parties lining up for that potential throne speech defeat, but there's also a chance that when the vote takes place on Oct. 18, the Conservatives may be short 17 MPs, thanks to an ongoing dispute with Elections Canada over advertising expenses in the last campaign. Harper has already had several public spats with Elections Canada on a variety of fronts, but having more than 10 per cent of his caucus stripped of voting rights would take that feud to a whole new level. He would be left with only 109 Tory votes in the Commons, which currently has 304 members, meaning he'd need the Liberals, with 96 seats, or the Bloc Québécois, with 49 seats, to guarantee passage of the throne speech. The NDP, with 30 seats, would not be enough. There are four Commons vacancies. Federal Liberals from Quebec, meanwhile, are holding an emergency caucus meeting in Montreal today, in part to struggle with how to emerge from this month's dismal showings in three by-elections while possibly having to plunge immediately into a general election.

Harper's comments yesterday appeared to indicate that he's reconciled to a tough fight to even hang on to his minority. Or they could be a roundabout form of reassurance for those voters who worry about giving any leader a majority. Liberals believe Harper may be turning his attention to the next election because Conservatives are anxious about the attention on how they conducted the last one.

Elections Canada is alleging that 67 Conservative candidates participated in a scheme in which local riding associations helped pay for national campaign advertising. The national and local campaigns have different spending limits, and, in Federal Court documents filed for a case initiated by Tory candidates seeking expense reimbursement, Elections Canada is alleging that the Conservatives may have gone more than $1 million over their $18 million legal limit by thrusting some costs to the local ridings. Elections Canada has the legal authority to remove an MP's voting rights in the Commons if he or she fails to comply with demands for more information or corrections on their campaign-expense returns. Le Devoir reported yesterday that Elections Canada has raised the possibility of removing voting rights in its case against the Conservatives, but the independent agency said yesterday it would not have anything to say until today. If Elections Canada did exercise that power in this dispute, however, it would mean that as many as 17 MPs – including Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day, Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier, Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon and Heritage Minister Josée Verner, as well as chief party whip Jay Hill – would all be ineligible to vote on the throne speech. This has almost happened before. Don Valley West MP John Godfrey, when he was a Liberal minister, had to scramble to get documents to Elections Canada so he could vote in a cliff-hanging confidence vote in the Commons in the spring of 2005.

The Tories insist their ad-financing scheme was legal. In his new book, former Conservative campaign chief Tom Flanagan boasts of how the party plays with the limits by moving money between the central and local campaigns. "Even though there is a cap on national campaign spending, it is easy and legal to exceed it by transferring expenditures to local campaigns that are not able to spend up to their own legal limits," he writes. The Tories shut down a Commons committee that tried to look into the controversy this month. "We do not respond to false allegations from the Liberal party," spokesperson Ryan Sparrow said yesterday.

The other MPs are: Quebec MPs Sylvie Boucher, Daniel Petit, Steven Blaney, Jacques Gourde, Luc Harvey, and Christian Paradis; B.C. MPs Ron Cannan, Dick Harris, Jim Abbott and Colin Mayes; Ontario MP Patricia Davidson; and Saskatchewan MP David Anderson.

Housekeeping services may escape privatization at new Okanagan hospitals

Canadian Press

VERNON, B.C. - The Interior Health Authority may be backing off on plans to privatize housekeeping services once the Vernon and Kelowna hospitals are expanded in B.C.'s Okanagan.CEO Murray Ramsden says the maintenance component has been pulled from the request for proposals from three teams bidding to design, build and maintain the new buildings.He says officials "were not satisfied" the bidders met the requirements during the request for quotation stage.But Ramsden says the move was made because of "certain standards" expected in a long-term contract, not union pressure.The Hospital Employees Union has been fighting plans to privatize the cleaning positions, saying it will cost hundreds of jobs and put patient safety at risk.But Ramsden says privatization of the maintenance services is still a possibility.

UBCM UPDATE Tuesday

Click on Cartoon to enlarge:

No White Point Decision

Starlee Speers, Standard Radio News

Vernon city council has voted to wait until the completion of the Official Community Plan before making a decision on a proposed 100 unit development above Okanagan Lake. Councillor Pat Cochrane says, he voted to wait for the OCP this time because the issue has been dragging on and he'd like the developer to make some changes. Councillor Cochrane had previously voted to move ahead with the proposal but changed his mind.Cochrane says he'd like the development to be residential only instead of resort/residential.The 100 unit development is proposed for the former Pariaso Campground.Council voted 4 to 2 to wait for the completion of the official community plan before making any decisions about White Point Resort.The OCP is expected to be completed by June 2008.

The developer behind WhitePoint resort says he's disappointed with council's decision to delay the proposal. Stowe says when public was allowed input 85 percent of Vernon residents supported the application. Stowe says he's going to have to sit back and review what's going to happen with the property if council isn't willing to take it to public hearing. Stowe says he'd hoped the application would have moved forward to a public hearing.

Council Yesterday ! Some interesting decisions and deferrals.

At yesterdays council meeting the 6 councillors with Mayor Lippert absent( 'working on behalf of the Citizens of Vernon' accompanied by the City Administrator Leon Gous off to grueling meetings at UBCM ) made some important decisions.

As reported at the posting Council vote stalls Whitepoint resort A residential resort development at the former Paraiso Point campground will be at a standstill for nine months after city council voted to delay its progress Monday. This 4-2 vote was a surprise as Coun. Cochrane joined with Baumbrough, Beardsell and Cunningham in deciding not to allow this development to go to Public Hearing. I had thought that this item had been put on the Agenda by mistake as a member of council was absent and had expected another 3-3 tie which would have left us waiting for another full council vote.

The other two decisions that were interesting were decisions to defer. The $60,000 grant to Hospice house was acceptable to all councillors but the method of how to achieve it at a minimum cost to the taxpayers was the reason for the deferral. It was stated that the City had received a legal opinion and that the City Administrator was in discussions with the Province on the method that could be put in place within the existing DCC bylaw to allow the City to waive these fees. This would allow the Hospice house etc to have the same benefit without using the taxpayers reserves to top up the DCC trust fund.

The VERNON NATIVE HOUSING PROJECT of 40 units was also applying for DCC waiver or reduction. A full waiver or grant to pay these DCC's would have cost $400,000 and would almost exhaust the $550,000 presently sitting in the taxpayer funded Affordable Housing Reserve. Using the same rational as for the Hospice decision the council deferred this, pending the return of the august and sage advice of the City Administrator.

If this waiver of DCC's method is accepted by the City of Vernon and placed into their DCC Bylaw (if necessary) as a tool that CAN be used it will allow the Affordable Housing Reserve to be utilized for other important purposes. (Maybe a tax reduction? -tongue in cheek?- ).

Lake Country WAIVES DCC COSTS OF $215,136

If they can do it it should be no problem for Vernon and GVSC to use this tool in the future.

I hope City Council chooses to make this DCC bylaw change but also immediately start a Full DCC review so it can be in place at the same time (if not before) the New OCP. Recently GVSC introduced 30% increases to DCC's on Water and Parks. If even the much maligned GVSC recognize the need to do so then Vernon should also recognize the necessity.

Council vote stalls Whitepoint resort

By NATALIE BANK Tuesday, September 25, 2007 Vernon Courier

A residential resort development at the former Paraiso Point campground will be at a standstill for nine months after city council voted to delay its progress Monday. Councillors voted 3-2 in favour of waiting until the Official Community Plan is finished next June to allow the project to move forward. Coun. Buffy Baumbrough said that‘s the responsible, practical solution for council right now. “For me the bottom line is council passed a resolution not to have any further OCP amendments until the OCP is completed and we made a commitment to that.” Whitepoint Development Ltd. proposed building a 100-unit residential resort which included an lakeshore amenities building for families at the campground site.

For president Craig Stowe, Monday‘s vote meant disappointing news. “I was quite surprised that after all the work city staff had done and nine months of work into that, they didn‘t allow it to go to public hearing.” Since last winter, city planning staff have been compiling information about the project, including letters of support and opposition. According to the city, 85 per cent of respondents were in favour of the land use change from tourist commercial to resort residential, but the city also received a 60-signature petition against the development. Coun. Patrick Nicol, acting mayor in Wayne Lippert‘s absence, said he supported the project going to a public hearing so both sides could have a say on the issue.“It‘s one of the fairest pieces of legislation we have. There‘s enough reasons both pro and con to go ahead with a public hearing.”

Nicol and Coun. Jack Gilroy voted against delaying the project‘s progress, while Baumbrough, Coun. Barry Beardsell and Coun. Juliette Cunningham voted in favour of waiting. Cunningham said from hillside regulations to wildlife and environmental considerations, there are too many variables not to wait for the OCP‘s completion. “There‘s been a lot of pressure put on us by a lot of people in the city (who) support this . . . but I‘m here to make sure the decisions made here are for the greater good of the community.” A handful of residents against the development were at the meeting. Kay Stamboulieh said her concerns range from the environment to the development going against several OCP principles. “I just think respect for the OCP is a key concept. We have had spot zoning and fast-tracking and that goes against smart growth principles,” she said, adding the delay is better than a green light. Stowe said he will re-evaluate if spending more time on an uncertain future opportunity is worth it. “If the city had said we‘re not looking at any developments over the next 18 months, then I certainly wouldn‘t have gone forward. I guess they should say Vernon is closed for business right now.”
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Don Quixote Note: Vote was actually 4-2 with Coun. Cochrane joining Baumbrough, Coun. Barry Beardsell and Coun. Juliette Cunningham in favour of waiting

Reach out and touch your MP

– Managing editor Scott Neufeld Sept 24 Vernon Courier

A media report out of Salmon Arm last week suggests Okanagan-Shuswap MP Colin Mayes is being ignored by the electorate. “I held a meet and greet in Vernon on Wednesday, and only 12 people showed up. You wonder, is it because you’re doing a great job, or because people don’t care?” Mayes is quoted as saying in the Salmon Arm Observer. As a former Salmon Arm mayor, Mayes has little public profile in Vernon. Although he’s hosted a handful of public meetings in Vernon they’ve been spectators have been sparse. But the reason Mayes hasn’t been flooded with public input is not because he’s doing a great job nor is it because people don’t care. More likely it’s because Mayes has yet to show voters that he can resolve local issues. In his admittedly brief tenure he’s yet to make a major funding announcement in Vernon. Mayes has yet to make any measurable progress on infrastructure improvements for Highway 97 or the Trans-Canada Highway – his number one issue. The city is still waiting for definitive answers about the future of the DND grounds and the feds have yet to sign any cheques for Greater Vernon’s $100 million master water plan.

Add to that the handling of the Schubert Centre’s tax issues, seniors are still forced to pay GST to play snooker, and it doesn’t appear that talking to the MP produces results. Locally, Mayes has been dogged by backroom political scandals that have resulted in several resignations and removals from his own riding association board. His most enduring legacy continues to be his comments on jailing journalists. So while Mayes makes it to the local photo ops and does what he can to raise his public profile, citizens don’t seem to be paying much attention. It’s easy to blame Mayes for not endearing himself to local voters. But constituents are just as much to blame for not making their opinions known. In the absence of public input, MPs tend to vote along the party line. This doesn’t necessarily represent what the public wants. If you disagree with the Tories’ environmental policies, let your MP know. If you agree with the government stance on the United Nations covenant on Aboriginal Peoples, let your MP know. An important part of any democracy is communicating with elected officials. It’s not enough to show up once every four years (or now bi-annually) and drop a slip of paper into a ballot box. Do your duty as a citizen the rest of the time and contact your MP on major issues. Although the direct result may be imperceptible, such feedback shows the MP that people are paying attention, that people are passionate and that the decisions he or she makes can have a significant impact on real people.