Fireworks explode over complex

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - January 16, 2008

Emotions are running high as the City of Vernon approaches Jan. 26’s referendum on a civic complex. The Vernon Taxpayers Association took dead aim at the project during city council Monday, while divisions within council got even deeper. “There’s been spin and sales talk,” said Tony Stamboulieh, association spokesman, of the process. He added that while a larger library and art gallery are desirable, they are not essential at this time. “Spending should be for things we need rather than things we want. Our needs are clean water, completion of the official community plan and to honour the city’s promise to Okanagan Landing to provide sewer. “One only has to drive on the roads to understand the pothole experience and the lack of sidewalks.”Stamboulieh also accused the city of trying to push a $32 million project ahead when there is no purchase or rent agreement with Okanagan Regional Library and there are questions about financing.

“How will overruns be paid?” he said.But not all of the fireworks came from the public. Coun. Barry Beardsell’s suggestion that some council members may not be re-elected, drew criticism from Coun. Juliette Cunningham. “Six out of seven of us went through two working sessions on how to do this (complex). Coun. Beardsell did not attend,” she said. “I’m offended that Coun. Beardsell says none of us have any value and shouldn’t be here next time.” Following the meeting, Beardsell clarified his comments. “I said they may not be there,” he said of November’s civic election.“It’s not for me to say (if they will be re-elected). It’s for the public.”
Cunningham also slammed the taxpayers association.“How many people do they represent in the community?” she said.

And The Morning Star also drew attack for what Coun. Patrick Nicol believes has been unbalanced coverage of the civic complex issue.“Hopefully Richard (Rolke) will get the headline right at some point,” said Nicol during Monday’s meeting. “There’s been six negative stories to one positive.”

----------------------------------

Battleground city hall By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - January 16, 2008

The gloves are definitely off as Vernonites prepare to head to the polls Jan. 26. It was hard to get the customary 40-winks during Monday’s council proceedings as citizens turned on council and the politicians fired back. But fireworks were anticipated as Tony Stamboulieh and Andy Danyliu took to the podium to criticize the proposed civic complex. Not only do they lead taxpayers associations in Vernon and Coldstream, they are both professional actors and know how to command attention.The constant verbal barrage from these two is wearing thin for some officials and it showed Monday as Coun. Juliette Cunningham questioned their legitimacy as the so-called spokesmen for ordinary residents. “How many people do they represent in the community?” she said.

It’s certainly a fair question. Stamboulieh makes a lot of the 6,000 names his group collected on a petition last summer, but that had more to do with concerns about the process the city was following over the civic complex and not necessarily an endorsement of the association itself. It should also be pointed out that most association meetings draw 100 people or less. That’s not much compared to the estimated 27,772 voters in Vernon. Perhaps its his thespian training, but some of Stamboulieh’s statements are overly dramatic. “They are utterly disconnected to their community,” he said of council Monday. That is a pretty broad generalization to make, and the truth will only be known when the last ballot is counted Jan. 26.

That said, the public does have a role to play in terms of monitoring the activities of Politicians. Frequently residents don’t avail themselves of the democratic process so it is encouraging to see members of the Vernon Taxpayers Association actively doing so. Council doesn’t have to agree with the association, but being publicly dismissive is not a wise move. In fact, it almost harkens back to the previous era at city hall where any opposition was quickly ruled out of order. Cunningham and others at city hall were elected partially on the promise of openness and a willingness to listen to people. Fulfilling that pledge can’t be ignored simply because the public feedback leaves you uncomfortable.Of course the other conflict revolves around Coun. Barry Beardsell and the rest of his colleagues. Beardsell’s constant pronouncements have attempted to undermine the civic complex process, and that isn’t going over well with those on the other side. “We’ve attempted to provide a balance in the community,” said Coun. Patrick Nicol of the complex project.

A lot has been made of Beardsell only being one voice while the other six on council are unified. But those numbers don’t equate to Beardsell actually being wrong or the others being right. It just means there is a difference of opinion, and all of them — likely anyone in our society — is entitled to have one. In the end, expect the friction to continue until Jan. 26, and with such entrenched views between city hall establishment and Stamboulieh/Beardsell, the turmoil could fester right until November’s municipal election.