Land advisory originals announce retirements

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - January 13, 2008

A committee that oversees the City of Vernon’s land matters is undergoing some major changes. Jack Borden and Richard Hamilton, who are original members of the land advisory committee, are stepping down from their duties. “I have been there since its inception and I’ve decided to retire from all committees I’ve been involved in,” said Borden, a businessman and former committee chairman. That is also the same explanation from Hamilton, who is also a businessman. “I have served four-and-a-half years and I thought it was enough time,” he said. Hamilton and Borden were originally appointed by the previous council to sit on a land corporation that acted separately from the city. However, current council decided in late 2006 to downgrade the corporation to a committee, which only serves in an advisory role to council. Borden and Hamilton were the only members of the former corporation to move on to the new committee structure. Since then, the land committee has been busy, negotiating potential deals for the city, including the Bennett parking lot downtown and the Vernon Medical Clinic site.

Hamilton feels quite confident leaving the committee at this time. “The people there are quite capable and there’s a broad spectrum of people there,” he said. The committee consists of four members of the public as well as a council representative. Borden also stands behind the need for the land committee. “There’s some excellent members on the committee,” he said. “They are definitely providing an excellent service to council.” As a result of the retirements, city council recently made a new appointment to the committee and is looking to fill the other vacancy.