In six days, Vernonites head off to the polls to determine the fate of a proposed civic complex. Certainly there’s been rhetoric on both sides of the issue. But within all of the spin, there are kernels of actual information and that is what the public has to try and sift through. The first thing to consider is that Saturday’s referendum isn’t actually about the complex itself. Residents are being asked if they support borrowing up to $30 million over 25 years for a complex.That means that even with a no vote on borrowing, the city could technically find other means to finance the structure, such as occurred with the Coldstream municipal office a few years ago.But Mayor Wayne Lippert has stated loud a no vote means the project will not proceed.The city certainly has pushed the need for a complex, and there is validity to some of its arguments. Space is required by both city hall and the RCMP to meet the needs of a growing community, while tight conditions at the art gallery have persisted for years. Because of its location next to city hall, the complex would also allow for an efficient flow of employees and information.
However, the Vernon Taxpayers Association has raised some legitimate concerns about the project, including potential cost-overruns, the need for infrastructure upgrades throughout the community and the considerable debt load already facing residents. There are also questions as to whether the public would be better served by satellite libraries or one large branch.There is a lot for residents to consider, and hopefully they will take advantage of the debate on both sides to come to a conclusion that satisfies them.In the end, though, it is important that Vernonites just get out and vote Saturday.
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