Province comes under fire

By Richard Rolke - February 01, 2008

Some Vernon politicians are accusing the provincial government of dropping the ball when it comes to regional services. Councillors Juliette Cunningham and Barry Beardsell expressed concern Monday about the lack of provincial funds going into starling control while Beardsell slammed Victoria’s lack of support for the Sterile Insect Release program. “It’s absolutely ridiculous,” said Beardsell of the $13,600 a year the city will be committing to Okanagan-wide starling control over the next five years. “It should be a provincial matter and an agricultural matter. It’s not a City of Vernon matter.” Communities up and down the valley are involved in the effort to reduce starlings, a non-indigenous bird that has a devastating impact on a variety of agricultural crops. Beardsell’s concerns were echoed by Cunningham. “Where is the province on this? Everything is being downloaded on to us,” she said. “They have a responsibility in terms of agriculture, yet it all gets downloaded on us.” In the end, Beardsell and Cunningham were the only ones to vote against joining the starling control function through the North Okanagan Regional District. Support came from Mayor Wayne Lippert and Councillors Patrick Nicol and Jack Gilroy.For Nicol, it makes sense for the city to rally behind the agricultural sector’s attempt to control starlings. “It’s a small step but it’s critical,” he said. On another matter, the provincial government was slammed for the lack of funding going into the Sterile Insect Release program, which is attempting to curtail codling moth.“It’s totally ridiculous,” said Beardsell, who is upset that the city’s contribution is climbing although it has a small percentage of apple trees, which the moth attacks.

Based on fruit acreage, Beardsell believes the city should pay $37,000 a year towards SIR instead of the current $190,000. But Nicol didn’t support Beardsell’s argument. “For the Okanagan, orchards are one of the signature things,” he said. “We benefit from it (fruit sector) from business and people moving here for the lifestyle. Overall, the common good is served by this program.”Council deferred any decision on proposed changes to the SIR function so more information could be received on the participation of other North Okanagan communities. Councillors Buffy Baumbrough and Pat Cochrane were absent from council Monday.