Report brings mixed response around North Okanagan

By Richard Rolke - February 03, 2008

Not surprisingly, a report that calls for major changes to North Okanagan governance is generating widespread debate. Based on a single agency overseeing Okanagan-wide issues like water and air quality, the Society for the Future Governance of the North Okanagan is recommending all electoral areas be forced into municipalities, and that the municipalities consider amalgamation. “I think it’s pretty radical,” said Eric Foster, Lumby mayor. Foster is hesitant about the village taking in Mabel Lake, Whitevale and Cherryville. “It’s do-able but how do you separate the interests of the rural and urban people? It’s night and day,” he said. Eugene Foisy, Cherryville director, is opposed to any change. “If we went in with Lumby, we’d get their dog control and sign bylaws. All of the things Cherryville doesn’t want,” he said.“We don’t want a high standard of living. We don’t want more government.”

Clint Kanester, BX-Swan Lake director, is confident his residents would oppose joining Vernon. “We are more of a rural community and we disagree with the (scope of) development in Vernon,” he said. Questions are surfacing over how the society actually came to its conclusions. “Who have they consulted with?” said Sue Phillips, Enderby mayor. “How did they decide that would be a feasible lumping of municipalities and rural areas?” Wayne Lippert, Vernon mayor, is willing to look at the society’s recommendations. “I’m in favour of less government but what they have in there, I’m not sure if it’s what is needed,” he said. Jerry Oglow, Armstrong mayor, is trying to remain open-minded. “I am happy to look at other ways to deliver services,” he said. Gary Corner, Coldstream mayor, believes smaller jurisdictions can be more responsive to residents and their needs. “What we have in our municipality works well. Coldstream has a lot of history and people are passionate about it,” he said. The most enthusiastic about the society’s proposal is Will Hansma, Spallumcheen mayor. “It’s not unreasonable and it needs to be looked at,” he said. Hansma is willing to consider Spallumcheen amalgamating with Armstrong and Enderby.“Between the three communities, there is only 15,000 people and 21 politicians. There’s also the administration that we duplicate,” he said. “That’s tax dollars that could be diverted to other things.” Currently, the province pays the bill for many services in rural areas. That could change under amalgamation.“We’d be assuming the costs for roads and that would be a concern,” said Rick Fairbairn, rural Lumby director.

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Don Quixote Note: Although the original website (http://www.sfgno.org/) of this group who appears to have produced the report no longer exists on the web, some of the original aims and founding membership are at several links at Vernonblog in the 'future governance' category.

SFGNO QUESTIONS ASKED ? and Society For the Future Governance of The North Okanagan are two articles that explain the original intent and founding membership.

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Sweeping Governance changes proposed. By Richard Rolke - February 03, 2008

Substantial changes are being proposed to how North Okanagan communities are run. The Society for the Future Governance of the North Okanagan has issued a position paper that recommends eliminating rural electoral areas and suggests municipalities joining together. “No one can argue that we are over-governed for the size of the North Okanagan population,” said Jack Borden, society spokesman. The entire North Okanagan has 45 elected politicians for a population of 77,301. The society assumes that a current Okanagan-wide governance review will lead to a single regional district handling issues such as water, solid waste and transportation.“If our assumptions are wrong, our position paper is wrong,” said Borden.The society recommends that all five electoral areas in the North Okanagan be merged into adjacent municipalities. It also suggests that three municipal groups be formed either through amalgamation or other arrangements. The groupings would include Enderby, Area F (rural Enderby), Armstrong and Spallumcheen; Vernon, Coldstream, Area B (BX-Swan Lake) and Area C (BX-Silver Star); and Lumby, Area D (rural Lumby) and Area E (Cherryville). Under three new municipalities, there would be 21 politicians. If Coldstream and Vernon don’t amalgamate, the position paper anticipates the two communities will establish a commission to provide mutual services.

The position paper refers to the strong pace of growth in the North Okanagan and that it is likely to continue.“Efficient and effective service delivery starts with minimizing bureaucracy and minimizing the number of elected officials throughout the region,” it states. Borden admits that municipal amalgamations may not be palatable for residents, and he believes any changes in governance should not be mandated. “Preferably, it would be for each community to have a decision on its own future,” he said. The society was formed in 2006 and it has about 80 members.“It (position paper) is only one opinion. This is only meant for debate,” said Borden.