Suspicions rise over governance

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - February 24, 2008

Many rural residents appear suspicious over the motivation for possible changes to valley-wide governance. Close to 20 people attended a presentation by consultant Allan Neilson-Welch to the Electoral Area Services Committee Thursday about the current review of governance options for the entire Okanagan Valley. “I’m suspicious about what’s going on. What’s behind it?” said Clint Whitecotton, from Cherryville. The review is being pursued by a committee of 12 politicians from up and down the valley, but it was initiated by the provincial government. Why is the province taking such a keen interested in this?” said Sean Ardis, also a Cherryville resident. Mike Gavinchuk, from BX-Swan Lake, was concerned that despite the consultation process, a decision on governance has already been made. “I want some assurance that making one unit (one regional district) is not already in place,” he said.Everyone that spoke favoured maintaining the North Okanagan Regional District as it currently is.

“The farther the people are from where the decisions are made, the less democracy there is,” said Joan Crebo, from Cherryville. Demands were also made that any changes be left up to the public to decide, and aren’t imposed. “The individual areas need a vote so Vernon and Kelowna don’t steamroll the entire valley,” said Ken Burgess, who lives in BX-Silver Star. In terms of why the provincial government initiated the process, Neilson-Welch pointed out that Victoria is responsible for municipalities and regional districts. “They see this as a big region that will get more crowded and they want to get ahead of the curve,” he said of growth issues such as transportation and water. Neilson-Welch stated that the governance committee is not interested in changing boundaries for municipalities and electoral areas. But Cliff Kanester, BX-Swan Lake director, believes, Victoria will ignore the entire process. “Is this a matter of getting some input and they will do what ever the hell they want?” he said. Mike MacNabb, BX-Silver Star alternate director, says residents are concerned their rural jurisdictions may disappear, especially when Vernon says it would accept amalgamation. “We don’t have any sense of whether Areas B and C will be here because of regional governance?” he said. During their meeting with Neilson-Welch, all five of the North Okanagan’s electoral area directors indicated they favour keeping the three regional districts in the valley. “It’s very clear that we want status quo,” said Herman Halvorson, rural Enderby director. Kanester shot down suggestions that the valley’s three regional districts aren’t working together. “There’s already co-operation on the Okanagan Basin Water Board and air quality. What else do we need?” he said.Eugene Foisy, Cherryville director, doesn’t support the review process.“This isn’t coming from the grassroots. It’s coming from the government. Who the hell are they to tell us our system isn’t working?” he said.

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By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - February 24, 2008
Councillors favour one region

Some Vernon politicians are more than willing to embrace a single regional district for the Okanagan. There was strong interest in replacing the current three regional districts with one entity as city council met with governance consultant Allan Neilson Welch Friday.“It’s time to think regionally and co-ordinate efforts,” said Coun. Buffy Baumbrough. A 12-person committee is currently looking at governance options for the Okanagan as part of a process initiated by the provincial government. One of the options identified is combining the three existing regional districts into one that would focus on valley-wide issues such as water, air quality and transit. Services to electoral area and sub-regional services, such as parks, would be provided through sub-regional committees with full decision-making authority. “We will still do our local autonomy issues and the regional issues should be at a regional board,” said Coun. Jack Gilroy, who insists the current system is not working. Coun. Barry Beardsell also favours one regional district as long as measures are taken to off-set Kelowna’s large population when votes are taken.“It’s by far the preferred option,” he said.

The primary source of reluctance came from Coun. Patrick Nicol. “The larger you make government, the less accountable it is,” he said. Nicol believes the North Okanagan Regional District has done some positive things, and he will have questions about any new model until details are worked out such as voting strength for each jurisdiction and the costs. “I don’t want money just dumped into bureaucracy,” he said. Four members of the public attended Friday’s meeting, although only one came from within Vernon. Speaking to council, BX resident Chub Down said the governance review is disconnected from residents. “There’s no input to this and you are literally going to form another bureaucracy,” he said. “Judging by the lack of public turnout, there’s not a lot of support for it.” But BX resident Sheila Sperling spoke about her previous dealings with NORD. “I don’t feel like I have a voice with NORD and it’s time for a change,” she said. The valley-wide governance committee must submit a final report to Community Services Minister Ida Chong by March 31.It’s been suggested that the provincial government has already made a decision on governance changes, and that theory surfaced Friday.“These are all good ideas as long as there’s not a presupposed plan behind the scenes,” said Nicol.