Governance options drive debate

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - March 21, 2008

The potential options for Okanagan governance changes have been whittled down to two.The task force pursuing valley-wide governance endorsed a report Wednesday that calls for a single regional district and an inter-regional authority to be investigated in more detail. “There is no clear consensus on either option and further analysis is needed before people can make a choice,” said Jerry Oglow, North Okanagan Regional District chairman and task force member. Community Services Minister Ida Chong will be asked to sanction a second phase to the review so the two options can be looked at more closely. Among the issues that must be clarified are the potential costs of the two options, legislative issues and how communities would be represented under the new systems. “We also want a more definitive statement from the province on how they will financially participate in a new model and what authority will be granted to this new model,” said Oglow. Wayne Lippert, Vernon mayor and task force member, voted to accept the report Wednesday. “It caught all of the essence of what’s been discussed,” he said. Rick Fairbairn, rural Lumby director and task force member, insists the report should not be the conclusion of the process.“It’s a good starting point and it’s left the door wide open,” he said.Fairbairn is waiting to see how Chong handles the report.

“There’s always been an underlying suspicion that there’s already a deal in place. The ball’s in her court,” he said. Oglow is undecided on what option is preferred to the current system of three districts. “I want to see the template for each option first. It’s important to look at the cost benefits,” he said. Many rural residents have stated that they don’t want a change in governance because they fear being amalgamated into nearby municipalities. While status quo is not part of the report, it would continue in some form if inter-regional authorities are formed to oversee water, transportation and other issues. “At least with that option, we would have the existing three regional districts,” said Herman Halvorson, task force member and rural Enderby director. If governance changes proceed, rural politicians are demanding that there be separate votes in each jurisdiction to garner public support. And for Fairbairn, that is important if a single regional district is to be blocked. “If constituents have a vote on any changes, that’s our protection,” he said. Halvorson insists residents have been shut out of the governance process to date. “It’s been poorly presented to the public,” he said.

The City of Vernon, for the most part, supports the concept of a single regional district. Lippert is pleased to see that proposal still on the table despite opposition from rural politicians. “I hope there will be some efficiencies from it and it would be a regional district that deals with policies. We could have district municipalities to handle local issues,” he said. Lippert discussed the report with the mayors of Kelowna, Westside and Penticton Thursday to see if it meets the needs of the Okanagan’s large cities. “We are 80 per cent of the population, he said.