Friday, April 11, 2008

Vernon will grow if mayor gets his way

107.5 KISSFM Pete McIntyre

Vernon's mayor says he would like to see Areas B and C (Swan Lake, BX and Silver Star) become part of the city through amalgamation, or joining together to form a district municipality. Wayne Lippert says that could be a solution to the ongoing governance problems between city and rural officials. "If B and C got together and amalgamate, or if all the electoral areas got together and incorporated together, I'm fine with that." Lippert says the electoral areas are guided by a different set for rules than municipalities, which makes it difficult to move forward on certain issues. Meantime, Lippert doesn't like the way the province appears to be leaning on the valley governance issue. After a meeting in Victoria this week, the mayor says staff of the Community Services Ministry gave indications it supports keeping the regional districts and creating special authorities to deal with specific issues like transportation and water. "UBCM and her staff seem to favour the authorities and subsidizing the electoral areas." Lippert and the other mayors say that option would cost more money and be less accountable to residents. The mayors would prefer a single regional district for the valley.The Miniser, Ida Chong, will respond to the governance report in May.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Lippert talking about 'accountability' to the taxpayers??

That's rich coming from one of the most arrogant mayors we have had the misfortune to have in Vernon in recent times !!!

Anyone recall his dictatorship Re our wishes as citizens Re the Civic Complex?

Mr Lippert you had better be applying for a day job come November
Your time is up at City Hall!