Few governance changes anticipated

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - May 30, 2008

No radical changes in Okanagan governance are expected. It’s anticipated that Community Services Minister Ida Chong will provide a response by Saturday on the valley-wide governance report completed in March. “The minister will be contacting the communities in the timeline previously committed — by month’s end,” said Marc Black, with the ministry’s communications branch. But some North Okanagan politicians anticipate the announcement will be a non-event. “I’ve heard she’s going to say nothing until after the provincial election (spring 2009),” said Rick Fairbairn, the rural Lumby director who sat on the governance task force. “If there is a plan, they (ministry) aren’t saying anything.”

The task force recommended to Chong that there either be a single regional district for the Okanagan or that the three current regional districts remain with new authorities created to oversee common issues. Wayne Lippert, Vernon’s mayor, also doesn’t expect an announcement until after the provincial election. “They don’t want to upset the electorate any more than they have to,” said Lippert, who was also part of the task force. “They are starting to get ready for the election and it (governance changes) is not a top priority.” Lippert expects that Chong’s ability to make a decision was made difficult because there wasn’t a single recommendation, and because of political lobbying. “She is feeling the pressure from electoral areas,” he said.

Herman Halvorson, rural Enderby director and task force member, believes an announcement now would be premature. “There wasn’t enough information to make a decision. No one knew what it would look like and the First Nations weren’t involved,” he said. “I think things will remain with the three regional districts because of the elections this fall (civic) and in the spring (provincial).” Jerry Oglow, Armstrong mayor and task force member, isn’t predicting any dramatic actions from Chong because research is needed on governance options, including costs. “There needs to be more work done to make an informed choice and I hope her recommendation will say that,” he said. But if the process continues, Halvorson insists it needs to be different than the first phase which provided little opportunity for residents to be directly involved. “If there is a phase two, we need more involvement from Joe Public,” he said. At press time, there were no details on when Chong will make an announcement.