A sandlot fight

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - May 14, 2008

Let’s start things off with a quick skill testing question. What’s the difference between a kindergarten class and the Greater Vernon Services Committee? Kindergarten students know how to get along. And if you think I am being over-the-top, consider the ongoing antics of those elected to represent our interests. Virtually every aspect of GVSC — with the exception of parks, recreation and culture — is now the focus of a withdrawal notice. BX-Swan Lake and BX-Silver want out of governance and economic development while the City of Vernon is trying to abandon water distribution. And while all three jurisdictions will throw out so-called facts and figures to justify their positions, there is only one bottom line when it comes to the turmoil within GVSC. It’s an old-fashioned pissing match, with the city and the electoral areas trying to get their way. One just has to look at the city’s reasons for backing out of water distribution to realize it’s tired of not being in charge. The city claims there has been a lack of co-ordination of projects between GVSC and the city, and a lack of accountability to water customers in the city. Essentially, the city doesn’t trust the GVSC bureaucrats or board to represent them. But while the city claims that it’s sitting on the sidelines, we should point out that Vernon has three directors at the GVSC table. Every decision involves them.

In terms of the electoral areas, directors Stan Field and Cliff Kanester have a love/hate relationship with the city. They love to hate it, and their specific targets are Mayor Wayne Lippert and Coun. Barry Beardsell. The BX boys are more than willing to blame Vernon for all of GVSC’s problems. When asked if there is a chance to keep Field and himself in the governance function, Kanester said, “With the present city council there doesn’t seem to be much of a chance.” But while the city has a lot of failings, it is not the devil incarnate, and Kanester and Field must take some responsibility for what’s happened. As an example, they have fought every attempt to expand the museum and art gallery, key services that their own residents use. Caught in the middle of this turf war is Coldstream — the often forgotten partner in GVSC. It has stated loud and clear that it is largely satisfied with the way the committee works and believes the co-operative approach is the most effective way of providing parks, recreation, water and economic development. He’s got a tough row to hoe, but Gary Corner, GVSC chairman and Coldstream mayor, is trying to keep a divided house together. And he is right when he suggests that services will continue no matter the rhetoric coming from some partners, and even if some walk away from the official GVSC structure. “The services will not go away. It’s just a question of who administers them,” he said.

Many residents think GVSC is something brand new, but it’s not. Regional co-operation goes back about three decades with the old Greater Vernon Parks and Recreation District, and utilities such as the Vernon Irrigation District. All GVSC did, when it was formed in 2001, was to bring all regional functions under one administration roof as part of the North Okanagan Regional District. If some jurisdictions abandon the GVSC ship, there are options to keep things going, whether it’s Vernon and Coldstream pairing up or separate committees for water and parks and recreation. But any changes would be unfortunate as considerable financial resources have been placed into the structure we have now. There is also the reality that while some tweaking is needed, there is nothing structurally wrong with GVSC. If there is a problem it’s personalities clashing among politicians, and unfortunately that situation may not be rectified until voters held to the polls this November.