City takes on Olympic duty

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - June 13, 2008

The City of Vernon has officially taken over a committee promoting the 2010 Winter Olympics. On Monday, council voted for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Spirit Committee to become an official city function. It had previously been affiliated with the Greater Vernon Services Committee but the employee involved with the Olympic group is no longer with GVSC.“With the (staff) changes at GVSC, no one knows anything about it,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. But Coun. Barry Beardsell questioned the move. “It’s a benefit for the Greater Vernon area,” he said of the committee’s activities. “Is it another black eye for GVSC and that they aren’t showing leadership?” Coun. Juliette Cunningham also suggested that Vernon shouldn’t be the only local community involved. “There should be an opportunity for the North Okanagan Regional District to participate,” she said. But Coun. Jack Gilroy, who sits on the committee, insists that is already happening. “Armstrong, Lumby and Spallumcheen have representatives on this committee. Everyone is there,” he said, adding that he supports city hall being responsible for the group. “We do it as a North Okanagan function but it’s easier to do it (administration) through here.” One issue that the committee is looking at is the possibility of the Olympic torch coming through the Okanagan.