By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 01
The City of Vernon is accused of muzzling user groups at the airport. The airport advisory committee was disbanded about two weeks ago, meaning that all decisions about the airport will now be made directly by council and city staff. “There was no explanation at the time of why this happened but in talking to the mayor I was told they were trying to control costs,” said Rick Thorburn, who flies planes and was the committee vice-chairman. The committee had six representatives from the aviation community, as well as Coun. Barry Beardsell and three city employees. Thorburn isn’t sure why the city has decided to scrap the committee, which provided input to council on a variety of matters. “Maybe they think they should run it by themselves,” he said. “It’s reverted to a single staff person running the airport and there is no user say.” Thorburn points out that both recreational and commercial interests at the airport pay service fees, and their interests should be represented. “They (city) are not listening to the users,” he said. Doug MacAulay, who lives next to the airport and was committee chairman, says the city has made a mistake. “The committee was a good ear for the tenants and we’d made some good inroads in promoting the airport,” he said. MacAulay believes it will be difficult for user groups to communicate directly with the city.“Without the committee, it creates a distance between the tenants and their concerns,” he said.
Mayor Wayne Lippert insists, though, that while there was previously a need for user groups to be actively involved in decision-making, that’s no longer the case. “It’s served a purpose and we’re now down to things that can be dealt with at the staff level,” he said. “We are trying to give efficient service and a lot of staff time was going into that committee.” Lippert denies that user groups will be ignored. “Input will come directly to council or through channels with staff,” he said. “We will keep communications open but there are other ways to do that beyond having a committee.” Beardsell doesn’t support suggestions that airport groups should have a seat at the table simply because they pay fees. “There are a lot of things where there are direct users and they don’t have committees. With parks and recreation, there is not a special committee for hockey users,” he said.
5 comments:
Who needs any public input? Obviously LIPPERT and his council don't. Can't wait until November!!!!
Finally, an excellent decision to shut down the Airport Advisory committee.
The Airport should be run as a separate center such as Public Works and the Rec Center.
Chub Down
Ignorance is truly bliss..Does the previous author have a clue about public funding...Who does he /she think funds Public works or the Rec Center.... (PLEASE)Think before you type...We don't have to look to far to see why people elect people like Wayne LIPPERT as mayor
Anonymous, ignorance is truly bliss on your part.
Dear Anonymous
Yes I have previous experience in Business and and was elected to a Council in BC.
Since when do the "Pigs at the Trough" have to be consulted. Various users at the Airport seem to think because they have an interest in aviation or own an aircraft, they have a devine right to all the freebies they can get.
At least, I have the guts to state my name and stand behind my comments. Seems like we are drifting back to the Bolshevik days of the NDP in the 90's, when all the back dooring of everybody took place.
If you can't put your name to a coment, then leave it out.
Chub Down
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