By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 24, 2008
Vernonites had their first chance Thursday to hear from the men and women wanting to make up the next city council. More than 150 people attended an all-candidates’ forum hosted by the Sustainable Environment Network Society at Knox Presbyterian Church. The environment and sustainability were the focus of the two-hour event, and many questions revolved around a proposed multi-family development on an Okanagan Avenue property that includes wetlands. “I don’t believe in uncontrolled development,” said Juliette Cunningham, who is running for mayor, adding that she has opposed rezoning the site as a current councillor. Defending city hall’s process, Mayor Wayne Lippert insisted the land owner has the right to pursue rezoning, and the public has been able to provide input.“After hearing from the public, council can approve the development or not,” he said.
As a way of creating a sustainable community, mayoralty candidate Steve Campbell called for denser development. “We need to increase residential housing downtown in an affordable manner and to add some excitement downtown,” he said. But Rick Thorburn, also running for mayor, believes downtown can best be supported by densifying adjacent neighbourhoods. “That’s where the city will have the vitality,” he said.
A question about expanded sports facilities led to mayoralty candidate Tony Stamboulieh taking aim at the Funtastic slowpitch tournament. “Funtastic is in the business to make money and there are so many complaints about the participants of Funtastic and that’s part of our life being compromised,” he said of noise and field lights.
Twelve of the 13 councillor candidates were also present, and many of them had differing views on preserving a corridor for a western bypass. “Traffic has got to the point where we have to do something,” said Doug MacAulay, who supports a bypass. But Patrick Nicol says such a route would be a mistake. “We are playing with people’s lives in great neighbourhoods like Mission Hill,” he said.Peter Greening wants the city to look at transportation alternatives.“We need to get people away from their cars and that will cut down on emissions,” he said.
Some residents expressed concern that the Ogogrow fertilizer plant in the Commonage is contaminating the environment and creating an odour. But Jack Gilroy said those issues are being looked at.“There is a plan to clean up that smell but it will take a lot of money.”
Considerable discussion also arose over water supply in a growing community.“If you have a drought management plan, the community knows how to react ahead of time,” said Buffy Baumbrough.Eric Kowalski called on the entire community to shift its thinking about water.“We must look at how we manage those resources effectively,” he said.For Shawn Lee, protecting water resources is related to user fees.“I believe that if you use something, you pay for it. If you pay for it, you conserve it,” he said. Gordon Thomas questioned how droughts can occur when there are a number of lakes in the Vernon area.
Vernon’s new official community plan was mentioned several times during the forum and Mary-Jo O’Keefe says she supports its direction. “Increasing density within areas already developed with water and sewer makes sense,” she said.
Bob Spiers suggests providing developers a five-year tax holiday if they construct residential units downtown. “The importance of residential downtown is you get more people downtown and it helps with policing,” he said.
Candidates were also asked their views on whether more sports facilities are needed. “It’s for a growing community with young people and they need their space,” said Ray Carling. Brian Quiring is convinced that an appropriate place for sports fields is just north of Wesbild Centre and Kin Race Track. “We need a lot more sports facilities,” he said, adding that current facilities aren’t adequate for football and track and field.
Not in attendance at the SENS forum were Floyd Edwards, who is running for mayor, and Steve DeBella, who is seeking a councillor’s seat. The Vernon Taxpayers Association will hold a forum for councillor candidates Monday and an event for mayors Nov. 3. Both forums will start at 7 p.m. at the Schubert Centre.
