Civic nominations slow out of gate

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 03, 2008

The race for Vernon city hall has got off to a slow start. While nominations for the Nov. 15 civic election have been open for almost a week, only three people have filed papers — Mayor Wayne Lippert, Coun. Jack Gilroy and newcomer Brian Quiring. “I expect this coming week will be busier,” said Patti Bridal, chief elections officer, adding that the deadline for papers to be submitted is Friday at 4 p.m.

Quiring is an architect who has lived in Vernon for 15 years. “Over the past several years, I have seen a decline in Vernon’s quality of life due to increased traffic congestion, crime and homelessness,” he said. “I would have expected the new official community plan to have cast a clear vision for a bypass or at least commented on several options.” Quiring would like to see economic diversification as a way of creating jobs, and he would like to see a focus on making downtown safe. “The OCP does a good job of densification downtown by calling for housing and that will help self-police downtown,” he said. Quiring has served on the city’s advisory planning commission and downtown redesign panel, and is a former vice-president of the Vernon Art Gallery. “I am committed to making a difference and having a positive influence on this community,” he said.

Gilroy was first elected to council in 2005, and he is looking forward to serving a second term.“I enjoy working for the people of Vernon and I like what this council has done for infrastructure in the community,” he said. “This is the most infrastructure that has been done in years.” Besides upgrades to roads, Gilroy insists council has made significant progress on social issues such as affordable housing and the homeless. Gilroy also says it’s easier for residents to now visit Cenotaph Park and other areas without being confronted by criminal activity and drugs. “The city has worked with the RCMP to clean up the downtown core. The RCMP is doing a great job with that,” he said, adding that he wants to see more traffic enforcement. Gilroy has lived in the community since 1967 and he is a retired deputy fire chief.

While she hasn’t filed papers yet, Coun. Buffy Baumbrough has announced she is seeking a second term. “The challenge with the next term will be enacting the vision outlined in the new official community plan and I want to see it through,” said Baumbrough. Baumbrough believes the OCP is one of the most significant achievements of current council. “Staff went above and beyond to consult with citizens and the OCP portrays the citizens’ vision for the city,” she said. Among the other activities that Baumbrough wants to see continue is the environmental advisory committee. “It is doing some good work and I am excited about that committee,” she said. Baumbrough, who is a native Vernonite and runs a xeriscaping business, also wants to continue to move ahead with affordable housing.