By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 10, 2008
There will be no shortage of options when Vernonites head to the polls Nov. 15. A total of 14 people have filed for the six councillors’ seats. They are Buffy Baumbrough, Ray Carling, Steve Debella, Jack Gilroy, Peter Greening, Eric Kowalski, Shawn Lee, Doug MacAuley, Patrick Nicol, Mary-Jo O’Keefe, Brian Quiring, Mike Smith, Bob Spiers and Gordon Thomas.
Greening has lived in Vernon for 19 years and is a maintenance employee at Wal/Mart.“I’ve looked at what council has done before and I wasn’t impressed,” he said of why he is letting his name stand. “It’s time for a change and I thought I’d see what I can do. If I get in, I can make a difference.” Greening believes the relationship between city hall and the public is in poor condition, and residents’ input isn’t heard. “They don’t seem to listen to anyone. No one wants a roundabout on East Hill and they shoved it through any way,” he said.
O’Keefe is a longtime resident of Vernon who has served on the school board for 15 years and owns a communications business. “I have a lot of experience and I believe I can contribute a lot to council,” she said. For O’Keefe, a primary concern is the need to create employment opportunities, and especially for young people. “I am concerned about the lack of direction for economic development and tourism,” she said. “They are eco-friendly and the Okanagan is a prime area for it.” O’Keefe is currently president of the Downtown Vernon Association.
Nicol has served seven terms on city council. “I have the enthusiasm and skills to make things better in the community,” he said. As chairman of the finance committee, Nicol believes he can help the city navigate through the global economic crisis. “We need a steady hand in regards to finances,” he said. “I also always have a passion for parks and I would love to be part of making things more cohesive between the regional district and the city.” General manager of Kiss FM, Nicol has been in Vernon since 1977.
Kowalski was born in Vernon and currently works at Interior Health’s population health unit. “I have a long-standing interest of what goes on in the community,” he said, adding that he has a masters degree in planning and likes the new official community plan. “I believe it is visionary. It sets a direction and pushes the boundaries to create a healthy community.” Kowalski also believes there is a need for all members of council, and other agencies, to work together to create positive results for the community. “I am fairly passionate for Vernon,” he said.
MacAuley has a contracting business and has been in Vernon for 30 years. “I have had some involvement with the city behind the scenes and decided if I was ever going to make a positive impact, I should come forward,” said the former president of the city’s airport corporation. MacAuley believes the thrust of his campaign platform is fairly basic. “I’m looking at positive change, integrity and accountability,” he said, adding that he wants to be open to the public.“Giving people a chance to be heard is the important part.”
Lee is a dentist who has lived in Vernon since 1984 and wants to give back to the community. “It’s been a great place to raise our kids and there have been so many opportunities for our family so I thought that I could contribute to council and help that continue for others,” he said. One issue of concern for Lee is public safety, especially in parks. “Vernon has such pretty places but sometimes people are nervous about being there,” he said. Lee is also concerned about the condition of Vernon’s infrastructure, but primarily, he just wants to be involved in the community.“I just want to make a difference,” he said.
Carling has been in Vernon since 1990 and is a bricklayer and information technologist. As someone who has attempted to reduce electronic waste in the community, he believes there is a need for the city to be more green. “I can help enhance the city by looking at development in an environmentally friendly way,” he said.“I’m a huge fan of the environment and I understand infrastructure and the need for investing in it.”
