Retiring politicians offer advice for council

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: November 25, 2008

Two Vernon politicians didn’t end their careers quietly. Monday was the last council meeting for Barry Beardsell, Pat Cochrane and Juliette Cunningham, and Beardsell and Cunningham used it as an opportunity to send some advice to the incoming council. “I hope more attention is spent on the financial wellbeing of the city in the new year,” said Beardsell, who is retiring after 12 years. With the global financial crisis continuing, Beardsell called for “belt tightening” in the 2009 budget. “There should be a definite attempt to keep property taxes at a zero decrease or lower,” he said, adding that reserves could be used to fund infrastructure projects that would help keep people employed during difficult times. “To just stop spending further hurts the economy.”A draft 2009 budget was supposed to be before council in late October, but that didn’t occur and Beardsell is convinced some politicians aren’t taking the matter seriously. “Two of them didn’t have the time for an extra meeting this week to delve into the budget,” he said, suggesting that current council should have provided the new council with some clear direction.

Cunningham also had some parting words for those council members who were re-elected Nov. 15 and those who will be at the table for the first time. “I hope you move forward with the official community plan and continue to support affordable housing,” said Cunningham, who was a councillor for three years and unsuccessfully ran for mayor. “A lot of people feel they don’t have a voice and I hope you will continue to support social planning.” Cunningham also made a pitch for an aggressive economic development plan. “This economic downturn we are seeing globally is like nothing we’ve seen before. A lot of people are hurting.”

Cochrane, who is moving over to the District of Coldstream after 12 years in Vernon, wasn’t willing to provide any advice to the new city council. “They are a good group of people and they will make good decisions,” he said. Instead, Cochrane focused on the relationships he has formed with not only councillors, but city staff. “You are like a second family to me and I will miss you,” he said.

There was considerable praise for Beardsell, Cochrane and Cunningham as the meeting wrapped up. “They’ve been three outstanding councillors that have contributed enormously,” said Coun. Patrick Nicol. Mayor Wayne Lippert gave Beardsell, Cochrane and Cunningham credit for serving the community., “We’ve worked pretty well together. We had our times but we tackled a lot of issues. We’ve accomplished a lot,” he said of the outgoing council.

Lippert is well aware of Beardsell’s concerns about the budget. “Council has done a good job of keeping taxes in line and it’s something we’ll have to look at. Times are tough and we all need to tighten our belts,” he said.