By Peter McIntyre Kiss FM News (Dec 10, 2008)
The debate over a limit on slot machines could be coming back to Vernon council. The limit on slots was set at 300 by the last council, but councillor Jack Gilroy plans to bring the issue back for discussion, at an upcoming meeting. He says increasing the limit to 400 machines could bring in more revenue for local projects. "They are really important funds for cities. Our city is starting to be known in the province for the things we are doing, and we have to say, a lot of that money is from the casino revenues." Gilroy says the increased limit could bring an extra 300-thousand dollars a year, into city coffers. The limit on slots was set after much debate by the last council, with the main thrust coming from now retired councillor Barry Beardsell who was concerned about the social impact of gambling. Gilroy says he's checked, and the issue can be brought back for discussion by the new council.
Meantime, another familiar issue could be back before Vernon city council in the new year. Councillor Patrick Nicol wants the new council to reconsider a decision to install a new roundabout at 32nd Avenue and Pleasant Valley Road in lower East Hill. The original decision was made by the previous council in June after a 4-2 vote, with Nicol and Mayor Wayne Lippert opposed. Nicol questions the need for the traffic circle given the economic downturn and the opposition to it. The project would cost taxpayers around 300-thousand dollars, but many people say the current four way stop is fine.
