Change sought for services

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 16, 2009 4:00 PM

Coldstream politicians want to be more hands-on when it comes to some Greater Vernon services. The municipality has asked that the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee be possibily split up into two separate entities for water and parks and recreation, and to allow more officials to sit at the table than is currently allowed. “The more people involved, they feel more comfortable with the process than just one person involved,” said Doug Dirk, Coldstream director, at Thursday’s GVAC meeting. “There are a lot of things Coldstream wants to discuss with parks and water.” Because GVAC is a function of the North Okanagan Regional District, NORD must determine if further representation is allowed beyond the existing appointment of one director and an alternate.

In terms of creating a separate committee for parks and a new one for water, Dirk says that’s how the services used to be handled and there are complex issues to be dealt with. But Wayne Lippert, GVAC chairman, says that while there is currently only one meeting, water and parks are handled separately. “I haven’t seen that there’s the need (for a change),” he said. “But we want the participants involved to set the sructure.” The prospect of changing how GVAC operates will be the focus of a meeting Jan. 27. “I can see where they (Coldstream) are coming from and perhaps we can look at a different structure,” said Mike MacNabb, BX-Silver Star director.