Mayor denies donor influence

Published: March 26, 2009 6:00 PM Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star

Vernon’s mayor insists campaign contributions don’t dictate how he votes. According to disclosure statements filed for the 2008 civic election, Wayne Lippert received donations of $16,005, many of them from developers and other businesses. But he says that monetary support doesn’t influence his duties as mayor. “I don’t feel any burden or expectation with how I deal with things,” he said. The largest donation was $2,000 from Wesbild Holdings, while there was $1,000 from Leona Snider, owner of The Rise, and $750 from Tavistock Properties. Lippert provided $100. His total campaign expenses were $16,941, with $5,615 of that going to advertising ($3,688 with The Morning Star). “It costs money to get to this office and have a chance,” he said, admitting that the finances needed may put the mayor’s chair out of reach for some people. “It definitely makes it tough because it takes money.” Of the other mayoralty candidates, the next highest spender was Juliette Cunningham who had expenses of $6,440. She had contributions of $7,150, including $2,000 from the North Okanagan Labour Council and $600 from herself. Among the other candidates Steve Campbell spent $3,779 and had contributions of $3,779. Floyd Edwards rang up $700 in expenses and had no donations, while Tony Stamboulieh’s expenses were $752 and contributions were $1,250. Rick Thorburn collected $500 in donations and spent $1,943.

Of the 13 people who ran for councillor, veteran incumbent Patrick Nicol topped the pack, spending $11,259. “I wanted to make sure I got my message out,” he said. “I really believe people should know what a person stands for.” Nicol’s campaign was financed by himself. “It’s how you truly stay independent,” he said of why he doesn’t accept donations. Of the other five elected as councillors, Bob Spiers was next, with expenses of $4,002 and contributions of $4,286. Among them were $400 from himself and $100 each from former councillors Barry Beardsell and Jim MacGillivray. Shawn Lee’s expenses were $2,944 while he had contributions of $350. Mary-Jo O’Keefe had expenses of $1,752 and donations of $799 while Jack Gilroy spent $1,038, Gilroy’s contributions amounted to $1,000, including $500 from the Vernon Professional Firefighters Association. Buffy Baumbrough filed $410 in expenses and $78 in donations.