Water Arbitration

Written by Peter McIntyre Monday, 22 June 2009 17:18 107.5 KISSFM:

Vernon's concerns with the area's water utility go before an arbitrator today. Mayor Wayne Lippert says its the next step in the city's plan to withdraw from water distribution for a variety of reasons. "We'll find which process the arbitrator wants to do and he will make that decision so it's kind of wait and see. Lippert says the cost and the time it takes, will depend on the process that's chosen. BX Silver Star director Mike Macnabb says the city's direction is creating uncertainty for all of the regional partners. Macnabb says, "They'll be testing elements of the regulation that have never been testing so this is kind of a crap shoot as far as I can see. We just don't know what's going to happen." Coldstream mayor Jim Garlick calls it a "mistake" to go to arbitration, saying the issues can be settled without it.