Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: September 15, 2009 7:00 PM
Vernon officials fear they will be left filling the void created by provincial funding cuts. The city received two requests Monday for assistance from non-profit organizations that have seen their provincial grants eliminated, and more are expected. “It’s definitely downloading and we will have a lot of groups come to us,” said Coun. Bob Spiers, adding that the city only has limited resources. “It’s definitely downloading and we will have a lot of groups come to us,” said Coun. Bob Spiers, adding that the city only has limited resources. “We will have to prioritize which are the most important for the community. ”For Teen Junction, uncertainty over gaming and the loss of funds for literacy programs, means the centre could shut down Oct. 31.
“We want to keep the doors of the youth centre open while we pursue other funding sources,” said Debbie Schiller, executive director, of why the city is being asked for $40,000. Many of the youth who access the facility come from broken homes, are on probation, live in poverty, are victims of abuse, have quit school and fight drug addictions. Among the services provided at Teen Junction are computer access, referrals to other agencies, life skills workshops, recreational activities, a youth kitchen, a youth garden and an education advocate. “I’ve quit all drugs because of help from Teen,” said Krissy, a 16-year-old who frequents the facility and has returned to school. “If we have to close, a lot of teens will go back to their old habits.”
For the pipe band, rent at the recreation complex costs $3,000 while uniforms are $2,000 each and drums are $1,100 each. “We currently have 12 youth playing with the band who have uniforms and equipment and nine more students who have nothing,” said pipe major Don Macleod.Coun. Shawn Lee is concerned the province is pushing its financial problems on to the backs of the city. “In reality, it’s the same taxpayer and there is no pot of money,” he said.
The plight of non-profit agencies was a primary focus of a presentation Annette Sharkey, with the Social Planning Council, made to the city Monday. “If the funding goes or is reduced, the impact will be felt frontline in the community,” she said.
The organizations plan to address their concerns to Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster.“We want to let him know where we’re at and the importance of these programs,” said Sharkey. Beyond potentially having to fund some activities previously supported by the provincial government, the city is also being impacted by decisions in Victoria. Grants officer Liz Williams says that while the city and the federal government are ready to fund a downtown revitalization project and septic removal, the province is not coming to the table as anticipated. “The province has no money and can give its one-third share,” she said.
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Eric Foster is now sitting in Victoria as MLA for Vernon-Monashee, but it was just a couple of months ago that he was the mayor of Lumby and chairman of the North Okanagan Regional District. And one has to wonder how he would be reacting to provincial funding cuts if he was still in his previous job. Would he still be reciting his mantra of, “There is only so much (money) to go around and we had to make tough decisions,” or would he standing up for those community programs and groups at risk? I ask this question because it is municipalities and regional districts — remember, Foster’s old stomping grounds — that will be hit up for cash now that provincial funding has evaporated.
And that was certainly evident Monday as Vernon council received two requests from non-profit agencies who have been hit hard by the Liberals’ attempt to reduce spending. In the case of the Teen Junction Youth Centre, the doors could close by Halloween if another source of funding doesn’t materialize. With everyone feeling the financial crunch, there are few avenues to tap, so $40,000 is being sought from the city. It’s much the same story with the Kalamalka Highlanders Band which is trying to instill pride in youth through music. With uniforms costing $2,000 each and drums $1,100 each, the endeavour isn’t cheap, and the $3,000 lease at the recreation complex was committed to just a few days prior to gaming grants being yanked.
As the presentations were made Monday, you could see a look of shock on the face of council members. There was a sudden realization that a small wave had just rolled in, but a large tsunami of similar requests is likely on the horizon. “It’s definitely downloading and we will have a lot of groups come to us,” said Coun. Bob Spiers. “We will have to prioritize which are the most important for the community.”
So not only does the city have to take over the province’s dirty work and fund social programs, it must now decide who gets the cash and who gets voted off the island. Intense pressure will be placed on civic leaders as all of the organizations and their initiatives are worthwhile. It’s a lose-lose situation for municipalities, particularly given that such matters are officially not part of their mandate. The City of Vernon and the other municipalities are not a bottomless pit of cash. Like the province, they have had to tighten their belts and the ability to help groups in need is extremely limited.
While the provincial government can put its financial house in order by downloading on to municipalities and regional districts, they, in turn, only have two options — cut back services the public demands or blow a hole in property taxes.
So I return to my earlier question of what would Foster do if he was still mayor of Lumby and chairman of NORD? As he was presented with financial requests from Lumby non-profits, would he tow the Liberal Party line or would he take a stand and try and do everything possible for his citizens in need? Would he lobby government on their behalf? The halls of the Legislature are a long ways from Glencaird Street, and Foster, as an MLA, is required to look beyond his own backyard and consider a provincial perspective. But one would hope that he would remember where his roots are and who put him where he is today.
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