Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 31, 2009 12:00 PM
More technical expertise will be added to Vernon’s environmental advisory committee, and that has fuelled considerable debate. When committee members are sought, council will now give increased consideration to people with relevant scientific and technical backgrounds. “It doesn’t prevent anyone from applying,” said Coun. Buffy Baumbrough, committee chairwoman. However, the makeup of the committee is a concern for Coun. Bob Spiers. “Are we going to get rid of people who don’t have a scientific background but have street common sense? That’s the kind of people I want,” he said. “I don’t want to suggest to people who have no scientific background but love nature and the environment that they would be disqualified.”
Baumbrough, though, says other city-appointed groups use individuals with specific skill sets. “Why wouldn’t we want to do the same with a committee that is dealing with more and more technical issues?” she said. “We haven’t questioned targeting certain individuals for economic development but with the environmental committee there’s a level of discomfort.” Baumbrough believes people with a scientific background will add strength to the committee’s activities and that the complexity of environmental issues can create a considerable learning curve for those members who don’t have any training in that area. The goal of the committee is to provide advice and assistance to council and residents in the protection, enhancement, restoration and management of the local environment and to ensure that the community is planned to provide for environmental sustainability.
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