Rejected motion upsets councillor

Brent Mutis - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 01, 2009 7:00 PM

A motion to join Vernon in efforts to co-ordinate use of industrial lands in the North Okanagan was rejected by Coldstream council recently and one councillor thinks its a big mistake. There would be no cost up front to be a part of the initiative and Coun. Pat Cochrane wanted to see the motion pass because it could help create jobs if a new industry came to the area. Instead, it was defeated at the meeting, four to three. “I think it’s ridiculous to turn down something that’s free, especially with losing the (Lavington) glass plant,” said Cochrane. “Hundreds of jobs have been lost with the problems with the forestry industry (as well).” Resistance to the idea has come from councillors who believe costs will kick in once Coldstream is part of the plan. Cochrane agrees there will be future costs involved but says Coldstream would not be locked into the agreement and could drop it if it became too expensive. “There’s no doubt at some point there would be a fee but Coldstream would have a chance to analyze what we’d be getting for that fee and have an opportunity to say no thank you. It’s not an all or nothing fee.” Vernon is obligated to contact its neighbouring communities about their industrial lands as part of a B.C. effort to facilitate industrial projects. There are no industrial lands left in Vernon so communities like Coldstream, Enderby and Armstrong are important to this initiative.