NORD - Water-Fire-SIR

Fri, 2010-02-19 08:59. Kate Bouey & Betty Selin - Vernon 105.7 Sun FM:

With the ink still fresh on an arbitrator's ruling over Greater Vernon water management, those involved in the dispute appear headed in a different direction. The chairman of the North Okanagan Regional District board, Herman Halvorsen, says Vernon, Coldstream and Areas B and C are now bringing in a facilitator expected to be Allan Nielsen-Welch. Halvorsen says that motion was passed unanimously.

Some North Okanagan residents could end up calling 9-1-3 for future emergencies as the regional district's fire dispatch service appears headed for the dust bin. The board also received the City of Vernon's letter asking to be released from the fire dispatch service agreement. Halvorsen says the district is looking to contract out dispatch. He says it has already received a proposal from Surrey and hopes to have get something ``in writing'' from Vernon.

The City of Armstrong has convinced the regional district board to take another look at the Sterile Insect Program. Director John Trainor says Armstrong, which has no orchards, pays the same rate as Coldstream, which has plenty. Although Armstrong has asked to withdraw from the function, Trainor says the city would prefer the district dealt with the ``inequality'' in the system.