Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: February 25, 2010 6:00 PM
Attempts to keep Greater Vernon’s water utility together are moving along. Consultant Allan Neilson-Welch met with North Okanagan Regional District staff Tuesday to start working on the terms of reference for the facilitation process between the jurisdiction’s four partners. “Through this process, everyone can sit around and talk about the issues,” said Herman Halvorson, NORD chairman. “I’m hopeful that in six months or by the end of the year we can get this wrapped up.” The City of Vernon had been trying to withdraw from water distribution but an arbitrator recently ruled that it can’t walk away from just part of the service. It can now apply to withdraw from the entire function (including supply) or opt to remain within the service. But the regional district board recently decided to hire Neilson-Welch to facilitate a service review as a way of trying to keep the function intact. “I’m hoping we can get some of this stuff resolved,” said Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director, of the concerns expressed by Vernon. There will be group discussions while Neilson-Welch will also meet one-on-one with individual participants.
On Monday, the city announced it’s representative for the facilitation review will be Mayor Wayne Lippert, while Coun. Patrick Nicol will be the alternate. “I’d like to find solutions and answers and this is a good way to do it,” said Lippert. “We’ve had facilitators before and its not worked out but there’s a comfort level with Allan and the way he does things. He comes with no agenda.” Macnabb is pleased the city is participating in the process, but he says that more than Lippert and Nicol should be involved in making decisions. “All of council should have all of the information. They should freely discuss it and have input,” he said.
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