Water process gains support

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: February 18, 2010 6:00 PM

Some Vernon politicians are backing a process that could keep a regional function intact. During Wednesday’s North Okanagan Regional District meeting, directors Jack Gilroy, Buffy Baumbrough and Patrick Nicol agreed with a plan to hire consultant Allan Neilson-Welch to lead a review of the Greater Vernon water utility. “The other directors at the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee have a level of comfort with him and his approach,” said Baumbrough of the consultant. “It’s a positive if we can identify an individual we can work with.” The city was seeking 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 try and leave the entire function (including supply) or remain within the service. Baumbrough admits her colleagues at city hall may not be pleased with the direction taken by her, Gilroy and Nicol at NORD. “There’s always a chance that could happen. We’ll have to have a discussion at council,” she said.

In an attempt to keep the function together, Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director, made the motion to hire Neilson-Welch. “By engaging a facilitator we can get to an end point where we can all agree and move on,” he said, adding that the review would be an opportunity for all of the jurisdictions to bring their concerns forward. “If governance is an issue, put it on the table. If Vernon wants complete and total control, put it on the table.” Mike Gavinchuk, BX-Swan Lake director, doesn’t believe the provincial government will allow the city to withdraw from the water function. “Do you expect the minister that appointed the arbitrator to go against him?” said Gavinchuk.

Morning Star Editorial: February 18, 2010 6:00 PM Water review a good move

Full credit must go to Vernon councillors Buffy Baumbrough, Jack Gilroy and Patrick Nicol for supporting a plan that could end a dispute that’s been costly and could leave regional co-operation in shambles. And while the other North Okanagan Regional District directors that voted to hire a consultant to lead a water utility review deserve praise, the Vernon trio stuck their necks out because it’s the city that has tried to leave parts of the function. Any shift away from that is a radical departure from a long-standing policy. Also, finding an individual that all Greater Vernon partners can work with makes sense, particularly because maintaining a unified water utility will benefit the public no matter what jurisdiction they live in. Millions of dollars have been spent by all taxpayers to improve the service, and lines stretch through all neighbourhoods. We’re so intertwined when it comes to water that a divorce would be messy.

However, if this review is to work all sides must come to the table in an atmosphere of openness and honesty. Put your concerns on the table while checking your egos at the door. It should be noted, though, that Baumbrough, Gilroy and Nicol are only three members of Vernon council and their colleagues may not support the process the trio agreed to. But that would only send the message that the city’s NORD representation is hollow. A commitment to the review has been made and the city, and particularly Mayor Wayne Lippert who was missing from NORD Wednesday, should stick to it. And that means actually trying to find some middle ground and remembering that the public’s interest must be the top priority.