Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 16, 2010 7:00 PM
Greater Vernon’s water dispute may be boiling over again. The City of Vernon has decided to appeal an arbitrator’s decision that stated the city couldn’t just withdraw from the distribution component of the water utility. “We believe the ruling was incorrect and all of the material wasn’t considered,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. “There’s information there about how things were originally set up by the province. The province intended for bulk water and distribution to be separate.” But while the city is still pursuing arbitration, Lippert insists the city is still committed to a facilitation process recently established by the North Okanagan Regional District as a way of trying to keep the function together. “Right from the start we’ve asked for the other participants to take part in discussions,” said Lippert. “When people are talking and part of meaningful discussion, there’s always an opportunity for a resolution.”
Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director, is surprised by the city’s most recent actions. “It’s their right to appeal but I thought the arbitrator did a good job and was fair,” he said. Doug Dirk, Coldstream councillor, hopes facilitation will proceed and every effort will be taken to keep the function in one piece. “It has to be resolved,” he said of the dispute. “It’s carried on for so long and I have a hard time believing there isn’t a solution to it.”
2 comments:
Wonder if the City is still going to try to make the taxpayers believe that this whole dumb process isn't costing them any money?
This is just more good money after bad.
Deal with the fact that a ruling has been given and get on with the process of finding a solution.
Of course when egos get in the way of sense, taxpayer pockets always get lighter.
Is this about egos or is it about the fact that the City of Vernon taxpayer has been taken advantage of by the Regional District yet again. This would have been resolved by now if it wasn't for the political games at the Regional District-lets face it-if they can nail the Vernon taxpayer,then they are happy.
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