Politicians pull plug on air quality funds

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 04, 2010 6:00 PM

Air quality funding has gone up in smoke. The North Okanagan Regional District board decided Wednesday not to fund the air quality function although the service will technically remain in place. “It’s not organized well and nobody knows where they are going with it,” said director Will Hansma. The board has eliminated $49,576 from the 2010 tax requisition and will use reserves to fund remaining activities. On the expenditure side, the budget has been cut from $87,780 to a projected $23,068. Hansma isn’t convinced the function has improved air quality. “We can’t just get together to meet. There has to be reasons behind why we meet,” he said. “I also don’t see the provincial government stepping up and being responsible for items it’s responsible for.” The board’s decision means that the vacant air quality co-ordinator’s position won’t be filled, and pursuing new initiatives could be challenging.

“We will still be issuing burning permits but there won’t be a champion taking the lead,” said Greg Betts, administrator. Director Wayne Lippert said there’s no need for full-time staff at NORD because there is technical assistance from the Okanagan Airshed Coalition and municipalities like Vernon. “There are already staff supports in place,” he said. Lippert will be one of two political representatives to the coalition. “We will take that information back to the regional board and the board can then decide how it (initiatives) takes place,” he said.

Opposition to not budgeting for the function came from directors Doug Dirk, Mike Macnabb and Patrick Nicol. “Air quality is important to citizens and this sends the wrong message to them,” said Dirk. “If you don’t have something, it shows you’re not interested.” Dirk insists involvement at the airshed coalition will be limited if there’s no budget. “For us to participate, we need staff or we’re getting a free ride from Kelowna and Penticton,” he said. Nicol believes air quality should be a priority.“It’s a significant issue in a lot of people’s lives and having someone pay attention to it (staff) is not unusual,” he said.