Councillor puts focus on centre

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: April 29, 2010 6:00 PM

A Vernon politician believes an agency that promotes environmental education is getting the run-around. Coun. Buffy Baumbrough is concerned the city’s finance committee recommended a $10,000 grant request from the Allan Brooks Nature Centre be forwarded to the North Okanagan Regional District for consideration. “We’re consistently told at the regional district that it does not have a grants program,” she said. She is also concerned that indecision on the part of government will leave the centre without sufficient money to operate. “Time is of the essence for them in terms of making decisions for this season,” said Baumbrough. However, other councillors believe NORD is the suitable jurisdiction to consider the request. “It doesn’t benefit simply the City of Vernon,” said Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe. “It should be clear that the regional district has some obligation to things that are regional.”

The finance committee has decided to take another look at the grant request, but any decision is on hold until NORD considers the matter. “I don’t want this to fall through the cracks,” said O’Keefe. “If the regional district won’t support it, I want it to come back to the city before we lose Allan Brooks.” Other organizations, though, have received firm answers on financial requests. A one-time grant of $1,000 will go to the Community-Based Youth Services Team while the Downtown Vernon Association will get $7,500. The Warren Peace Bunny Sanctuary will get $4,000. The Butterfly Effect and NAKO - The Water Project will not receive $5,000 because the city believes it is in direct competition with business.