It's sweet music to the organizers of the cash strapped Okanagan Symphony Orchestra. Vernon council is going to take a look at increasing its funding to the musical group, and will suggest the regional district do the same. Councillor Mary Jo O'Keefe
calls the orchestra an important cultural benefit, and others on council agreed. She told KISS FM, "We heard today there's strong support to try and make sure the symphony stays in town and is properly funded. I don't know if we'll be able to come up with the whole 50-thousand dollars they requested, but I hope we do come up with a sustainable number." Council's finance committee will decide what that number may be. Councillor Patrick Nicol, who chairs that committee, suggests the area could provide the same amount as Penticton, around $9,000 a year. The city currently provides the symphony $3,600, as part of NORD's annual grant of $6,500. Number crunching Councillor Bob Spiers also supports an increase. "I think we'll probably have to ante up a little bit more, but it should be done at the regional level. It's a regional function." The symphony, which holds a number of its performances in Vernon, is looking for additional money after losing $147,000 in provincial funding.
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