Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 15, 2011 12:00 PM
Coldstream’s lead decision maker has one big option weighing on his mind for the coming months. Mayor Jim Garlick is still on the fence on whether or not he’ll seek another term as mayor during the November 2011 election. “I haven’t made up my mind yet,” said Garlick, who was elected mayor in 2007 after serving one term as councillor. Despite the time constraints, Garlick has enjoyed his time on council. “This has been a good experience. I’m a lot more tolerant now and a lot more appreciative of people who get involved in politics than I was before. “It’s not, ‘how is this going to benefit my family or friends?’ It’s more, ‘how is this going to affect my community?’” The Clarence Fulton Secondary teacher is also pleased with the current diversity on council and the work staff and politicians have accomplished. Whether he keeps his mayoral seat or not, Garlick’s priority in 2011 is to finish the work this council has started. “Don’t just leave them as loose ends. I don’t think that’s fair to a new council.”
One item on his to-do list is to get Greater Vernon parks, recreation and culture dealt with. “You’ll probably see us ask for it to be dismantled and rebuilt,” said Garlick. “I think that service has changed so much over the years and people don’t even know it.” Garlick will also continue to pitch the Okanagan College community sports facility to the community – which could go to referendum during the election, if not sooner. “I want to see the community either support or kill this.” He has also been instrumental in working to establish an agricultural site at the college, in the ravine. “We’re using the fill from the grid road to level off that site,” said Garlick, adding that UBC students have been helping to develop the site for future possibilities such as an orchard, community agriculture, demonstration plants and a farmer’s market. Another project on the books is an improved crossing at Kidston and Kalamalka roads. “It could be a roundabout, a three-way-stop...” said Garlick. The municipal works yard is also on Garlick’s radar – with a $1.05 million borrowing referendum taking place during the election. “Nobody likes to spend money but once in a while you have to invest in your infrastructure,” said Garlick, adding that the safety and occupational hazards at the public works yard will have to be addressed whether voters buy into it or not. “It’s a requirement.” A bike lane on Kidston Road to the red gate, separated from the road, is set to get underway and be completed in 2011. Improvements on Coldstream Creek are also continuing, since the creek was determined as a major source of pollutants to Kalamalka Lake.
Looking back on 2010, Garlick smiles at the progress made, both in house and in the community. “It’s been busy. You look at the projects. The grid road alone, that’s a huge project,” said Garlick. “And it finally feels, after two years, like we have a cohesive staff,” he said, following major staff restructuring in the past couple years. Garlick credits staff for much of the hard work they’ve done. Garlick lists the new liquid waste management plan (which moves towards a more user-pay model), a $1 million pavement management plan (which Coldstream didn’t have before staff initiated the process a few years ago) and finally getting the announcement for realignment of Highway 6 at the Coldstream Ranch junction with the railway (work is set to begin in 2012), as accomplishments. “We’ve had lots of positive things moving ahead, I credit staff for that.” He also gives the public credit for supporting the municipality. “The majority of the public have been very polite,” said Garlick, adding there will always be people opposed, but: “Most people are reasonable.”
No comments:
Post a Comment