The City of Vernon still isn’t sure if it will take on air quality programs. Staff will investigate options to potentially provide air quality initiatives, including possibly working with a non-profit agency or the Interior Health Authority. “We need to be sure we can take it on without it being onerous,” said Coun. Buffy Baumbrough. The North Okanagan Regional District has eliminated its air quality function and there has been some question as to whether the city will pick up some of the initiatives. One possibility is creating a function that involves interested municipalities. “There may be other communities in the North Okanagan that want to participate,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. One of the concerns about the city branching out into air quality is additional duties for staff. “We don’t have the staff capacity to include this in our work program,” said Kim Flick, planning and building services manager. NORD’s actions may lead to the Okanagan Airshed Coalition not receiving provincial funding because it no longer represents the entire valley. “They are quite concerned about what’s happening,” said Baumbrough of the Ministry of Environment. As an example, NORD turned down anti-idling signs from the ministry because it had no ability to use them. The wood stove exchange is also in limbo although Vernon is possibly looking at working with the Central Okanagan Regional District on that program. Some councillors insist Vernon taxpayers are being downloaded on by NORD. “To walk away from a valley-wide issue goes against common sense. But for Vernon to be responsible doesn’t make sense. Its not Vernon’s issue alone,” said Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe. Coun. Jack Gilroy believes the city has been proactive when it comes to reducing pollution. “We don’t allow burning and we put on extra staff to deal with (cleaning road) dust. The city can’t be responsible for everything that happens in the valley.”
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Mayor Lippert's thoughts on Air Quality, as printed in March 4, 2010 Morning Star article:
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.
Read the full article
Uh-huh!
Interesting post, anonymous.
Downloading from NORD indeed.
Vernon has always had an airshed problem, and Lipperts' attitude towards monitoring it is misguided, to say the least. I remember the Mar. 4/2010 Morning Star article, and pondering at the time what kind of pretzel logic Wayne was using to arrive at his conclusion... This is not a waste of money, it's an essential service in the North Okanagan
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