Vernon Councillor Rejects Suggestions Of Block Voting - Electoral Area C director feels like second class citizen

Kate Bouey 8/4/2011 105.7 SUNFM

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Councillor Patrick Nicol has rejected suggestions that City of Vernon reps have been block voting on parks and recreation issues that affect the Greater Vernon area. ``We simply don't do it,'' says Nicol, adding that there are plenty of examples when Vernon councillors are split on issues. There is still plenty of concern that Vernon's control of parks will grow and bitterness, over the failure of a Greater Vernon parks and rec review, was expressed at Thursday's Advisory Committee meeting. Electoral Area C rep Mike MacNabb said he's feeling like a second class citizen now that Vernon has rejected further talks. ``For years now we've been trying to get the playing field leveled so we do have a meaningful say,'' said MacNabb. However Nicol questioned the ongoing cost of a facilitator at those talks. He says 86-thousand dollars was spent on one last year. Mayor Wayne Lippert expects a new council, to be elected in November, will reconsider a parks review.