Wednesday, September 14, 2011

City Gets Meeting With Premier, Not Ministers

Several BC cabinet ministers have turned down Vernon's request for meetings at this month's Union of BC Municipalities conference.  Mayor Wayne Lippert says the list includes Tourism-Jobs Minister Pat Bell and Community Minister Ida Chong.  "With Minister Bell,  it seems to be a timing issue, while Minister Chong, she figures she's already met with us enough (on governance and water issues), and figures she doesn't have time. She's got lots of other communities that want to see her."  Lippert says it's frustrating as its the first time they've been turned down for meetings.  "Either they don't have time, or they don't want to talk to us anymore."  Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom also rejected the city's request, but Lippert will be meeting with him today at a transit summit.  He says one plus is that they will get a 15 minute meeting with Premier Christy Clark at the event in Vancouver from September 26-30.
Lippert says topics will include governance, transit and putting families first.

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