Marathon efforts to resolve Greater Vernon’s parks and recreation dispute continue. Vernon, Coldstream and electoral area representatives
met for about eight hours both Tuesday and Wednesday to determine if
concerns about the current parks and recreation function can be
addressed. “I’m always hopeful. People are well intentioned and want this to work,” said Rob Sawatzky, Vernon director. “We will now go back to our individual councils (for discussions) and prepare for the next round of meetings.” Sessions between the participants are also scheduled for May 15 and 17. Much of Wednesday’s meeting revolved around governance, including voting structure and how decisions would be made. “The fact that we’re talking about governance first is the best way to do it,” said Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director. “If this process is going to fail, it will fail on this (issue). If it passes this, the rest of the issues are straightforward.” To alleviate concerns Vernon may use its majority to
force decisions, the city has suggested a super-majority be considered
for major capital expenditures. “For Vernon to go five out of seven is a big step forward,” said Macnabb of the need for compromises. Another option put forward is requiring unanimous support among participants but some suggest one person could block a project. “There could be the tyranny of the minority. The minority rules the roost,” said Bob Fleming, BX-Swan Lake director. Two overall structures for the function have been
discussed — a slight modification to the current system where all assets
are controlled by the collective or turning most parks over to the
individual jurisdictions for management. While Coldstream has considered taking over parks a way
of addressing its concerns, it now believes remaining within the
collective could work as long as it has the contract to maintain
Coldstream parks. “I’d rather see there be some consensus instead of
pushing something through,” said Jim Garlick, Coldstream director, of
Vernon’s reluctance to divest parks. “We want to have success in the end. I don’t mind looking at a middle road and not upset everyone too much.”
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The sense of optimism and co-operation is refreshing. Officials from Vernon, Coldstream and the electoral
areas sat down twice this week to discuss the ongoing parks and
recreation dispute. And while no concrete directions transpired, it was
obvious that everyone around the table is open to compromise and finding
a resolution. As an example, Vernon is proposing options on voting
structure that may alleviate the concerns of its partners, while
Coldstream has expressed a willingness to keep parks within the
collective instead of pulling them out. “I don’t mind looking at a middle road and not upset everyone too much,” said Jim Garlick, Coldstream director. It’s a complete departure from the turmoil prior to
November’s elections, when the politicians of the day waged a war of
words and it appeared that the joint parks function was near collapse.
The situation may have evolved because some individuals are no longer at
the table, but it could also be that the jurisdictions have finally
realized that it makes sense economically to work together rather than
to go it alone. Obviously the current good will could become strained
as firm details are hammered out and jurisdictions consider their
specific interests. But all of the politicians must remember why they
are there, and that is to represent their constituents. More meetings are scheduled for next week and while a
quick timeline has been set, additional negotiations may realistically
be required. And that’s OK because while this issue has dragged on for
years, there is a need to get it right.
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