Lumby defends current process

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: July 20, 2012 1:00 AM Lumby is not interested in a regional bureaucracy to promote job growth.  Council does not support the Regional District of North Okanagan forming an economic development function. It is satisfied with the service being provided by the City of Vernon through a contract. “The regional district has taken this monster on before and it has never worked because it was under-funded and was done off someone’s desk,” said Mayor Kevin Acton. Acton added that there is also a concern about the financial impact on the village. “We’re not in a position to spend that kind of money on a regional function.” Besides the contract with Vernon, Lumby will also pursue other opportunities to expand the economy. “We will work with the chambers of commerce in the North Okanagan more closely,” said Acton.
---------

Enderby opposes regional plan

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: July 20, 2012 1:00 AM
Enderby doesn’t want its hands tied over economic development. Officials are reluctant to support the Regional District of North Okanagan creating an economic development function. There is a preference for the current model which sees Vernon provide the service under a contract. “We want to find something that works for our community,” said Coun. Brad Case, adding that a service must be cost-effective and responsive to local needs. “We want to have more say in how it works.” RDNO has provided an economic development function in the past but it fell apart because of differences of opinion among the participants. Mayor Howie Cyr isn’t convinced history needs to repeat itself. “We’re not inclined to get into a full-blown service,” he said. Besides continuing with a contract with Vernon, Cyr points out that Enderby is also close to Salmon Arm and it can play a role in expanding the economy. “We can leave ourselves open to both ends of our community.”