Call For Ban on Wildlife TrapsWritten by Peter McIntyre Wednesday, 15 February 2012 11:40

Photo: Leg hold trap

Written by Peter McIntyre Wednesday, 15 February 2012 11:40 Several Vernon council members support a ban on body-gripping wildlife traps.  The request for a bylaw outlawing the devices was made by two delegations at Monday's city council meeting. There was also two letters to council in support. Gina Son of Grindrod told council, the traps are cruel, outdated, and pose a safety risk to residents and their pets. "In my research, I have discovered that under provincial law, traps can be set 200metres from a dwelling. Trapping is so problematic, that a handful of other communities have banned traps including North Vancouver, North Cowichan, Victoria, North Saanich, Gibsons and just recently Sechelt passed a bylaw traps." Son urged council to pass a bylaw to ban all body-gripping traps, including the leg-hold, Conibear and snare trap, and to implement non-lethal options for wildlife control. Vernon resident Richard Long made a similar case in his presentation, calling the traps "barbaric," although he wasn't aware of any local examples of the traps being used in the city of Vernon. Council will discuss the request at its next meeting February 27th. Councillor Bob Spiers thinks they should be banned, and he urges the concerned residents to make a similar request to the Regional District of North Okanagan. "Why stop at Vernon? If you think it's a (worthwhile) thing, go to the whole regional district.They might use them out there more than in Vernon." Mayor Rob Sawatzky is surprised there hasn't been a city bylaw before this, noting small kids or pets could get caught in the traps. "It just doesn't seem logical. A small child could get into them, or pets. I just can't understand how one could justify not having a bylaw." Sawatzky says city bylaw officers only use live traps to capture any problem wildlife.

Okanagan mayors meet to discuss transit and other issues

By Editorial - Kelowna Capital News Published: January 30, 2012 9:00 AM

Two of them may be new but the mayors of the Okanagan's four biggest municipalities are continuing to work together on issues of mutual interest.  The mayors — Walter Gray of Kelowna, Dan Ashton of Penticton, Doug Findlater of West Kelowna and Vernon's Robert Sawatzky— met last week as the Intermunicipal Services Advisory Board and are continuing their work on common municipal issues, including transit governance, gas tax funding tier consideration and Provincial services. The mayors met on Jan. 20 and discussed the directions to take for 2012. This was the first meeting for the two newly-elected mayors, Gray and Sawatzky. Returning to the Intermunicipal Services Advisory Board table were Findlater and Ashton. “I was very pleased to see that with two new member mayors on the board, the intent of our partnership is intact and we can seamlessly get on with working on our mutual concerns,” said Findlater. “On many issues, our message is made stronger with one voice and pooling our resources is extremely beneficial.” During the meeting, the group discussed transit governance. All the municipalities say they are committed to investigating options for the delivery of this important public service and are committed to establishing the most effective and cost-efficient system in the Okanagan. The group agreed to continue to push for Okanagan municipalities to be considered for "tier-one" gas tax funding for future regionally significant projects through the Canada-BC-UBCM Gas Tax Agreement. Currently, municipalities in the Regional District of Central Okanagan are considered for "tier-two" funding, which provides money for regional, not local, projects. The mayors also discussed their concerns with downloading of costs from the province, with the most recent being stream protection and beach water quality testing. Ongoing concerns that impact all member municipalities were also discussed, including forest fire fuel mitigation funding, Okanagan Lake and transportation issues and these topics will continue to be brought to the table in 2012. Adopted in September 2008, the Intermunicipal Services Agreement was signed by Kelowna, West Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton. Such agreements between municipalities are allowed under the,Community Charter, which governs how municipalities in B.C. operate. The four Okanagn council's are trying to use the agreement to work on regional concerns, tearing down jurisdictional constraints. The Intermunicipal Services Advisory Board is made up of the four  mayors and their respective chief administrative officers and city managers. In 2009, the municipalities used the agreement to adopt common safe premises bylaws to handle properties found to be cultivating illegal drugs and pursued other common issues, including affordable housing and feral rabbits. In 2010, the board called for a new approach to the way the  province passes on costs for RCMP policing, launched a joint bylaw dispute adjudication system—which also included Peachland and Lake Country—and joint purchasing arrangements. Last year, the board sought involvement from senior levels of government on transit, transportation and forest fire fuel reduction issues. It also looked to lobby for continued support of the combined forces Special Enforcement Unit of the RCMP, dedicated to fighting organized crime. Meetings of the board are held quarterly and alternate between municipalities. The four mayors represent more than 80 per cent of the Okanagan’s population.

Affordable housing hot topic

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 29, 2012 1:00 AM
There is considerable interest in easing the housing crunch in Vernon.  More than 100 people attended a forum on affordable and attainable housing Thursday, far more than had registered. “We know we’ve hit a button in the community,” said Annette Sharkey, with the Social Planning Council, which hosted the event with the City of Vernon. Many of the people in the audience were private sector developers. “We can’t rely on government grants to solve the problem. We all have to work together, including developers,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham, with the city’s affordable housing committee. “There is an appetite among them. They understand there are opportunities for them.” While the real estate sector is currently soft, there are still challenges finding affordable units (people under the low-income cutoff of $35,000) and attainable housing (average income of $55,000). The concern is that high housing costs will keep employees from moving here and existing residents may leave, negatively impacting the economy. “How do we keep our workers in the community?” said Sharkey. During the forum, participants learned about a city initiative that provides builders with information on policies that would assist them in constructing affordable and attainable residential units. There is also an inventory of property owned by charitable groups and government that may be suitable for affordable housing. Sharkey insists all of these details are crucial for private investors. “There has to be a profit for the project to go ahead and it can be difficult with construction costs,” she said. Sharkey and Cunningham will attend an affordable housing conference in Vancouver this week. “We have to keep exploring the options and to be creative,” said Cunningham.

Council divided over full service gas stations

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star  Published: January 25, 2012 1:00 AM

The possibility of forcing gas stations to provide full service is fuelling a debate at city hall. Vernon council has deferred a decision on forming a committee to investigate whether gas stations should be legislated to have full service for the handicapped and seniors unable to pump their own gas. “I’m satisfied we don’t have a problem,” said Coun. Brian Quiring after speaking to the owner of one business. The issue arose after Independent Living Vernon expressed concerns that residents with mobility issues are facing challenges getting fuel at self-serve stations. Quiring says many of the self-serve stations have procedures in place to help, including staff taking gas caps off for customers. “You can call a station the day before and make an appointment to have your fuel pumped at the self-serve price,” he said. It was suggested that a bylaw forcing full service would create a financial burden for self-serve stations and create competition for the two full-serve stations in Vernon. “It will impact every fuel service station and I don’t support that,” said Coun. Catherine Lord, adding that motorists with mobility issues can use the two existing stations that provide full service. Quiring’s comments brought a sharp response from Coun. Juliette Cunningham, who pointed out that fuel is sometimes needed at the last minute. “When someone without a disability says all you have to do is call the night before, they (disabled) may have a problem with that,” she said. Because Quiring consulted with a gas station owner, council wants to hear the other viewpoint. “Out of fairness, we should allow Independent Living to comment as to their concerns,” said Coun. Patrick Nicol.

No Appetite For Road Diet

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Tuesday, 10 January 2012 01:33

The proposed road diet on Vernon's 43rd Avenue has been put on the city's shelf for at least the next five years.  That's when staff say the project may be revisited if it's felt the road requires an upgrade. Councillor Bob Spiers supports the time frame despite initially wanting the idea scrapped altogether. "Five years from now we could have different planners, a different council and everything like that. It's sort of like a five year holiday. We won't see that issue come back before us." The city had proposed going from four to three traffic lanes on 43rd in order to add cycling and safety features, but there was opposition, and the application for gas tax funding was turned down by Ottawa. Mayor Rob Sawatzky says with the funding gone, the project is going nowhere. "We've got some many other problems to work on that that's not part of the deal. Politics is the art of the possible, so if you don't have money, it's not possible."

Evening transit moving ahead in Vernon

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 06, 2012 1:00 AM

Buses could be running later at night.  Vernon council budgeted $80,000 Wednesday to extend transit service beyond the current 6:30 p.m. but exact details on which nights will have later routes is yet to be determined. “We had a goal in our official community plan of increasing people’s participation in transit,” said Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe. “That helps with our roads.” It’s been suggested buses could run until 9:15 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with other nights possibly going until just after 7 p.m. to accommodate shift workers at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. Other possibly users of an evening service are students attending classes at Okanagan College and people going to the movies. Coun. Brian Quiring isn’t convinced Saturday service is necessary. “I don’t think people are taking the bus to restaurants,” he said. “There is free parking downtown on Saturdays so people are driving.”That suggestion was countered by Coun. Juliette Cunningham. “There’s the movies and theatre events,” she said. Mayor Rob Sawatzky believes Saturday service should be considered. “If we keep a couple of people on a Saturday night from drinking and having (motor vehicle) accidents, it would be worth it,” he said. The $80,000 is the city’s contribution to evening service and B.C. Transit’s funding must still be determined. Coldstream could also participate in the extended service but if it does not, late evening runs would not go into that municipality. The only opposition to budgeting the $80,000 at this time came from Coun. Bob Spiers. “I actually am in favour of extending the hours of bus service during the entire week if it is required,” he said. “But I wanted more details on what the estimated ridership would be, total hours of new service etc, when the phase-in period would be, would there be a trial period and the duration of that trial period and an indication of the performance level measure that would constitute whether the trial was a success.” Depending on the planning process, evening transit service could be available when the new transit terminus on 31st Avenue possibly opens in March. Council also decided Wednesday to make another change to transit. Sunday service will become available in Vernon on two statutory holidays — Canada Day and Remembrance Day.
----------

Transit comes with a cost

By Editorial - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 06, 2012 1:00 AM 
The City of Vernon is proceeding with evening transit service after being told there is a strong public demand for it.  A total of $80,000 has been budgeted to possibly run buses until 9:15 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and other nights having a service until just after 7 p.m. for shift workers at the hospital.  This sounds great if you’re wanting to go out Friday or Saturday night to a movie or a restaurant. Students attending evening classes at Okanagan College will also benefit as will those people who have to work at night. They can leave their cars at home, reducing their carbon footprint and easing traffic and parking, particularly downtown.  But we’ve all seen buses with only one or two people aboard, and sometimes there is only the driver. Is that a prudent use of money when there are so many other pressures facing the city? The city says it’s initiating evening service based on public demand, but have there been any actual studies that forecast how many riders there will be? Is there anything that indicates people are willing to give up the car culture and actually commit the time needed to use public transportation? More than likely, this is just another Field of Dreams​, where you build it and you hope they will come. Ultimately, transit is an important service in terms of improving the environment and  extending the life of roads. People should be encouraged to use the bus. But politicians and administrators always need to remember who is paying the bill.

TODAY January 4, 2012 Committee of the Whole - Transit

Start Time: 11:00am - January 4, 2012
Location: Council Chambers

• Agenda Index 
• Agenda Package  Potential Transit Costs and Changes can be found at (P.33)(P.56 begins options) 

-----
Don Quixote Note:  Below are the 3 transit proposal options costed out for the full 2012-2016 period. They range from a total cost for Vernon Taxpayers from $1,817,604 for option 3 (where various changes are put off in time and some actually are put into the 2017 and beyond category.) to $2,155,922 in option 2 to the $2,724,095 in Option 1. (All figures used in this analysis came from the P.56 transit costs options in the above Agenda. Any corrections to these estimates will come out during debate.  (Since first posting Revised Option 1 lowering overall cost- shown below)

There are no estimates for the cost of any new buses that will be required for some of these route changes. Those figures will be requested during the transit meeting.

Revised Option 1 (below) as to s/b $69,120 in 2015 not $131,126

SEE Option 1 Revised (above) $131,126 s/b $69,120

New Council Set For Long Day

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Monday, 12 December 2011 02:24

Today is the first full meeting of the new Vernon council---and it's also their last one of 2011. The council members have a long agenda that will stretch well into the night, partly due to the cancellation of the last meeting, and also with four public hearings tonight.  New mayor Rob Sawatzky says he had a busy, but successful first week on the job. "Everything has been quite more enjoyable that I thought it would be. It's always a learning experience, but we have real professional people and the citizens have been really helpful, along with city staff and council as well." Among the issues to be discussed today are the new budget, a five year plan for transit, and forming a committee to oversee the hiring of a new chief administrative officer to replace the outgoing Leon Gous. Gous leaves at the end of December for a private sector engineering job in Vancouver, but former deputy administrator Marg Bailey will will in as interim administrator until a replacement is hiring, likely by March or April.
-------

Regular Open Council Meeting

Start Time: 1:30pm - December 12, 2011
Location: Council Chambers

• Agenda Index 
• Agenda Package 

Committee of the Whole

Start Time: 8:40am - December 12, 2011
Location: Council Chambers

• Agenda Index 
• Agenda Package 

Special Meeting - Council Orientation

 http://www.vernon.ca/index.php/council/meetings/

Another 'COW' Meeting

Start Time: 9:00am - December 9, 2011
Location: Council Chambers

• Agenda Index 
• Agenda Package (includes Organizational Chart)

This is an open Committee of the Whole Meeting.

New Council Set To Go

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Monday, 05 December 2011 20:55

Vernon's new mayor says he's looking forward to leading the city through what he feels will be interesting and rewarding times ahead. Rob Sawatzky made the comments in his first mayor's report after he and the six councillors were inaugurated by provincial court judge Mark Takahashi before a capacity crowd of friends and relatives at City Hall.  The retired doctor told the media, he thinks the next three years are going to be great. "We have a real experienced council, and a mixed council, and the last council did their best efforts. It's exciting. I think that's the major feeling that a person has." The 59 year old says improving relations with their regional partners will be ongoing, and part of his job. "The only way you can do good work with your neighbors is to communicate, communicate, and communicate, try and work out your problems with the common good in mind. That requires ongoing communication. There's no magic, it's just work." Sawatzky has never held political office, but is familiar with how the system works.  "It will come fairly quickly, and if I'm not comfortable, they'll straighten me out fairly quickly. We have good city staff and good councilors so I won't be going astray anywhere." The new council which includes newcomers Catherine Lord, Brian Quiring, former councillor Juliette Cunningham, along with incumbents Bob Spiers, Mary Jo O'Keefe and Patrick Nicol, will hold their first regular council meeting on Monday. Click HERE for more details on the council appointments. The new mayor also used the event to thank outgoing mayor Wayne Lippert, saying he handled the transition period with grace and dignity, and also acknowledged the service of councillors Jack Gilroy, Buffy Baumbrough and Shawn Lee.
---------

  Vernon's new council officially on the job
By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star  Published: December 05, 2011 9:13 PM

All of the pomp and circumstance couldn’t detract from the workload awaiting Vernon’s new council. Retired physician Rob Sawatzky was sworn in as mayor during the inaugural council meeting Monday. “There is the feeling that things can be quite daunting but it will be great,” he said of his new duties, which immediately includes developing the 2012 budget and hiring a new administrative officer. Wayne Lippert, who was not re-elected to a third term Nov. 19, was on hand to present Sawatzky with the chain of office.  “Wear it with pride and honour and remember that you represent all citizens of Vernon,” said Lippert.  Also swearing their oath of office Monday were  councillors Juliette Cunningham, Catherine Lord, Patrick Nicol, Mary-Jo O’Keefe, Brian Quiring and Bob Spiers. They received some advice from Buffy Baumbrough, who was on council for six years and decided not to seek re-election.  “The electorate has tasked you with making decisions on behalf of the community,” she said.  “It will not be an easy or simple task.” Baumbrough and Lippert, as well as Jack Gilroy and Shawn Lee, who lost their council seats Nov. 19, were honoured for their service to the community.
As part of Monday’s meeting, appointments were made to city committees and outside agencies such as the Regional District of North Okanagan.

City Gets New Parks/Rec Reps

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Monday, 05 December 2011 16:42

Vernon's new mayor is making some changes to the city's reps on the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee.  In appointments to be announced at the inauguration tonight, Rob Sawatzky has appointed himself, Bob Spiers and Catherine Lord (pictured) to the parks, rec and water committee.  Juliette Cunningham will join Sawtzky and Patrick Nicol on the North Okanagan Regional District board.  Sawatzky, Lord, who is a former treasurer with the District of Coldstream, and Spiers will form the Finance committee. Lord, who recently resigned as GM of the O'Keefe Ranch to concentrate on her council duties, will also be Vernon's rep on the Okanagan Regional Library board. The seven members of council will be sworn into office by Judge Mark Takahashi tonight at City Hall. The four retiring council members will also be acknowledged. Click HERE to find out all the mayor's other committee appointments.

Inaugural Meeting of Council

December 5, 2011

Start Time: 7:00pm - December 5, 2011
Location: Council Chambers

• Agenda Index 
• Agenda Package   (committee appointments)

New Era For City Council

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM  Monday, 05 December 2011 00:40

The new Vernon council will be inaugurated tonight including the city's new mayor. Rob Sawatzky takes over after six years of Wayne Lippert at the helm.  The retired family doctor is the 38th mayor in the city's 118 year history. The inauguration is at 7PM at City Hall. One of Sawatzky's first duties will be to announce the city reps for 18 committees, including the Regional District of North Okanagan board (3 members) and the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee (3 reps), and Sawatzky says there will be some changes.  "There are always changes because you rotate around. People spend some time on certain committees and then realize they're suited, or more interested, in other committees. And of course, we've got three different councillors, so there will be some changes, and some will stay the same." The new leader will also try to work out differences with Coldstream, after some promising informal talks with Jim Garlick last week.  "I don't have an official position yet as I'm not inaugurated, so anything that we do is very unofficial, but communication is everything and that's part of what we're doing." Other council newcomers are former O'Keefe Ranch GM Catherine Lord and architect Brian Quiring while business owner Juliette Cunningham returns after a three year absence.  They join incumbents Bob Spiers and Mary Jo O'Keefe, both starting their second terms, and Patrick Nicol who's been elected to council nine times.

Mayors meet over ongoing conflicts

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star  Published: November 30, 2011 1:00 AM

Initial steps are being taken to ease tension in Greater Vernon.  Coldstream Mayor Jim Garlick and Vernon mayor-elect Rob Sawatzky met recently to discuss ongoing areas of conflict — water and parks and recreation.  “We spoke in general about the regional district and Greater Vernon — about the history of what’s gone on,” said Garlick.  “There was a general consensus to keep talking. We didn’t get into solving anything right there.”  Sawatzky says it was important for him to meet with Garlick although he doesn’t have an official role until he is sworn into office Dec. 5.  “The discussions were very preliminary and informal but I don’t think we will have any problem working together,” said Sawatzky.  “Time will tell but I have great hope. Both sides have expressed an interest in moving forward.”  The city has opposed individual jurisdictions taking over parks maintenance, and it has insisted that voting strength be linked to  population, something Coldstream has objected to. Sawatzky won’t speculate on whether those policies will change because he must speak to his new council first. “We’re a group — seven minds working together,” he said.  Garlick believes progress can be made so the interests of all jurisdictions are accommodated. “If we sit down and everyone understands the issues and dealing with them in an orderly fashion, that will be helpful,” he said.  Garlick is urging Sawatzky to keep his city council colleagues informed of issues occurring at regional district so they aren’t caught off guard when decisions are made. “We need everyone aware of what’s happening,” said Garlick. The meeting between Garlick and Sawatzky was held at the Coldstream municipal office. “This is the first time a mayor of Vernon has come to us since I’ve been mayor,” said Garlick.
--------- 
BEYOND THE HEADLINES: Another fresh start

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: November 30, 2011 1:00 AM

As novel as it sounds, Jim Garlick and Rob Sawatzky aren’t the first politicians to try and cease hostilities between Vernon and Coldstream.  Back on Nov. 22, 1999, mayors-elect Brian Postill and Sean Harvey met at the border crossing on Middleton Way, shook hands and declared a new era of co-operation between the two municipalities.  “There has been some bad blood in the past between Vernon and Coldstream and I will be the first to apologize for what has happened but it’s time to turn a new leaf,” Harvey told the media, which was tired, like most residents were, of the constant squabbling between the two outgoing mayors of the time.  Postill vowed his council was dedicated to open dialogue.  “We don’t have to have official meetings. We can just get together and express our feelings,” he said.  Flash forward 12 years and Sawatzky, Vernon’s mayor-elect, and Garlick, Coldstream’s re-elected mayor, are pursuing a similar peace deal, although behind closed doors and not through a cheesy photo-op. “There was a general consensus to keep talking. We didn’t get into solving anything right there,” said Garlick of a recent meeting with Sawatzky.  Sawatzky is cautiously optimistic about finding common ground. “Time will tell but I have great hope. Both sides have expressed an interest in moving forward,” he said.  There was also a sense of optimism back in 1999 and initially, a lasting peace seemed possible. An agreement was hammered out to bring all water utilities under one roof, the performing arts centre and Wesbild Centre were constructed on time and on budget and Greater Vernon gained some decision-making authority away from the Regional District of North Okanagan. But some strong personalities began to clash, particularly because the Area B and C directors felt like they were the forgotten partners. Ultimately, there was a power struggle and RDNO went back to calling the shots over Greater Vernon. New politicians appeared on the scene as elections came and went, but the situation only appeared to get worse. The Aberdeen Road sports complex fiasco undermined the credibility of the Greater Vernon parks board and the then-Coldstream council, while Vernon earned the dubious distinction of a trouble-maker because it was questioning virtually every function the regional district offered. Possible restructuring of parks and recreation helped reveal further divisions among the parties.  In recent years, relations have been strained between Garlick and Wayne Lippert, Vernon’s outgoing mayor. And it hasn’t been uncommon to see Lippert and RDNO chairperson Herman Halvorson at loggerheads during meetings.  Sawatzky and Garlick deserve credit for trying to resolve the current impasse, particularly given that Sawatzky won’t be sworn in as mayor until Monday and has no official role yet. But for progress to occur, there must be give-and-take on all sides. It may mean Coldstream relinquishes its demand to maintain parks on its own. Vernon may have to back off on an extra vote based on population and agree to a model where there is a so-called balance of power between all jurisdictions.  The bottom line is few in the general public care about the inner-workings of governance as long as the parks remain open and the water flows. Time will only tell if Sawatzky and Garlick, and their RDNO counterparts, become the visionaries who finally ended the cold war, or if this period of open dialogue is simply the calm before the storm.

Core Review Discussion Expected

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Monday, 28 November 2011 01:13

The new Vernon council will be discussing spending at City Hall at a future meeting.  New mayor Rob Sawatzky campaigned on a promise to conduct a core service review.  Long time council member Patrick Nicol doesn't think that possibility should concern city staff about job cuts. "This is about improving on the good things that have been done, and examining that perhaps can be improved. I don't think it's about wholesale changes." Nicol needs more details before deciding if he would support major review is needed.  "I don't think it's wrong to go along that route, but it needs to be described in much greater detail that it has been."  The first meeting of the new council is December 12. Meantime, the final meeting of the old council set for today has been cancelled by outgoing mayor Wayne Lippert due to items being deferred to the new council.  It means no final farewells for Lippert, and councillors Jack Gilroy and Shawn Lee (defeated in election) and Buffy Baumbrough, a two term council member who decided not to seek re-election.
----------
KISSFM Poll Question: Do you think the city of Vernon needs a major review of city services and staff?

O’Keefe Ranch loses general manager to council

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star  Published: November 25, 2011 1:00 AM

Vernon’s gain is O’Keefe Ranch’s loss.  Catherine Lord was elected as a city councillor Saturday and that means she will be resigning as general manager at the historic site.  “I can’t do both and I have told the ranch board that,” she said.  “There is a conflict in my mind.”  The ranch is operated by a non-profit society but the property is owned by the City of Vernon and city taxpayers provide funding to the operation. Besides conflict of interest, Lord says she can’t manage the onerous schedule both manager and councillor require. “When the ranch is open during the summer, it takes 150 per cent,” she said. Lord, who has been manager for three years, says she will work with the ranch board to identify a replacement.
She also expects her experiences at the ranch will prove beneficial when the city is trying to determine long-term plans for the attraction.  “I will certainly have the history involved,” she said.

Hospital Hill Pedestrian Crossing Traffic Counts Expected To Take Another Year

Rebecca Barton 7/28/2011 105.7 SUNFM

---

Pedestrians on Hospital Hill will have to play Russian Roulette for another year as the city continues to review crossing safety on Highway 97 near Vernon Jubilee Hospital. City of Vernon Transportation Technician Amanda Watson says they are hoping to partner with UBCO to enlarge the scope of the project and look at how vehicles in the surrounding area are moving and parking. She says they have reports that several people are parking on one side of the highway and then crossing over to the hospital. She says, "It is thankful that there hasn't been any accidents at this location. People are concerned about vehicle speeds and the size of vehicles approaching them but the accident history is thankfully good at this location." Watson anticipates the review will be complete by the spring of 2012.