NORD review under attack

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: June 05, 2010 12:00 PM

A review of North Okanagan Regional District functions is drawing intense scrutiny. Doug Dirk, Coldstream director, is questioning why member jurisdictions are looking at their participation in some services when the board didn’t formally launch such a process. “The board makes decisions and provides direction and there’s no informally about it,” he said. Concerns have also come from Spallumcheen director Will Hansma, who has suggested the issue has been driven by the five electoral areas. “We never said we wanted a full function review. I’d like to know what your intentions are as electoral areas,” he said. “There are things we’re all involved in that we should all sit around and discuss.” Herman Halvorson, board chairman, admits the board never officially authorized a review. “There was an informal discussion here,” he said, adding that the reviews are necessary. “We do have to know what our staffing levels will be. We just want to know where we will go in the future.”

Eugene Foisy, Cherryville director, denies the electoral areas are instigating the process, but he says there is a need for individual communities to consider services. “What is it offering me? What does it cost me? That’s what I want to know,” he said. Director Wayne Lippert backs the process, and says the City of Vernon will consider the functions it pays for. “Is there any way to achieve some streamlining of efficiencies?” he said. “Each jurisdiction should be looking at what they want to be in and out of.” Director Dee Wejr insist the process simply allows jurisdictions to decide if they are still committed to a function, and Enderby will participate in the review. “We want to be cost-effective as far as staff goes,” she said.