Attempts to keep Greater Vernon’s water utility intact are on hold. On Friday, representatives from Coldstream and the two electoral areas voted to postpone any further mediation of the water dispute until there is a judicial response to an arbitrator’s decision or the City of Vernon has abandoned its judicial appeal. “You can’t bargain in good faith if arbitration is hanging over your head,” said Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director. In March, the city appealed an arbitrator’s decision that stated the city couldn’t just withdraw from the distribution component of the water utility. A parallel process of mediation was also launched to try and find common ground, and Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert insists the service review should proceed. “If they truly wanted to resolve this, they would continue on with it,” he said of Coldstream and the electoral areas. Lippert says the city will consider withdrawing the appeal if the other jurisdictions meet some specific terms. “If they will sign an agreement saying they will enter into meaningful discussions, we will drop everything,” he said. Lippert suggests the actions of Coldstream and the two electoral areas Friday were calculated. “Obviously they see benefits with the way things are. They are just looking to stall. They aren’t looking for solutions,” he said. Macnabb blames the city for the stalemate. “Vernon is definitely interested in control,” he said. “B, C and Coldstream say it (system) is working and we can work out these issues. But there’s not the same feeling from Vernon.”
Jim Garlick, Coldstream mayor, believes the postponement makes sense because legal activities can’t occur while negotiations are underway. “I hope there will be some clarity on where the process is headed,” he said. “If the city wants clarity by going to an appeal, I’m OK with that.” Garlick hopes mediation can resume.“The process we’ve been going through has been good,” he said.
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