Peter McIntyre Friday, 04 June 2010 13:36 107.5 KISSFM
Both sides were accusing each other of stalling as Greater Vernon's partners voted to postpone the review of the water service. The move --approved by a 3-1 vote with Coldsteam and Areas B and C in support---means no further talks will take place until a judicial review of an arbitrator's ruling is completed. Vernon mayor and G-VAC chairman Wayne Lippert was the lone member opposed to the motion, and he's frustrated two of the partners have been unwilling to find solutions. "Area B has come forward suggesting there should be a separate utility, but Area C and Coldstream are not offering any solutions and it's been up to the city of Vernon and myself to do that, so I'm very, very disappointed." Area C director Mike Macnabb says the governance issue seems to be the city's stumbling block. "There's a lot of water boards that have a single vote. They're not weighted and for the mayor to say that if we just had a weighted vote that everything would disappear is incorrect because the problems still exist." Macnabb accused the city of holding a gun to the head of the other participants by using the arbitration process. Lippert says a court date has not been set for the judicial review which he has has nothing to do with the water service. "It has to do with the arbitrator's decision on whether the minister was correct in making his decision or not, so it's just a stall tactic and very frustrating."
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A discussion on Greater Vernon water devolution almost hit boiling point Friday as Electoral Areas B and C supported Coldstream's motion to postpone talks with an facilitator pending the outcome of a judicial review. Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert, the lone vote against postponement, said it was ``typical'' of the other three players to stall. He said none had come up with any solutions to the water management issues. Lippert said he was frustrated and disappointed. But Electoral Area C Director Mike MacNabb said the City of Vernon's legal maneuverings had left a gun pointed at the heads of the other players.Vernon is seeking a judicial review after being denied permission for a partial pullout from the water system. The facilitator does, however, remain involved in a review of the Parks and Recreation Service. Coldstream is urging Vernon to hand over ownership of Kal Beach to the regional district. A cost breakdown of that and of Kin Beach will be discussed at the next meeting.
4 comments:
So according to Mayor Lippert, he and the City of Vernon are offering A SOLUTION by not respecting the Arbitrator's decision and demanding that judicial review?
Wow.
There should be ZERO tolerance for bullying in the boardroom.
The judicial review requested by the City of Vernon has EVERYTHING to do with the water service.
Why sit down to negotiate in good faith with an entity that is actively suing you? Kudos to Coldstream and Areas B&C for putting an end to this madness!
Perhaps Mayor Lippert has forgotten that we taxpayers voted to borrow millions of dollars to implement water improvements for ALL Greater Vernon residents, not just Vernonites.
East Hill resident doesn't know what he is talking about. Perhaps he should ask some of those who were there when Greater Vernon Water was created-and I mean the politicians and not the beaurocraps and not the present politicians(the present politicians are simply lacking in ability and understanding)
How nice to see that at least one "Anonymous" person knows what he/she is talking about. I would be willing to debate the issue with him/her anytime. What the City is peddling was not the understanding of the voters of Coldstream before the referendum. So far the majority of Coldstream consumers get nothing from the deal except for higher water rates and a carrot that later this year there would be SOME improvement to their water quality. And, of course, the legal fight Vernon has hoisted upon the rest of the participants.
And I guess you know it all don't you Guyla.....
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