There were some red faces over a green project Monday at Vernon council.
The bottom line is, after nearly 30 minutes of
sometimes heated and frustrating debate, council voted to give Vernon Secondary School $10,000 to buy a composting machine for its new Go
Green project. VSS culinary arts teacher Sandi Slizak and acting
principal Tony Dolinar made a presentation to council about the
project, saying the thing they wanted most was a composting machine. What led to the debate was Coun. Mary-Jo
O’Keefe’s assertion that a financial request from the school for the
machine be deferred two weeks, as per council policy, because the VSS
administrators presented as a delegation to council. “I’m very much in support of the project, but
speaking to the policy, I really think its inappropriate for us not to
live up to the policy,” said O’Keefe. “It gives people the expectation that every time
we have a delegation we will immediately make a decision, and that when
we don’t it’s a controversial decision. It demeans our policy. I say we
stick to it and deal with it at the next meeting.” However, Coun. Juliette Cunningham pointed out
that a recommendation by the city’s finance committee to deny the
request was already on the council agenda. “The finance committee dealt with it, they
brought forward a recommendation, and it’s on our agenda. It’s not the
same as a regular delegation,” said Cunningham. “They requested $10,000, it went to finance
committee. That’s a totally different issue than a delegation coming
with a fresh new idea. “We have a recommendation here to deny it.” After more debate and motions withdrawn and
defeated, council voted by a margin of 4-2 to not support the finance
committee’s recommendation of denying the $10,000 request. Couns. Bob Spiers and Catherine Lord voted
against the motion. Coun. Brian Quiring declared a conflict of interest
and did not take part in the discussions. Spiers and Lord also voted to oppose giving VSS
the one-time capital grant of $10,000, which the finance committee must
now come up with. “This is a fantastic project, I just don’t think right now is the time for us to support the start of this project,” said Lord. “We don’t have a lot of money to throw around.” Spiers thought the request should be more regional. “This should be referred for a possible grant
function out of the regional district,” said Spiers. “Then we can move
from there if they don’t go along with it.” Council also voted to support a motion made by Coun. Patrick Nicol to have the school district match the $10,000 grant. Slizak explained the Go Green project is to help
create a culture of sustainability at the school, and want to involve
the community. The project, which has nothing to do with the new
VSS being built, will bring together staff, students and community
members to create a sustainable learning environment where current
course curriculum is blended with outdoor learning activities and education, said Slizak. The four-part project will cost $132,000. The school’s Parent Advisory Committee has already committed $8,000.
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P.84 of Agenda Package 
shows details of the total Go Green VSS initiative.
excerpt detailing costs below. Grant application of $10,000 was towards
the composting section of project only. This is the application which
the Finance Committee on May 17 recommended to the full council that it
be denied. See Page 55 of Finance agenda Package
Agenda Package - Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 1:30pm . for application for a community Grant.
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