By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 12, 2012 1:00 AM
There are concerns that a component of democracy has been cast aside at Vernon city hall. Coun. Patrick Nicol wanted to give a resident the
ability to present a 1,670-name petition on the future of Okanagan
Landing firefighters. But a majority of his colleagues denied the
request Monday. “We’ve always received petitions,” said Nicol, adding
that residents should have the right to appear before their elected
officials. The issue arose after Mayor Rob Sawatzky decided that a resident could not present the petition Nov. 26. The petition calls for the reversal of a decision to cancel a service contract with the Landing firefighters. Sawatzky stated the petition dealt with in-camera
matters of labour and legal contracts and permitting a presentation
would leave people with the false impression that they can overturn a
council decision. “It is poor policy to allow contractors to stir the
public and bring forward petitions that influence decision makers and
staff,” he said. That argument didn’t go over well with Nicol. “We’ve been influenced by so many benefitting parties over the years,” he said. Coun. Juliette Cunningham supported Sawatzky’s original move not to allow a delegation. “I looked through the signatures and many were not city residents. Many did not know what they were signing,” she said. Once again, Nicol protested the discussion. “We had people giving input who didn’t live in the city and we accepted it,” he said of the last official community plan review. Nicol only garnered support from Coun. Bob Spiers. “I see nothing wrong with receiving the petition of an
interested party. We’ve received them before. We should have received
this one,” said Spiers. Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe was absent Monday.
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Council should hear concerns: By Editorial - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 12, 2012 1:00 AM
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