Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Thursday, 22 January 2015 06:00
Local politicians will try to find some common ground on the future of Greater Vernon's water service. Greater Vernon Advisory Committee directors hold a special meeting this afternoon to talk about the master water plan after 66% of voters rejected borrowing 70 million dollars for six projects in a November referendum. BX-Silver Star director Mike Macnabb feels the former plan was sound, and should still be pursued. "Ultimately we do have to be responsible to the province and the IHA (Interior Health) in terms of what does this plan look like, and how can we protect the water for our consumers," says Macnabb. Macnabb says the 70 million dollar price tag is what tilted the scales on the referendum. "That is the large number that scared most people." Vernon Mayor Akbal Mund says there could be a push for a new direction. "There's a lot of people out there saying we should have two different sources, one for agriculture and one for residents. I get that, and obviously you have to kind of listen to everybody, but at the same time, you have to do what's best for the Greater Vernon area," says Mund. Mund would also like to find out more about why voters turned down the referendum, with suggestions some were concerned about the cost, others with the plan, and others about the provincial government not providing funding. "Some people just didn't like the way the plan was set out. That was my reason to vote no. I liked parts of the plan, but not all of the parts," adds Mund. Mund says they have to proceed under the assumption there won't be funding from senior levels of government, even though it may happen at some point.
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Link From the Coldstreamer: Readers Write - Letter to the Editor (published with permission)
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