OFFICER HONOURED | RCMP constable receives award for assisting an injured pedestrian [A5]
Morning gStar
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Friday, Nov. 23, 2012
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PETERS TIRECRAFT
peterstirecraft.ca 4612 - 27 St, Vernon 250-545-0634
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Directors reach peace over parks
DECORATING DUO
he said. “It allows us to invest in it as Transfer of large chunks of park with a sense of confidence.” land have clinched a likely end Sawatzky insists changing to Greater Vernon’s parks dis- ownership for Kal Beach will pute. benefit his constituents. Representatives for Vernon, “It will be a park and that will Coldstream and the electoral never change,” he said, adding areas have signed a memoran- that Coldstream has promised dum of understanding which to rezone the property from reswill see some parks idential to parks. remain regional As part of the MOU, while others will fall ownership of all parks under individual under the control of jurisdictions. individual jurisdictions “We want to cowill be transferred to operate and we’ve those jurisdictions. seen this over the last As a result, Polson year and it’s great,” Park’s designation will said Rob Sawatzky, a shift from regional to Rob Sawatzky Vernon director. local because Vernon But to get to was not willing to give a tentative agreeup ownership to RDNO, ment — which must which is responsible for now be endorsed by parks deemed to be all jurisdictions — regional. some trade-offs were “That might be a made. tough sell,” said director S p e c i f i c a l l y, Juliette Cunningham of Vernon has agreed possible public reaction Jim Garlick to take ownership of to the city relinquishing 10 Regional District control of Polson Park. of North Okanagan sites on The memorandum of underLakeshore Road in return for standing must now be ratified the city transferring title for Kal by the RDNO board and Vernon Beach to the regional district. and Coldstream councils. “We get the ability to deterThere is a concern that some mine what we will do with the politicians who were not part of lands,” said Sawatzky of the negotiations may not be pleased Lakeshore Road sites, adding with the terms of the draft they could play a critical role agreement. in the city’s waterfront develop“It’s a large mixture of comment plan. promise. If you cherry-pick one If any of the lots are sold, the or two items, you open up the money must go back into parks. whole panorama,” said Trafford While Kal Beach is in Hall, RDNO administrator, who Coldstream, it is owned by facilitated discussions. Vernon and the city had previ“We’re aiming for improveously refused to change the zon- ment and not perfection.” ing from residential to parks. If all jurisdictions sign the Jim Garlick, Coldstream MOU, bylaws will be amended director, supports transferring to reflect the new service model. Kal Beach title from the city to All parties will now move RDNO. ahead with possible changes “It takes all of the speculation to recreation and cultural proaway of what we can do with it,” grams. RICHARD ROLKE
Morning Star Staff
LISA VANDERVELDE/MORNING STAR
Natalia Mateus (left) and Audrey Maynard, of Davidson Lawyers, decorate their tree at the United Way Festival of Trees Wednesday in the Best Western Vernon Lodge. The event raises funds for non-profit agencies in the community and the trees will be on display during the entire holiday season.
VERNON TOYOTA
VERNON “TOY”OTA, & DL# 30382
3401 - 48th Ave • Phone (250) 545-0687 VISIT US 24/7 AT WWW.VERNONTOYOTA.COM
Toys will be donated to the Salvation Army.
EVENT RUNS UNTIL DEC. 15th/12
HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE CONTINUES!
Are helping to bring the magic of Christmas morning to children in need this holiday season. Please donate a new, unwrapped toy, which will be distributed to children in need this Christmas. Toys can be dropped off at VERNON “TOY”OTA, 3401 - 48th Ave.
SEE OUR AD ON PAGE A-15