SPECIAL HONOUR | Armstrong resident recognized nationally for Search and Rescue efforts [A13]
Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012
P R O U D L Y
S E R V I N G
O U R
N O R T H
w w w. v e r n o n m o r n i n g s t a r. c o m
O K A N A G A N
C O M M U N I T I E S
F O R
O V E R
2 0
Y E A R S
Wet / Dry Vacuum
19995
$
SE61
• ULTRA QUIET • HEAVY DUTY POWER SALES SINCE 1965
Morning gStar
The
Cleaning Cheers!
SERVICE
PARTS
SAVOY EQUIPMENT
LTD.
3202 29TH Street, Vernon
250-545-0627 • Kelowna
Petition refusal draws protest
Christmas Kiss
“It is poor policy to allow contractors to stir the public and bring forThere are concerns that a com- ward petitions that influence decision ponent of democracy has makers and staff,” he said. been cast aside at Vernon That argument didn’t go city hall. over well with Nicol. Coun. Patrick Nicol “We’ve been influenced by wanted to give a resident so many benefitting parties the ability to present a over the years,” he said. 1,670-name petition on C ou n . Ju l i e tte the future of Okanagan Cunningham supported Landing firefighters. But Sawatzky’s original move not a majority of his colto allow a delegation. Patrick Nicol leagues denied the request “I looked through the sigMonday. natures and many were not “We’ve always received petitions,” city residents. Many did not know said Nicol, adding that residents what they were signing,” she said. should have the right to appear before Once again, Nicol protested the their elected officials. discussion. The issue arose after Mayor Rob “We had people giving input who Sawatzky decided that a resident didn’t live in the city and we accepted could not present the petition Nov. it,” he said of the last official commu26. nity plan review. The petition calls for the reversal Nicol only garnered support from of a decision to cancel a service con- Coun. Bob Spiers. tract with the Landing firefighters. “I see nothing wrong with receivSawatzky stated the petition dealt ing the petition of an interested party. with in-camera matters of labour and We’ve received them before. We legal contracts and permitting a pre- should have received this one,” said sentation would leave people with the Spiers. false impression that they can overCoun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe was absent turn a council decision. Monday. RICHARD ROLKE
Morning Star Staff
DAWN MACE/MORNING STAR
Mrs. Claus can’t resist the kissable cheeks of little Ridge Brockwell during the annual Community Christmas Celebration in Enderby Friday.
City chooses cultural sites, discussion ensues GVAC, which is responsible for culture, asked the city to determine locations for new facilities. Locations have been identified Before sites are agreed to, for cultural amenities but it’s not Garlick wants to hear from the guaranteed they will go there. Greater Vernon Museum and The Greater Vernon Advisory Vernon Public Art Gallery. Committee will take an active role “We have to go to the users and now that the City of Vernon has get their feedback and how they supported the concept of an art can use them,” he said. gallery at the former flower shop Rob Sawatzky, Vernon mayor, on 31st Avenue and expansion of supports the decision of his counthe existing museum to address Jim Garlick cil on locations. ongoing space constraints. “It’s a logical, thorough analy“We will listen to the reasons behind them,” said Jim Garlick, a GVAC sis,” he said, adding that while some residents have suggested both agencies be on director. “Then we will make a decision to confirm one property, that isn’t viable. “They (groups) don’t want that and are them or not.” RICHARD ROLKE
Morning Star Staff
on different timelines.” Sawatzky isn’t sure what will occur if GVAC doesn’t support the sites proposed by the city. “The process will be more difficult reaching a successful conclusion,” he said. Greater Vernon Museum officials are disappointed with city council’s actions. “They say we can get a 30,000-squarefoot building on this site and I’m not sure how we will do it,” said Ian Hawes, museum president, of the requirement for exhibit space, storage and climate control. “No matter what we do with this site, we won’t have a class A facility. If it’s not a class A facility, why are we doing it?” Hawes is also frustrated council made a decision without input from his group.
“This community needs a vision. Where do we want to be 15, 20 or 30 years from now?” he said. VPAG already has plans for the flower shop site. “It’s in GVAC’s hands to decide where we go from here,” said Dauna Kennedy Grant, executive director. Kennedy Grant would like a spring referendum so a new gallery can be ready for a major print event in 2015. “There’s still a chance we can do that,” she said. It’s been suggested that an art gallery could cost $5 million whereas a stand-alone museum could be up to $10 million. No costs for expanding the present museum have been provided.
3FC04
YOUER! OIC
CH
WATKIN MOTORS
Sale $ ,
Lease for * $
Financing
for 72 20 816 or 260/MO. or 0 % months *PAYMENT BASED ON 48 MONTH LEASE @ 0% INTEREST. TOTAL PAID $13,977.
DLR. #6076
2013 FOCUS HATCHBACK SE
4602 - 27 ST, VERNON | SALES • LEASING • PARTS • SERVICE 250-545-0611 • 1-800-736-1944 • WATKINMOTORS.COM