FIELD OF SCREAMS | Popular Science Centre haunted house moves to O’Keefe Ranch corn maze [A4]
Morning gStar
The
Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013
P R O U D L Y
S E R V I N G
O U R
N O R T H
O K A N A G A N
w w w. v e r n o n m o r n i n g s t a r. c o m
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
Canada Wide
CLEARANCE on 2013 models
2010 Chevrolet Cobalt Stk# 13-649A
14, 400 OR $135 BANNISTER GM
$
* B/W
*BIWEEKLY PAYMENT BASED ON 84 MONTHS AT 6.99% FINANCING OAC. ALL PAYMENTS INCLUDE TAXES AND ADMIN FEES, BUT PRICE OF VEHICLE DOES NOT.
4703 - 27th St. VERNON • 250-545-0606
DL#9133
Spring vote in the works RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
TINY DANCERS LISA VANDERVELDE/ MORNING STAR
Carina Allan, four, (right) and Jazzlyn Parks, three, skip across the floor in Deborah Banks’ ballet class at the Okanagan School of Ballet.
Resolution targets longer terms RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
Mayors, councillors and regional district directors could be elected less frequently. A resolution to extend terms of office from three to four years was supported by 60 per cent of delegates at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver Thursday. “There’s something to be said about continuity,” said Ryan Nitchie Ryan Nitchie, an Armstrong councillor. “We develop five-year plans but we’re only elected for three years.”
Catherine Lord, a Vernon councillor, also supported the resolution, which will now be forwarded to the provincial government for consideration. “Four years gives people more time to do what they were elected to do,” she said, adding that currently, the first year is a learning curve for new politicians and the third year is focused on electioneering. “It will also be cheaper for taxpayers to have an election every four years than three.” However, not everyone is supportive of the shift. “If there are four-year terms, it will be hard to attract people to make the commitment for that length of time,” said Rick Fairbairn, rural Lumby director. “It’s difficult to attract younger individuals.”
Juliette Cunningham, a Vernon councillor, also has similar concerns. “Four years is a good chunk of their life. It may make them decide not to run,” she said. Nitchie downplays the impact of four years over three. “People are committed to the community no matter what,” he said. UBCM will now ask the provincial government to make the change in time for civic elections in November 2014. Presently, there are four-year terms for municipal leaders in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Ontario, P.E.I. and New Brunswick. — with files from Black Press reporter Tom Fletcher
View All Listings and Open Houses at … www.TheRightAgents.com Each office is independently owned and operated
Officials are furiously trying to hammer out plans for a possible cultural referendum. Greater Vernon Advisory Committee staff have been meeting with the Greater Vernon Museum and Vernon Public Art Galley on potentially holding a spring vote to borrow funds for new facilities. “We are in a tight timeline,” said Tannis Nelson, community development co-ordinator. In August, GVAC directors voted to proceed to a spring 2014 referendum to borrow funds for a new art gallery and museum. However, there are some outstanding issues to resolve, including which jurisdictions would participate financially in the service. “Out of that will come the costs of what needs to be done leading up to a referendum,” said Nelson. Political approval will also be required to hire a consultant to establish firm construction costs — possibly $17 million — as well as operating expenses. The other matter to determine is when a referendum may be held and ensuring all legislative requirements for a referendum are met. Nelson believes that even with all of the work that must still be done, a spring vote could occur. “It will keep us busy through the fall. We want to make sure we are thorough,” she said.