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Flood closes library RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
JENNIFER SMITH/MORNING STAR
Nicci Cabrejos and Kelly-Lynn Ware dismantle the bottom of shelves at the Vernon library Tuesday so restoration crews can clean up flooding damage following a pipe break Sunday evening. For a video of the damage visit www.vernonmorningstar.com
It has the plot of a whodunnit. What caused a water pipe to burst and close Okanagan Regional Library’s Vernon branch is unknown, while patrons are left waiting to see when the doors will reopen. “We’re going day by day,” said Tara Thompson, head librarian, as to when the damage may be repaired. Thompson was notified Monday at about 6:30 p.m. that a water main right next to the outdoor book return bins was gushing with water. “The bins were completely full of water,” she said, adding that the books in the bins may not be salvageable. From there, the water — two to three inches in places — flowed into the back storage room and finally into the main entrance and the youth section. Water poured into the elevator pit and a layer of ice has formed in the basement parkade. In the meeting rooms, the base of the walls resemble Swiss cheese as restoration crews punch holes into the walls for ventilation to dry out wet gyproc. A similar procedure is in other rooms, forcing library staff to remove shelves and books at ground level to improve access. “I have a great staff so this will go quick,” said Thompson. As the Vernon library is generally popular, it is eerily quiet. “This area would usually be filled with story time right now,” said Thompson as she toured the facility Tuesday.
JENNIFER SMITH/MORNING STAR
Book returns are currently not being accepted at Vernon library which is closed following a flood. The cause of the pipe burst has not been determined although it’s possible that the pipe was frozen because the book bin room is not heated. Thompson is trying to remain upbeat about the situation. “Life happens and we have to work as hard as we can to deal with these things,” she said. As well as the Vernon branch being shut down, the book returns are closed to the public. Patrons are asked to hold on to any books until the branch reopens or to visit another branch within the North Okanagan. “Don’t worry about due dates, we’ll figure that out,” said Thompson. Overdue fines will be waived during the closure and information on reopening will be available at www.orl.bc.ca or through Facebook and Twitter.
Politician pitches elected officials on IHA board A North Okanagan politician wants to shed some light on how health care decisions are made. Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director, is urging local governments to lobby the Ministry of Health to name elected officials to the Interior Health Authority board. “That could help the organization be more responsive and transparent,” said Macnabb, adding that residents may find elected politicians more approach- Mike Macnabb able when they have health care concerns. “Our role is to represent people and there’s a disconnect between IHA and the real world.” Presently, IHA board members, including Vernon’s Virginia Goodings, are appointed by the Ministry of Health.
Macnabb points to IHA’s $3.8 billion annual operating budget and he says residents and local governments have no input on what occurs in their community. “We have no impact on that and we’re just told what happens. Maybe we can affect some changes,” he said. Macnabb has received the backing of his Electoral Area Advisory Committee colleagues. “There is a lot of money being spent,” said Jackie Pearase, rural Enderby director. “This is tax dollars being spent and with more oversight, we can answer people’s questions. Local politicians can be the conduit to the (IHA) board for residents to ask questions.” The Regional District of North Okanagan board will be asked to support Macnabb’s proposal and to seek endorsement from the Southern Interior Local Government Association, which could lobby the ministry. Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA, isn’t opposed to possibly broadening the makeup of the IHA board but he
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defends how the agency operates. “They are very transparent. Local government officials can go to a hospital board meeting,” he said, adding that IHA must consider the broad needs of the entire Interior and not just specific communities. Foster also says that local politicians currently play a role in health care through hospital districts, which tax for facility upgrades. “On the capital side, they have veto power. They can say no they won’t fund something.” Norm Embree, IHA chairperson, believes expanding the board to include elected officials could be challenging. We have nine people on the board and to get all of the local governments involved, we would have a board of about 100. I don’t think it would be practical,” he said. Embree also says that IHA goes to great strides to communicate, including through press releases and meeting with councils and regional districts. “Everything is on our website. We’re pretty open.” THANK YOU VERNON!
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