FINAL SAY | Mayoralty candidates state their case [A5,6,7]
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Mayoralty hopefuls look to polls RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
The race is almost over. After weeks of campaigning, Vernon’s five mayoralty candidates will know Saturday evening whether they rose to the top or if voters didn’t embrace their message. ““I’m hearing it’s going to be very close. It’s going to be a tight race,” said Victor Cumming. Cumming is an economist who is entering politics for the first time. “I’ve been getting a great response. I’m surprised by the number of people approaching me and saying they enjoy my message.” Jamie Morrow isn’t making any predictions. “I’m happy with what I’ve done during the campaign and the response I’m receiving but you don’t know until it’s over,” said the college recruiter and former Sparwood councillor. “Three weeks ago, I was told I was a dark horse and I take that as a compliment. It means I’m making waves. I’ve been quite encouraged,” he said. Akbal Mund admits the cam-
paign has provided a learning experience. “This is my first trip into politics and it’s been an education about what every group is looking for,” said the former Wendy’s owner. “I always feel positive. If I didn’t think I could do the job, I wouldn’t have run, but residents have to decide.” Mary-Jo O’Keefe will be watching the polls closely Saturday night. “We have had lots of people say positive things so I am relatively confident but it’s hard to gauge where you are at. I’m still nervous,” said the current city councillor and owner of MJO Communications. “With this many people running, it (outcome) is difficult to gauge.” Klaus Tribes says his return to campaigning has been upbeat. “I have been approached by a lot of people, including many I don’t know, and they are thanking me for running,” said the former city councillor and retired restaurant owner. “I hope that translates into something positive.”
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Emma Corbett listens to the voting process from election officers while taking part in an advance poll in Vernon. Election day is Saturday in all municipalities, electoral areas and school districts and polls run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Multi-million-dollar water plan goes before voters RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
The fate of a contentious multi-milliondollar master water plan hangs in the balance. Greater Vernon residents will be asked during a referendum Saturday if they support borrowing up to $70 million for water-related infrastructure projects. “It’s not a Cadillac system,” said Mike Macnabb, Greater Vernon Advisory Committee director. Proposed upgrades include filtration at the Duteau Creek treatment plant, an oversized irrigation main line, separation of Coldstream agricultural water, improved domestic distribution, a pump station for agricultural supply and raising the Aberdeen Lake dam. “The $70 million is in 2012 dollars and
construction costs have gone up since then,” said Gyula Kiss, a Coldstream councillor and GVAC director opposed to the proposal. “When you are going to spend millions on a master water plan that dumps treated water on agricultural land, it’s a poor investment.” Kiss questions why Duteau Creek is used as a domestic water source because it depends on sufficient snowpack being available. “Okanagan and Kalamalka lakes are supplied by surface water and aquifers. Kal Lake quality is significantly better and Okanagan Lake has good quality water.” While there is currently no infrastructure on Okanagan Lake, Kiss says Greater Vernon Water’s ultimate plan is to use Okanagan Lake. “All of the money put into Duteau will be lost,” he said, adding that all domestic water
Macnabb is urging residents to seriously consider that outcome. “People have to ask themselves, ‘If the referendum fails, what will realistically happen?’ There is no indication that the provincial government will bail us out (financially),” he said. “The idea that we can force the Interior Health Authority to change its mind on current regulations is not doable. The reality is that we have legislated requirements to meet for water standards.” And Macnabb insists there are benefits from using both Duteau Creek and Kalamalka Lake as there is a back-up system if one of the sources is unavailable. “If the quagga and zebra mussels ever happen in Okanagan and Kalamalka lakes, we’d be in trouble (without Duteau).”
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users should be switched over to Kalamalka Lake. “Agriculture could continue to use Duteau. It’s the cheapest source for them because it would be untreated.” However, Macnabb says that over two years, three engineering firms reviewed nine different options and staff from Vernon, Coldstream and the regional district were involved in developing the master water plan. “We looked at all of the options and all are more expensive,” he said, adding that if the referendum succeeds, residents benefit from very low interest rates. Greater Vernon Water says a positive borrowing referendum will increase water bills by about $36 a year. While most Vernon and Coldstream candidates are voting against the referendum,
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