MOVIE MAGIC |Vernon residents catch a glimpse of Anthony Hopkins on film set [A4,5]
Morning gStar
The
Sunday, November 16, 2014
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
2 5
Y E A R S
2011 Toyota Echo Stk# P14-620A
Only 133,520 Kms
$
5,800
*
*plus $499 doc fee & taxes.
BANNISTER
4703 - 27th St. VERNON • 250-545-0606
GM DL#9133
Mund moves into mayor’s chair RICHARD ROLKE
Morning Star Staff
Vernon’s new mayor says he’s ready to get down to business. Akbal Mund rose to the top Saturday with 3,714 votes, with Victor Cumming in second at 3,089. “It’s exciting,” said Mund, the former owner of the local Wendy’s franchise. Mund believes he won because he was able to resonate with residents. “There was a lot of the young voting crowd who came out who were engaged. People wanted change and a new direction,” he said. Mund, who isn’t sworn in as mayor until Dec. 1, will meet with the retiring Rob Sawatzky to get a sense of the mayor’s job. “This is my first foray into politics and I need to do some homework,” said Mund. This was also a first-time campaign for Cumming, an economist. “I’m pleased with how I did,” he said. “People wanted change and Akbal is well known in the community. He did well on campaigning on that style of being known.” In third place was Mary-Jo O’Keefe, a city councillor, who received 1,319 votes for mayor. “We ran a good campaign and I am pleased with the support I got. I am disappointed but I wish Akbal all of the best,” she said. “We were clear with our messaging. I will continue to work and
LISA VANDERVELDE/MORNING STAR
Akbal Mund is congratulated on his mayoralty win by MLA Eric Foster and Dalvir Nahal celebrates after getting a seat on Vernon council Saturday night at the Kalamalka Rotary Dream Auction at the Best Western Vernon Lodge. move Vernon forward.” Klaus Tribes’ bid for mayor garnered 1,011 votes. ‘The people have spoken and I wish Akbal all of the best. He has a lot of work ahead of him. He’s a capable man,” said Tribes, a former councillor.
College recruiter Jamie Morrow got 442 votes. “You do your best and I congratulate Akbal. My wife and I are extremely happy with what we did. There are no regrets,” said Morrow. The four incumbent city councillors — Brian Quiring, Bob Spiers,
Juliette Cunningham and Catherine Lord — were all re-elected with 4,275, 4,162, 4,120 and 4,006 votes respectively. Filling the other two seats on council will be Dalvir Nahal (3,919) and Scott Anderson (3,805). The other candidates were:
Kari Gares - 3,581 Mark Olsen - 3,514 Jack Gilroy - 3,451 Shawn Lee - 3,271 Janet Green - 3,027 James Todd - 1,568 Colt Wilson - 1,127 Art Gourley - 768
Greater Vernon drowns master water plan
RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
Greater Vernon officials are uncertain about what will happen now that voters have overwhelmingly shot down the master water plan. On Saturday, 7,918 residents voted against borrowing up to $70 million for upgrades to the water utility, including filtration.
1
#
Mike Macnabb
There were 3,999 people in favour. “There will be work going ahead,” said Coldstream Mayor Jim Garlick. “Staff will meet with the Interior Health Authority on the results and get feedback from them.” It has been suggested that IHA could slap an order on Greater Vernon to proceed with the master water plan despite the referendum results.
“We will look at the next steps to meet IHA’s requirements,” said Garlick, who believes the referendum was defeated for a number of reasons. “The overall number ($70 million) was the problem. If we have to meet the requirement, it will be expensive no matter which way we go.” Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director, is frustrated with the borrowing referendum results.
“It’s unnecessary confusion and delay and an unnecessary amount of money will have to be spent to get the same result,” he said. During the election, most Vernon and Coldstream candidates stated they would vote against borrowing, including those who had authorized the master water plan and the borrowing bylaw. “I hold the politicians calling for its demise to account. It (plan) was used for political purposes,” said Macnabb.
CARPET CLEANING IN THE NORTH PRISTINE COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL
OKANAGAN
Carpet & Upholstry Cleaning • House Cleaning • Janitorial Service ~ Locally Owned and Operated Since 1975
Our Reputation... Is Spotless
Best Equipment - Fastest Steam Dry Time • Pristinecarpets.ca
250-503-1111
FIND OUR AD IN THE TELUS PHONE BOOK
INSIDE BACK COVER!!