MASTERCHEF | Vernon resident a top 50 finalist in Canadian televised cooking competition [A32]
Morning gStar
2015 CHEVROLET SILVERADO DOUBLE CAB 4X4
The
Sunday, January 25, 2015
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
C O M M U N I T I E S
F O R
2 5
182
Stk# 15-122
*
BIWEEKLY
*Biweekly payments on a 3 year lease, includes loyalty, $2500 down & plus $499 & taxes
w w w. v e r n o n m o r n i n g s t a r. c o m
BANNISTER
Y E A R S
4703 - 27th St. VERNON • 250-545-0606
GM DL#9133
Input piped into water plan
HAPPY PUP
RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
LISA VANDERVELDE/MORNING STAR
Bentley excitedly bounds through the snow at BX Ranch Park Thursday morning as Clara Snedden keeps an eye on him.
VAL SPECIAL E REMO ISTS N I R U Pristine Carpet Offers Our Customers Best Value, Best Pricing
Guaranteed!
V8
$
Residents are being brought to the table as the future of Greater Vernon’s water utility is charted. The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee m e t Thursday to discuss the next steps for the master water plan after voters shot down borrowing $70 Bob Fleming million in November. “We need to provide opportunities for input,” said director Bob Fleming. That is also the view of David Sewell, Regional District of North Okanagan chief administrative officer. “This process can’t be rushed and there has to be an information exchange. Public and political support will be obtained in lock-step,” he said. Those comments were welcomed by the handful of residents in the audience Thursday. “I’m impressed with the direction this is taking,” said Klaus Tribes, a former Vernon councillor who is part of a citizens’ group focused on water. “We want to come up with something we can live with. We will be coming forward with our thoughts.” Sewell says the goal is to avoid a staff-driven process and to have all parties collaborate. “We will develop a proposal to bring back to the committee on how we develop this public exchange of information,” he said.
PRISTINE CARPET CLEANING COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL
Carpet & Upholstry Cleaning • House Cleaning • Janitorial Service ~ Locally Owned and Operated Since 1975
Our Reputation... Is Spotless
PET STAIN REMOVAL
“We will also engage in discussion with the Interior Health Authority, with the expectation that they aren’t just an observer but an active participant.” While political divisions appeared prior to November’s borrowing referendum, director Jim Garlick insists that must be avoided as a new plan is developed to meet provincial water quality rules. “I don’t want to hear negativity. We’re building something and we need to be positive,” he said. Some of the discussions Thursday revolved around Duteau Creek and the fact that much of the treated water goes to irrigating farm land. “If we get rid of Duteau Creek (use Mission Hill treatment for domestic use), we can save $2 to $3 million a year and over 20 years, that puts a lot of pipes in the ground,” said director Bob Spiers. Director Gyula Kiss is also calling on Duteau to be replaced by Kalamalka Lake for domestic use. “If we also use Okanagan Lake as a domestic source, it will be cheaper than any other source,” he said. At least one person believes the provincial government’s water standards should be challenged. “It’s a bureaucratic derived crisis. There isn’t a crisis,” said Scott Anderson, a Vernon councillor, of health risks related to the water. “I’d like to see some push back against the province.” Juliette Cunningham, GVAC chairperson,was pleased with the tone of Thursday’s meeting. “This has been the first chance to lay everything on the table,” she said.
Best Equipment - Fastest Steam Dry Time • Pristinecarpets.ca
250-503-1111
FIND OUR AD IN THE TELUS PHONE BOOK
INSIDE BACK COVER!!