Sad news - Patrick Nicol passes away

Nicol Passes Away

Written by 107.5 Kiss FM Thursday, 16 January 2014 15:05

 

Very sad news out of the city of Vernon today.

Long time councillor, current Regional District of North Okanagan chair, and former Kiss FM general manager Patrick Nicol has died after suffering from an illness.

Mayor Rob Sawatzky issued a statement saying Nicol's service on council was amongst the longest of any councillor in the province.

The mayor says Nicol's dedication to his community was a foundation of his life and work, and many will greatly miss his wisdom and kindness, as well as his efforts to make his community a better place.

"He acted with dignity and respect for others and we, the members of his family at the City of Vernon, extend our condolences to his family and friends."

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Petition targets amalgamation vote

Bruce Shepherd (left) and Peter Moore, with the Society for the Future Governance of Greater Vernon, sign a petition calling for local and provincial politicians to pursue a process to bring Vernon, Coldstream and the two electoral areas together. Jennifer Smith/Morning Star

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star

 
Published: September 08, 2013 1:00 AM

 

There’s pressure to place Greater Vernon’s future in the hands of residents.

Until October 31, a petition will be circulated asking local and provincial authorities to develop a plan to combine Vernon, Coldstream and Areas B and C into a single entity to provide a more efficient use of taxes.

“We want the citizens of Greater Vernon to say if we are one community or not,” said Bruce Shepherd, president of the Society for the Future Governance of Greater Vernon.

The petition is being published in The Morning Star and is available at www.greatervernongovernance.ca.

The goal is to have a referendum on the ballot in each jurisdiction during the 2014 civic elections in regards to governance.

“If they (voters) say no, at least they said it,” said Peter Moore, society director, adding that those opposed to amalgamation should be interested in a referendum proceeding.

“It would be wise for them to ask to have the question on the ballot so they can vote no once and for all.”

The society was first formed in 2005 with a primary focus on the entire North Okanagan, but nothing materialized and efforts ceased. However, earlier this year, a group of eight to 10 people from all four Greater Vernon jurisdictions decided to resurrect the group and narrow the scope to just Greater Vernon.

“Our members are concerned about the duplication of services and inefficiencies,” said Moore of two municipal councils and two electoral area directors as well as parallel bureaucracies for 58,000 people.

As an example, the society points to water and parks, recreation and culture being handled by the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee but any decisions must then go before the Regional District of North Okanagan board. In some cases, processes must also be ratified by Vernon and Coldstream councils.

“There’s too much time spent going from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and committee to committee,” said Shepherd.

“The speed of decision-making has slowed down and the infighting has increased,” added Moore.

Moore says that Coldstream’s population grew 10 per cent between 2000 and 2010 but per capita spending, adjusted for inflation, climbed 32 per cent, while in Vernon, the population increased 13 per cent and spending per capita went up 53 per cent.

“Spending is far outstripping the ability to pay so where will the dollars come from? Either taxpayers dig ever deeper or services will be cut. To avoid this, we must find cost savings in how we operate municipal government.”

As part of a recent city core review, consultant KPMG indicated amalgamation would generate efficiencies and reduce costs. Vernon council decided not to take action on that recommendation.

There have been previous attempts to move towards amalgamation but Moore is confident this new process will move ahead positively.

“We are getting a sense that there’s a silent majority of residents that want the issue addressed,” he said.

The society is not indicating if it has a target for how many signatures it would like on the petition by Oct. 31.

“The provincial government has no magical number either but it needs to be a significant number of residents to call for the question,” said Shepherd.

Before launching the campaign, the society consulted with provincial government representatives, including Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster.

“They asked about the process and how the province would move forward if they get the numbers on the petition they believe they will get,” said Foster.

“We (government) do not force amalgamation on anyone. I am pleased someone is going on a fact-finder  but we do not take sides and we are not initiating the process.”

While the society favours amalgamation, Shepherd insists the priority of the campaign is to simply explore options.

“It might be amalgamation or it might not, which is why it’s important for citizens on both sides of the issue to sign the petition and get the question on the table for formal discussion with facts,” he said.

“Local and provincial politicians won’t take the initiative to find cost and efficiency savings in governance unless taxpayers demand it.”

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How many "Anonymous" Greater Vernon Citizen can vote and how often? So far I counted 21. A petition usually has a bit stricter rules, among them that one "citizen" can only vote once. Even Mr Moore voted twice, an oversight I hope. I have nothing against a petition but it should have rules that no one person can stuff the ballot box. 

For those interested in amalgamation consequences here is an interesting link: How Rob Ford's Meltdown Could Save Toronto.

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Greater Vernon Parks MOU is signed!

Greater Vernon politicians signed an "Historic Document" a Memorandum of Understanding that changes the way Greater Vernon Parks are managed and operated. Basically, there will be parks designated as sub-regional parks under the jurisdiction of the Regional District and local parks will be managed by the jurisdictions in which the parks are located.

The MOU will now be debated and, hopefully, ratified by the participating Councils before it will becomes a new bylaw.

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Public meeting - Lavington re: Antwerp Spring

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Referendum on track for sports facility.

 

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The report above refers to a potential site for the sports facility at the race track site. My understanding always was that this facility would be at the College site and I supported to have the proposal taken to taxpayers for adjudication through a referendum. All taxpayers would have an opportunity to express your wishes through the referendum and not an alternate approval process. Results of the referendum will be binding on my vote for the facility provided it will be on the College site! If you wish to register how you would vote on the pending referendum I will set up a poll on this blog for your perusal.

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Camp Hurlburt named Aviva semi-finalist

Voting for the Semi-Finals begins on Monday at 9AM,   Just one out of seven local groups in the Canada-wide Aviva competition has made the cut.  Rebuild Camp Hurlburt is the last remaining local contestant in the Aviva Community Fund.  Hurlburt moves on to the semi-finals, against 89 other ideas from across the country. Each of the projects are competing to gain the most votes in their respective budget sizes.  Voting for the semi-finalists begins Monday and runs until Dec. 16 at www.avivacommunityfund.org. Camp Hurlburt is idea number ACF10943 in the youth category and is hoping to secure up to $150,000 to help rebuild the camp.  The top 30 ideas will move onto the finals, where the judges will decide which ideas will be awarded grant money.  “We’re very thankful to everybody who has gotten us there because it makes a big difference,” said Jennifer Yeo, with the Camp Hurlburt Association.  “We just hope that everyone sticks to it and keeps voting, and vote every day.”

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Some comments about fairness.

The following Anonymous comment was received in response to some of my comments (see Selected Articles, scan 1) which requires clarifications. Below is the comment and my response.

"You say most people strive for fairness? How fair is it that a small group of people who live near the lake and do not have to drive there to enjoy it can make the decision that others must pay to enjoy the lake. This is a bad idea which will cost the taxpayers of Coldstream even more money than the failed boat launch study which this same group initiated then rejected when it did not turn out their way. It is time for the politicians of this area to act for ALL that voted them in and not just a small special interest group. Do the math (failed boat study $40,000, parking meters who knows how much more) try spending our money on a crosswalk to help people get from the beach parking lot to the beach without being run over. The Kalavista Committee has not addressed this issue at all even though they claim to be making decisions in this area for us all. They care more about a few turtles that our kids and would rather see a safe turtle crossing built before a safe pedestrian crossing is put in. I and others are tired of our council pandering to one small section of our community. I voted for you now do the right thing and represent me..don't make me pay to park near the lake."

Thank you for your comments and for your vote. Be assured that I do represent you as much as I represent all of the taxpayers of Coldstream and I want everyone treated fairly. However, fairness means different things to different people.

The small group of people do not make the decisions about paying for enjoying the lake. Politicians make that decision based on evidence presented to them. As one member of Council I wish to explain my thought processes in making my decision on this issue.

The issue: We have a conflict between the residents living in the neighbourhood of the boat launch and boat owners wishing to launch their boat at said boat launch. Boat owners are competing for spaces at the parking lot and an opportunity to launch their boats. Residents wish to live in peace and quiet and want to access their properties in peace and without harassment. Is there a fair resolution?

Considerations: The first consideration is that the residents are stationary: they cannot pack up and move their homes. The boat owners move their boats to the launch so it is easier for them to move to another launching site located at Kekuli Bay. Parking there is free and there are no residents to inconvenience. The better alternative is obvious.

Another issue is the congestion at the north end of Kalamalka Lake. All sorts of water related activities are concentrated in this relatively small area, including swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, etc. These activities are not very compatible with large power boats. Kekuli Bay is much better suited for these large crafts.

Parking meter issues. According to the boat launch study there are over 20,000 boat owners in the greater Vernon area. Total number of parking spaces is about 30. Obviously, there is huge competition for those parking spaces. Installation of a parking meter would allow Greater Vernon residents to obtain preferential rates and provide an incentive for boat owners to drive to Kekuli Bay where the parking is free. The revenue would help offsetting the cost of hiring the Commissioners who maintain order at the boat launch. Parking fees are a fact of life.

Boat owners also have a vested interest just like the residents. They also have a responsibility to investigate accessibility to the lake and availability of parking their trailers prior to purchasing their boats. Kalamalka Lake has an issue of easy access due to prior residential developments which would be difficult to reverse. We have to make the best with what we have. As a Director of the Regional District in the past I supported the development of the Kekuli Bay camp grounds and boat launch area in order to provide alternate access to the lake. I also supported the expansion of that boat launch last year as a Director of GVAC. If there are other viable and fair options available I am willing to listen.

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District of Coldstream Supports the Greater Vernon Water Utility

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GVAC meeting - August 12, 2010.

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GVAC meetings - June 10

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Water rates -- are we paying too much?

My presentation to the Greater Vernon Water Advisory Committee can be accessed at WATER! The meeting will start at 8:00AM in the NORD Boardroom.

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GVPRC Service Review Committee meeting.

Anyone interested is welcome to attend above meeting tomorrow at 8:30 AM in the NORD Board Room.

Information on previous meeting can be accessed at Service Definition.

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Greater Vernon Water History

If you are interested in an concise review of the Greater Vernon Water history please visit the BX-Swan lake website. Under Links click on Greater Vernon Water History.

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Reserve policy at NORD -- Posted by Don Quixote on Vernon Blog

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Reserve Policy to be Addressed at NORD & GVSC by Politicians.

This came from a posting on Saturday, March 08, 2008 called: JUSTIFY this policy on RESERVES to the Taxpayer.
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• At this point Reserves as a %age of operating expenses were $353,388 or 132.75% for the Community Theater.
• At this point Reserves as a %age of operating expenses were $646,728 or 46.52% for the Multi-Plex.
  

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At a Nov 4, 2009 COW Meeting the CFO David Sewell made a presentation of all the reserves of all of NORD's functions and presented the "operating reserves" as a % of operating expenses for 2009. This was the first open and transparent presentation of reserves at NORD that I had ever seen at NORD.

• At Close of 2009 Reserves as a %age of operating expenses were $463,656 or 168.3%
  for the Community Theater. (an increase of over $90,000)
• At Close of 2009 Reserves as a %age of operating expenses were $1,341,531 or 93.5% for the Multi-Plex. (an increase of just less than $700,000)

Our Politicians at the NORD and GVSC tables will be addressing all reserve balances and the philosophy of Operating Reserves (that should be at no more than 20% except in special circumstances as suggested by Mr. Sewell CFO-NORD), Capital Equipment Reserves, and Capital Facility or Future Building Replacement Reserves. The Capping of these reserves and indeed the necessity of the reserves especially for Future Replacement will be formalized hopefully through the upcoming budget cycle.

As Vernon taxpayers pay 66.42% of both the Multiplex and Community Theatre Functions in 2009 the concern about excessive stockpiling of reserves is of paramount interest. (Coldstream pays about 17.06%, Area B pays 8.24% and Area C pays 8.28%).
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Don Quixote Note:
The outstanding debt issues on these two buildings and a breakdown of operating expenses versus debt and interest expenses can be found in a July 2009 Posting: Multiplex and Performing Arts Theatre - Where we stand !

As both of these buildings Debt issues have a 20 year amortization schedule that will be paid off mostly by 2020 it is apparent that the taxpayer of this period (2000-2020) will be paying off a building that hopefully will last at least 35- 40 years before any replacement building will even be contemplated or needed.

Setting aside the argument of whether the Politicians of today should build up Capital Building Replacement reserves by taxing the 2000-2020 taxpayer who is already paying at almost 2 times the lifetime of the building rate, it is easy to see that any such reserves should only start in 2021 when the Debt is fully paid and probably only after Citizen and Taxpayer input at that time. (Referendum?).

A sound Operating reserve capped at a % age of operating expenses (to provide for emergencies and overlooked expenses) and a capped Capital Equipment reserve to pay for major replacements needed are worthy of consideration. Capital Building Replacement reserves at this time and at least until 2021 are NOT needed. The taxpayer who benefits in the future will be the taxpayer who decides if this is what he wants and agrees to be taxed for.

The Financial Staff at NORD has given an honest exposure and explanation of our reserves. It will be up to the Politicians at these tables to represent the taxpayer and formulate a fair ongoing Reserve Policy.

Posted by Don Quixote at 11/15/2009

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