Dispatch Still Based Out of Region.

So it seems that Vernon wasn’t even given the chance to bid on the new fire dispatch contract. Evidently our elected officials at the Regional District Table are happy to send a $170,000 out of the region to get services from the Fraser Valley Regional District that could have been provided locally by Vernon Fire and Rescue. Our tax dollars will now be spent in other communities. We will lose the multiplier effect of money that could have been spent in our area. Why was this direction taken by the regional district?

Vernon representatives at the district table praise the new atmosphere of cooperation which has resulted in the yet to be provincially approved parks agreements. What was the result when Vernon came last fall “’hat in hand” to request the opportunity to bid on the new contract? We didn’t even receive the support from our nearest neighbours. I am speaking of Coldstream and B and C. Why was this case? Why were the arguments for an integrated dispatch service for the North Okanagan ignored and discounted by regional district staff?

Not even to be given the chance to bid! It makes you wonder where this new spirit of cooperation is leading us. 

Cheers Shawn Lee a Vernon Taxpayer