Political Ground Shaking in the Sunny North Okanagan

Just when one could be forgiven for thinking the political landscape here in the sunny north Okanagan was stable: the players come through with news worthy of the front page of the Morning Star.

A few days ago we learned of the departure of Trafford Hall from RDNO. Whenever there is a change of the man at the top one can expect changes in how things are done. I think that the choice of a new CAO at the regional district should be left to the new crop of elected officials after the fall election: this in keeping with the tradition of local governments of doing nothing major in the months before an election. Wait a minute! The sudden departure of your CAO is pretty major.

On the same page that we learned of the “shake up at the RDNO” we discovered Vernon City Council’s intention to stream line the COV’s committee system. I agree with the Editorial voice of the Morning Star that efficiencies should be pursued but share the same worry as to the reduction in the potential of participatory democracy in Vernon Governance. Many heads are better than one. As to the argument it will save tax dollars that will remain to be seen as some of the committees that are to be axed have met so infrequently of late. Was that due to neglect? I don’t know.

Finally in another front page story we learned that our MP Colin Mayes has decided not to seek re-election. Mr. Mayes deserves our praise for serving us well and long. The timing of his announcement will likely have significance for those among us with Federal Government ambitions. Historically local government has proved an effective nursery for growing candidates for higher levels of government. So in the next little while we can expect a flurry of Conservative Party Membership renewals as the party faithful begin support their pick for the next federal election. The timing of the Federal election could even effect whether federally aspiring politicians will seek local re-election in the fall municipal elections.

The local political landscape could yet prove even more unstable here in the Sunny Okanagan.

Cheers

Shawn Lee

A Vernon Taxpayer