Jurassic World:Vernon Style

Jocelyn my wife and I took in the latest edition in the Jurassic Park franchise at the Galaxy Cinema. There was the expected fright and gore generated by the CGI wizards. The trembling earth and the sudden bone crunching pounces. There were scenes that paid homage to the original film and yet again the film makers almost convince you that dinosaurs walk the earth.
As I was walking to my dental practice this morning I felt the ground tremble and heard a loud roaring. I glanced up 30th and for a moment there appeared to be several large Jurassic beasts hunched hungrily  over some fallen prey, but wait, no it was only the latest stage of the rehabilitation of the street and intersection in front of our building.
As anyone knows who has tried to walk or drive anywhere in the east part of Vernon's downtown has encountered an unprecedented amount of renewal that going on and on and on. There has been a lot of digging and covering and redigging . We are grateful to our patients who brave the lack of convenient parking,the dust, the noise and the sheer obstacle course to attend our office. We have been assured that the end is sight and soon our little portion of the Polson Park Greenway will be complete.
In the meantime with all the trembling and roaring  it is good to know that we do not need to flee for our lives.

On the Passing of Bob Spears

It was with great sadness that I learned of the sudden passing of Councillor Bob Spears. I was fortunate enough to be elected to Vernon City Council the same year as Bob. Councillor Spears in my estimation hit the ground running. He seemed to have all the numbers at his fingertips. This was not by accident as he had attended many council meetings as an interested private citizen. When he spoke we all would listen. I did not always agree but never doubted Councillor"s Spears determination to see tax dollars spent wisely. He gave freely of his time and we all have benefited. He will be missed greatly.
Shawn Lee a Vernon Taxpayer

What a Treasure !

For both the residents and visitors to our fair corner of the North Okanagan the Rail trail is proving to be a treasure. Having walked and ridden the Kalamalka Lake portion of the trail I have nothing but praise for those who had the vision to preserve this right of way.
Really it is a world class asset and it is not yet as good as it is going to get when completed. Though presently portions of our end of the trail are closed for rock scaling(yes there are cliffs) I highly recommend a leisurely stroll or a railway grade bike ride on the finely crushed gravel path. Bring water and your camera for vistas of the Lake of Many Colors that you may not have seen before. What a treat! What a treasure! See you there.
Cheers Shawn  

Tempus Fugit but not quite accurately

The wind was pretty brisk on a noon walkabout the other day and I was a little pressed as I was returning to the office. Glancing up at the tower clock in front of the museum to check the time I noted a lack of synchronicity between the four faces. The North face displayed a different time than the other three which were correct. This is distressing to me as one of the last initiatives that I was involved in as a member of Vernon City Council was the approval of the installation of a new clock mechanism in the old tower. The old mechanism now safely functions inside the museum.
If my memory serves me $50,000 was spent 2011 on the new faces and a mechanism that would automatically reset the time if for some reason something went awry. Apparently this is not the case. The historical significance of the tower and its new timepiece seems not to carry much weight with those in trusted with the clock's care and maintenance.
 I hope that this not the case and that a remedy will soon be found in a timely fashion.. As a taxpayer looking at a city clock that does not tell the correct time I begin to suspect there may be other things awry in the City of Vernon that are not quite as in your face as a tower clock that shows the incorrect time.
Cheers Shawn Lee a Vernon Taxpayer

Lake Country Alternate Approval Process-the tail wagging the dog

When a jurisdiction is considering borrowing to finance a major project they(the elected officials) are required to seek public approval. Two options are open to decide the question. Either holding a referendum or  providing an alternate approval process. The referendum relies on the majority of the those who choose to vote to decide the question. Basically you are asking  the electorate are you for or against borrowing the amount in question. Holding a referendum is time consuming and expensive.
 If there is a perception of wide public support for the proposed borrowing a municipality can opt for an alternate approval process. In this option a petition is made available for the electorate to sign. Signing the petition is registered as not supporting the borrowing. If 10% of the electorate show their disapproval by signing the petition the question is defeated.
The recent defeat of the Lake Country request to borrow to finance their portion of the CN right of way purchase was a result of an alternate approval process. The Lake Country officials can be forgiven for thinking that given the widespread public enthusiasm for the project their choice of the least expensive way of getting public approval victory would be assured but when you are asking for only the no vote to show up there can be problem. There may have also been time constraints facing the Lake Country Council with regards to conducting the less risky a referendum. Apparently there was some misinformation abroad that influenced many to sign the petition. 
Nevertheless I remain puzzled at the depth of the opposition  in Lake Country to this project . It makes one wonder if there is something else going on. In this case the tail has certainly wagged the dog and put in jeopardy one of the most visionary and exciting initiatives to come along in a long while . I sincerely hope that a way can be found to remove this road block for this most worthy project.
Cheers Shawn Lee
A Vernon Taxpayer

Congratulations to our New Mayor and Council

First of all I would like to thank all those who showed their support for my bid to return to city council. Thank you for vote. Though the result for me personally was not what I had hoped I continue to believe that men and women of good will can make good decisions. To the new council I wish you all the best over the next four years for you and your families.  Cheers Shawn Lee , considering a move to Coldstream :)

Voters can make a difference. Letter to the Morning Star

vernonmorningstar.com/opinion/letters/282136701.html#storyComments
Since my letter to the paper voice has been silenced here is link to a letter to the Morning Star.  It makes for  a good read.Cheers Shawn Lee
Remember you can vote today at City Hall. Please make me your first choice for Vernon City Council and every vote does make a difference. Thank you for your support!