Vernon mayoralty candidates spar on housing, crime, climate

Vernon's three mayoralty candidates laid out their visions for the city Tuesday night.

Incumbent Victor Cumming and challengers Scott Anderson and Erik Olesen were grilled during the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce forum at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre.

Anderson said the last four years "have been anything but smooth sailing." He quoted an author who said: "a pessimist will complain about the wind, an optimist will expect it to change, but a leader will adjust the sails."

He praised much of the city's work but said "we just need to adjust our sails" on issues from red tape on housing approvals to the visibility of Vernon's mayor.

Cumming, who was the only candidate to stand during his opening remarks, said: "Most people think we are responsible for everything." He said local governments handle the 5 Ps – "pavement, plumbing, protection, land planning, parks and rec ... and we've added another one, promotion."

Cumming said the city has been successful, even given the barriers of the past few years.

"We've accomplished amazing things, the province is surprised by what we've done with attainable housing ... community safety, economic development, tourism."

Olesen, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2018, said he's now more ready and that issues that were on table four years ago are still prevalent.

"Housing is the most talked about topic I encounter," he said, pointing to declining vacancy rates and the need for higher density home that newcomers can afford.

On crime, Cumming said bylaw files have fallen by 58% over the past four years, mainly due to provincial supportive housing. Two bylaw officers have been added, and two more RCMP officers.

He said the city must continue to work on housing and supports to alleviate the problem.

Olesen said he's seen improvements, "but they are not making the community feel that way" when it comes to safety.

Anderson said nipping crime in the bud is a matter of stopping the "little things" before worse crime takes root... "keeping graffiti off the walls, cleaning up the city."

He said the "catch and release" court system must be addressed and is not the fault of policing, and that there is an immediate need for drug treatment facilities in the area.

All agreed relationship building with the Okanagan Indian Band is important. Cumming touted monthly meetings with band leadership, the development of Canoe Beach, and OKIB's recent purchase of 2,300 acres on the O'Keefe Range, much of which is within the city, leading to many shared discussions.

"The relationship is growing," he said.

Anderson noted the addition of an OKIB voice on the O'Keefe Ranch board, to which he is a liaison, while Olesen said Indigenous voices should be on as many city committees as possible.

On the slow pace of development approvals, Anderson said he would create a council-led task force of builders to address the issue during his first 30 days in office.

He said housing is needed "across the spectrum," especially for the "forgotten middle" who can't qualify for affordable housing, struggle with rent and "have no hope of ownership."

He would like to see a "pre-approval process" at City Hall to speed up projects and save builders money.

Cumming noted a consultant's review of the approval process has already led to changes that have seen "significant improvements in the last six months."

He refuted a claim by Olesen that building starts are down, saying 2021 was a record year.

Anderson likened the process to a "big syringe," saying: "It's a record at one end, but the process is still slow at the spout."

All three agreed to need for a new Active Living Centre that would replace Vernon's aging rec centre, and that costs, while expensive, will only increase over time.

Questioned about hurdles to stage public events in the city, the incumbents denied there is a problem, but Olesen said he has encountered them as board member with Vernon Winter Carnival and other organizations.

Both Cumming and Anderson touted the city's 1.9% infrastructure levy, which has one year left and has put the city in a strong position with aging infrastructure replaced "for the next 50 to 100 years."

Anderson said he would like to see an end to the "padding" of budgets so every department sees a surplus.

Cumming, denied the accusation by Olesen that he has encouraged sprawl, saying he has had "high energy" for smart growth, neighbourhood commercial areas and rentals units.

"Talk to single parents, young people who can't afford housing in our city," Olesen responded.

On climate action, Anderson said the city's plan is "so vague ... what does it really mean?"

Cumming said it is an award-winning plan, that the city is leading the way by reducing emissions and that infrastructure is being built to "manage wider fluctuations in weather."

But Anderson said real action is doing things like providing bins for neighbourhoods to reduce forest fire fuel, such as his company did last summer.

Olesen said he was disappointed to hear some characterize climate action as "cultish behaviour."

On public art policy, Anderson said one is "absolutely" needed in the wake of the mask mural controversy in Vernon.

He also said he supports development of the new cultural centre, but not the alternate approval process that was used to push it through.