Downtown Vernon Slammed By Councillor

By Kate Bouey

Jan 21, 2019 | 6:06 PM

The Downtown Vernon Association is being invited to appear before city council following comments by some councillors unhappy with a recent letter from the business group.

Councillor Scott Anderson verbally lambasted the DVA for “not listening” to the concerns of store owners in the downtown core, leaving the perception it is siding with service groups dealing with the homeless.

Council’s debate started Monday after a letter from the DVA was published in the Jan. 21st agenda that questioned remarks made by Anderson and Coun. Kari Gares during an earlier council session.

A second letter from the DVA released Monday was sent after a meeting of the two groups and appeared to calm the waters.

But Anderson told council he felt compelled to answer the criticisms in the first letter since the matter was in the public spotlight.

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“In a sense, the DVA is a closed shop and not inclined to listen to people,” Anderson alleged. “I guess, overall, there is a sense of intimidation. A lot of store owners don’t want to challenge the DVA.”

A clearly incensed Anderson also reproached Mayor Victor Cumming for making the letters public.

“It’s not only in the open, it’s been pushed into the spotlight,” Anderson complained.

In response, Cumming stated: “One of the things moving forward as a council, when we say things out in the public, it becomes public and when we open those things in the public realm, then we’re in the public realm.”

“It doesn’t mean it doesn’t get messy” Cumming added.

“If this is an object lesson for council I think it’s misplaced, sir,” Anderson replied.

Some city councillors acknowledged that a number of downtown businesses remain unhappy with issues caused by homelessness and drug addiction.

Gares pointed to “lawlessness and criminal behaviour that has really plagued the downtown core.”

She said a number of “mom and pop shops” felt they needed someone to stand up for them.

Council passed a motion from councillor Akbal Mund on Monday to have the DVA appear before them to present its side of the story.

“I do think it’s important the DVA reach out to some businesses and bring their concerns to council,” agreed Coun. Dalvir Nahal.

by Kate Bouey