Frustration levels over the future of water is boiling over among politicians.
Director Jim Garlick criticized some of his colleagues during back and forth on the master water plan at Thursday’s Greater Vernon Advisory Committee meeting.
“Everyone has to act like adults and not be silly — all of us,” he said.
That comment garnered support from chairperson Juliette Cunningham.
“I couldn’t have said it better,” she said.
Director Gyula Kiss, who has been critical of the master water plan, was not impressed with Garlick.
“He’s a teacher and I guess he think he’s talking to kids,” said Kiss after the meeting.
“I’m bringing up issues as a person who reads the master water plan and wants to bring forward reasonable options. When I make comments, I see the sneers.”
Garlick’s comments were made just after director Bob Spiers had proposed a motion to budget funds for an independent review of the MWP.
“If he was suggesting I was being silly, I will take it with a grain of salt. I have no idea of what he was talking about,” said Spiers.
The Citizens for Changes to the Master Water Plan asked for an independent engineering consultant to be hired but GVAC voted Thursday to defer a decision until the MWP has been reviewed by the stakeholder advisory committee.
When asked to clarify his statement, Garlick says there is a need for everyone at the table to look at how to handle the review process.
“If you have concerns, bring them forward. Don’t just keep dragging them out,” he said.
“If we operate that way, we will keep spinning our wheels. I don’t like to see the bickering back and forth.”
Recognizing Kiss’ concerns about the MWP, Garlick urged him to bring questions forward but to let the process proceed.
“What we need to do is get information and not have debates on this plan and that plan,” said Garlick.
