Greater Vernon politicians should be ashamed of the state of culture in the community.
And specifically, they should hang their heads over worsening conditions at the Vernon Public Art Gallery.
While a new water leak Wednesday didn’t damage any of the paintings and other items in the collection, that could happen at any time.
“It’s nerve-wracking to determine where they will occur,” said Dauna Kennedy Grant, VPAG executive director.
And before anyone labels the art gallery as elitist or a special interest group, it should be made clear that the art collection there, just as with the artifacts at the museum, are held on behalf of the community. They are there for all of us.
Now the VPAG has lobbied for years to have a purpose-built facility go before voters, but the issue has been ignored and delayed by politicians and bureaucrats.
The current argument is that the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee must adopt the master cultural plan first, and that makes sense, as a blueprint for cultural initiatives is necessary to make sound decisions. But apparently the next step will see an advisory group of stakeholders formed and they will provide direction on what amenities proceed.
Obviously broad-based input is positive, especially when dealing with tax dollars, but such a process could delay decisions for months, if not years, and lead to infighting among groups promoting their own projects.
The VPAG and the Greater Vernon Museum have been waiting patiently for years as their current facilities fall apart around them and become inadequate for a growing community.
It is time for all of Greater Vernon’s politicians to show some leadership, move a plan ahead and present it to the public for consideration.
