A conflict over committees continues at Vernon city hall.
Just two weeks after it was decided to form an accessibility advisory committee, some council members are still expressing concerns.
“I am opposed to establishing another committee,” said Coun. Catherine Lord during council discussions Monday.
“Why are we establishing another committee? Why aren’t these groups (social agencies) forming a committee and asking for a city representative?”
This will be the city’s 39th committee and Lord says it costs about $200 in staff time each time they meet.
“I’d like to get rid of a few committees. We have too many.”
It’s expected the accessibility committee will meet four times a year.
Council’s appointee to the meeting — Coun. Juliette Cunningham — is eligible to collect $137 for each meeting she attends.
“I hope eventually we’ll get rid of committee pay,” said Coun. Bob Spiers.
Cunningham insist there is a need for an accessibility committee to look at the needs of the disabled and seniors.
“A lot of these people have huge issues in terms of accessibility and feeling they don’t have a voice,” she said.
“I’ll volunteer to sit on the committee and I will not take any pay.”
Creation of the accessibility committee arose after some residents stated there aren’t enough gas stations pumping gas for disabled motorists.
“But there’s a lot more than transportation issues. There’s also building accessibility,” said Coun. Brian Quiring, who will be an alternate to the committee.
