Peer review essential

The July 24, 2016 edition of the Vernon Morningstar (Page A5) referred to the decision by the Regional District Of North Okanagan to reject the recommendation from the Greater Vernon Water Advisory Committee to hire an independent engineer to conduct a peer review of as requested by the Citizens For Changes In The Master Water Plan. Alternate Vernon Director Scott Anderson was the only dissenter.

A peer review is essential to oversight in a scenario such as this.

Vernon Director Juliette Cunningham provided assurances that a review of the plan would take place "each and every time a ‘major investment’ in this plan happens".

I would like to see what is characterized as a "major investment" in the future.

I have seen capital civic expenditures of a thousand dollars characterized in that way, and I have also seen a dismissive attitude in some cities which felt that a hundred thousand dollars was not a major investment.

Personally, I suggest people keep an eye on capital outlays in the future and determine whether the reviews alluded to by Councillor Cunningham are forthcoming.

I feel that a peer review by an independent engineer is a sensible preemptive move that should have been supported, and the failure by the other Directors to have to foresight to acknowledge that will "come back to haunt them", and the taxpayers as well.

Time will tell.

Dean Roosevelt