Photo: Contributed

City council has invited officials with the Downtown Vernon Association to meet with the city over the challenges facing the downtown core.

Councillors Scott Anderson and Kari Gares said they have heard from several businesses that feel their concerns are not being listened to by the DVA.

Anderson said he was told there is a “perception DVA is a closed shop” and not inclined to work with others and that is leaving those businesses frustrated.

The downtown core has been challenged by panhandlers, needles and even human feces on city sidewalks for several years.

And many businesses feel their concerns are being ignored.

“I have heard several times that the DVA is just not listening to them,” said Anderson, who said the DVA should promote downtown businesses and not act as an advocacy group.

Anderson said “the answer is not empathy. There's nobody listening to businesses, or at least thats how they're perceiving it.”

Gares shared Anderson's sentiment, saying many businesses feel they are not being heard.

Coun. Brian Quiring sits on the DVA board said that problem does not lie with the group.

“It's not a DVA matter, I think that line between the city and the DVA has become blurred.”

lots of support for DVA – but we are sloughing out responsibilities onto the DVA

need to contact council if have problems downtown. They are getting a brow beating they don't deserve on this one,” said Quiring.

There was also some concern the matter was discussed in such a public manner.

Council agreed to invite a delegation to meet with council.