LETTER: Vernon mayor needs to step down

This cancellation of the Okanagan Military Tattoo held here for years was due to remarkable shortsightedness on behalf of our council and mayor.

To quote media, "this event was originally designed to be a world class cultural event that would stimulate Canadian patriotism, educate youth and attract tourists to the region.”

The blame for these exorbitant municipal building rent hikes which have led to multiple cancellation of events must fall square on the mayor.

Victor Cumming is clearly under qualified as exemplified by his lack of vision and dismal performance in managing this city.

He clearly does not have the ability to steer this city to revitalize the downtown core. He cannot even ensure adequate snow removal so patrons could shop. His answer - raise taxes and raise rent on city facilities (Rec Centre, Kal Tire Place, etc) so events are cancelled - even threatening our farmer’s market!

Mayor Cumming is weak by not holding those accountable for not meeting realistic project deadlines or budgets (refer to the recent editorial how a roundabout will take more time to build than the New York’s Empire State Building).

With this mayor we can be assured a continuation of the same overruns with no accountability as evidenced by $4.8 million four foot deep cement kiddie pool.

Watch for overruns on the proposed $136 million Vernon Active Living Centre with the ugly dark brown blah exterior panels - no imagination there - the mayor should have had a referendum on it’s exterior colours because our city council cannot be trusted to even do that job!

Linda Albert