One has to wonder what has taken so long.
On Thursday, the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee approved the terms of reference for a team to implement the new cultural plan, and the team’s first order is to get moving towards a new art gallery and museum.
“Things can drag on and so I want to place some urgency on it,” said director Catherine Lord.
That’s great to hear but the reality is that the political powers of Greater Vernon have been dragging their heels for years.
The Vernon Public Art Gallery and the Greater Vernon Museum have been allowed to stagnate as the current buildings crumble around them and inadequate space means there isn’t enough room to display artifacts, host travelling exhibits or meet local demands for programs.
Directing the implementation team to move ahead is a necessary step, but for this process to truly proceed, elected officials in Vernon, Coldstream and the electoral areas need to shake off the apathy and take the region’s cultural needs as seriously as they do sports.
When the team comes up with a recommendation for a gallery and museum, GVAC members need to consider it seriously and move ahead. Yes there may be a need to adjust issues like the site or the cost, but the last thing that is needed is the traditional do-nothing response.
Greater Vernon residents will be watching what their representatives do next.