Auditor General Drags Heels

That's okay though, because it was known at the outset that the auditor general has no clout other than to review.  It's simply another smoke-n-mirrors government department.

Vernon is one of 18 B.C. municipalities whose budgets and financial positions are being reviewed.
Ostensibly to ensure they fall in line with what government -- and generally accepted accounting principles -- allow.

Frankly, it's ridiculous that Vernon's audit will be delayed until after the November municipal elections!

Even Jordan Bateman of the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation said so.  "What better time to give the public information than in an election when they can act upon it in an expeditious manner?" (The Morning Star, Sept. 14/14).  Good question.

For an idea of what a community could expect once audits are completed, the AG's 2013 audits are listed here. 
(Was that a loud yawn that was heard?).  The AG even allows for self-assessments (another loud yawn!) by the very agencies they've assessed.

Want an interesting juxtaposition?  You can read between the lines--as is the phrase--in The Morning Star's story "Vernon city audit experiences delay" (page A10).
Look at what else is listed on that page:  "City of Vernon Notice of Tax Sale" for 38--yes, thirty-eight--addresses whose owners defaulted on their property tax payments by the deadline, and which are now subject to forfeiture by public auction on September 29th.

Does that give anyone an indication how things are going in Vernon?
Ahem.

Back to smoke-n-mirrors.
Further on in the same newspaper's issue is the heading:  "City nominated for award".

Huh?
Applicant municipalities are judged on how well they promote the principles of the B.C. Small Business Accord.
Just for the heck of it, search-word Google "2014 Open for Business Awards" and up pops a whole whack of communities eligible to win (Grand Forks, Delta, Kelowna, Parksville, Smithers, Langley, Port Coquitlam, Salmon Arm, Revelstoke, Whistler, Surrey, Nelson, etc.)  (Yawn? maybe they only had to apply to be nominated, as many such "recognitions" are conducted).
More smoke 'n mirrors from Victoria's bureaucracy.

"It's nice to be recognized," gushes Vernon's economic development officer, Kevin Poole.

As to the apparent success of the small business accord here, wonder if some of the 38 tax-default addresses are small businesses.

Also wonder whether any of the judges will drive through the streets of Vernon--counting the For Sale, For Lease, For Rent signs--on commercial, small business properties.

"Heaven forbid the judges would ask commercial realtors how friendly the town is toward small business," offers Kia, "they obviously don't want to hear the truth."

Tax 'em until they drop seems to be the plan in the North Okanagan.
Ask any small business owner...yes, do that, if you dare.
They--we--all have considerable issues with government and bureaucracy in general.
The only segment growing is bureaucracy, both here and in Victoria.