WATCH: Vernon ignoring its own rules on political signage

VERNON – Those running for council in Vernon won’t have to follow the city’s own rules when it comes to political signage.

Vernon city council voted to instruct staff not to enforce the bylaw on political signs during the current local election campaign unless there are complaints about safety or liability.

Among other things, the rules say political signs can’t be put up on road allowances or government owned land.

Councillor Brian Quiring, who’s running for re-election, was among those on council who voted not to enforce the bylaw.

He says the last civic race was a disaster when it came to signage.

Councillor Mary Jo O’ Keefe, who is running for mayor, also voted no to signage enforcement.

“The bylaws have been in place for years and they have never been enforced during the 30 days of the election campaign. So I saw no reason to think that they would be treated any differently this year,” says O’Keefe.

Not everyone on council agreed.

Two voted to enforce the rules including current mayor Robert Sawatzky who argues it is a matter of fairness.

“The corporate officer and the electoral officers gave all of the candidates strict instructions that we would be enforcing the bylaw,” says Sawatzky.

“We came up with a Plan B which was notifying the people who have put their names forward and telling them what the new protocol will be,” says Quiring in response to the mayor’s argument.

The bylaw also says political signs have to be removed within seven days of the election and that’s a rule the bylaw division will be following up on.