In the News
August 17, 2023 – listen to Dawn Tucker on CBC Daybreak South with Chris Walker
(starts at 1:27:47)
July 31, 2023 – Centre needs a dishwasher
Vernon’s Schubert Centre needs a new dishwasher and a local community advocate is hoping to help. Dawn Tucker is hosting a fundraising event and hopes to raise enough money for the centre to buy a new dishwasher and take a little bit of pressure off the organization as well. “Schubert center is in need of some funds to replace their dishwasher, which is a big part of the programs that they do there, including Meals on Wheels,” explained Tucker.
July 2, 2023 – More bees this year? Vernon expert has advice when it comes to bumblebees
“If possible, leaving the nest alone is best,” says Vernon beekeeper Dawn Tucker. “Bumbles aren’t usually aggressive and don’t want to sting unless they have to. They are there to do a job, which is pollination.”
June 27, 2023 – Coldstream not dodging housing mandate, mayor says in response to armchair critics
“Eventually, Coldstream is going to have to open up to more housing. It’s either going to be on their terms or the government’s… ‘Rural living at its best’ (Coldstream’s slogan) can’t be ignoring the housing crisis no matter how much they’d like to,” political pundit Dawn Tucker wrote on the Vernon & Area Political Discussion Forum.
April 12, 2023 – Global Okanagan – Coldstream rainbow crosswalk vandalized again
It’s something that community advocate Dawn Tucker said is disappointing, because the crosswalk is simply a representation of inclusivity, acceptance and love.
January 30, 2023 – Global Okanagan – Calls for more action and concerns about service gaps – Okanagan reacts to drug decriminalization
“Community Advocate Dawn Tucker is plugged into the local conversation in Vernon. They see the benefits and challenges of decriminalization. “I definitely see it helping because I don’t think an illness should be criminalized,” Tucker said. Tucker points out there are still gaps in the services available locally to support decriminalization. “Obviously, people are doing it in public, which is a concern, and they need safe places to go, and our overdose prevention site is only open limited hours. (I’d) love to see that open longer hours and I’d love to see a safe drug supply so we can have people be able to do it safely,” Tucker said.”
December 5, 2022 – VernonMatters – Vernon city council discussing 2023 budget
“The floor was opened to the public at the morning portion of the meeting, with Grant Cummings and Dawn Tucker taking the opportunity to provide their thoughts on the proposed budget.
Tucker expressed concern with snow clearing on multi-use paths, but was informed that paths are treated as Priority 1 sidewalks and cleared as soon as possible. Tucker also asked that a drainage issue at a currently closed boat launch on Okanagan Landing Road be investigated and resolved prior to having the site reopen.”
November 21, 2022 – Castanet – Vernon sewer fees going up to fund ‘high-strength’ digester
Dawn Tucker, a longtime council watchdog who ran unsuccessfully in the recent election, said residents “need to pay attention” to cumulative increases “at a time when many people are struggling.”
November 12, 2022 – Castanet – Staff recommending Vernon council authorize spending 100K on upkeep of murals
November 6, 2022 – Castanet – Vernon-based Okanagan Accessibility Group advocating for those with mobility challenges
October 17, 2022 – Castanet – New Vernon council to be sworn in at Nov. 7 ceremony
October 11, 2022 – Castanet – Campaign sign vandalism continues in Vernon as race nears end
“So the campaign reached new heights today. I want to thank all those helping me get the word out to residents at all levels, but I think this will require bigger signs for incoming flights to see it in the Landing.”12
October 3, 2022 – Castanet – Common sense communication key for council candidate Dawn Tucker
Born and raised in Vernon, Dawn Tucker is looking to take her community advocacy to City Hall. Tucker, known to many as the public voice of Vernon Pride and as administrator of Vernon’s largest Facebook forum, with more than 20,000 members, is seeking a seat on city council. An educator and urban beekeeper, Tucker was “honoured to be selected by my peers as the grand marshall for Vernon’s first Pride March.” “I listen. I find answers for folks.”
September 17, 2022 – Castanet – List of Vernon and area candidates finalized, time to start campaigning.
August 26, 2022 – Vernon Morning Star – Dawn Tucker running for Vernon council
August 23, 2022 – Vernon Matters – Dawn Tucker announces run for Vernon council
August 23, 2022 – Castanet – Dawn Tucker announces candidacy for Vernon council in October election
August 20, 2022 – Vernon Morning Star – 270 unit condo coming to Vernon
https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/270-unit-condo-coming-to-vernon/
“I’m quite excited to see this developed, not excited to see some of the variances requested however,” Dawn Tucker told council. Because there is no parking on Alexis Park Drive Tucker doesn’t agree with the parking reduction and would also like to see a left-hand turn lane at the 32nd Avenue intersection.
August 18, 2022 – Vernon Morning Star – PRIDE: Historic day of inclusion for Vernon – City’s first Pride March draws hundreds
https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/pride-historic-day-of-inclusion-for-vernon/
Led by Grand Marshall Dawn Tucker, a community-conscious citizen who isn’t afraid to challenge local politicians or question policies, the march was a rainbow of colours.
August 8, 2022 – Castanet – Vernon celebrates first ever Pride Week with flag raising at City Hall
https://www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/379301/Vernon-celebrates-first-ever-Pride-Week-with-flag-raising-at-City-Hall
Dawn Tucker, spokesperson for Vernon Pride, said the raising of the rainbow flag at City Hall was something she had long hoped for. “As someone born and raised here, I had hoped that this would happen one day – and I’m 48 years old now,” she said as a crowd of about 75 gathered for the event. The bottom line, said Tucker is that “you are loved.”
June 22, 2022 – Castanet – Vernon residents are encouraged to plant flowers and other pollinators no matter where they live
https://www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/372588/Vernon-residents-are-encouraged-to-plant-flowers-and-other-pollinators-no-matter-where-they-live
Vernon urban bee keeper Dawn Tucker said everyone is encouraged to plant pollinators which will benefit the environment and those living in it. “Pollinator pathways are great way for residents to get involved in helping out pollinators,” said Tucker, who has been active in bee keeping for several years.
November 29, 2021 – Castanet – Vernon council approves 6.88% budget increase for 2022 with 1.9% infrastructure levy
https://www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/353130/Vernon-council-approves-6.88-budget-increase-for-2022-with-1.9-infrastructure-levy
June 14, 2021 – Castanet – Vernon beekeeper moves colony of bees
https://www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/336877/Vernon-beekeeper-moves-colony-of-bees
Beekeeper Dawn Tucker was called to a residence in Vernon to conduct a hive removal.
February 4, 2021 – Castanet – Herd of deer strolls through downtown Vernon
https://www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/324035/Herd-of-deer-strolls-through-downtown-Vernon
Dawn Tucker, admin of the Vernon & Area Community Forum on Facebook, shared video and photos of up to 10 deer strolling around the Gateby Place area.
April 2, 2020 – Castanet – Cutting through the noise – Community Facebook page lights up with pandemic chatter.
https://www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/296112/Community-Facebook-page-lights-up-with-pandemic-chatter
In the tidal wave of social media, Dawn Tucker is co-admin of the Vernon & Area Community Facebook page.
June 20, 2019 – Vernon Matters – No longer not welcomed
https://vernonmatters.ca/2019/06/20/no-longer-not-welcomed/
“I can’t live an inauthentic life, so, I have always stuck out. I am me,” Dawn Tucker.
May 14, 2019 – Castanet – Don’t fear the swarm
https://www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/256273/Dont-fear-the-swarm
Dawn Tucker wants people to know if they spot a mass of bees, don’t panic and give her a call. Tucker is a local beekeeper who will collect the swarm and relocate them. With spring well underway, bees are becoming more active and noticeable, but Tucker said if you see a swarm, they are likely just resting before moving on to their new home. “If you see a swarm of bees in your yard message me on Facebook or call me I’ll happily come and collect them, 250-549-9615,” said Tucker, who posted her offer to help on the Vernon and Area Community Forum page. “Don’t touch them, just take a photo and provide me with the location and I’ll give them a safe and happy home.”
February 25, 2019 – Global News – Vernon looks at relaxing urban beekeeping rules
https://globalnews.ca/news/4998748/vernon-looks-at-relaxing-urban-beekeeping-rules/
The city of Vernon is looking at changing its bylaws to allow homeowners to keep beehives in their backyards. It was bee keeper Dawn Tucker who put the issue back on the city’s agenda. “They actually pollinate not just flowers but food crops as well and so [urban beekeeping] gives us an opportunity to actually have [that] in urban settings and not just in agricultural settings.”
Civic Election 2018 – Castanet – Dawn Tucker, Vernon City Council candidate
https://www.castanet.net/news/Civic-Election-2018/237250/Dawn-Tucker
September 26, 2018 – Vernon Matters – Backyard Bee Keeping
https://vernonmatters.ca/2018/09/26/backyard-bee-keeping/
“The idea to allow bee keeping in more areas of the city came from resident Dawn Tucker who says it helps pollinate flowers and benefits crops.”
November 30, 2017 – Castanet – How about a pool?
https://www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/212854/How-about-a-pool-
Does Vernon need a new pool? Vernon resident Dawn Tucker believes it does and she told city council during 2018 budget deliberations. “The public wants to know what it takes to get a new recreation facility, specifically a pool,” Tucker said during a break in the discussion Wednesday to allow for public input.
November 12, 2017 – Castanet – Vernon’s lonely Cenotaph
https://www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/211397/Vernons-lonely-Cenotaph
“I don’t understand abandoning the Cenotaph” – Dawn Tucker.