By tyler olsenMorning Star Staff Jun 22 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Spallumcheen Mayor Will Hansma is laying part of the blame for O’Keefe Ranch’s financial troubles at the feet of the provincial and federal governments. “Not once in all this time has the province come to the table for us,” Hansma told council Monday. “They always tell us about how they value agriculture. They don’t value the heritage associated with agriculture.” Hansma said it is time to “start demanding some serious coin.” Without that money, said Hansma, a plan to develop an RV park on ranch land “is another piece of bailor-twine trying to keep this thing afloat.” Okanagan-Vernon MLA Tom Christensen said he hasn’t spoken to the ranch’s board of directors. But he expects that once the board implements its long-term strategic plan, they will come looking for funding. A five-year business plan submitted to council by the O’Keefe Ranch and Interior Heritage Society notes that the ranch is not designated as a heritage site and thus does not receive funding from either the provincial or federal governments for building restoration, ongoing maintenance or infrastructure development.
Hansma said Wednesday that the ranch has spoken to government officials about attaining heritage status for the ranch but that it does not meet the criteria. “There’s an awful lot of history associated with O’Keefe Ranch, maybe not battles like Fort Steele...but there are also battles we fight everyday and that’s through agriculture and feeding our families,” said Hansma. “It doesn’t always have to have a spin on it where it’s military.” Okanagan-Shuswap MP Colin Mayes was not available for comment.
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