Schubert Centre gets some help from Ottawa (NO BLOODY WAY) ( Local Paper RETRACTS original story)

Don Quixote Note: This Nov. 28 story was retracted on Page A13 0f the Nov. 30 edition of the same paper.
"For the Record" To clarify a matter in Wednesday's Morning Star, the Federal government has not exempted the Schubert center from paying the GST on any of its activities. GST must still be collected on snooker and card playing.

Morningstar

The Schubert Centre has a partial victory in its tax fight with Ottawa.The seniors centre will continue to have to pay GST for its food catering service, but recreational activities, such as snooker and card-playing, are now exempt.“Colin Mayes, member of Parliament for Okanagan-Shuswap, went to bat for the centre,” said Jack Gareb, centre manager.The centre has been seeking GST relief for a number of years.“The finance minister ruled that the non-profit Schubert is treated under the GST the same as non-profit charities,” said Gareb. “Their activities are exempt so long as they don’t compete with similar services of non-charitable businesses.”The federal government is also looking at other ways to assist the Schubert Centre. A grant of $25,000 for furniture is expected from the Department of Human Resources and Social Development.

PROVINCE HELPS COMMUNITIES MOVE WITH LOCALMOTION

VICTORIA – Local governments across British Columbia can now apply for the next round of funding from the LocalMotion program, to make their communities greener, healthier and more active and accessible places in which to live, Community Services Minister Ida Chong announced today.
Local governments have until March 15, 2008, to submit applications for LocalMotion funding, with funding announcements anticipated later in 2008. Those who wish to have last year’s application considered for this round of funding are encouraged to update their submission. More information on this program is available: www.localmotion.gov.bc.ca

The first round of funding available from the LocalMotion program was announced for 27 communities across B.C. earlier this year. The following list includes the names of the funding recipients, the project names and grant amounts.

Examples of 2007 funding under this Program:
Kelowna

Rails to Trails - Okanagan Bypass Route

1,000,000

School Board Still Waiting

Starlee Speers, Astral Media Radio News

The school board is still waiting to hear from government agencies on whether anyone is interested in the West Vernon Elementary building. Board chair Bill Turanski says, the November 30th deadline is the third date the government has said they'll get back to them. "If they get back to us and indicate there is a government agency interested in the property, then we have 120 days to negotiate some kind of deal."Turanski says, if no one is interested or if they can't negotiate a deal then the building will be offered to local government agencies like Greater Vernon Services.

Problem gambling kiosk

by Kim Calloway - Power 104 - CASTANET.

Kelowna's Lake City Casino now contains a staffed kiosk that offers patrons information about responsible gambling. There's basic information on how the slots and table games work, but Walt Krahn of the Responsible Gaming Partnership, says the staff also have answers to questions about problem gambling. Krahn says it's an effort to be pro-active, and to make patrons more knowledgeable about both the fun and the pitfalls of casino gaming. Kelowna's casino is the first one outside the Lower Mainland to get one of these staffed information counters. A similar un-staffed display is also featured at Chances Gaming Centre on Springfield.

Anonymous Donation to Repair 'YES' Signs

By Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM

There's a new development to the story about some Coldstream referendum signs that were
vandalised. More than 20 of the signs supporting a YES vote were torn down or destroyed earlier this week. Now, an anonymous Coldstream resident has made a one thousand dollar donation to the YES campaign to make up for the damage and mend some fences. Bill Tarr from the Outdoor Sports User Group says a note that came with the money, said the person supported the NO side, but was disappointed at what took place. 'This is very important for our community because we really feel that the community does not need to be divided on this and that we can work together. This is very impressive for somebody to come forward and offer up to replace the signs.'Tarr says the money was left in an envelope at the work place of councillor Jim Garlick who passed it on to the group

Council questions Starling control costs

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - November 30, 2007

Considerable debate over starling control has taken flight at Vernon city hall. Questions arose Monday as to the funding formula for the valley-wide program and whether too much support is being expected from residential taxpayers.“I don’t argue with the project, it’s just who foots the bill,” said Coun. Barry Beardsell.The proposed budget for the program is $125,000 a year. Of that, $25,000 each would come from the Okanagan’s three regional districts, while equal amounts would also come from the Agriculture Environment Program Initiative and various commodity groups. The City of‑Vernon is being asked to contribute $12,800 towards the North Okanagan Regional District’s share. But Beardsell says that the city already supports agriculture through the Sterile Insect Release program and the provision of water, and starling control is another burden.“I’d expect more out of the provincial government on a program like this,” he said.“Where does it end without the province truly getting involved?”

Beardsell also didn’t understand why the three regional districts would provide the same amount of‑funding.“The break between the three regional districts doesn’t seem fair. We don’t compare to the wealth and population of the Central Okanagan,” he said. Coun. Pat Cochrane also believes the North Okanagan should be treated differently than the other two districts. “It’s not fair based on the number of orchards and vineyards,” he said. Starlings are native to Europe and they were first introduced in New York City in 1890. Since then, they have crossed the continent, first showing up in B.C. in 1944. It’s believed there are about 200 million starlings in North America. “They are expanding at an alarming rate,” said Pete Wise, who traps starlings as part of the program. The birds are known to do serious damage to various agricultural products, including cattle feed, grapes, cherries and apples.In 2004, it’s believed starlings did about $3.4 million in damage to tree fruits across the Okanagan Valley.But beyond economics, Wise said starlings carry disease which put livestock at risk, and because they are not indigenous, they take over the habitat of native wild birds.

Enderby harvests beetle kill

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - November 30, 2007

An Enderby park will be clearcut to minimize the impact of western pine beetle. About 25 to 30 mature ponderosa pines will soon be chopped down in Riverside Park because they have been infested by the insect. “The foliage may be green now but by next summer, they will be red and dead,” said Herman Halvorson, a director with the Enderby/Area F Services Committee.In a weakened state, the trees could fall over.“The real concern is about trees coming down when people are in there,” said Dee Wejr, committee chairman.Beyond the potential risk to people, structures within Riverside Park are also under threat.During a recent storm, one tree toppled over, causing substantial damage to a storage shed.“There is also one big pine leaning over the gazebo,” said Halvorson.“There are also a few trees pointing towards the arena.” The committee has commissioned members of the Enderby Lions Club to cut down the trees and remove the debris. Much of the wood will be sold to support Lions’ projects, but some of the revenue will also help purchase new trees for the park. But it will take some time for the new trees to fill in the space vacated by the beetle-infested ponderosa pines.The emptiness of the park is something Wejr is not looking forward to.“It’s going to be rather devastating at first, but I’d hate to see anyone get hurt,” she said of the need to remove the trees.Halvorson also firmly stands behind the committee’s decision.“It’s better to be proactive than inactive,” he said.Along with the ponderosa pines, the Lions will also get rid of any birch trees deemed to be in poor condition.

Big beetle-kill burn planned

By Ron Seymour November 30, 2007 Kelowna Courier

Pine trees cut from more than 70 acres of beetle-killed forest will soon be burned off in Lake Country. Town council has given special authorization for the burning after being asked to do so by fire Chief Steve Windsor. “We‘re in the burning season, so I could have given approval myself. But it‘s such a large volume of wood, I wanted to make council aware of what‘s happening,” Windsor said Thursday. The infected trees have already been cut from about eight different properties of varying size in Carr‘s Landing, the northwest area of Lake Country bordering Okanagan Lake. Cut trees are stacked in burn-ready piles measuring about 25 metres by 25 metres. Under terms of the burning permit, the debris wood can only be ignited when the venting index – a measurement of wind speed and air temperature – is considered ideal for the quickest-possible dispersal of smoke. “If we can get three days in a row with a good venting index, I think all the wood could be burned off without too much smoke staying around in the atmosphere,” Lake Country Mayor James Baker said. The option of chipping and hauling the debris to the landfill was rejected as impractical because of the cost involved in processing such a large volume of waste wood in that manner, Baker said. The swath of diseased trees in Carr‘s Landing is one of the biggest patches of forest near an urban area in the Central Okanagan to be hit so far by the beetle. Across the Okanagan-Shuswap region, the total area of forest infested by the beetle jumped from 294,000 acres in 2006 to 500,000 acres this year, Jim Snetsinger, chief forester for the Ministry of Forests said in September. The large scale removal of trees from the Carr‘s Landing hillsides likely foreshadows what will happen elsewhere in the Central Okanagan as the beetle spreads toward anticipated peak levels next year. “This is our first big infestation in Lake Country,” Windsor said, “but there‘s more of this on the way.”

Coroner's findings - Mounties death 2005

Coroner's findings - CHBC Video
Web posted on Thursday, 29 November 2007

We now know the cause of a boating accident that claimed a Mountie's life.

Water woes - Video

CHBC - Video
Web posted on Tuesday, 27 November 2007

Development at the Silver Star resort has dried up because of water.

Vernon debates burden of tax hike

By Richard Rolke -Moringstar November 28, 2007

A proposed hike in taxes isn’t going over well with some Vernon politicians. Council was presented with the draft 2008 budget Monday and it calls for a 5.07 per cent increase in taxes. For a home assessed at $380,000, that would mean an extra $37.67. “It’s completely inappropriate. It’s too much of an increase,” said Coun. Pat Cochrane. That is also the view of Coun. Barry Beardsell. “It’s way too high,” he said when contacted by The Morning Star.

He also points out that the draft tax increase doesn’t include borrowing up to $30 million for a civic complex, which will go to referendum in January. Beardsell fears that a substantial financial burden is being placed on residents not only by the city, but by other jurisdictions such as the regional district and library board. “From what we’ve seen, school taxes could be going up 10 per cent,” he said. With the municipal budget not needing to be adopted until spring, there is time for the document to be reviewed and to be changed. “Staff brought it forward and it’s our job to look at the priorities and where to cut,” said Coun. Jack Gilroy. Gilroy won’t speculate on what items may be trimmed from the budget but he has made it clear that he will not support a 5.07 per cent increase in municipal taxes. “That isn’t reasonable,” he said. Cochrane also isn’t sure what changes should be made.

“Everything being proposed is reasonable but it (budget) could use some fine tuning,” he said. Coun. Buffy Baumbrough doesn’t believe residents should become too focused on the budget or the rate of 5.07 per cent. “It’s way too soon to comment because it will shift,” she said.“It’s a preliminary budget so I wouldn’t place a lot of emphasis on it.”

-------------------

Don Quixote Note: Only time will tell and thankfully it is an election year but these are the same clowns who took a 6.8% initial staff budget, reduced it down to 2% for all taxpayers and then had the audacity to change the tax ratio on businesses so that the Residential Taxpayer paid 4.95% more and the business taxes decreased by 6.6%. All this was done with a known $700,000 operating surplus (that eventually topped out at $1.5 million) and most of them didn't understand how to use the surplus to help the residential taxpayer or more importantly didn't realize that or by how much they had raised their property taxes.

Great Canadian Gaming buys Ridge Meadows Bingo Association assets for $1M

Canadian PressTuesday, November 27th, 2007

RICHMOND, B.C. - Great Canadian Gaming Corp. (TSX:GC) says it is buying the Ridge Meadows Bingo Association in Maple Ridge, B.C. for $1 million. Richmond, B.C.-based Great Canadian said the deal also includes potential additional future consideration of up to $1.25 million over 10 years if approvals to build a Community Gaming Centre in Maple Ridge are granted by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and the Maple Ridge district. Great Canadian said the deal is expected to close at the end of the year, subject to required regulatory approvals. Ridge Meadows Bingo Association operates the Haney Bingo Plex, a 525-seat bingo gaming hall located in downtown Maple Ridge, 45 kilometres east of Vancouver. In November 2006, Great Canadian bought four acres of land in Maple Ridge and plans to develop a gaming property there. Meantime, it said operations at the Haney Bingo Plex will stay the same while it "considers this longer-term potential redevelopment."

Online library gives readers access to 1.5 million books

The Million Book Project, an international venture led by Carnegie Mellon University in the United States, Zhejiang University in China, the Indian Institute of Science in India and the Library at Alexandria in Egypt, has completed the digitization of more than 1.5 million books, which are now available online. For the first time since the project was initiated in 2002, all of the books, which range from Mark Twain’s “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” to “The Analects of Confucius,” are available through a single Web portal of the Universal Library (www.ulib.org), said Gloriana St. Clair, Carnegie Mellon’s dean of libraries.

The Million Book Project represents the world’s largest, university-based digital library of freely accessible books. At least half of its books are out of copyright, or were digitized with the permission of the copyright holders, so the complete texts are or eventually will be available free. The collection includes a large number of rare and orphan books. More than 20 languages are represented among the 1.5 million books, a little more than 1 percent of all of the world’s books. Many of the books, particularly those in Chinese and English, have been digitized — their text converted by optical character recognition methods into computer readable text. That allows these books to be searched and, eventually, reformatted for access by PDAs and other devices.

“Digital libraries constitute an essential part of the future of the developing world,” said Ismail Serageldin, director of Bibliotheca Alexandrina. ”This requires that we approach conditions governing copyright, digital archiving and scientific databases with a view to creating two-tier systems of access to information that would allow access to such data from developing countries for a nominal fee or for free.” Though the long-term goal of the Universal Library is to make books, artwork and other published works available online for free, about half of the current collection remains under copyright. Until the permission of the copyright holders can be documented, or copyright laws are amended, only 10 percent or less of those books can be accessed at no cost.

"Anyone who can get on the Internet now has access to a collection of books the size of a large university library,"

Casino Decision Delayed

By Pete McIntyre 107.5 kissfm

Plans to relocate Vernon's casino have been put on hold for at least a couple weeks. Vernon council has deferred its decision on Lake City Casino's application until its next meeting. Councillor Barry Beardsell wants more information on the facility fees, from the BC Lottery Corporation. Beardsell says he's been trying to get the details for years, and was upset some data was given to council members just hours before Monday's meeting. He tells KISS FM, "And (I'm looking for) more detail about what the money has been spent on. I mean coming at the 12-th hour like that with a bit of information, that's treating us with disrespect in my mind."

Councillor Jack Gilroy opposed the deferral. "The time is running out with the casino we have in town. Their lease is up. They have to move to a new facility. Do we want it in Vernon or not? Let's vote on that facility. It has nothing to do with Barry's (Beardsell) thing because he hates casinos or whatever he does, let's vote and say we want this casino in Vernon." Lake City needs city approval to move to a larger facility, to be built near Vernon Toyota.Greg Walker from the Lottery Corp says the city's delay won't have any impact on the project.

New Opening City of Vernon

MANAGER, WATER RECLAMATION (Full-Time – Permanent) Exempt

Competition #: 104-COV-07
Closing Date: December 12, 2007
Rate of Pay: $64,338.32 - $75,692.15 (Annual Salary Range)
Band: 6 – Exempt
Days/Hours: Monday – Friday, Hours 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
(some flexibility required)

Manager - Water Reclamation
Job Posting - 84Kb PDF
Closing Date: December 12, 2007

Vernon Highlights from Regional Library meeting of Nov. 21

Okanagan Regional Library Board November 21, 2007, 10:00 A.M.

3. Vernon Branch, Update

Lesley Dieno introduced Mr. Don Schmitt, Architect, and Mr. Tim Spiegel, Cost Consultant, of Diamond and Schmitt Architects, CEI Architecture.
3.1 Presentation by Architect of Revised Plans and Costing
Mr. Schmitt gave a PowerPoint presentation on the revised schematic plans for the proposed new Library/Civic building, located on the existing City Hall site. Mr. Spiegel then presented the costs. Mr. Nettleton clarified that the Library is firm on their initial $9M commitment, and that anything over that amount would be resolved through the partnership agreement.

3.2 Letter from Sue Blakely, Deputy City Clerk, Vernon, October 12, 2007, re Vernon Branch.
3.3 Letter from Patti Bridal, City Clerk, Vernon, October 12, 2007, re proposed library/civic complex.
Items 3.2 and 3.3 contain the motions passed by Vernon council regarding the city hall/civic site project.

Motion #3 11.21.07
Moved by Jack Bennest, seconded by Colin Day, To receive correspondence Items 3.2 and 3.3.
Carried.

3.4 Memo from L. Dieno

Ms. Dieno reviewed her memo. Vernon Council will hold a referendum on January 26, 2008, regarding long term borrowing for the purpose of building the Library/Civic Complex. Council has confirmed that a “No” vote on the referendum means that the project would not proceed.

Motion #4 11.21.07
Moved by Colin Day, seconded by Jack Bennest, To extend the interim partnership agreement between the Okanagan Regional Library and the City of Vernon to February 29, 2008. Carried.

Mr. Nettleton discussed leasing vs. ownership, and recommended that equity/ownership is the best option for the Board. In response to a query, Mayor Lippert responded that Vernon council is in agreement with that recommendation.

Motion #5 11.21.07
Moved by Len Novakowski, seconded by Colin Day, That the Library Board reaffirms their commitment of up to $9M to the capital costs of the proposed new building, in order to have some equity/ownership in the new Civic building. Carried unanimously.

Ms. Dieno then discussed the referendum and what a “no” vote would mean to the Library Board. Mayor Lippert reported on Vernon’s position, stating that council is looking for an indication of where the Library stands if the referendum fails. It was noted that the Library Board will continue to do its best for the community in conjunction with the City of Vernon.

Motion #6 11.21.07
Moved by Edward Minshull, seconded by Maria Sadegur, To receive number 3 of Item 3.4 from the memo. Carried.

Ms. Dieno queried about clarifying misinformation in the media. Vernon CAO, Leon Gous, reported on Vernon council’s upcoming plans for public communication and open houses prior to the referendum.

Motion #7 11.21.07
Moved by Len Novakowski, seconded by Deb Leroux, That the Board reiterate its support for the Vernon project, and direct staff to relay information to the public, and convey the Boards enthusiasm for the project. Carried.

11.3 Vernon Branch – Municipal Financing Authority

Motion#22 11.27.07
Moved by John Slater, seconded by Sue Phillips, To direct staff to write to the Ministry, requesting consideration to allow local libraries to apply to the municipal financing authority for funding capital projects, and to copy the letter to other library boards urging them to support the application. Carried.

Mascots unveiled for Vancouver Olympic Games

SURREY, B.C. -- Organizers of the 2010 Winter Games have turned to British Columbia's myths and legends for a trio of mascots.Quatchi is a young sasquatch with a long brown beard and blue earmuffs, while Miga is a snowboarding sea-bear -- part killer whale and part kermode bear.And Sumi is a spirit animal that flies with the wings of a native thunderbird.There's even a sidekick: Mukmuk, a small friendly Vancouver Island Marmot.

Some of What happened at City Hall Monday Oct 26

• Financial Manager Kevin Bertles proposed a 5.07% tax increase this morning. He said that there would be a $37.67 tax increaseon the projected average house which will be valued at $380,000.

• Indications of a projected 2007 operating surplus in excess of $1.5 million for 2 line items was revealed. (1 expense and 1 revenue).
  

• The men in Black from BCLC watched silently from the gallery after traveling many miles on the taxpayers dime as the City Council agreed to defer its decision for at least two more weeks. The deferral was a 5-1 vote and it was caused by the untimely arrival of information from BCLC that the Council had requested that was only received by council on Monday morning. Hopefully the City and Casino operator will use the time to negotiate a Side agreement for a Social Responsibility Fund if the ultimate intention is to let the expansion of Slots proceed.
• You can still roast weenies and marshmallows in your backyard. Vernon council has voted against adopting the bylaw amendment prohibiting campfires. Council voted against giving a final reading to the fire prevention amendment bylaw and instead sent it back to staff to refine. Council opposition to the campfire ban was lead by Coun. Silent Jack Gilroy who supported most of the other major changes proposed by the Fire Chief.
• There was a 6 month moratorium put on illegal suites complaints. They will still be assessed but not enforced on a fast track or in the normally efficient basis of the bylaw department. They naturally will continue to monitor and enforce safety code violations etc. The intent is to await the new "legalization of existing suites' policy expected early in the New Year.

City reviews service costs

by Wayne Moore - Nov 27, 2007 CASTANET

The City of Kelowna will undertake a review of the costs incurred in providing services to the Regional District of Central Okanagan. City Financial Services Director, Paul Macklem, says the review is timely with the creation of the new Westside Municipality. "Reviewing the as is model will help guide council and staff in determining some issues like the impact of the new Westside Municipality on Kelowna's taxpayers," says Macklem. "At the conclusion of this process, the report will provide the city with a definitive picture of the cost model for each service." As an example, Macklem says the Kelowna RCMP Detachment provides manpower and support services to the Westside municipal area. "No system currently exists to satisfy the City that its taxpayers are not funding policing services on the Westside."

Macklem says Kelowna, as the single largest member of the RDCO, currently contributes approximately 71% of servicing costs shared by RDCO partners plus an additional administration fee of 15% on all contracts and fees. Other services being reviewed include fire and regional rescue services, transit, parks, recycling and solid waste management, regional grants, protective services, sterile insect release program among others. City Manager, Ron Mattiussi, says this is not meant to be a service review nor is it a means of by-passing that process. "This is a very high level review that came directly out of the Westside Governance debate, to look at where the city is involved in inter-municipal and regional services," says Mattiussi. "This is a review of what are the services, what is the money we spend and how are we spending it." The report is expected to be ready for City Council review in early March, 2008.

Province nudges Valley towards regional gov‘t

By J.P. SQUIRE Monday, November 26, 2007 Kelowna Courier

A gentle push from the province has all of the major politicians and bureaucrats in the Okanagan thinking about how they want to govern and provide regional services in the future. On Monday, the mayors of Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon joined a new committee of regional district representatives studying governance options and which services to include. The meeting included Dale Wall, assistant deputy minister of community services, since his boss sparked the review. “We are here to develop a work plan by Nov. 30, we‘re about there, and to have a process for consultation on governance and services by March 31, 2008,” said Robert Hobson, committee chairman and chair of the Central Okanagan Regional District. Community Services Minister Ida Chong has expressed interest in exploring new governance models, including the potential for a single regional district for the Valley. “We‘re going to look at what works elsewhere and see which model best addresses the issues we have in the Valley,” said Hobson.

On Monday, the committee agreed to establish a governance sub-committee under chairman Graham Reid (Peachland mayor) that will focus on different regional government structures. He has friends in Ontario, where numerous local governments have combined forces into regional governments. The ministry also has experts. Mayors, regional district politicians and managers also agreed they need technical committees, each with a committee member and staff experts to document the current status of regional co-operation on three key issues: air, water and transportation (including transit). Each technical committee will make a presentation to a Jan. 11 workshop in Vernon involving the boards of the four regional districts in the Okanagan and Valley MLAs. “The province is indicating they want to see more effort made in working together on these things. The province has also established an inter-agency committee, which is looking at the provincial position on issues in the Valley, and that includes MLAs and ministry staff,” said Hobson.

Committee members also discussed Monday how to bring the public into the process. Staff will bring back recommendations on that, but committee agendas, minutes and reports will be posted on regional district websites immediately. One of the first committee resolutions Monday was to make the meetings public and the process transparent, he noted. A meeting of all the city, town and regional councils and boards could be the next stage, but that would involve more than 100 elected people, noted Hobson. “I think we would probably like to have a council of councils. That is something that happens at GVRD (Greater Vancouver Regional District) from time to time to discuss shared topics of interest. I think that will be an outcome,” he said.

Still Legal to Roast Weenies and Marshmallows

Starlee Speers, Astral Media Radio News

You can still roast weenies and marshmallows in your backyard. Vernon council has voted against adopting the bylaw amendment prohibiting campfires. Councillor Jack Gilroy says, there needs to be more of a compromise between urban and rural areas. "We can't just carte blanche say there's no campfires in the city of Vernon."Council voted against giving a final reading to the fire prevention amendment bylaw and instead sent it back to staff to reorganize.

Dumb criminal award

by Rachael Kimola -Nov 26, 2007 Castanet
And the dumb criminal award goes to…
A Kelowna man made a bad decision when he decided to give a cop the one-finger salute. Gord Molendyk of Vernon RCMP says the 26-year-old man gave a ’one-finger-salute’ to a cop in Vernon just after 2 a.m. Friday. “This of course, promoted the cop to turn his car around to investigate the man. He found out the person had no insurance, and was a VI candidate, which means Vehicle Impound, meaning he likely had outstanding tickets from ICBC. So his vehicle was impounded for 30 days,” says Molendyk. He says the man got into more trouble when he was asked to perform a breathalyser test. “He blew near twice the legal limit so he has also been charged with impaired driving.” Molendyk says if the man hadn’t made such a rude gesture towards the cop, he likely wouldn’t have been checked.

No Decision on Casino Relocating

Starlee Speers, Astral Media Radio News

Still no decision on whether the Vernon casino will be relocated. Council wanted time to review new information from the BC Lottery Corporation. Greg Walker with BCLC says, the decision to defer won't impact BCLC's plans."The concern was being able to look at that information. We're more then happy with council having the opportunity to look at it and review at their own time."Councillor Barry Beardsell made the proposal to delay the decision because information he had requested had just become available the morning of the council meeting.

Okanagan Governance Committee Meeting

Melanie Simmons - AM 1150 News

Four sub-committees were created Monday at an Okanagan Governance Committee meeting in Kelowna. The first group will work with the Ministry of Community Services on governance models, and the other three will look at technical issues: transportation, air quality and water. Peachland Mayor Graham Reid will chair the Ministry group of Governance Models, Osoyoos Mayor John Slater will head the committee on Water, Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd is chair of the Air Quality Committee, and Jerry Oglow from NORD is chair for the Transportation Committee. Working Committee Chair Robert Hobson says the committees will present a report in time for a Regional District Directors workshop on January 11th. Hobson says that will be an all-day workshop held in Vernon where Directors will look at governance models and discuss the principles and issues of working together. Hobson also says the $50-thousand dollar budget for consultation will likely be increased as they work out how to involve the public in the process. The next meeting is December 16th in the South Okanagan.

Charges laid in murder case

RCMP
Charges have now been laid against Michael James NELSON in the murder investigation of the 44 year old male who died in the residence at 6320 Scott Rd on Saturday November 24th. Mr. Nelson made his first court appearance this morning and was charged with Second Degree Murder. He was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on the morning of Dec 12th.
Released by:
Gordon Molendyk
For the Vernon RCMP
250-260-7161

Save Our Lakes will not oppose the Operational Certificate on the City of Vernon conditions of discharge into Okanagan Lake via the outfall pipe !

November 26, 2007

The Save Our Lakes Society has today just received a letter from the British Columbia Ministry of the Environment and a copy of the Operational Certificate ME12215. This Operational Certificate imposes on the City of Vernon conditions of discharge into Okanagan Lake via the outfall pipe which are similar to those conditions imposed previously by the Supreme Court of British Columbia; i.e., that there shall be no discharge into the lake unless:

1. there are unforeseen circumstances occurring beyond the City's control, such as pump failure,
or;
2. the elevation of MacKay Reservoir exceeds 1935 ft. above mean sea level,

If either of these conditions are met, the City of Vernon must still provide the Ministry with a discharge plan which outlines how the City plans to manage the level of MacKay Reservoir.

Under these circumstances the Save Our Lakes Society will not oppose the Operational Certificate ME12215 and hope that the City of Vernon will always ensure that the spray irrigation program is preserved and expanded, therefore eliminating the need to use the outfall pipe for treated effluent dumping.


Alan Hill 545-1648
Save Our Lakes Society
Vernon & Districts Taxpayers' Association

5.07% Residential Tax increased proposed at COW MEEETING !

With 1 councilor and the Mayor Absent the Financial Manager Kevin Bertles proposed a 5.07% tax increase this morning. He said that there would be a $37.67 tax increase on the projected average house which will be valued at $380,000.

The new Library/Civic complex is not included in these calculations and if passed would up the potential tax increase. Referendum projected costs are included in the 2008 budget. I guess the current advertising costs for this project will simply reduced the operating surplus that will come from 2007.

This is a staff budget at this point and after an initial go around that will be finished after this afternoon's council session it will probably be turned over for detailed examination at future special COW or Finance Committee meetings.

No doubt the Councillors may have some special 'flavour of the day projects' that they will attempt to raise this % age increase and some budgetary cuts that may decrease it.

The apparent business tax ratio that falls out of the preliminary assessment figures has not been revealed yet.

Referendum Signs Hit by Vandals

Betty Selin, Atral Radio News

The Coldstream referendum is less than three weeks away, but things have already gotten ugly.
The Vote Yes to Parks Committee is shocked that almost half of their signs have been vandalised. Spokesperson, Bill Tarr says 16 of their 35 signs were vandalised in less than 8 hours. The signs cover a 6 kilometre area, so they don't think it's kids. Some of their vote yes signs had "No" spray painted over while others were torn down. Tarr says the signs cost over one-thousand dollars and the money was donated by several sports groups. Coldstream Residents will vote on December 15th on whether the application for non-farm use of the land on Aberdeen to allow for an outdoor sports complex should be sent to the Agricultural Land Commission.

Alternative approval bylaws

by Rachael Kimola - Nov 26, 2007 Castanet
Kelowna City Council will be voting Monday to start an alternative approval process for several borrowing bylaws. Residents have until January 10 to voice their objections to the proposals. The first is to borrow $40 million to pay for an expansion of the Wastewater Treatment Facility. The second is to borrow $7,577,000 for the construction of a pump station and ultra violet water treatment facility on Lakeshore Road. The third is to borrow $10.4 million to construct road improvements on Clifton Road, Pandosy Street, High Road, Richter Street and the Central Okanagan Bypass. January 10 at 4 p.m. has been set as the deadline for the three alternative approval processes. In order to be stopped, 10% of qualified electors must sign against a bylaw.
More than 8,400 signatures will be required to prevent a specific borrowing bylaw.

Casino Resolution debated on Monday !

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE: The resolution in the report is the legal resolution that the City Clerk is obliged to table for consideration. It is structured in this way to meet the legalities of the Gaming Control Act. (Interesting that our good neighbors of Coldstream were not required to be consulted as they were outside 5 km. limit from actual Casino. )

I am hoping that Council will heed my written presentation and do the following:

• Approve the resolution as to relocation of casino so as to give better working conditions and safety to their existing and future employees but amend the resolution so as to deny the expansion of slot machines.
  
• OR: Send the resolution to referendum and utilize Jan 26 date to reduce referendum costs.
• OR: Amend the resolution so its passage is subject to the successful conclusion of a negotiated agreement with the Casino operator to provide an annual sum of money for a Social Responsibility Fund similar in size and purpose etc. as that Negotiated between the City of Vancouver and Edgewater Casino. www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20061003/documents/a6.pdf

• AND make the council intentions known that subject to that successful negotiation of a Social Responsibility Fund with a set annual contribution by the Casino Operator to be used for the direct gambling related problems that may be caused by allowing a Casino, that the Council will set up a separate Social Responsibility Reserve with annual funding at least equal to that provided in the So. Res. Fund negotiation out of the additional funds realized by the Host Government's (Vernon) share of gaming. (This reserve could be allocated for indirect problems that could have their source in gambling including but not limited to drug rehab, alcohol dependency, youth addiction, shelters etc.)
  

I do not expect that this resolution to proceed on Monday unless the information requested by Council from the BCLC at the Public Input Session on this matter is read into the record. I would also hope that the record of the in-camera meeting July 23, 2007 be declassified and read into the record before any decision is made. (links of infamous meeting below)

BC Lottery Corp insisted upon a DARK SIDE meeting only
!Private meeting upsets Beardsell

Vernon Murder Investigation

CASTANET
Vernon RCMP have a man in custody after the discovery of body. On Saturday, police and ambulance responded to a suspicious sudden death at a house on Scott Road. A 44-year old man was found dead and police investigation revealed that the man died as a result of foul play. Around noon today police arrested a 24-year old man in connection with the incident. The man is in custody pending approval of murder charges by Crown Counsel. Police are not releasing the name of the victim or suspect but say that the event was not a random act and that more details would be released Monday morning.

This release is from the Vernon & Districts Taxpayers Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 26, 2007

Re: City of Vernon's Operational Certificate to allow the discharge of surplus treated effluent into Okanagan Lake:
The Ministry of the Environment has issued a notice of their intention to change the City's Operational Certificate to allow the discharge of surplus treated effluent into Okanagan Lake. What does the Ministry mean by 'surplus' and who will decide what is surplus? And why is the Ministry ignoring the Supreme Court ruling which imposes strict rules before any discharge can be made? It becomes obvious that their proposed change will give the City permission to discharge at will, for who will supervise their actions? This is another example of the abrogation of real responsibility, for after all is not the Ministry's mandate to ensure that all waterbodies are uncontaminated especially if they are used for drinking water?

It's no good saying that the sewage plant cleans sewage to the point where it is fit to drink, one only thinks back to the breakdown of the plant in Kelowna which resulted in the infection of 15000 residents with cryptosporidium, hushed up of course but well documented. There are Canadian examples which demonstrated the vulnerability of drinking water which resulted in many deaths and serious illness. So the question is " should the Ministry allow such discharges without adequate controls in place?" Clearly the answer is NO. The City administration keeps bleating the same old hackneyed phrase "that we are committed to the spray irrigation program", yet the Commonage available lands are shrinking. The area which was to be used for concentrated disposal lies fallow, the pumps now unused. It is time again for the people of Vernon and those downstream to bombard the Ministry of the Environment with letters and objections to the proposed amendment to the City permit. We have to tell them that there shall be no discharge without adequate controls and strict supervision by persons who are not City employees or part of City Council.

Alan Hill, from Save Our Lakes Society, met some time ago with Leon Gous at which meeting Mr. Gous stated that the Supreme Court ruling would be adhered to--to the letter. Shortly after, the City made application to change the permit. Draw your own conclusions and decide how much trust can be placed in the administration and decide if these are the people you want to look after the health of your drinking water.

Contact: Alan Hill 545-1648

Our Views: Pay discrimination judgment, move on and get over it (MODESTO)

MODESTO BEE Nov. 26

A jury decided earlier this month that two women who have long worked for the city of Modesto Finance Department were underpaid when compared with a male colleague. According to the jury verdict, the city will have to pay the women almost $190,000 in back pay, interest and damages.On Tuesday, the City Council will discuss in closed session whether the city should appeal the verdict. The answer is "no."

The city already has incurred thousands of dollars in legal fees defending itself, unsuccessfully, against these accusations and likely will have to pay the plaintiffs' attorney fees as well because of the jury verdict in favor of the two women. Nine of 12 jurors were persuaded that the city had not treated the women fairly under the Equal Pay Act. It is worth noting that three years ago, the two women received lump-sum checks for back wages at a higher pay grade for work they did until 2002. But the higher salaries weren't continued. The lawsuit centered on the salaries they received from 2002 through July 2005, when the lawsuit was filed. Appealing this matter will simply raise the already-hefty legal bills, with no guarantee of success. The expense isn't needed at a time when the city faces serious budget cuts. Furthermore, the case is affecting employee morale. Attorneys representing the city exacerbated the situation by sending out a news release -- to the media and to all city employees -- expressing disappointment in the verdict and promising a motion seeking reversal of the verdict.

As Local News columnist Jeff Jardine pointed out this past Tuesday, City Council members weren't aware of the statements and apparently hadn't decided whether to appeal. This case is listed on Tuesday's agenda for a closed-door discussion. The best thing to do at this point is pay up and shut up -- and make sure that current and future salary practices are fair and equitable.

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Don Quixote Note: I posted this story to illustrate that our Sister City, Modesto publishes a list of their in-camera (Dark side meeting) agenda items so the media and general populace can see what is been discussed as a dark side item.

Where is 2007-2011 Financial Plan on City's website ??

• 2006-2010 Financial Plan - 900Kb
• Council Detail Report - 260Kb

• Financial Plan 2005-2009 Bylaw # 4894 - 80Kb
• 2005 - 2009 Financial Plan - 2.15MB
• 2004 - 2008 Financial Plan - 65Kb
• Amended 2005 Financial Plan - 210Kb
• 2006 Airport Statements - 1.46MB

Don Quixote Note: The latest 5 year plan (2007-2011) was passed early in 2007. I have requested that this be added to the City's website and as we are coming up to the 2008 budget cycle it would be handy to have it available to any interested taxpayer.

The Airport financial statements are available on the City's website but have yet to make it onto the AIRPORT website. As this is the final independent statement it would help to finalize the historical record if it was placed on that site.
At the Airport site are:

• Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2004 - 145Kb PDF
• Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2005 - 225Kb PDF

City fires first shot in Library/Civic Complex referendum.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE:

This is most of the 2 page ad run Nov. 26 in the Vernon Morning star. Looks like the first shot in an expensive campaign to persuade the taxpayers of the merits of the proposal. Will the special ad rates for the City be available to those other civic minded groups who wish to advertise either in favour or opposition ?

There are several biased statements and some interesting factual assertions that will be the subject of further postings by Don Quixote.

Vernon to be allowed to discharge to OKANAGAN LAKE via the deep lake outfall !

Click on Image to enlarge:

Buried on Page C22 of The Nov 25th Morning star was the ad announcing the Intention to issue an amendment to the Sewage Discharge Authorization Certificate to the City of Vernon. This amendment will 'authorize the discharge of reclaimed water to the ground by irrigation, and the discharge of surplus tertiary treated irrigation water to OKANAGAN LAKE via the deep lake outfall.

The deadline for written comments is Dec. 10, 2007.
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Don Quixote Note: Despite the continued urging of City Hall to use the euphemism 'Wastewater treatment plant', it appears that the Provincial Environmental Act still refers to 'Municipal Sewage Discharge' in defiance of our City's stated wishes.

Casino relocation goes before council

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - November 25, 2007

The fate of a proposed expanded casino rests with the City of Vernon. Council will decide Monday whether it supports the relocation of the Lake City Casino outlet from the Village Green Mall to Anderson Way, next to Toyota. “Like everything, there are pros and cons,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. If relocation occurs, the casino will go from 12,000 to 30,000-square-feet.The number of slot machines would climb from 210 to 400, while there would also be six table games, two poker tables, two electronic tables (poker and roulette) and a 700-seat pub/restaurant.

At a recent public input session, both sides of the issue were presented to council.Some support the relocation, saying it provides residents with increased entertainment opportunities and bolsters the economy by hiring locals and drawing tourists to town. However, others spoke out against the proposal from Lake City Casino and the B.C. Lottery Corporation, claiming gambling negatively hurts families and individuals and draws money out of the local economy. “We will have to look at the economic benefits but also the social impacts,” said Lippert.“It’s a tough decision because we have to look at things morally and fiscally.”

Coun. Jack Gilroy will raise his hand in support of relocation. “People had good points about the negative aspects but not everyone that goes there is addicted. It’s their social activity,” he said. Coun. Pat Cochrane has reservations about gambling, but points out that gaming is a provincial responsibility. “At the end of the day, the casino relocation will happen,” he said. “It’s better to have it in the city than us having all the social issues and the casino is on the edge of our boundary.”Officials with Lake City Casino and the B.C. Lottery Corporation have stated that relocation will only occur if city council agrees.

Councillor comes under fire

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - November 25, 2007

Comments from a Coldstream politician are coming back to haunt her. The Coldstream Ratepayers Association is calling on Coun. Carol Williams to step aside, alleging she told residents in July they could move if they don’t want a sports complex. “It was tantamount to a resignation,” said president Andy Danyliu, pointing out that Williams has left Coldstream and now resides on Westside Road. “The community that she’s legislator for no longer suits her.” Media notes from July quote Williams as saying, “For those that don't want that area (complex) near their place you might do what me and my husband did – we moved.”

Danyliu insists those opposed to the proposed sports complex on Aberdeen Road have a right to express their concerns about how it may impact the community through the loss of farm land or more urban development.“She is more than anyone an architect of change in the community. She has voted for every development,” he said of Williams. Danyliu says he is more upset about Williams’ comments than the fact that she has moved out of Coldstream. “I don’t mind if they (politicians who move) continue to come if they continue to care,” he said.

Williams defends the comments she made in July. “What I said was, ‘We didn’t like what was happening in our backyard, so we moved,’” she said. “It referred to how much work there was to keep up with our house and yard. We couldn’t find housing that was suitable for us at this stage in our lives.” Williams stands behind plans for a sports complex, saying it will bolster the economy and provide space for Coldstream residents to pursue sports. “I have had many people agree with me,” she said. Provincial legislation doesn’t prevent a person from seeking elected office in a jurisdiction they don’t live in. “I could have resigned but I wanted to finish out my term,” said Williams, who hasn’t decide if she will run again next year. “I still have a great deal of interest and enthusiasm for Coldstream and the residents who live there.”

Complex issues go unanswered

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - November 25, 2007

The Greater Vernon Services Committee is refusing to get into specifics about a proposed sports complex. Directors received and filed a letter from a Coldstream couple questioning the cost of the facility planned for Aberdeen Road and whether other sites have been considered. Chairman Gary Corner defended not debating the issue.“The problem we have is this really isn’t a GVSC issue right now,” he said.Currently, the District of Coldstream is being asked by the GVSC to forward a land use change application to the Agricultural Land Commission for consideration. Coldstream council has decided to put the matter before residents in a Dec. 15 referendum. If the vote is successful, the ALC would ultimately decide the fate of the land use issue.“If there is approval from the ALC it would come back to the GVSC and we would deal with it,” said Corner, who is also mayor of Coldstream.

But the Coldstream Ratepayers’ Association says a lack of discussion now shows GVSC is avoiding its responsibilities.“It’s their issue, it’s their request,” said Andy Danyliu, association president.“Coldstream is simply responding to their request.”Danyliu added that GVSC initiated the entire process by offering to purchase the Aberdeen Road site from Coldstream Ranch. Danyliu is also concerned about the process that would be followed if the referendum passes and GVSC proceeds with planning for a complex. “Coldstream will never have a say again on the issue,” he said, referring to the fact that Coldstream only holds one vote on the GVSC board compared to three for Vernon and one each for the adjacent electoral areas.

Corner is confident the Aberdeen Road property is ideal for a sports complex and he is hopeful the referendum will be successful.“I understand the opposition to it but you’ll find there’s a fair bit of support,” he said.Danyliu has suggested alternate locations for a complex which he believes should be considered. Among them is a site south of the landfill, which Danyliu insists would be better suited for adult-oriented ball tournaments while youth sports could be closer to residential neighbourhoods.“What I am trying to do is separate the adults from the children,” he said.

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GVSC can’t avoid issue Nov 25 Editorial

Recent comments from Greater Vernon Services Committee chairman Gary Corner would be laughable if they weren’t so concerning. After the committee filed a letter about the proposed Aberdeen Road sports complex, Corner said, “The problem we have is this really isn’t a GVSC issue right now.”Not a GVSC issue right now?Isn’t it the committee that has offered to purchase the land from Coldstream Ranch? And isn’t it GVSC seeking a land use change from the Agricultural Land Commission? It should also be pointed out that the District of Coldstream is only considering a referral to the ALC because it has been asked to – once again by GVSC.

It’s increasingly obvious there’s a significant need for additional sports facilities and the Aberdeen Road site is a suitable location because of its proximity to existing Coldstream and Vernon neighbourhoods. But that said, why is GVSC hiding from very legitimate questions about the proposal? As an example, the letter filed by the board dealt with overall costs and alternate sites.And these questions will continue to persist unless GVSC politicians and staff deal with them head-on. With full information out there – including about the complex design – perhaps public support would grow.Being transparent would also counter some of the misinformation coming from opposition forces. In the end, GVSC initiated the entire sports complex process and it’s time to do the right thing and take ownership for the issue.

Agenda Highlights COLDSTREAM Council NOVEMBER 26, 2007 at 7:00 PM

• DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM
  9901 KALAMALKA ROAD, COLDSTREAM, BC
  
• Presentation – Vernon Civic Complex Proposal: Mr. Leon Gous, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Vernon, will be present to speak to this matter.
  
• PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS COUNCIL (Total Time Allotted: 10 Minutes) NOTE: This time is to afford members of the public the opportunity to address issues on the agenda dated, November 26, 2007. Issues that are not on the current agenda will not be heard by Council.
  
• Presentation – Vernon Civic Complex Proposal • Letter from the City of Vernon, dated November 19, 2007 Comment Does Council wish to consider entering into a partnership with the City of Vernon with respect to the Art Gallery? (p.27)

Vernon & Modesto Celebrate 25 Years of Friendship

MSCI's Vernon Committee welcomed a delegation of 50 visitors from Vernon in October. The delegation included the Mayor and other city officials as well as Vernon citizens. The traditional softball game was held at Davis Field and it was an afternoon of fun and friendship.

More Pictures at Modesto Website

The mayor is in the picture on your right .

Agenda Highlights COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MONDA. (Vernon to pick up additional voting power at NORD )

Agenda - 208Kb
Agenda Package - 1.56MB

• PRESENTATION - O’KEEFE RANCH & INTERIOR HERITAGE SOCIETY (P. 11) (8:40 am) A. At the Committee of the Whole meeting held on October 22, 2007, representatives from the O’Keefe Ranch and Interior Heritage Society reported that they would like to attend at the end of November to present a completed budget and Financial Plan.
  
• 2008 BUDGET (to be distributed)
  A. Review of proposed 2008 Budget. Members of Senior Management Team will be present in order to address questions from Council.
  
• SINGLE BUSINESS LICENCE INITIATIVE P.19
• REGIONAL DISTRICT OF NORTH OKANAGAN – VOTING UNITS (P. 51)
  Present Voting Structure:
  Mayor Lippert – 5
  Councillor Gilroy – 5
  Councillor Cunningham - 4

Don Quixote Note: The number of directors (13) will not change at NORD but the voting strength of directors will change for 2 areas. With the Population changes at NORD it appears that VERNON will pick up 1 more vote and this will probably be given to Coun . Cunningham and Spallumcheen will lose 1 vote and be reduced to 2votes for their lone director.

Agenda Highlights REGULAR OPEN MEETING OF COUNCIL MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2007 1:30 PM

• Agenda - 244Kb
  Agenda Package 1 - 14.4MB
  Agenda Package 2 - 14MB (Pages 115-168)
  Agenda Package 3 - 14.1MB (Pages 169-204)
  Agenda Package 4 - 8.72MB
• DELEGATION – GAIL FERRARO & SERVICE DOG “SADIE” (P. 49) A. Ms. Gail Ferraro & Service Dog “Sadie”, re: Community Access Issues for Persons with Disabilities.
  
• DELEGATION – INTERIOR HEALTH (P. 55) C. Mr. Peter Du Toit, Community Administrator for Interior Health, re: Update Report on the Status of Vernon & Kelowna Hospitals Expansion Project.
  
• RELOCATION LAKE CITY CASINO (P. 101) B. Memorandum dated November 20, 2007, from Mrs. Patti Bridal, City Clerk, Re: Relocation Lake City Casino. This memo included resolution to support relocation and expansion etc. Public input in Package 1 at P. 39-48. Written submissions not published. No Staff response shown ?
  
• SECONDARY SUITES / ILLEGAL SUITES (P. 103) (i) Letter received November 9, 2007, from Mr. Wayne Bell, 612 Mount Fostall Place, re: Secondary Suites / Illegal Suites – Request for a Moratorium on Complaint.
  
• DUPLEX STRATA CONVERSION – 2303 39TH STREET (P. 105) (ii) Letter received November 16, 2007, from Mr. R. A. Nickel, Owner, 2303 39th Street, re: Duplex Strata Conversion – Request for Consideration of Applications in Progress.
  
• HITCHCOCK ROAD AREA ANNEXATION REPORT (P. 163)
  
• ANNEXATION APPLICATION FOR PROPERTIES AT 5770 PLEASANT VALLEY ROAD (P. 171)
  
• MR. FRANK ENS – REQUEST FOR A RELOCATED BUILDING TO BE LISTED ON THE
  VERNON HERITAGE REGISTER (P. 199)
  
• REQUEST TO DELETE PROPERTY AT 2502 – 23RD AVENUE FROM THE VERNON
  HERITAGE REGISTER (P. 209)
  
• THAT Bylaw #5111, “Civic Complex Referendum Bylaw Number 5111, 2007” – a bylaw to authorize the Holding of a Referendum, be adopted. (P. 217)
  
• THAT Bylaw #5105, “City of Vernon Fire Prevention Amendment Bylaw Number 5105, - a bylaw to amend Fire Prevention Bylaw Number 4476, be adopted; (P. 227) Staff response to Input Received at the Official Public Hearing held November 13, 2007. (P. 235) Actual public input from P. 27-37 in Package #1
  
• Letter dated November 19, 2007, from Ms. Tina Hildebrandt, Meeting Coordinator, City of Vancouver, re: Municipal Fiscal Imbalance. (P. 273)

NORD to decide on 4th representative to Valley Wide Governance Review Committee at Dec. 5th meeting.

The next meeting of the Valley Wide Governance Review Committee is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Monday November 26th, 2007 in the Central Okanagan Regional District Board Room. Location:, RDCO office, 1450 KLO Road, Woodhaven

The Regional District Board will consider who the fourth representative from the North Okanagan will be at their next regular meeting on Wednesday December 5th, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. The cost to convene a Board meeting prior to November 26th to consider this one item could not be justified. RDNO will send 3 representatives until the fourth is decided at the December 5th Board Meeting.
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Coun. Gilroy or Cunningham to be appointed to Super Regional Committee appointment ?

At the post above you will see my speculation on why the above 2 candidates are the only eligible options. Acting Mayor Beardsell will be chairing the Council meetings on Monday if Mayor Lippert is obliged to attend the other meetings in the daytime hours unless the 9 Am meeting is over before the 1:30 afternoon session of council.

Final Results of KISSFM Poll

Your Say of the Day KISS FM

POLL TAKEN DOWN NOW !iss.com

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Final Results as at 6 Am Nov 23 1075.kiss.FM Do you agree with Vernon's mayor removing Barry Beardsell from the GVSC? [78 votes total] Yes (30) 38% No (48) 62%