(Pete McIntyre) http://www.1075kiss.com/news/headlines/
A man currently in custody awaiting trial for the murder of a Vernon senior, is now charged with killing another man. 45 year old Eric Norman Fish has been charged with the first degree murder of 60 year old Jeffrey Drake. Drake's decomposed body was found on the side of Adventure Bay Road (near Vernon) in August, 2004. The cause of death and motive are not being released by the police, other than it was drug-related.
RCMP Corporal Henry Proce told a news conference, police are investigating evidence that Fish had an accomplice in the homicide. "There's a storng likelihood there may have been an accomplice. This is one of the reasons the laying of this charge is delayed somewhat, but we have not gathered sufficient evidence to lay a charge." However, Proce stresses the suspected accomplice is not a risk to the community but didn't elaborate.
Fish is also charged with the first degree murder of 75 year William Abramenko, which occurred around the same time. Fish was on day parole at the time of the two crimes after walking away from his Vernon halfway house, the former Howard House. He will return to court in October for the Abramenko murder.
CHBC VIDEO
Another murder charge (Video)Web posted on Wednesday, 28 February 2007 He's already facing one murder charge and now a Vernon man is accused of a second killing.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Suspect faces 2nd murder charge
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/02/28/fish-murder.html
CBC News has learned that a second murder charge will be laid against Eric Fish, the convicted killer who was unlawfully at large from a federal halfway house in Vernon, B.C., when he was charged with killing an elderly man in August 2004. Police are expected to charge Fish Wednesday in the death of another Vernon man who was killed during the same period in 2004.
Fish, 45, had been parolled to the halfway house after serving time for a murder in Ontario in 1984.
The deaths happened within weeks of each other. Bill Abramenko, 75, a retired carpenter, was beaten to death with a crowbar in Vernon on Aug. 4, 2004. Fish was arrested and charged with his murder three days later. The following day, Jeffrey Drake, 60, who had been missing for a month, was found dead on the shores of Okanagan Lake.Tuesday night, police told his son, Jerry Drake, of Kelowna, that the case may finally have been solved.I've just received a phone call [from a] Vernon RCMP [officer] and he informed me that charges would be laid against Eric Fish for my father's murder," Drake told CBC News.
Debate ignited
The arrest of Fish in 2004 ignited a national debate on the role of the National Parole Board. Fish was supposed to be serving out his parole at the Howard House in Vernon, but disappeared from the halfway house and had been at large for six weeks at the time of Abramenko's death. Documents showed that before releasing Fish to the halfway house, the National Parole Board ruled he was "high-risk to violently re-offend." Corrections Canada later agreed to shut down the halfway house.
Abramenko's wife Gladys said at the time she was not satisfied that closing down Howard House would solve the problems in Vernon. "The problem doesn't start with the Howard House. It starts with the National Parole Board. I think there should be a grand public inquiry — nothing hushed up," she said. During the six weeks Fish was at large, no alert was issued by police or the parole board, the RCMP admitted in a news conference in 2004. Abramenko's daughter, Tracy Barth, says that may have been a fatal error.
"When everything happened to my dad back in August that year, we kinda knew [Fish] might have been involved in other criminal activities, just from what the RCMP said to us," she said.
Drake's death is one of seven deaths that police earlier said may be linked to a drug trafficking gang known as The Greeks. Fish's trial in the Abramenko death is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2008.
CBC News has learned that a second murder charge will be laid against Eric Fish, the convicted killer who was unlawfully at large from a federal halfway house in Vernon, B.C., when he was charged with killing an elderly man in August 2004. Police are expected to charge Fish Wednesday in the death of another Vernon man who was killed during the same period in 2004.
Fish, 45, had been parolled to the halfway house after serving time for a murder in Ontario in 1984.
The deaths happened within weeks of each other. Bill Abramenko, 75, a retired carpenter, was beaten to death with a crowbar in Vernon on Aug. 4, 2004. Fish was arrested and charged with his murder three days later. The following day, Jeffrey Drake, 60, who had been missing for a month, was found dead on the shores of Okanagan Lake.Tuesday night, police told his son, Jerry Drake, of Kelowna, that the case may finally have been solved.I've just received a phone call [from a] Vernon RCMP [officer] and he informed me that charges would be laid against Eric Fish for my father's murder," Drake told CBC News.
Debate ignited
The arrest of Fish in 2004 ignited a national debate on the role of the National Parole Board. Fish was supposed to be serving out his parole at the Howard House in Vernon, but disappeared from the halfway house and had been at large for six weeks at the time of Abramenko's death. Documents showed that before releasing Fish to the halfway house, the National Parole Board ruled he was "high-risk to violently re-offend." Corrections Canada later agreed to shut down the halfway house.
Abramenko's wife Gladys said at the time she was not satisfied that closing down Howard House would solve the problems in Vernon. "The problem doesn't start with the Howard House. It starts with the National Parole Board. I think there should be a grand public inquiry — nothing hushed up," she said. During the six weeks Fish was at large, no alert was issued by police or the parole board, the RCMP admitted in a news conference in 2004. Abramenko's daughter, Tracy Barth, says that may have been a fatal error.
"When everything happened to my dad back in August that year, we kinda knew [Fish] might have been involved in other criminal activities, just from what the RCMP said to us," she said.
Drake's death is one of seven deaths that police earlier said may be linked to a drug trafficking gang known as The Greeks. Fish's trial in the Abramenko death is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2008.
2005 SALARIES & EXPENSES VERNON/COLDSTREAM/NORD
CLICK ON ITEMS TO ENLARGE
All figures from BC 371/93 of the Financial Information Regulation Schedule 1, section 9 available from your local municipality or regional district.
(Originally posted 07/04/06
Alexis Back in as Chief
(Pete McIntyre) http://www.1075kiss.com/news/headlines/The Okanagan Indian Band has re-elected its chief. Fabian Alexis received 310 votes, more than double the 127 of runner up Donna Goodwater. The 47 year old Alexis calls it a strong mandate, 'Sometimes it felt that we as a council weren't accomplishing a lot of things but I guess the community saw otherwise and therefore they showedtheir strong support for me as the chief for the Okanagan Indian Band.' Alexis has led the 17-hundred member band for two years. Six of the ten councillors were reelected along with four newcomers. 13-hundred band members were eligible to vote and turnout was around 45 percent.
Complete Election Results:
Fabian Alexis 310
Fabian Alexis 310
Donna Goodwater 127
Tim Isaac 84
Cecil Louis 25
Gary Van Stone 11
Okanagan Indian Band:
Fabian Alexis Chief
Fabian Alexis Chief
CouncillorRaymond Marchand
CouncillorBill Cohen CouncillorDiane Lovis
CouncillorJenelle Brewer CouncillorDon Louis
Councillor Judy Marchand CouncillorVern Tronson
CouncillorEmery Robins CouncillorReynold Bonneau
CouncillorTim Alexis
2005 POLITICAL EXPENSES VERNON/COLDSTREAM/NORD
Don Quixote Note:
To give you an idea of Political Remuneration in this area. Only Vernon and Coldstream municipal elected officials available in this presentation. Armstrong, Lumby etc. also have salaries and expenses at their council levels.
2006 figures will be published by Municipalities etc. as required by June 30, 2007 and updated here at that time.
All figures from BC 371/93 of the Financial Information Regulation Schedule 1, section 9 available from your local municipality or regional district.
CLICK ON ITEMS TO ENLARGE
Originally posted 07/04/06 (Error in expenses for one Vernon Councilor corrected Mar. 2/07)
To give you an idea of Political Remuneration in this area. Only Vernon and Coldstream municipal elected officials available in this presentation. Armstrong, Lumby etc. also have salaries and expenses at their council levels.
2006 figures will be published by Municipalities etc. as required by June 30, 2007 and updated here at that time.
All figures from BC 371/93 of the Financial Information Regulation Schedule 1, section 9 available from your local municipality or regional district.
CLICK ON ITEMS TO ENLARGE
Originally posted 07/04/06 (Error in expenses for one Vernon Councilor corrected Mar. 2/07)
Prince Charles Wants to Ban McDonald's
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2007/2/27/154455.shtml?s=ic
Prince Charles says he knows the "key” to improving unhealthy eating habits – ban McDonald’s. Charles attended the Monday launch of a public health awareness campaign at the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre in Abu Dhabi, and asked nutritionist Nadine Tayara: "Have you got anywhere with McDonald’s? Have you tried getting it banned? That’s the key.”
Charles is a strong advocate of organic food, according to Britain’s Evening Standard. A spokesman traveling with the Prince issued a statement on Tuesday, saying: "The Prince of Wales has for a long time advocated the importance of a balanced diet, especially for children.” McDonald’s described Charles’ remarks as "disappointing.” A spokesperson said: "This appears to be an off-the-cuff remark, in our opinion. It does not reflect our menu or where we are as a business.” One Evening Standard reader sent this comment: "Yes, ban McDonald’s and put traditional British food back on the top of the nutritional pyramid. Fish ‘n’ chips anyone?”
Prince Charles says he knows the "key” to improving unhealthy eating habits – ban McDonald’s. Charles attended the Monday launch of a public health awareness campaign at the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre in Abu Dhabi, and asked nutritionist Nadine Tayara: "Have you got anywhere with McDonald’s? Have you tried getting it banned? That’s the key.”
Charles is a strong advocate of organic food, according to Britain’s Evening Standard. A spokesman traveling with the Prince issued a statement on Tuesday, saying: "The Prince of Wales has for a long time advocated the importance of a balanced diet, especially for children.” McDonald’s described Charles’ remarks as "disappointing.” A spokesperson said: "This appears to be an off-the-cuff remark, in our opinion. It does not reflect our menu or where we are as a business.” One Evening Standard reader sent this comment: "Yes, ban McDonald’s and put traditional British food back on the top of the nutritional pyramid. Fish ‘n’ chips anyone?”
EA-EA-Dough
By Richard RolkeFeb 28 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
There are such huge holes in the proposed pay hikes at the North Okanagan Regional District that I’m revving up my truck. Case in point, is providing $400 a month to each of the five electoral area directors for a vehicle allowance. Obviously there should be some reimbursement for elected officials for wear and tear on their private vehicles as well as for gas. And some of the rural areas are larger than entire European nations so jetting between Mara Lake and Kingfisher can become extremely onerous. But $400 seems excessive, even when you consider the soaring price of fuel these days. Apparently the fee is based on what senior NORD administration receives. I’m sorry, but instead of just being copy-cats, perhaps the rural directors should have questioned what the bureaucrats are paid.
Of course the electoral area directors will say the jump to $400 doesn’t cost the overall regional district anything because it comes out of the budget of the Electoral Area Services Committee. But having your own committee structure should bring responsibility with it, and ultimately it is rural taxpayers paying the tab. Are the politicians being financially responsible to those who put them in office? Another part of the remuneration issue that’s raising eyebrows is why some politicians are getting paid and others aren’t. Under the plan, EASC members would be paid a base rate of $4,000 a year, up from $1,495.
But their counterparts at the Greater Vernon Services Committee would have their stipend chopped from $1,495 to nothing. And there would be squat for the GVSC chairman and vice-chairman although those duties at the EASC would come with extra bucks. Why were the electoral area directors allowed to decide if they get paid for their committee meetings, but the issue was never taken to the GVSC board? This move leaves one wondering if Greater Vernon is a second-class citizen in the wonderful world of NORD? And while the electoral directors claim their duties are significant, so are those from the GVSC. They are making multi-million-dollar decisions on water and parks and recreation. Also keep in mind, that they must abandon their careers and families to deal with GVSC issues, so why shouldn’t they get some financial acknowledgment?
When I asked why there was a difference between the electoral area directors and those from Greater Vernon, I was told that the EAs see their committee as their council and the municipal directors have city halls to turn to for resources. Except that when directors sit at NORD or GVSC, they are supposed to represent those interests and put their municipal duties aside. And when it comes to support, the electoral area directors have the entire bureaucracy of the regional district at their finger tips. It’s not a case of the EAs making decisions in isolation. It should be pointed out that municipal representatives to NORD could see their base pay climb from $1,495 to $6,000. The sum is up for debate, but at least it would be the same as that being proposed for electoral directors who attend regional board meetings. So if they can be equal here, why not at the committee level?
In the end, the entire proposal for remuneration should be put on hold until some of these irregularities can be sorted out. If the politicians were truly interested in a transparent process, they would take such matters out of their own hands and allow an independent panel to make recommendations. And why stop there? The rural directors should consult directly with their constituents to see if taxpayers are willing to fork out $400 a month for vehicle expenses and $4,000 to perform duties other politicians don’t pocket a dime for.
There are such huge holes in the proposed pay hikes at the North Okanagan Regional District that I’m revving up my truck. Case in point, is providing $400 a month to each of the five electoral area directors for a vehicle allowance. Obviously there should be some reimbursement for elected officials for wear and tear on their private vehicles as well as for gas. And some of the rural areas are larger than entire European nations so jetting between Mara Lake and Kingfisher can become extremely onerous. But $400 seems excessive, even when you consider the soaring price of fuel these days. Apparently the fee is based on what senior NORD administration receives. I’m sorry, but instead of just being copy-cats, perhaps the rural directors should have questioned what the bureaucrats are paid. Of course the electoral area directors will say the jump to $400 doesn’t cost the overall regional district anything because it comes out of the budget of the Electoral Area Services Committee. But having your own committee structure should bring responsibility with it, and ultimately it is rural taxpayers paying the tab. Are the politicians being financially responsible to those who put them in office? Another part of the remuneration issue that’s raising eyebrows is why some politicians are getting paid and others aren’t. Under the plan, EASC members would be paid a base rate of $4,000 a year, up from $1,495.
But their counterparts at the Greater Vernon Services Committee would have their stipend chopped from $1,495 to nothing. And there would be squat for the GVSC chairman and vice-chairman although those duties at the EASC would come with extra bucks. Why were the electoral area directors allowed to decide if they get paid for their committee meetings, but the issue was never taken to the GVSC board? This move leaves one wondering if Greater Vernon is a second-class citizen in the wonderful world of NORD? And while the electoral directors claim their duties are significant, so are those from the GVSC. They are making multi-million-dollar decisions on water and parks and recreation. Also keep in mind, that they must abandon their careers and families to deal with GVSC issues, so why shouldn’t they get some financial acknowledgment?
When I asked why there was a difference between the electoral area directors and those from Greater Vernon, I was told that the EAs see their committee as their council and the municipal directors have city halls to turn to for resources. Except that when directors sit at NORD or GVSC, they are supposed to represent those interests and put their municipal duties aside. And when it comes to support, the electoral area directors have the entire bureaucracy of the regional district at their finger tips. It’s not a case of the EAs making decisions in isolation. It should be pointed out that municipal representatives to NORD could see their base pay climb from $1,495 to $6,000. The sum is up for debate, but at least it would be the same as that being proposed for electoral directors who attend regional board meetings. So if they can be equal here, why not at the committee level?
In the end, the entire proposal for remuneration should be put on hold until some of these irregularities can be sorted out. If the politicians were truly interested in a transparent process, they would take such matters out of their own hands and allow an independent panel to make recommendations. And why stop there? The rural directors should consult directly with their constituents to see if taxpayers are willing to fork out $400 a month for vehicle expenses and $4,000 to perform duties other politicians don’t pocket a dime for.
Patients overflow Vernon Jubilee
By Scott NeufeldWednesday, February 28, 2007 http://www.dailycourier.ca/article_995.php
Ten months after local doctors went public with a plea to improve Vernon Jubilee Hospital, conditions may have grown worse.Emergency department chief Michael Concannon said that while last year the hospital was often 10 to 15 patients over capacity, last week there were days when there was an overflow of up to 28 patients. “The numbers are definitely up,” Concannon said. “From what I’ve seen occupancy is up over last year which was crowded already.”As a result, the emergency department fills up and patients are placed in hallways.“The lack of beds is definitely more of an issue now compared to a year ago,” Concannon said.The high patient load at the hospital led to two code purple calls last week, but Concannon said there could have been more. He said that the hospital was at code purple all week but there was simply nowhere to move patients.“I’ve been told it was basically a continuous code purple status last week,” he said. “Due to a lack of code purple beds, it wasn’t called.
Code purples are called when the hospital is full and cannot admit any more patients. When a code purple is called staff immediately send home any patient who is able to leave.Hospital administration is blaming the patient surge on the flu season, which hit later than expected. “We’ve seen an increase in an influenza like virus over the last year,” said Interior Health Authority’s communities administrator Peter Du Toit. “We speak in our system of dealing with surges in January, February; this year it came a little bit later than usual.”Despite the increased volume, however, patients should not be concerned about the code purples, Du Toit said. He said he expects the flow of patients to decline briefly by the end of March.“Code purple is really a part of decongesting a hospital,” he said. “We haven’t had a code purple for a while.”
But Concannon disagrees that the flu is to blame for the hospital’s patient numbers. He said that Vernon is home to an aging population, something which the provincial government has not taken into account in designing the hospital’s expansion.“Even that expansion, that’s not the solution,” he said. “If you can’t get the patients out of the emergency because there aren’t enough beds.”Concannon said the renovation in the emergency department that was completed in December has been a significant improvement, adding several extra patient spaces. However, without an adequate number of acute care beds, the impact of the renovation has been limited.“It doesn’t matter if you have 20 operating rooms if you don’t have the beds to put the patients in after,” he said.
Beetle fight worth waging
Feb 28 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/ EDITORIAL
There is no sense in being overly dramatic about the arrival of mountain and western pine beetles in the area, but there is no question the tiny pests pose a significant threat.
Just as in Kamloops, Kelowna and other Interior communities, Vernon and the North Okanagan could see a significant invasion of the insects. And that means hundreds, if not thousands of ponderosa pines could be killed. Once dead, they must be removed before they fall over and injure people or damage property. The dead trees also increase the potential fuel for wildfires.
But on top of this, the epidemic could change the physical look of the region we call home. Imagine the cemeteries in Vernon and Coldstream without their majestic pines? What about the heritage growth on East Hill or the large swaths of dead trees on the way to Silver Star? Already tree removal is providing for some empty spaces in local provincial parks. It seems like there is little that can be done to stop the insects, but that doesn’t mean we should just give up.
We welcome the City of Vernon’s plans to launch a strategy soon, including possibly assisting residents financially to save trees. While these trees may be on private land, all residents benefit from their esthetic value while bugs don’t recognize property rights. Beetles can easily spread from backyard trees to those on civic lands, and vice versa. We would hope that the city isn’t alone in this battle, and the other local municipalities and the North Okanagan Regional District will also actively get involved. A concerted effort is required by everyone, and that will require the necessary financial resources.
There is no sense in being overly dramatic about the arrival of mountain and western pine beetles in the area, but there is no question the tiny pests pose a significant threat.Just as in Kamloops, Kelowna and other Interior communities, Vernon and the North Okanagan could see a significant invasion of the insects. And that means hundreds, if not thousands of ponderosa pines could be killed. Once dead, they must be removed before they fall over and injure people or damage property. The dead trees also increase the potential fuel for wildfires.
But on top of this, the epidemic could change the physical look of the region we call home. Imagine the cemeteries in Vernon and Coldstream without their majestic pines? What about the heritage growth on East Hill or the large swaths of dead trees on the way to Silver Star? Already tree removal is providing for some empty spaces in local provincial parks. It seems like there is little that can be done to stop the insects, but that doesn’t mean we should just give up.
We welcome the City of Vernon’s plans to launch a strategy soon, including possibly assisting residents financially to save trees. While these trees may be on private land, all residents benefit from their esthetic value while bugs don’t recognize property rights. Beetles can easily spread from backyard trees to those on civic lands, and vice versa. We would hope that the city isn’t alone in this battle, and the other local municipalities and the North Okanagan Regional District will also actively get involved. A concerted effort is required by everyone, and that will require the necessary financial resources.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Voting Day For Okanagan First Nations
(Pete McIntyre) http://www.1075kiss.com/news/headlines/
Its election day for Okanagan Indian Band members. Five people are running for the position of chief including two year incumbent Fabian Alexis along with Donna Goodwater,Tim Isaac, Cecil Louis and Gary Van Stone. 28 people are running for the ten councillor positions. The polls are open until 8 pm Tuesday night at the Head of the Lake hall.
http://www.okib.ca/
http://www.okib.ca/senklip/election_edition2007.pdf
Above LINK has Candidate Profiles.
Its election day for Okanagan Indian Band members. Five people are running for the position of chief including two year incumbent Fabian Alexis along with Donna Goodwater,Tim Isaac, Cecil Louis and Gary Van Stone. 28 people are running for the ten councillor positions. The polls are open until 8 pm Tuesday night at the Head of the Lake hall.
http://www.okib.ca/
http://www.okib.ca/senklip/election_edition2007.pdf
Above LINK has Candidate Profiles.
Expert Urges Pine Beetle Action
http://www.1075kiss.com/news/headlines/ (Pete McIntyre)
The Western pine beetle is expected to arrive in Vernon this spring, and the city is being urged to take action. Mike Carlson from the B-C Forest Service told city council, the tree killing bug should be nesting in local trees by late April, and could kill hundreds of Ponderosa Pines. He tells KISS FM, Vernon has not yet seen the devastation of other areas."Why we've been passed over, for the most part, I have no idea. There have been a few trees killed on East Hill and around the city but nothing like either Kamloops or Kelowna, but our time is coming, I'm sure." Carlson is advising the city take preventative action on its trees and to educate the public about the situation.
He says installing protective window screening around trees at a cost of around $200 per tree ($30 for screening and $170 for service) , is the most effective alternative to spraying pesticides."Thirty feet of the stem of the Ponderosa pine has to be covered with this and limbs within the first thirty feet have to be taken off. It does appear to be effective in most cases. It appears to be the best alternative to pesticide spraying, particularly the pesticide Seven that kills everything."Carlson says installing the screening would be cheaper than the estimated $800 to remove each tree.
City council instructed its staff to prepare a report on the issue for its next meeting, outlining the number of trees and the costs. Council's finance committee will also discuss if the city should cover the costs for affected trees on private property as well as those on public sites.
The Western pine beetle is expected to arrive in Vernon this spring, and the city is being urged to take action. Mike Carlson from the B-C Forest Service told city council, the tree killing bug should be nesting in local trees by late April, and could kill hundreds of Ponderosa Pines. He tells KISS FM, Vernon has not yet seen the devastation of other areas."Why we've been passed over, for the most part, I have no idea. There have been a few trees killed on East Hill and around the city but nothing like either Kamloops or Kelowna, but our time is coming, I'm sure." Carlson is advising the city take preventative action on its trees and to educate the public about the situation.
He says installing protective window screening around trees at a cost of around $200 per tree ($30 for screening and $170 for service) , is the most effective alternative to spraying pesticides."Thirty feet of the stem of the Ponderosa pine has to be covered with this and limbs within the first thirty feet have to be taken off. It does appear to be effective in most cases. It appears to be the best alternative to pesticide spraying, particularly the pesticide Seven that kills everything."Carlson says installing the screening would be cheaper than the estimated $800 to remove each tree.
City council instructed its staff to prepare a report on the issue for its next meeting, outlining the number of trees and the costs. Council's finance committee will also discuss if the city should cover the costs for affected trees on private property as well as those on public sites.
Library Moving Forward: Costs To Be Explored
(Pete McIntyre) http://www.1075kiss.com/news/headlines/
Vernon city council has committed to a new library on the Civic Complex site, and will next work on how it will be paid for. The new branch, which will be located between the current library and the RCMP building, has a preliminary price tag of $18 to 28 million. The Okanagan Regional Library Board has agreed to provide $ 9 million, leaving between 9 and 19 million up to the city. Mayor Wayne Lippert tells KISS FM, staff and planners will spend the next three to six months finalizing the design and cost, which will determine if a referendum will be needed. "Until we have the next step and the determination of what its going to look like and cost, that will determine if there will be a referendum or not." Lippert says grants are being applied for and partnerships with the Art Gallery, RCMP and other groups to share the cost, will be explored. Vernon Morning Star in running for Best Community Newspaper
Feb 27 2007 Nanaimo Bulletin
The News Bulletin’s commitment to providing the best news coverage in Nanaimo has again caught the eye of the newspaper industry. The News Bulletin, rated among the top three newspapers in Canada in its circulation class two of the last three years, is now a finalist as one of the best community newspapers in B.C. The other finalists for the B.C. and Yukon Community Newspaper Association general excellence award are also Black Press papers – the Saanich News and Vernon Morning Star.
“Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony April 14 in Vancouver.
The News Bulletin’s commitment to providing the best news coverage in Nanaimo has again caught the eye of the newspaper industry. The News Bulletin, rated among the top three newspapers in Canada in its circulation class two of the last three years, is now a finalist as one of the best community newspapers in B.C. The other finalists for the B.C. and Yukon Community Newspaper Association general excellence award are also Black Press papers – the Saanich News and Vernon Morning Star.
“Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony April 14 in Vancouver.
-------------------------------------------------
It's a long journey from Apple Farm to Prolific Press Pundit of Best Community Newspaper in B.C.
The beetles are coming
Starlee Speers, Standard Radio News http://www.vernon.thesun.net/node/487471
- that's the warning Vernon city councillors got at Monday's meeting. Dr. Mike Carlson with the BC Forest Service says, Vernon has to act quickly to protect several hundred heritage trees before they're infested by pine beetles. Carlson is recommending the city follow Kelowna's example and wrap tree trunks with window screen material to prevent the beetles from getting under the bark. Carlson says trees should be wrapped with window screening by April in order to stop infestation. He says it's a lot cheaper to protect trees from the beetle than it is to remove them once they've been infested and killed by the bug.
The mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae, is a small insect, less than a centimetre long, which lives most of its life under the bark of pine trees, including lodgepole, ponderosa and western white pine. Normally these insects play an important role in the life of a forest. They attack old or weakened trees, speeding the development of a younger forest. However, unusual hot, dry summers and mild winters in central British Columbia during the last few years, along with forests filled with mature lodgepole pine, have lead to an epidemic. To date, beetles have destroyed millions of lodgepole pine in BC – the province’s most commercially harvested tree.
- that's the warning Vernon city councillors got at Monday's meeting. Dr. Mike Carlson with the BC Forest Service says, Vernon has to act quickly to protect several hundred heritage trees before they're infested by pine beetles. Carlson is recommending the city follow Kelowna's example and wrap tree trunks with window screen material to prevent the beetles from getting under the bark. Carlson says trees should be wrapped with window screening by April in order to stop infestation. He says it's a lot cheaper to protect trees from the beetle than it is to remove them once they've been infested and killed by the bug. ------------------------------------------
The mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae, is a small insect, less than a centimetre long, which lives most of its life under the bark of pine trees, including lodgepole, ponderosa and western white pine. Normally these insects play an important role in the life of a forest. They attack old or weakened trees, speeding the development of a younger forest. However, unusual hot, dry summers and mild winters in central British Columbia during the last few years, along with forests filled with mature lodgepole pine, have lead to an epidemic. To date, beetles have destroyed millions of lodgepole pine in BC – the province’s most commercially harvested tree. P3 deal flops in Cranbrook
By JOHN MOORHOUSETuesday, February 27, 2007 http://www.pentictonherald.ca/article_3132.php
As Penticton city council looks to finalize a private sector management deal for the South Okanagan Event Centre, the City of Cranbrook is about to end a controversial P3 agreement for its six-year-old recreation complex.But there are few similarities between the two situations, Cranbrook Mayor Ross Priest said in a telephone interview Monday.Penticton council has signed an interim agreement with Philadelphia-based Global-Spectrum and hopes to sign a final contract by June 30 for managing the event centre, Memorial Arena and the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.By contrast, Priest said a two-year legal battle to terminate a public-private sector partnership at the Cranbrook Recreation Complex could be concluded by this Friday.
The Cranbrook facility which includes an arena, swimming pool and other amenities, opened in October 2000.Rather than retain ownership of the centre, the city entered into a long-term agreement with the developers, Keen Rose Technology Ltd., whereby the company borrowed 100 per cent of the capital costs. The city's lease payments would cover the debt payments. After 30 years, the facility ownership would revert to the city.However, Priest said the anticipated revenue flow didn't come near expectations, winding up more than $1 million a year off expectations."It was destined to fail before it ever got off the ground," said Priest, who was not on council at the time and strongly opposed the partnership agreement."The revenues that were projected were pie in the sky scenarios that didn't have much chance of success -- and are proving that had no chance of success . . . and subsequently the private contractors cut back their operation very much to the bone."
Complicating the situation was the company's assets were sold two or three times. An agreement to terminate the deal is now scheduled to close March 2."Our new partner desperately wants to get out of this agreement as well, and we are in fact getting paid about $1.7 million to relieve them of future financial obligations," he said.The city will then take over complete operation of the facility, but noted debt servicing and operation of the rec-plex will still be a challenge.However, Priest emphasized the Cranbrook experience is decidedly different from the pending Penticton agreement and he doesn't want to be seen as criticizing Penticton council's decision on private sector management for the South Okanagan Event Centre.
Priest added he has no problems with the rec complex itself, which he describes as a great facility. It is also home to the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League, who average crowds of about 3,400 in the 4,600-seat arena.Mayor Jake Kimberley said Monday the city was well aware of the difficulties encountered by Cranbrook prior to opting for a private sector management of the event centre. He noted Global Spectrum is a large company and well-experienced in running such facilities.An interim agreement with Global Spectrum was formally signed earlier this month, which allows the company to start preliminary work on taking over the three facilities, subject to final approval by council.Jack Kler, the city's director of corporate services, said the interim pact can only be extended with consent from both parties. Instead of a single 25-year agreement, plans call for a series of five-year service agreements with an option to renew by mutual consent of both parties."Ours is a pure operating agreement," Kler said. "The five-year window is a technicality and a formality at the same time. We just want to be sure everybody is still moving along and all our expectations are being met."No transfer of management of the facilities will take place until a final contract is signed.
As Penticton city council looks to finalize a private sector management deal for the South Okanagan Event Centre, the City of Cranbrook is about to end a controversial P3 agreement for its six-year-old recreation complex.But there are few similarities between the two situations, Cranbrook Mayor Ross Priest said in a telephone interview Monday.Penticton council has signed an interim agreement with Philadelphia-based Global-Spectrum and hopes to sign a final contract by June 30 for managing the event centre, Memorial Arena and the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.By contrast, Priest said a two-year legal battle to terminate a public-private sector partnership at the Cranbrook Recreation Complex could be concluded by this Friday.
The Cranbrook facility which includes an arena, swimming pool and other amenities, opened in October 2000.Rather than retain ownership of the centre, the city entered into a long-term agreement with the developers, Keen Rose Technology Ltd., whereby the company borrowed 100 per cent of the capital costs. The city's lease payments would cover the debt payments. After 30 years, the facility ownership would revert to the city.However, Priest said the anticipated revenue flow didn't come near expectations, winding up more than $1 million a year off expectations."It was destined to fail before it ever got off the ground," said Priest, who was not on council at the time and strongly opposed the partnership agreement."The revenues that were projected were pie in the sky scenarios that didn't have much chance of success -- and are proving that had no chance of success . . . and subsequently the private contractors cut back their operation very much to the bone."
Complicating the situation was the company's assets were sold two or three times. An agreement to terminate the deal is now scheduled to close March 2."Our new partner desperately wants to get out of this agreement as well, and we are in fact getting paid about $1.7 million to relieve them of future financial obligations," he said.The city will then take over complete operation of the facility, but noted debt servicing and operation of the rec-plex will still be a challenge.However, Priest emphasized the Cranbrook experience is decidedly different from the pending Penticton agreement and he doesn't want to be seen as criticizing Penticton council's decision on private sector management for the South Okanagan Event Centre.
Priest added he has no problems with the rec complex itself, which he describes as a great facility. It is also home to the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League, who average crowds of about 3,400 in the 4,600-seat arena.Mayor Jake Kimberley said Monday the city was well aware of the difficulties encountered by Cranbrook prior to opting for a private sector management of the event centre. He noted Global Spectrum is a large company and well-experienced in running such facilities.An interim agreement with Global Spectrum was formally signed earlier this month, which allows the company to start preliminary work on taking over the three facilities, subject to final approval by council.Jack Kler, the city's director of corporate services, said the interim pact can only be extended with consent from both parties. Instead of a single 25-year agreement, plans call for a series of five-year service agreements with an option to renew by mutual consent of both parties."Ours is a pure operating agreement," Kler said. "The five-year window is a technicality and a formality at the same time. We just want to be sure everybody is still moving along and all our expectations are being met."No transfer of management of the facilities will take place until a final contract is signed.
Vernon's Caring Canadian
By GREGORY SAWISKY Tuesday, February 27, 2007 http://www.dailycourier.ca/article_992.php (Full article)
A local volunteer who has been 
donating her time in Vernon for more than 20 years was recognized with a national award yesterday.Nancy Ingersoll was presented with the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award at City Hall on Monday for her efforts and involvement in a variety of programs in the community. “Your positive attitude is inspiring,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham.Mayor Wayne Lippert echoed Coun. Cunningham’s sentiments during the presentation.“I am privileged to bestow this honour on one of our citizens,” he said.Ingersoll said she was moved by the award and presentation.“It’s lovely to be recognized. It’s nice I think in the aspect [that] I can bring some awareness to volunteering and the services available in Vernon which are varied and many,” she said.
A local volunteer who has been 
donating her time in Vernon for more than 20 years was recognized with a national award yesterday.Nancy Ingersoll was presented with the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award at City Hall on Monday for her efforts and involvement in a variety of programs in the community. “Your positive attitude is inspiring,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham.Mayor Wayne Lippert echoed Coun. Cunningham’s sentiments during the presentation.“I am privileged to bestow this honour on one of our citizens,” he said.Ingersoll said she was moved by the award and presentation.“It’s lovely to be recognized. It’s nice I think in the aspect [that] I can bring some awareness to volunteering and the services available in Vernon which are varied and many,” she said.Ingersoll has spent more than 20 years volunteering with the People in Need Crisis Line Intervention Society, Teens Talk Line and the Good Morning Program for Seniors.“It’s such a crucial service. It really is something I really believe in very passionately,” she said.“I started out as a volunteer many years ago but that was for only about a year and a half and joined the board [of directors] a few years later and been with them ever since,” Ingersoll added. But the crisis line is just one of the many services and organizations in town fortunate to have her.Ingersoll co-founded the Vernon and district Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) in 1993 to establish effective communication between trustees, school officials, teachers and parents at a time of great change in the education system, she said.She has also tutored adults at Okanagan College with literacy skills and has been the Captain Canvasser for the Canadian Cancer Society for the past 13 years in addition to volunteering with the scouting program for several years.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Fortis pays $1.4-billion for Terasen's gas distribution business
By Wendy Stueck, Globe and Mail Update CTV2 (Full article)
VANCOUVER — A British Columbia natural gas utility swallowed by a Texas pipeline company in 2005 is headed back into Canadian hands, courtesy of a $1.4-billion deal struck between Fortis Inc. and U.S. energy giant Kinder Morgan Inc. Fortis, an electric utility holding company based in St. John's, has agreed to buy the natural gas distribution business of Terasen Inc. from Houston's Kinder Morgan. The Texas company owns a massive pipeline network, gasoline and coal terminals and other assets that have a collective value of about $35-billion (U.S.). Kinder Morgan bought Terasen, formerly BC Gas Inc., in 2005. Terasen, based in Vancouver, has operated two lines of business: natural gas distribution and pipelines. Monday's transaction does not include the pipeline assets, which Kinder Morgan will keep.
The deal makes sense, analysts said, because Kinder had coveted Terasen for its pipeline network, not its retail distribution. “It's completely to be expected, because [the natural gas distribution] never made sense in the Kinder Morgan business model,” said B.C. lawyer and energy critic David Austin. “They didn't want to be in a utility business where your returns are regulated by the B.C. Utilities Commission, which says ‘you can make this much and not a penny more.' “ Fortis, which has stakes in regulated electricity utilities as well as generation assets, said the deal brings a new business segment under the company's umbrella, more than doubles its regulated rate base to about $6-billion (Canadian) and gives it a bigger footprint in the fast-growing economies of B.C. and Alberta.
VANCOUVER — A British Columbia natural gas utility swallowed by a Texas pipeline company in 2005 is headed back into Canadian hands, courtesy of a $1.4-billion deal struck between Fortis Inc. and U.S. energy giant Kinder Morgan Inc. Fortis, an electric utility holding company based in St. John's, has agreed to buy the natural gas distribution business of Terasen Inc. from Houston's Kinder Morgan. The Texas company owns a massive pipeline network, gasoline and coal terminals and other assets that have a collective value of about $35-billion (U.S.). Kinder Morgan bought Terasen, formerly BC Gas Inc., in 2005. Terasen, based in Vancouver, has operated two lines of business: natural gas distribution and pipelines. Monday's transaction does not include the pipeline assets, which Kinder Morgan will keep.
The deal makes sense, analysts said, because Kinder had coveted Terasen for its pipeline network, not its retail distribution. “It's completely to be expected, because [the natural gas distribution] never made sense in the Kinder Morgan business model,” said B.C. lawyer and energy critic David Austin. “They didn't want to be in a utility business where your returns are regulated by the B.C. Utilities Commission, which says ‘you can make this much and not a penny more.' “ Fortis, which has stakes in regulated electricity utilities as well as generation assets, said the deal brings a new business segment under the company's umbrella, more than doubles its regulated rate base to about $6-billion (Canadian) and gives it a bigger footprint in the fast-growing economies of B.C. and Alberta.
Vernon Bait Car Takes Off
by Wayne Moore - Story: 27137 Feb. 26, 2007 Castanet
It took 15 months, but Vernon finally has its first Bait Car theft and it didn't take long for the second one. The same Bait Car was stolen twice from Vernon streets last Friday. RCMP Corporal Henry Proce says it's the first time the same Bait Car has been taken twice during the same day. Vernon has been involved in the Bait Car program since December, 2005 and Proce says until last week there had been no thefts of Bait Cars in the City. He says 18-year-old Tyler Bru of Vernon and a young offender were arrested in the first incident. Joel Francis Lee, 38, a Vernon resident of no fixed address was arrested during the second theft. All three have been charged with theft and possession of stolen property. Proce says based on last week's success, the program will continue in earnest.
It took 15 months, but Vernon finally has its first Bait Car theft and it didn't take long for the second one. The same Bait Car was stolen twice from Vernon streets last Friday. RCMP Corporal Henry Proce says it's the first time the same Bait Car has been taken twice during the same day. Vernon has been involved in the Bait Car program since December, 2005 and Proce says until last week there had been no thefts of Bait Cars in the City. He says 18-year-old Tyler Bru of Vernon and a young offender were arrested in the first incident. Joel Francis Lee, 38, a Vernon resident of no fixed address was arrested during the second theft. All three have been charged with theft and possession of stolen property. Proce says based on last week's success, the program will continue in earnest. Victoria council axes tax-free benefit
Carolyn Heiman, Times Colonist Published: Friday, Feb16, 2007 Canada.com
Victoria council is on its way to being the first Island council to give up the one-third tax-free benefit in its pay package in an effort to make salaries more transparent. Federal tax laws allow elected officials to get one-third of their salaries untaxed as a way of covering incidental expenses. Victoria council yesterday approved a compensation plan that in 2009 would cancel out the benefit that has already been abolished in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton. As well, MLAs in B.C., Ontario, Manitoba and Nova Scotia have nixed the tax dodge, which benefits high-income earners more than those with lower or no income from other sources, and is criticized for hiding the true salaries of politicians.
Mayor Alan Lowe and the eight council members also agreed to have their pay increased a little now -- and much more later if they are re-elected. They voted to bump their salaries to $25,878 for councillors and to $74,458 for the mayor, up from $21,943 and $66,013. The pay increase is identical to the one proposed by city staff in May 2006 but declined pending a review by an independent citizens committee. In 2009, after the next municipal election, councillors will be paid $39,104 while the mayor will get $97,760. All of it will be taxed in the same way other citizens pay income tax.
Under the new city compensation plan -- which will come up for ratification on Feb. 22 -- council members and the mayor will submit expense accounts in the same manner as exempt city staff. Couns. Geoff Young, Chris Coleman and Charlayne Thornton-Joe voted against the plan. Young doesn't like the idea of giving up the tax-free portion of the salary, arguing it is a federal benefit that eases the burden for the local property taxpayers who have to pick up the difference if it is eradicated. Coleman said "it is inappropriate to give ourselves a pay increase. ... Every time we see other levels of government give themselves a pay increase it increases cynicism by the public."
Coleman supported in its entirety the recommendation of the Citizens Committee on Council Remuneration, which said it is inappropriate and a conflict of interest for council to give itself a raise. The committee suggested all raises be made to take effect for incoming councils. However, the majority of councillors supported a motion that endorsed the committee's recommendation while giving a small increase now. The committee, established by council last fall after some councillors were uncomfortable voting themselves a pay raise, also proposed that all-inclusive salaries be increased annually according to the Consumer Price Index. It also suggested expense accounts be transparent and that council report quarterly on compensation. It estimated the changes would cost $132,000 annually.
The committee found that councillors' workload was growing but could be managed. It criticized the current pay system as neither transparent nor accountable. Hidden from the advertised pay scale for elected officials is 11 per cent paid in lieu of holiday, sick leave and benefits, which adds $1,988 for councillors and $6,251 for the mayor, free parking valued at $1,500 and $1,350 to councillors performing acting-mayor duties. Municipal politicians serving on some Capital Regional District boards and commissions also get a pay top-up. Coun. Sonya Chandler voted against the new compensation package, urging council to adopt the pay hike proposed last spring without changes to the tax-free status or provisos that councils set salaries for incoming councils.
Chandler encouraged the council to vote a pay package reflecting that they value the work they do. Coun. Dean Fortin said he values fair remuneration for council because it "allows all members of society to run for council," not just those who could afford to take the time off work. Lowe, whose salary lags behind Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard, predicted the community won't be outraged about the increase. "The people I talk to say council members are underpaid."
Council members received an automatic pay increase in December of two per cent. Irwine Henderson, one of the three citizens on the remuneration committee, applauded council's decision to accept the group's recommendations. The option of a small raise now and a larger raise in 2009 is a good compromise, he said.
-----------------------------------------
Canada.com article of Friday, May 26, 2006 'Victoria council contemplates salary increase' has some of history of this subject.
Article on Friday, December 15, 2006 Canada.com has more background and history on how the decision was made by the independent citizen's committee.
Victoria council is on its way to being the first Island council to give up the one-third tax-free benefit in its pay package in an effort to make salaries more transparent. Federal tax laws allow elected officials to get one-third of their salaries untaxed as a way of covering incidental expenses. Victoria council yesterday approved a compensation plan that in 2009 would cancel out the benefit that has already been abolished in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton. As well, MLAs in B.C., Ontario, Manitoba and Nova Scotia have nixed the tax dodge, which benefits high-income earners more than those with lower or no income from other sources, and is criticized for hiding the true salaries of politicians.
Mayor Alan Lowe and the eight council members also agreed to have their pay increased a little now -- and much more later if they are re-elected. They voted to bump their salaries to $25,878 for councillors and to $74,458 for the mayor, up from $21,943 and $66,013. The pay increase is identical to the one proposed by city staff in May 2006 but declined pending a review by an independent citizens committee. In 2009, after the next municipal election, councillors will be paid $39,104 while the mayor will get $97,760. All of it will be taxed in the same way other citizens pay income tax.
Under the new city compensation plan -- which will come up for ratification on Feb. 22 -- council members and the mayor will submit expense accounts in the same manner as exempt city staff. Couns. Geoff Young, Chris Coleman and Charlayne Thornton-Joe voted against the plan. Young doesn't like the idea of giving up the tax-free portion of the salary, arguing it is a federal benefit that eases the burden for the local property taxpayers who have to pick up the difference if it is eradicated. Coleman said "it is inappropriate to give ourselves a pay increase. ... Every time we see other levels of government give themselves a pay increase it increases cynicism by the public."
Coleman supported in its entirety the recommendation of the Citizens Committee on Council Remuneration, which said it is inappropriate and a conflict of interest for council to give itself a raise. The committee suggested all raises be made to take effect for incoming councils. However, the majority of councillors supported a motion that endorsed the committee's recommendation while giving a small increase now. The committee, established by council last fall after some councillors were uncomfortable voting themselves a pay raise, also proposed that all-inclusive salaries be increased annually according to the Consumer Price Index. It also suggested expense accounts be transparent and that council report quarterly on compensation. It estimated the changes would cost $132,000 annually.
The committee found that councillors' workload was growing but could be managed. It criticized the current pay system as neither transparent nor accountable. Hidden from the advertised pay scale for elected officials is 11 per cent paid in lieu of holiday, sick leave and benefits, which adds $1,988 for councillors and $6,251 for the mayor, free parking valued at $1,500 and $1,350 to councillors performing acting-mayor duties. Municipal politicians serving on some Capital Regional District boards and commissions also get a pay top-up. Coun. Sonya Chandler voted against the new compensation package, urging council to adopt the pay hike proposed last spring without changes to the tax-free status or provisos that councils set salaries for incoming councils.
Chandler encouraged the council to vote a pay package reflecting that they value the work they do. Coun. Dean Fortin said he values fair remuneration for council because it "allows all members of society to run for council," not just those who could afford to take the time off work. Lowe, whose salary lags behind Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard, predicted the community won't be outraged about the increase. "The people I talk to say council members are underpaid."
Council members received an automatic pay increase in December of two per cent. Irwine Henderson, one of the three citizens on the remuneration committee, applauded council's decision to accept the group's recommendations. The option of a small raise now and a larger raise in 2009 is a good compromise, he said.
-----------------------------------------
Canada.com article of Friday, May 26, 2006 'Victoria council contemplates salary increase' has some of history of this subject.
Article on Friday, December 15, 2006 Canada.com has more background and history on how the decision was made by the independent citizen's committee.
No Takers For Parkade
by Kelly Hayes - Story: 26957 Feb. 20, 2007 Castanet
The City of Kelowna couldn't even give them away. The concrete pillars from the former Chapman Parkade in Kelowna are going to be grinded down and reused. The Chapman Parkade at Lawrence and Pandosy was dismantled in 2001 to make way for a much larger one. The 90 concrete beams have been sitting at the Glenmore Landfill ever since. The city tried to give them away, but no luck. "We've been looking for someone to use them and we found some, but they just can't make them fit," says Civic Properties Manager, Randy Ferguson. He says the city would have been happy to give them away, "because it's going to cost money to crush them up." Ferguson says the concrete will be grinded and re-used for road base at the landfill and the metal rods will be salvaged. He can't say how much it's going to cost because the job is now up for tender.
The City of Kelowna couldn't even give them away. The concrete pillars from the former Chapman Parkade in Kelowna are going to be grinded down and reused. The Chapman Parkade at Lawrence and Pandosy was dismantled in 2001 to make way for a much larger one. The 90 concrete beams have been sitting at the Glenmore Landfill ever since. The city tried to give them away, but no luck. "We've been looking for someone to use them and we found some, but they just can't make them fit," says Civic Properties Manager, Randy Ferguson. He says the city would have been happy to give them away, "because it's going to cost money to crush them up." Ferguson says the concrete will be grinded and re-used for road base at the landfill and the metal rods will be salvaged. He can't say how much it's going to cost because the job is now up for tender.
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Invitation to Tender T07-030 Kelowna Bid Structural Concrete Demolition General Description: Demolition and crushing of large structural concrete pieces located at the Glenmore Landfill
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Armed Robber Hits Again
The suspect in all three cases is described at 6' tall, mustache, scruffy beard, slim, Caucasian, wearing a touque and dark coloured or green jacket. Police are very anxious to arrest this criminal as soon as possible. Anyone with information is requested to call the Vernon Detachment or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS
Welcome to the 2007 Local Government Surveys
Don Quixote Note:
Hopefully all our local municipalities and NORD have entered their data into these surveys. Deadline is Feb. 28 and results will be available in early March.
http://www.ubcmsurveys.com/2007/index.asp
In an effort to better serve local governments, the Union of BC Municipalities, CivicInfo BC, and the Local Government Management Association have streamlined and simplified the local government surveys. Links to each survey are posted below. Please complete all applicable surveys by no later than February 28, 2007. Survey results will be available to our member communities in early March.
STAFF COMPENSATION
Wages & Benefits Survey (Senior Staff)
Wages & Benefits Survey (Regular Staff)
ELECTED OFFICIAL REMUNERATION
Remuneration & Expenses (Municipal Council)
Remuneration & Expenses (Regional District Board)
FEES & CHARGES
Animal Control Fees
Engineering Fees
Planning Fees
Recreation Fees
Hopefully all our local municipalities and NORD have entered their data into these surveys. Deadline is Feb. 28 and results will be available in early March.
http://www.ubcmsurveys.com/2007/index.asp
In an effort to better serve local governments, the Union of BC Municipalities, CivicInfo BC, and the Local Government Management Association have streamlined and simplified the local government surveys. Links to each survey are posted below. Please complete all applicable surveys by no later than February 28, 2007. Survey results will be available to our member communities in early March.
STAFF COMPENSATION
Wages & Benefits Survey (Senior Staff)
Wages & Benefits Survey (Regular Staff)
ELECTED OFFICIAL REMUNERATION
Remuneration & Expenses (Municipal Council)
Remuneration & Expenses (Regional District Board)
FEES & CHARGES
Animal Control Fees
Engineering Fees
Planning Fees
Recreation Fees
Taking back the public purse
EDITORIAL http://www.dailycourier.ca/ Feb 23/07 – reporter 
Scott Neufeld
However, with the downgrading of the Greater Vernon Services Commission (and the downsizing of members paycheques), the final cost passed on to taxpayers for this increase is relatively light at $35,881. If you average that out over everyone’s tax bill it appears as barely a blip. Of course taxpayers won’t feel the full brunt of the increase until next year when that extra GVS cash is gone.
North Okanagan board directors are quick to point out that a study by the Central Kootenay district shows that local directors receive below average pay. When compared with the other districts in the survey, North Okanagan directors make half as much as their counterparts. But with such a variation in responsibilities, committees and membership between districts, the comparison isn’t really a valid one.
North Okanagan directors do deserve a raise, a raise that rewards them for their work. Do municipal directors deserve a 300 per cent increase in their base pay? Do electoral area directors deserve a $400 per month car allowance and $2,500 increase in base pay? The answer shouldn’t be left to public outcry or a vote among politicians. – a citizen committee should decide.
Scott NeufeldApparently our story yesterday on pay increases for the North Okanagan regional board raised a few eyebrows. As the Vernon Daily Courier reported the proposed increase would mean directors from Vernon, Coldstream and the other municipalities would receive $6,000 for their services before they even attend a meeting. Last year, those same directors received $1,500 pre-meeting. No matter what calculator you use that’s a 300 per cent increase.
However, with the downgrading of the Greater Vernon Services Commission (and the downsizing of members paycheques), the final cost passed on to taxpayers for this increase is relatively light at $35,881. If you average that out over everyone’s tax bill it appears as barely a blip. Of course taxpayers won’t feel the full brunt of the increase until next year when that extra GVS cash is gone.
But the size of the raise isn’t the whole issue. Something is amiss when employees are free to set their own wage hikes. Of course we’d all love the freedom to place a monetary value on our own jobs, but the reality is, if you work for someone else you don’t have that option. One exception of course is the politician. Free to set the value of their own work, they’re limited only by public outcry. Take the MLA pay raise flip-flop in Nov. 2005 as an example of an outcry.
North Okanagan board directors are quick to point out that a study by the Central Kootenay district shows that local directors receive below average pay. When compared with the other districts in the survey, North Okanagan directors make half as much as their counterparts. But with such a variation in responsibilities, committees and membership between districts, the comparison isn’t really a valid one.
This is why a citizen committee should oversee pay increases for elected officials. A committee of taxpayers would assess the value of the work that politicians do and come up with a fair figure. The committee would also take into account what the district can afford to pay. Government revenues don’t rise fast enough to make sure our local politicians receive an above average salary compared with other districts. This is why people who don’t benefit directly from the final decision need to be brought into the process to control rising remuneration.
North Okanagan directors do deserve a raise, a raise that rewards them for their work. Do municipal directors deserve a 300 per cent increase in their base pay? Do electoral area directors deserve a $400 per month car allowance and $2,500 increase in base pay? The answer shouldn’t be left to public outcry or a vote among politicians. – a citizen committee should decide.
Oglow disputes 300 per cent increase figure
By Vernon Daily Courier staff Feb 23 /07 http://www.dailycourier.ca/
Jerry Oglow wants to set the record straight. The North Okanagan
Regional District chairman disputed figures published in The Vernon Daily Courier that were based on information provided by NORD officials. According to figures provided to the newspaper the base pay for a regional district director will jump from around $1,500 a year to $6,000 – a 300 per cent increase. Oglow pointed out that there will be a pay reduction in other areas so the figure on its own is misleading. Specifically, municipal members of the Greater Vernon Services Committee will see their pay decrease from $4,600 to $1,600.
Although directors will see their pay increase, they will have to work for it. Oglow has created two new NORD committees and the directors attending those committees will be paid resulting in additional stipends. Including the cost of paying directors for attending the new committees, the overall bill for remunerating board politicians will rise 18.1 per cent to $233,933. Oglow could not say where the extra money would come from. He said the budget is just a recommendation and must be debated and approved before it can be implemented.
The pay increase, Oglow, said is based on the amount of extra work and responsibility the directors will have. “The bottom line is, the increase proposed is $35,800,” said Oglow. “That is assuming the directors approve all this stuff.” Oglow pointed out the pay local directors will receive is still below the average for directors in similar sized districts. The budget is expected to be tabled in March. Oglow said the last time the board had a raise was in the late 1990s, but he could not say exactly when, or how much the increase was for.
Jerry Oglow wants to set the record straight. The North Okanagan
Regional District chairman disputed figures published in The Vernon Daily Courier that were based on information provided by NORD officials. According to figures provided to the newspaper the base pay for a regional district director will jump from around $1,500 a year to $6,000 – a 300 per cent increase. Oglow pointed out that there will be a pay reduction in other areas so the figure on its own is misleading. Specifically, municipal members of the Greater Vernon Services Committee will see their pay decrease from $4,600 to $1,600.However, chief financial officer Alan Harris reconfirmed that some individual municipal directors will see their base pay increase to $6,000 from $1,500 which does not include their meeting pay. If municipal directors attend each meeting they will receive $7,904 whereas last year they would have received $3,357. “If you look at it on an individual basis and don’t look at anything else then yeah, it’s gone up,” he said. “Some (board) members will be getting more and some will be getting less.”
Although directors will see their pay increase, they will have to work for it. Oglow has created two new NORD committees and the directors attending those committees will be paid resulting in additional stipends. Including the cost of paying directors for attending the new committees, the overall bill for remunerating board politicians will rise 18.1 per cent to $233,933. Oglow could not say where the extra money would come from. He said the budget is just a recommendation and must be debated and approved before it can be implemented.
The pay increase, Oglow, said is based on the amount of extra work and responsibility the directors will have. “The bottom line is, the increase proposed is $35,800,” said Oglow. “That is assuming the directors approve all this stuff.” Oglow pointed out the pay local directors will receive is still below the average for directors in similar sized districts. The budget is expected to be tabled in March. Oglow said the last time the board had a raise was in the late 1990s, but he could not say exactly when, or how much the increase was for.
Coldstream Fire Halls Financed through Property Tax full Levy . Alternatives available not attractive
Coldstream Finance Meeting Minutes
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Apparently Coldstream Council rejected a parcel tax as a means of taxing its Citizens for the $295,000 per year debt financing for the next 25 years for the new fire halls. Coldtream's Council has decided to fund this money with a tax on both land and improvements as this was the only option available to them when the parcel tax idea was turned down. Coldtream had hoped to have an improvements only tax levy (Buildings assessment taxed not - Land excluded) but this option was not available under the Community Charter..png)
Vernon's fire operations are financed through an improvement only tax levy and the difference seems to be that Debt Financing (Coldstream Case) is different from yearly operational costs. (Vernon Case). Vernon's decision to build up reserves for fire equipment appears to be a good use of reserves so the tax on improvements only can be maintained. Hopefully Vernon won't have to finance Fire Halls in the future and have to go to Debt Financing and have to levy a full assessment levy on Land and Buildings.
.png)
Apparently Coldstream Council rejected a parcel tax as a means of taxing its Citizens for the $295,000 per year debt financing for the next 25 years for the new fire halls. Coldtream's Council has decided to fund this money with a tax on both land and improvements as this was the only option available to them when the parcel tax idea was turned down. Coldtream had hoped to have an improvements only tax levy (Buildings assessment taxed not - Land excluded) but this option was not available under the Community Charter..png)
Vernon's fire operations are financed through an improvement only tax levy and the difference seems to be that Debt Financing (Coldstream Case) is different from yearly operational costs. (Vernon Case). Vernon's decision to build up reserves for fire equipment appears to be a good use of reserves so the tax on improvements only can be maintained. Hopefully Vernon won't have to finance Fire Halls in the future and have to go to Debt Financing and have to levy a full assessment levy on Land and Buildings. Saturday, February 24, 2007
Secondary Suites -A 2005 Guide for Local Governments in in British Columbia
http://www.housing.gov.bc.ca/housing/suites/index.htm
This Guide put out by Provincial Government should be required reading for all those involved in this Issue.
The City Had a Cow Meeting on Friday as an introduction to this subject and the complexities that are part of any bylaws that may be brought forward. This will be a tough issue to resolve if they decide to tackle it.
Friday, February 23, 2007
$53,000 TO DEVELOP ABORIGINAL HOUSING PLANS IN VERNON
Gov B.C. News release
VERNON – Okanagan-Vernon MLA Tom Christensen presented
cheques today totalling $53,000 to two local Aboriginal groups working to develop affordable and supportive housing for families and youth. “This funding will help these groups to further develop their plans for new housing projects for those who are at risk of homelessness,” said Christensen. “The Province relies on partnerships with local non-profit groups to ensure people have the opportunity to access safe, stable, and affordable housing, while also helping to connect people at risk of homelessness with the support services and resources needed to stabilize their lives.”
The First Nations Friendship Centre Society (FNFCS) received $26,500 to develop a proposal for 30 units that will house and provide support services for youth recovering from addictions and mental health issues. The supported housing units will help youth make the transition to independent living. FNFCS was incorporated in 1977 and operates a youth-at-risk facility as well as a four-bed emergency safe house for a total of 18 youth housing units in Vernon.
The Vernon Native Housing Society (VNHS) received $26,500 to develop a proposal for 40 townhomes for urban Aboriginal families who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. VNHS has worked towards providing urban Aboriginal people in the City of Vernon with safe, clean, comfortable and affordable rental housing since 1989. VNHS currently operates 62 units of affordable housing for families, singles and persons with disabilities.
Funding to develop these proposals is being provided under the Provincial Homelessness Initiative. The Province has now committed to creating nearly 1,300 new housing units. The Initiative aims to break the cycle of homelessness by integrating support services with housing so people may move beyond temporary shelter to more secure housing, gain greater self-reliance, and achieve appropriate employment.
VERNON – Okanagan-Vernon MLA Tom Christensen presented
cheques today totalling $53,000 to two local Aboriginal groups working to develop affordable and supportive housing for families and youth. “This funding will help these groups to further develop their plans for new housing projects for those who are at risk of homelessness,” said Christensen. “The Province relies on partnerships with local non-profit groups to ensure people have the opportunity to access safe, stable, and affordable housing, while also helping to connect people at risk of homelessness with the support services and resources needed to stabilize their lives.”The First Nations Friendship Centre Society (FNFCS) received $26,500 to develop a proposal for 30 units that will house and provide support services for youth recovering from addictions and mental health issues. The supported housing units will help youth make the transition to independent living. FNFCS was incorporated in 1977 and operates a youth-at-risk facility as well as a four-bed emergency safe house for a total of 18 youth housing units in Vernon.
The Vernon Native Housing Society (VNHS) received $26,500 to develop a proposal for 40 townhomes for urban Aboriginal families who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. VNHS has worked towards providing urban Aboriginal people in the City of Vernon with safe, clean, comfortable and affordable rental housing since 1989. VNHS currently operates 62 units of affordable housing for families, singles and persons with disabilities.
Funding to develop these proposals is being provided under the Provincial Homelessness Initiative. The Province has now committed to creating nearly 1,300 new housing units. The Initiative aims to break the cycle of homelessness by integrating support services with housing so people may move beyond temporary shelter to more secure housing, gain greater self-reliance, and achieve appropriate employment.
$1.6 Million To Help Homeless
http://www.1075kiss.com/news/headlines/ (Pete McIntyre)
Vernon is getting 1.6 million dollars as part of the province's efforts to reduce homelessness. 
Okanagan Vernon M-L-A Tom Christensen announced the funding near an apartment complex on 28-th Avenue Friday. He says the money is going to the Canadian Mental Health Association to purchase two existing buildings for 23 units of transitional housing. "This building was at risk of being sold so this will allow the Canadian Mental Health Association to purchase and own this building so that we know in the long term its here and available for people who are struggling with mental illness and who are at very high risk of being homeless."
Vernon is getting 1.6 million dollars as part of the province's efforts to reduce homelessness. 
Okanagan Vernon M-L-A Tom Christensen announced the funding near an apartment complex on 28-th Avenue Friday. He says the money is going to the Canadian Mental Health Association to purchase two existing buildings for 23 units of transitional housing. "This building was at risk of being sold so this will allow the Canadian Mental Health Association to purchase and own this building so that we know in the long term its here and available for people who are struggling with mental illness and who are at very high risk of being homeless."Sandy Rysen, the executive director for Canadian Mental Health says it will make a difference to the city's growing homeless problem."It's very hard to work on the issues that make people homeless when they don't have a place to live because that's their main focus. We all need basic shelter and then we can work on life's basic problems, so this is just wonderful news." Rysen says at any given time, there's 200 people on a wait list to get into Vernon's affordable housing units. Provincially, the government will provide 196 million dollars over 35 years, or 5.6 million a year, to fund 750 housing units.
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Don Quixote Note: This 1.6 million is spread over 35 years. One year = $45,714
_____________________________
Kamloops The John Howard Society of the Thompson Region 48
Kamloops New Life Mission 18
Kelowna Resurrection Recovery 18 (two projects)
Kelowna The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Central Okanagan 18
Kelowna Resurrection Recovery 18 (two projects)
Kelowna The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Central Okanagan 18
Vernon Canadian Mental Health Association, Vernon Branch 23 (two projects)
Council butts out of smoke free zones
Click on Cartoon to Enlarge
Plans for tobacco-free zones in Greater Vernon parks have been stomped out. A majority of Greater Vernon Services Committee members voted Thursday not to install 40 signs in certain parks limiting where people can smoke cigarettes. “Why are we wasting this money?” said director Barry Beardsell, adding that most playing fields are on school property and the province is banning smoking there. The signs would have been purchased and installed by the Interior Health Authority, but GVSC was budgeting about $2,000 for materials and staff time. IHA officials have stated such zones would discourage people from smoking around others, especially youth.
By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star StaffFeb 23 2007 p://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Plans for tobacco-free zones in Greater Vernon parks have been stomped out. A majority of Greater Vernon Services Committee members voted Thursday not to install 40 signs in certain parks limiting where people can smoke cigarettes. “Why are we wasting this money?” said director Barry Beardsell, adding that most playing fields are on school property and the province is banning smoking there. The signs would have been purchased and installed by the Interior Health Authority, but GVSC was budgeting about $2,000 for materials and staff time. IHA officials have stated such zones would discourage people from smoking around others, especially youth. But that concept was questioned by Mary Malerby, a Coldstream councillor attending the GVSC meeting. “By providing areas, you’re still encouraging people to smoke,” she said. Others felt the thrust should be on education in schools, and enforcement of the zones could create problems,"To monitor is virtually impossible,” said chairman Gary Corner. Director Cliff Kanester was concerned about the esthetics of local parks. “If we have enough signs, it would look like the end of Swan Lake,” he said referring to billboards. But there was some support for installing signs.“They are raising awareness and putting into their brain that it’s not good to smoke,” said director Buffy Baumbrough. Al McNiven, parks and recreation administrator, pointed out that other communities have found the signs effective. “The intent is not to get people to stop smoking but to increase their knowledge,” he said.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
300% pay raise on horizon
By Scott Neufeld The Vernon Daily Courier http://www.dailycourier.ca/
North Okanagan Regional District directors could be receiving a 300 per cent pay increase if the board follows through on a recommendation from its finance committee. At a Tuesday night meeting the finance committee voted to recommend a base pay increase for the board’s nine municipal directors from roughly $1,500 per year to $6,000 per year. The board’s five electoral area directors would see their remuneration rise to $14,800 per year from $7,600. NORD’s chair was excluded from the proposed raise.“I’m very surprised,” said new regional board member
Juliette Cunningham. “I didn’t know that an increase was anywhere on the radar screen.” Vernon’s two members on the NORD finance committee, Mayor Wayne Lippert and Coun. Patrick Nicol were not available for comment on Wednesday. NORD chair Jerry Oglow was also unavailable. Cunningham said that new board members were never notified that an increase was being discussed. “I haven’t heard any kind of word on any of it,” she said. “If there was a discussion, the rest of council didn’t hear about it.” Chief financial officer Alan Harris said he has not yet calculated how the proposed changes would affect the budget. However, a Vernon Daily Courier estimate pegs the total budget increase at roughly $76,500, bringing the entire cost of paying NORD directors to more than $320,000 per year including a $103 stipend per meeting they attend. “Basically what the increase has done is brought (directors) in line compared with other regional districts,” Harris said. “Especially on the municipal side, electoral directors were below average but municipal directors were a lot lower.”
A staff report presented to the finance committee showed that North Okanagan directors are paid far less than their colleagues in other Interior regional districts. According to the report, the average municipal director in the Interior is paid $6,383 per year – four times more than what directors are paid in the North Okanagan. Harris said the raise will be discussed at the board’s first meeting in March. Car allowances were also discussed and it was decided only the board chair would receive a car allowance and not vice-chair Lippert. Electoral area directors have already voted themselves a $400 per month car allowance for each of the five members. Some rural directors had also asked that they be paid for each committee meeting they attend whether they are members or not, however, Harris said that idea was rejected.
Vernon Suspect Tasered
by Kelly Hayes - Story: 27018Feb. 22, 2007 Castanet
Vernon RCMP were forced to use a police taser to subdue a man who was begging officers to shoot him. "At 6:45 am yesterday morning police responded to a call of a male brandishing bricks on 30th Ave. The suspect was standing in the middle of the Street with a brick in one hand and another wrapped up weapon. He appeared to be heavily under the influence of illegal drugs" says Corporal Henry Proce. He says the suspect began twirling the sweatshirt - wrapped around a brick - above his head and screamed at police that they shoot him in the head. He was ordered to drop the bricks but he refused to do so.
Vernon RCMP were forced to use a police taser to subdue a man who was begging officers to shoot him. "At 6:45 am yesterday morning police responded to a call of a male brandishing bricks on 30th Ave. The suspect was standing in the middle of the Street with a brick in one hand and another wrapped up weapon. He appeared to be heavily under the influence of illegal drugs" says Corporal Henry Proce. He says the suspect began twirling the sweatshirt - wrapped around a brick - above his head and screamed at police that they shoot him in the head. He was ordered to drop the bricks but he refused to do so.Proce says that's when police decided to taser the suspect. "The suspect was warned that if he did not comply he would be ‘tasered’ and when he continued to be unco-operative, police deployed the taser. The suspect immediately dropped the brick, fell to his knees and was taken into custody." Proce says the incident proves that tasers are effective. "The suspect, in a drugged state, would likely not have responded to verbal commands, pepper spray or hand techniques. In fact, this particular suspect was taunting police to shoot him. The use of the taser allows police to stay out of harm’s way while dealing with a violent suspect in a non-lethal fashion." The 36 year old suspect is from Kamloops.
City endorses funding for event centre
By Penticton Herald StaffThursday, February 22, 2007
Five months after the announcement of $40 million in casino funding for the South Okanagan Event Centre, a formal agreement ratifying the deal was endorsed by Penticton council this week.Jack Kler, the city's director of corporate services, explained the Destination Assistance Compensation (DAC) funding represents 23 per cent of net revenue from the Lake City Casino at the Penticton Lakeside Resort over the next 13 years. The agreement includes an initial payment of $2.1 million with the remainder earmarked for annual payments on the city's maximum $36-million debt on the event centre.The DAC agreement had to wait until after a construction contract for the event centre was signed.Mayor Jake Kimberley lauded Kler's efforts in obtaining the casino funds. "Without this agreement, this project would not happen -- we would not be looking at building this facility,” he said. “This is just like buying a house and having somebody else pay the mortgage."Penticton has one of only three officially designated destination casinos in the province.
Five months after the announcement of $40 million in casino funding for the South Okanagan Event Centre, a formal agreement ratifying the deal was endorsed by Penticton council this week.Jack Kler, the city's director of corporate services, explained the Destination Assistance Compensation (DAC) funding represents 23 per cent of net revenue from the Lake City Casino at the Penticton Lakeside Resort over the next 13 years. The agreement includes an initial payment of $2.1 million with the remainder earmarked for annual payments on the city's maximum $36-million debt on the event centre.The DAC agreement had to wait until after a construction contract for the event centre was signed.Mayor Jake Kimberley lauded Kler's efforts in obtaining the casino funds. "Without this agreement, this project would not happen -- we would not be looking at building this facility,” he said. “This is just like buying a house and having somebody else pay the mortgage."Penticton has one of only three officially designated destination casinos in the province.
Library Funding
Starlee Speers, Standard Radio News http://www.vernon.thesun.net/node/485161
The Okanagan Regional Library board says they can provide up to 9 million in funding for Vernon's new library. Board Executive Lesley Dieno says, that's the maximum amount they can provide. She says the next step is to negotiate a partnership agreement with Vernon, adding it's now up to the City of Vernon to figure out how much it can put towards the new civic building The new building is expected to cost anywhere between 18 and 28 million dollars. The partnership agreement is due May 16th.
The Okanagan Regional Library board says they can provide up to 9 million in funding for Vernon's new library. Board Executive Lesley Dieno says, that's the maximum amount they can provide. She says the next step is to negotiate a partnership agreement with Vernon, adding it's now up to the City of Vernon to figure out how much it can put towards the new civic building The new building is expected to cost anywhere between 18 and 28 million dollars. The partnership agreement is due May 16th. Library Funding Comes With Conditions
http://www.1075kiss.com/news/headlines/
The Okanagan Regional Library is willing to make a major contribution to the proposed new Vernonlibrary. Executive director Lesley Dieno says their board has unanimously agreed to provide up tonine million dollars. Dieno says,'We haven't made a commitment that large ever before in the history of our library, really.So we think its going to be a great library when its built but as I say its going to be a lot of hard workbefore peoplw will be able to see the building. And of course its all kind of contingent on the city of Vernon coming up with their share of the money as well.' The Library board wants the city to decide how much its willing to contribute by mid-May.
Vernon councillor and library director Patrick Nicol says the city's cost could be offset by grants and a partnership with the RCMP. Estimates put the cost of the three story building at between 18 and 28 million dollars, depending onthe options. (Pete McIntyre)
The Okanagan Regional Library is willing to make a major contribution to the proposed new Vernonlibrary. Executive director Lesley Dieno says their board has unanimously agreed to provide up tonine million dollars. Dieno says,'We haven't made a commitment that large ever before in the history of our library, really.So we think its going to be a great library when its built but as I say its going to be a lot of hard workbefore peoplw will be able to see the building. And of course its all kind of contingent on the city of Vernon coming up with their share of the money as well.' The Library board wants the city to decide how much its willing to contribute by mid-May.Vernon councillor and library director Patrick Nicol says the city's cost could be offset by grants and a partnership with the RCMP. Estimates put the cost of the three story building at between 18 and 28 million dollars, depending onthe options. (Pete McIntyre)
Utilities surcharge promised in green plan
Canoe (full story) By SCOTT SUTHERLAND VICTORIA (CP) -
British Columbia consumers can expect to feel the first financial sting from the provincial government's green plan in the very near future. Energy Minister Richard Neufeld confirmed that the B.C. government plans to slap a surcharge on all public utilities to build its "Innovative Clean Energy Fund," promised as part of an ambitious plan to cut greenhouse gases laid out in last week's throne speech. "I can tell you it would be less than one per cent . . . . on domestic consumer utility bills," Neufeld said in an interview, noting it will likely require approval from the B.C. Utilities Commission. Neufeld said the move will affect electricity producers BC Hydro and Fortis (TSX:FTS) as well as natural gas providers including Terasen Gas and Pacific Northern Gas (TSX:PNG). He said his ministry is talking to all these utilities about "how we can move this forward to get enough from their revenue to cover the $25 million a year."
Opposition NDP energy critic John Horgan said it is a stretch to announce a fund in the throne speech that people would assume was a government initiative, only to find it will be paid for by consumers. "There is not a thing wrong with having a fund for innovative, clean energy now and into the future," he said. "But if you are going to make it a user fee, then call it a user fee," he demanded.
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Don Quixote Note: You also know the Feds will slap the 6% GST on top of this user fee as is already done on the Franchise fee (3.09% + GST) on your Gas Bill.
British Columbia consumers can expect to feel the first financial sting from the provincial government's green plan in the very near future. Energy Minister Richard Neufeld confirmed that the B.C. government plans to slap a surcharge on all public utilities to build its "Innovative Clean Energy Fund," promised as part of an ambitious plan to cut greenhouse gases laid out in last week's throne speech. "I can tell you it would be less than one per cent . . . . on domestic consumer utility bills," Neufeld said in an interview, noting it will likely require approval from the B.C. Utilities Commission. Neufeld said the move will affect electricity producers BC Hydro and Fortis (TSX:FTS) as well as natural gas providers including Terasen Gas and Pacific Northern Gas (TSX:PNG). He said his ministry is talking to all these utilities about "how we can move this forward to get enough from their revenue to cover the $25 million a year."
Opposition NDP energy critic John Horgan said it is a stretch to announce a fund in the throne speech that people would assume was a government initiative, only to find it will be paid for by consumers. "There is not a thing wrong with having a fund for innovative, clean energy now and into the future," he said. "But if you are going to make it a user fee, then call it a user fee," he demanded.
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Don Quixote Note: You also know the Feds will slap the 6% GST on top of this user fee as is already done on the Franchise fee (3.09% + GST) on your Gas Bill.
Gambling proceeds filling B.C. coffers- Gaming income to exceed $1-billion
Click on Cartoon to Enlarge 
Globe and Mail (Full article) ROD MICKLEBURGH VANCOUVER --
The province's lottery corporation wants more British Columbians to take up gaming, as the government that once vowed as party policy to halt the growth of gambling in B.C. reaps ever increasing revenue from it. "They are becoming gaming crackheads," NDP Crown corporations critic Guy Gentner charged yesterday, noting that government income from gambling in the province for the coming fiscal year is projected to soar to more than $1-billion for the first time. By 2009-2010, the B.C. Lottery Corp. (BCLC) plans to swell government coffers by $1.142-billion from gambling proceeds, a three-year increase of 15 per cent and more than double what the province earned from gaming when the Liberals came to power with their anti-gambling rhetoric in 2001. The government-owned Lottery Corp. is also out to increase public participation in legal gambling, including lottery ticket purchases, to 68 per cent of the adult population from 65 per cent over the next three years.
The lottery corporation's recently released, three-year service plan unveils an ambitious agenda to turn existing casinos into lavish, multipurpose facilities such as the River Rock casino in Richmond, increase the number of slot machines in once-dowdy bingo emporiums, and dramatically expand online access to lottery tickets and simple games of chance.
In the legislature, Mr. Gentner accused the government of seeking to go down the route of more serious Internet gaming, which currently produces about $12-billion (U.S.) in revenue worldwide from such activities as online poker and baccarat.
In the legislature, Mr. Gentner accused the government of seeking to go down the route of more serious Internet gaming, which currently produces about $12-billion (U.S.) in revenue worldwide from such activities as online poker and baccarat.
Since Premier Gordon Campbell pledged during the 2001 election campaign to "stop the expansion of gambling that has increased gambling addiction and put new strains on families," the number of slot machines in B.C. has tripled.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
LONG RANGE PLANNER
http://www.vernon.ca/employment/long_range_planner.pdf
LONG RANGE PLANNER Competition #: HR-COV-004
Closing Date: Monday, March 12th,
2007 Rate of Pay: Exempt $69,897 - $82,232 per annum
Monday to Friday - Hours 8:30 to 4:30 p.m.
LONG RANGE PLANNER Competition #: HR-COV-004
Closing Date: Monday, March 12th,
2007 Rate of Pay: Exempt $69,897 - $82,232 per annum
Monday to Friday - Hours 8:30 to 4:30 p.m.
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS GREATER VERNON SERVICES
GREATER VERNON SERVICES A G E N D A 8:00 a.m., THURS, FEB. 22, 2007 
- That GVSC staff be authorized to install forty signs, provided by Interior Health, at various parks promoting tobacco free zones, with materials and staff time not to exceed a cost of $2,000.
- 1. THAT staff be directed to develop a program to implement a hotel tax for the Greater Vernon Services area; 2. THAT staff be authorized to hire a consultant to undertake the required research, participate in the stakeholder consultation process, and develop a recommended implementation program at a cost not to exceed $30,000; 3. THAT the consultant report to GVS Economic Development staff; 4. THAT a consultation process with local stakeholders be undertaken.
- 9.1 Memo from Tom Fletcher, Interim General Manager dated February 14, 2007. That the request from the City of Vernon for comments on the Vernon Airport becoming a regional function be referred to the Regional District of North Okanagan Board.
NORD uses 2.5% inflation factor in Budget (52% higher than required !)
Annual inflation rate falls to 1.2% in January (Tell that to GVSC)
At the above posting I noted that GVSC had used a 2.5% inflation rate instead of the actual Bank of Canada rate of 1.64%. (http://www.bankofcanada.ca/en/rates/inflation_calc.html). I wondered what rate Coldstream and NORD were using.
NORD is using the same 2.5% rate. CFO Alan Harris uses this rate in a report on 'Current Committee Pay Structure' dated Feb. 12/07 and presented last night at the NORD finance meeting.
The report indicates the effect of this COLA amount on all the salaries and fees in the NORD Committee Structure when the COLA amount is calculated. (They also seem to have a tendency to round up to the nearest dollar as when Committee Meetings are adjusted from $100 per meeting to $103. Amount s/b $102.50 at their COLA rate and only $101.64 at the Bank of Canada rate).
I'm sure they have used the 2.5% rate throughout the entire NORD Budget. This is 52.4% higher than it should be.
The City of Vernon used the correct rate. Why can't NORD and GVSC?
At the above posting I noted that GVSC had used a 2.5% inflation rate instead of the actual Bank of Canada rate of 1.64%. (http://www.bankofcanada.ca/en/rates/inflation_calc.html). I wondered what rate Coldstream and NORD were using.
NORD is using the same 2.5% rate. CFO Alan Harris uses this rate in a report on 'Current Committee Pay Structure' dated Feb. 12/07 and presented last night at the NORD finance meeting.The report indicates the effect of this COLA amount on all the salaries and fees in the NORD Committee Structure when the COLA amount is calculated. (They also seem to have a tendency to round up to the nearest dollar as when Committee Meetings are adjusted from $100 per meeting to $103. Amount s/b $102.50 at their COLA rate and only $101.64 at the Bank of Canada rate).
I'm sure they have used the 2.5% rate throughout the entire NORD Budget. This is 52.4% higher than it should be.
The City of Vernon used the correct rate. Why can't NORD and GVSC?
Telus backs away from selling nude cellphone pics
Randy Shore, CanWest News Service; Vancouver SunPublished: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 Canada.com
VANCOUVER - Telus stopped providing adult content on cellular phones Tuesday, director of media relations Jim Johannsson said. The company had registered and age-verified several thousand customers since January for the service that allows adult cellphone customers to download nude photographic images to their phones for $3 each, or nude video files for $4 each. However, after receiving several hundred customer complaints -most of them from Western Canada - and a number of service cancellations, Telus decided to discontinue the service, Johannsson said.
"Some of our corporate customers, too, have called to try and understand the direction we were going," he said. Vancouver's Catholic archdiocese, calling the pictures pornography, on Friday told about 130 parishes and schools to cancel their contracts with Telus Mobility. The church ramped up its fight with a 12-page special section in this week's edition of The B.C. Catholic, a weekly newspaper published by the Vancouver archdiocese. The Feb. 19 edition includes a front-page story about the church's fight with Telus in an editorial that scolds the company for "hitching its financial future to the abuse-ridden and pain-filled pornography industry."
VANCOUVER - Telus stopped providing adult content on cellular phones Tuesday, director of media relations Jim Johannsson said. The company had registered and age-verified several thousand customers since January for the service that allows adult cellphone customers to download nude photographic images to their phones for $3 each, or nude video files for $4 each. However, after receiving several hundred customer complaints -most of them from Western Canada - and a number of service cancellations, Telus decided to discontinue the service, Johannsson said.
"Some of our corporate customers, too, have called to try and understand the direction we were going," he said. Vancouver's Catholic archdiocese, calling the pictures pornography, on Friday told about 130 parishes and schools to cancel their contracts with Telus Mobility. The church ramped up its fight with a 12-page special section in this week's edition of The B.C. Catholic, a weekly newspaper published by the Vancouver archdiocese. The Feb. 19 edition includes a front-page story about the church's fight with Telus in an editorial that scolds the company for "hitching its financial future to the abuse-ridden and pain-filled pornography industry."
"What we've got here is failure to communicate."
Click on Cartoon to Enlarge
On page A5 of the Morningstar Article Feb 21: 'replacing a meter can cost the city around $650'
On Front page of the Vernon Courier Article:'A new meter costs roughly $150, Kanester said'
Maybe the $500 difference is the labour cost to the city to install the $150 parking meter.
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