Recruitment problems affect RCMP deployment

By Cheryl Wierda - Kelowna Capital News - February 29, 2008

Cancelled classes at the RCMP training facility and higher than normal attrition in the training program may translate to new police positions planned for this year in Kelowna not being filled until sometime in 2009. The RCMP recently set a goal of annually hiring 2,000 officers nation-wide, but cadet spaces at the training facility in Saskatchewan aren’t being filled. Kelowna RCMP Supt. Bill McKinnon said this week that three planned training groups, with 32 spaces each, have had to be cancelled in Regina, and other classes have gone ahead at less than full capacity. As well, he noted that he’d heard there has been “higher than normal attrition” at the training facility, called Depot. The reasons classes are being cancelled and running at less than capacity include the fact the RCMP—and all police organizations— cannot get enough people to apply and the security measures that must be undertaken before a person is accepted for training to become an RCMP officer. McKinnon said that he expects to be short this summer on new recruits, but doesn’t know how exactly the less than hoped for turnout of new officers will affect this Okanagan city. However, he believed it may mean that some of the officers approved for hire in council’s preliminary budget for 2008 won’t hit the streets until sometime next year. McKinnon said the eight police officer positions earmarked for 2008 are expected to take effect May 1, and the RCMP has one year to fill the positions. He was hoping to have half of the positions filled by July 1, as the policing workload increases when tourists flock to the city in summer, but he is now “concerned” that will not happen. The expected lag time in bringing the new officers to Kelowna also had McKinnon saying that new positions like the organized crime coordinator and the domestic violence coordinator will likely not be filled “as quick as I hoped” and bolstering the ranks of the target team will take longer.The target team, which focuses on chronic offenders, was announced in 2006, and after budget deliberations for 2007, was slated to get underway last fall. However, the two-member target team just began its duties earlier this month. Despite the anticipated delays in recruits being posted to Kelowna, McKinnon noted the RCMP last month billed the city for the highest ever number of police officers—130. The concern over the less than expected turnout of recruits comes the same week as the federal finance minister announced more funding for police over the next five years.

British Columbia’s share of the $400 million for policing is expected to be $53 million, with Solicitor General John Les quoted as saying the province is still evaluating how best to use the funds. However, the funding is being viewed as doing little to address the staffing challenges for police.“They offer 2,500 new officers on the street but we need 5,000 in the next three to five years just to replenish the retirements let alone deal with increasing transnational, organized and technology-enabled crime,” former RCMP commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli told a Senate committee on national security and defence on Monday.He said police struggle to keep pace with crime as investigations become increasingly complex, and said there has been a 10 per cent reduction in real capacity to do police work over the last decade.

Vernon Opts Out

Betty Selin - Astral Media Radio News

The City of Vernon has given the Ministry of Community Services half a dozen reasons why they want out of Greater Vernon Water. Mayor Wayne Lippert says until the Ministry of Community Services responds, the city expects to continue to stay involved. The city says attempts to resolve water utility issues have been dragging on for over a year and a half, and there is a lack of accountability to city water customers.Lippert says he's hopeful they'll be able to get things back on target.

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

Water Fight by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM

The city of Vernon has taken action after being unable to resolve differences over water, with its rural partners. The city has has given notice to the Ministry of Community Services it plans to withdraw from Greater Vernon Water. Mayor Wayne Lippert says the city is frustrated that attempts to resolve issues with Areas B and C, have dragged on for more than 18 months. "We need to get our concerns addressed. Not just ours but everybody's. For Coldstream and electoral areas B and C but no-one wants to come to the table to discuss it, so this (withdrawl notice) will get them there." NORD chairman Jerry Oglow says the dispute comes down to the city wanting more control over the system. "Vernon wants to have control over water distribution within its own boundaries and not have to go to the water utility." Oglow is optimistic the differences can be worked out once a service review into the water function is completed. "All the stakeholders requested additional financial information which is very close to being provided to them in report form. I'm hoping to convene a meeting of the stakeholders as soon as that report is available, and the results will be considered."Oglow says the city, or any other stakeholder, have the right to pull out of the function once the service review is finished.

Okeefe Ranch CHBC Video

Ranch plans - Video
Web posted on Thursday, 28 February 2008

The O’Keefe Ranch staff thought they had a way to make the operation self sustainable, so it wouldn’t rely so much on taxpayers money. But a ruling by the agriculture land commission has them going back to the drawing board.

Armed Male Subdued by Conducted Energy Weapon

Salmon Arm Detachment February 28, 2008 File #Salmon Arm 2008-1167


On February 27, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. a male attended to the Salmon Arm Detachment requesting to speak to a specific officer that was on duty. The office was closed at the time, as the requested officer was not immediately available the male approached another officer outside the detachment. After some initial conversation he threw his keys at the officer, stating, "You will need these as I am going to be in the news tomorrow." The officer then called for back up and two other officers exited from the detachment and confronted the male outside the front of the detachment building. The male repeatedly stated that he wanted to be shot by police and revealed a handgun stuck down the front of his pants. The handgun was clearly visible to the officers. The male refused to obey any commands to drop onto his stomach and continued to want police to shoot him, he kept his hands in the vicinity of the handgun.

As a result, the decision was made to immobilize the male with the use of a Conducted Energy Weapon, commonly known as a Taser. The Taser was utilized and the male was then quickly subdued and taken into custody. The male was under the influence of both drugs and alcohol at the time of his arrest. An unloaded .357 calibre handgun was seized. A subsequent search of the suspect's truck revealed numerous rounds of ammunition for handguns, a holster, a storage bag for handguns and a small quanity of marihuana. The male was properly licenced to be in possession of handguns and to transport them. The weapon recovered was properly registered.

At this time, 9:15 a.m., February 28, 2008, the forty-one year old male from White Rock, B.C. remains in custody facing numerous weapons related charges. He is expected to appear in Salmon Arm Provincial Court today where the Crown will be requested to seek a psychiatric assessment of the accused. No officers were injured in the incident and the accused was not harmed by the use of the Taser. This is a good example of where the Conducted Energy Weapon was instrumental in preventing serious injury to Police Officers involved, the suspect, and members of the Public.

Priest Valley, Greater Vernon Multiplex and the Vernon Civic Arena workers join union .

CUPE:
February 22, 2008 09:22 PM Workers who keep Vernon’s arenas running smoothly and safely have voted to join CUPE. Workers who keep Vernon’s arenas running smoothly and safely have voted to join CUPE. Priest Valley, Greater Vernon Multiplex and the Vernon Civic Arena workers are employees of the Regional District of North Okanagan and are now members of CUPE Local 1908. Workers voted unanimously to become a part of CUPE. Kevin Hansen, president of Local 1908, says, “We welcome these workers with open arms. Our local already represents workers at the Enderby arena and we’re happy to have more arena workers as part of Local 1908. We look forward to supporting them in providing quality public services in safe working environments.”

Group Photo Super Regional Meeting Feb 27 Vernon

SIDIT and Private Investment Fund reach Agreement:

TMTV/BCTV Kootenays Feb 13, 2008 -

Kamloops B.C.. Jim Thomson, Chair of the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust (SIDIT), is pleased to announce an agreement with the Southern Interior Innovation Fund Inc. (SIIF) for up to $2 million to support economic development in the Southern Interior. Stafford McKergow, Chairman of the Southern Interior Innovation Fund commented, “We are excited to be partnering with SIDIT. The $2 million commitment from SIDIT to our new Private Equity Fund will help SIIF with our goal of raising $10 million. With an expanded geographic reach to include the entire Southern Interior, this new fund will build on the success of the original Okanagan Innovation Fund by continuing to invest in, mentor, and help grow the most promising Southern Interior companies.” “Our objective is to help grow and diversify the economy of the Southern Interior of British Columbia through economic development initiatives in 10 key sectors”, explained Jim Thomson, Chair of SIDIT. “Each of these initiatives aims to drive and remove constraints to economic development. By partnering with existing institutions, to provide businesses with access to loan and equity financing, we are doing this in the most efficient, effective and sustainable way possible.” SIDIT is a Public Trust created by the Province of British Columbia with a $50 million allocation to support economic development in the Southern Interior. Governed by a 13 member Board of Directors representing local government and the private sector, SIDIT focuses on opportunities that demonstrate measurable and sustainable economic benefits.In existence for two years SIDIT has concentrated on developing the processes and strategic alliances necessary to truly make a difference in the economic well being of communities in the Southern Interior. In the weeks and months ahead SIDIT is poised to make announcements on a number of exciting initiatives.

For more information visit SIDIT’s website at www.sidit-bc.ca.

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

Don Quixote Note: I had posted on Feb 22 that Sidit hadn't used any of their Grant Money as we approached their first anniversary of Feb. 27. Apparently they had slipped out this announcement but didn't post to their website until after the 23rd or later. It appears that this new Southern Interior Innovation Fund Inc is either a part of the Okanagan Innovation Fund Inc. or at least has a similiar directors:

Okanagan Innovation Fund Board of Directors:

Paul Mitchell, /Chair Anne Clarke

Lorraine McGrath, /Vice-Chair Stafford McKergow

Ben Stewart, /Bill Redmond

Mel Kotler , /George Galbraith

Steve Thomson, /David P. Willis

From the SIDIT Press Release:

Stafford McKergow, Chairman of the Southern Interior Innovation Fund commented, “We are excited to be partnering with SIDIT. The $2 million commitment from SIDIT to our new Private Equity Fund will help SIIF with our goal of raising $10 million. With an expanded geographic reach to include the entire Southern Interior, this new fund will build on the success of the original Okanagan Innovation Fund by continuing to invest in, mentor, and help grow the most promising Southern Interior companies.”

“Our objective is to help grow and diversify the economy of the Southern Interior of British Columbia through economic development initiatives in 10 key sectors”, explained Jim Thomson, Chair of SIDIT. “Each of these initiatives aims to drive and remove constraints to economic development. By partnering with existing institutions, to provide businesses with access to loan and equity financing, we are doing this in the most efficient, effective and sustainable way possible.”

Sewer costs flush out council debate

By Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star - February 29, 2008

Sewer issues continue to raise a stink in Coldstream. Concerns are wafting around about how future sewer projects should be paid for. Some councillors and residents believe the district should borrow funds for projects, while others agree saving now is the best investment, rather than paying interest on borrowed funds later. The discussion arose at council Monday, where resident Gyula Kiss once again raised a stink over sewer financing decisions. The topic was over future plans to replace the old sewer main on Kalamalka Road (west of where the new line was put in) as the population grows. A utility study from 2004 shows that the old portion of the line would likely need to be replaced by 2012, or when 1,000 additional connections are made. While some of the funds for such a project could come from development cost charges, the remainder would need to be sought elsewhere. Common ground could not be found on how to finance the project. “It’s a matter of philosophy,” said Catherine Lord, director of financial administration. “You either save up or you borrow.” The argument Kiss makes is that borrowing would ensure everyone pays a fair share, whereas saving now would force current sewer users to pay for the bulk of the project. But, says Lord: “They (future users) will be paying for more in the future.”

Coun. Bill Firman agrees with Kiss, that current users shouldn’t be footing the bill. “I don’t see the justification in sewer users paying to extend infrastructure in the community or to pay out latecomers,” he said, referring to the Coldstream Meadows sewer extension latecomer buyout. That buyout cost the district $250,000 but saved those hooking up from a $10,000 fee, plus the district got sewer extended from Aberdeen Road to Mackie Drive. The problem is that very few residents have hooked up. “What we need is a sewer plan and not to use the sewer users, as Mr. Kiss said, as bankers,” said Firman. Coun. Jim Garlick suggests a future planning session to sort these decisions out. He also suggests that where sewer extensions are desired that from now on all the necessary studies are done, grants are applied for and the residents in the area are able to vote on it. “Then it would be up to the people on DeJong Drive or wherever,” said Garlick. “That’s what they do in places like Kelowna. That’s how they extend their sewer.”

Amalgamation concept pushed by mayor

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - February 29, 2008

Some politicians insist that any changes to Okanagan governance should possibly include amalgamating rural electoral areas into municipalities. The committee investigating governance options met Wednesday, and some members used it as a way of pitching the idea of district municipalities. Among the most vocal proponents was Wayne Lippert, Vernon’s mayor. “Representation would be better served if we were all at the same table,” he said of municipalities and electoral areas.Part of Lippert’s comments were based on a report done by consultant Allan Neilson-Welch. Neilson-Welch recently met with all Okanagan municipalities about potential governance changes. “Elected officials in most municipalities support the addition of a district municipality option under which existing municipalities and their surrounding electoral areas would be amalgamated,” states the report. “These officials suggest that local and sub-regional service delivery are frustrated by the presence of separate jurisdictions within what are, de facto, single communities.”

The committee has stated before that it is interested in valley-wide issues and not boundary issues, and some indicated Wednesday that there is already an existing process for amalgamations.Rick Fairbairn, rural Lumby director, believes amalgamations have nothing to do with the larger concept of valley-wide governance over matters like water and transportation. “District municipalities are a separate issue,” he said. Lippert had hoped district municipalities could be discussed at a gathering of Okanagan municipalities in Kelowna March 7, but that didn’t get much support. Consultant Peter Adams, who will facilitate the March 7 session, says the amalgamation topic could kill consensus on valley-wide governance and feed the fear of small communities that the large cities want to take over. “If it seems like there is a backdoor agenda, it will fall apart,” he said.

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

No direction yet for governance process By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star -

A single regional district may only be a distant concept now, but there’s still no clear direction when it comes to Okanagan governance. The committee looking at valley-wide governance options met in Coldstream Wednesday, and while there was considerable debate, no concrete solution arose.“The opinions are diverse,” said Jerry Oglow, North Okanagan Regional District chairman. Fuelling the discussion was a report from consultant Allen Neilson-Welch which encompassed the feedback he got from 19 municipal councils and regional district committees.
It’s clear from the report that the one possible change in governance that is unpopular is a move towards a single regional district for the entire Okanagan. “The general view is that the broader area is too diverse for one board to properly represent, and that the important perspectives and voices of many jurisdictions would be lost,” states Neilson-Welch in the report.

Most members of Vernon council favour one regional district. “We are letting emotion and fear of big brother take over,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert of the opposition to the option. While there was some support for an alliance among regional districts, the report states the favoured option is a single authority to tackle issues of mutual concern, such as water or transportation. Under this plan, the three existing regional districts would remain. Herman Halvorson, rural Enderby director, is concerned the report didn’t reflect the view of electoral area directors who unanimously stand behind the status quo. “It should have been mentioned. It’s like they want to steer us in a direction,” he said. Some committee members suggested tackling the issue of amalgamating rural areas with municipalities, but that didn’t go over well with others. “We are here to deal with valley-wide issues,” said Dan Ashton, chairman of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen. The committee is now preparing for a meeting in Kelowna March 7 that will involve all municipal councils in the valley. Grahame Reid, Peachland mayor, is concerned, though that any further discussion on the options will be limited because some information has not been compiled. “It’s hard to evaluate a model if we don’t know the financial impact,” he said. That was also the view of Sharon Shepherd, Kelowna mayor. “Quite frankly I don’t have one right now,” she said of possible governance preferences. Committee members are also suggesting that they may need to work beyond the March 31 deadline to present recommendations to Community Services Minister Ida Chong.The goal would be to compile more detailed information and perhaps consult with the public more.“March 31 is the beginning and not necessarily the end,” said Reid of the process.

Budget battle brewing

By Scott Neufeld - North Shore Outlook - February 28, 2008

The old saying goes that the numbers don’t lie. But in the District of North Van, the budget numbers have been twisted into a dispute between finance staff and one councillor. Responding to comments in an article in last week’s Outlook, chief financial officer Nicole Deveaux says Coun. Doug MacKay-Dunn has it wrong. “He’s getting mixed up,” Deveaux said. MacKay-Dunn is opposed to the way staff are squirreling away money in the district’s reserves. Last week he told The Outlook staff are doing it on their own without a clear policy from council. “What we have yet to do is develop a policy for how to fund these reserves over time,” Deveaux explained. “Which money will go in is not really relevant to the budget.” Dunn said he’s not mixed up, he’s just a “stickler” for process. “I’ve been called worse in my day,” he said, adding council and staff didn’t follow a proper process in dismantling the Heritage Fund. “We’ll just see who’s mixed up.” These comments are just the latest salvos in a debate that’s been raging since last December. What touched off the disagreement was Deveaux’s recommendation that the two-decades-old Heritage Fund be sliced into three pieces. A $4 million slice would be dropped into a fund for new capital projects, a $5.5 million portion would be slipped into a fund to replace infrastructure and another $6 million would go into a fund for the buying and selling of district land. A further $6.5 million of “uncommitted capital” would be deposited into the infrastructure replacement fund. While council approved splitting up the fund (with MacKay-Dunn opposed) no policy was passed to determine the source of this uncommitted funding, said MacKay-Dunn. Now transfers to this fund have popped up in the proposed 2008 budget. “You can’t just tax from the point of view that you want to put it into a slush fund,” he said.

Deveaux argues that the debate is not relevant to the budget because reserves don’t directly affect taxpayers.“You never tax for reserves,” Deveaux said. “This is non-tax revenue for the most part.” Despite this claim, two per cent of the proposed 4.5 per cent tax increase is going straight into the infrastructure replacement reserve. MacKay-Dunn said there should have been public input before $22 million of the public purse was diverted from its original purpose. “This has been an ongoing issue because this is revenue we won’t have going forward,” he said. “Once we do that we have to readjust the budget – to find that revenue we have to raise taxes.” Using the new reserve strategy the district is hoping to stash enough cash to pay for more than $100 million in recreation facility renovations and another $30 million for a North Shore wastewater treatment plant.“In light of these numbers we are so far from over saving,” Deveaux said.

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

Don Quixote Note: I posted this story to show the writing talent of Scott Neufeld (Ex editor of Vernon Courier who has turned up at the North Shore Outlook ) and to show that other municipalities and regional districts are building up reserves in a stealth like manner and these methods employed by some finance departments must be exposed to the light of day. Open and transparent debate must be made by responsible councils before unauthorized reserves are built up and the taxpayers must know why they are being taxed.

Budgets are been passed without adequate scrutiny and I will be posting shortly on the reserves that are in the financial plan at NORD for the Multiplex and the Performing Arts Theatre that are projected to reach almost $7 million and $3.5 million respectively by 2017. (If you can't get the taxpayer to allow you to finance a capital project because you must get it by them via counter petition or referendum, then building up reserves via direct stealth taxation is the way to go.) $107,000 of this years tax increase for the Theatre and $145,000 for the Multiplex are budgeted to go into Reserves. Will NORD reopen their budget to debate this policy of Reserves by stealth or are they fully aware of it and think that it is o.k. to blindside the taxpayer?

Modesto Type Street Signs to come to Vernon ?

This is a picture of one of our Sister City, Modesto's street signs indicating the distances to their sister cities around the world.

Coun. Jack Gilroy has asked for a cost report of placing such signs in an suitable spot on the Civic Complex.

Naturally, we would ensure that the proper names of our sister cities are used

• Tavullia, Italy
• Modesto, California
• Saint-Lambert, Quebec
• Tome, Japan

Housing Project Moves Forward

Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM

A local organization has come forward to help out an affordable housing project in Vernon. Community Futures-North Okanagan has agreed to fund the $1,700 in city application fees for the Community Land Trust's project at 4005 Pleasant Valley Road. The trust tried to get the city to waive the fees earlier this week but city council felt it had already done enough by donating the one acre site. Land Trust president Randy Kolibaba says they understand the city's decision, and appreciate the support. The Trust is working with the Transition House Society to build six duplexes for families fleeing abuse, and senior women.

Don Quixote's reply to Online Transportation Survey

Online Survey available at City of Vernon's website.

# Do you support the proposed 10 year strategy? YES
Why or why not? Only if development pays FULL COST of all infrastructure caused by development. (NO FREE RIDE)
# Do you support the 10 to 25 year strategy, including the 27th Street extension? YES
Why or why not? Only if development pays FULL COST of all infrastructure caused by development. (NO FREE RIDE)
# Do you support the protection of the West Bypass Corridor or the No Bypass Option as a 25+ year strategy? protection of the West Bypass Corridor
Why or why not? I actually support the real Western Bypass on the west side of Okanagan Lake and will only support the Western Bypass option if other option not realized. Any Western Corridor Protection MUST include a property tax holiday for the private land within the corridor
# Rank the priorities for transportation planning, with number 1 indicating the highest priority, 2 the second highest priority, 3 the third highest priority, etc.
4. Single occupant vehicles.
5 High occupant vehicles.
6. Trucks and transport vehicles.
3. Public transit.
2. Cyclists.
1. Pedestrians.
. Other (please specify in the box below).

# Where are your highest priorities for sidewalk construction?
Better maintenance of existing sidewalks and more in existing older well established neighbourhoods like the East Hill. All new developments must contain sidewalks.

# Where are your highest priorities for transit routes?
Transit to Kelowna UBCO from Vernon

# Do you have any other comments on transportation issues?
Will the proposed Western Corridor be a DCC project? Will it be written into the DCC bylaw if it accepted? Will any portion be considered Developer pay or will the financial burden fall on the property taxpayers of Vernon who will look to the Provincial Government and Feds on bended knee ?

Valley governance moving forward

Castanet Feb 28
The committee studying possible area-wide governance options in the Okanagan Similkameen is moving forward and forming a focus in its work. It’s planning to complete a report for the Minister of Community Services by March 31st. At its meeting in Vernon Wednesday, the Regional Governance Study Working Committee received the results from consultations with all local governments in the North, Central and South Okanagan Similkameen regional districts. Consultant Allan Neilsen-Welch presented a report based on the sessions that were held during the past three weeks. The consultation process has found the most support from elected local government officials for a strong inter-regional authority or authorities within the governance study area. Neilsen-Welch says there was little support from municipal and regional district politicians for a single area-wide regional district model. His report also says local elected officials want more information and details regarding the proposed governance model options. In particular, they’d like specifics on the cost benefits for each option as well as voter representation and any voting structure.

Working Committee Vice-Chair Jerry Oglow, who chairs the Regional District of North Okanagan welcomed the consultant’s report. It shows some common themes and focus developing on the part of local elected officials throughout the Okanagan Similkameen as the discussion continues regarding possible region-wide governance options. More than 120 elected officials representing municipal councils and regional district boards in the Okanagan Similkameen have been invited to a ‘Council of Councils’ meeting. At the session in Kelowna on March 7th they’ll be asked to provide the Working Committee with feedback on the various governance options that are under consideration. This information will be used by the Working Committee to guide its recommendations in a report to the Minister of Community Services by the end of March. A link to the consultants report will be available in the next few days on the Okanagan Similkameen Regional Governance Working Committee website: www.valleygovern.ca. Residents may also go there to view information from past committee meetings and for upcoming ones. A direct email contact form is also available online for residents to complete, so that their thoughts, ideas and suggestions can be considered by the Governance committee. After the March 7th ‘Council of Councils’ session, the next regular Regional Governance Study Working Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19th at 1:00 pm at the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen office, 101 Martin Street in Penticton. The meeting will be open for residents to view the proceedings.
------------------------
Don Quixote Note: Along with about 5 media types,and a handful of interested politicians mostly from NORD, I endured 2 hours of the gathering of the chosen 12 and their hired consultants as they received the hired gun's report, reviewed it and then tried to hammer out an agenda for their following meeting. Mercifully the Noon lunch hour intervened and my ride home desired to exit and so we left as the assembled Politicos hunkered down to barley soup and sandwiches. The chosen 12 actually was reduced to the heavenly 11 as Chairman Robeert Hobson of Kelowna was apaprently working hard in Malibu. The phrase that caught my ear was "cross fertilization of ideas". I know little about farming, but it always has been my belief that throwing different kinds of shit together on the same field doesn't necessary mean a bumper robust crop, it might just mean you wind up with a big pile of shit that has to be cleaned up.

These guys were still arguing about what the true purpose of the super regional governance committee was, what the 'leader' meant with her original decision to assemble and mobilize the chosen 12 (originally the Divine 9), and whether the electoral areas should be discussed in the open or their fate merely left to the capricious whims of the revered leader Minister Ida Chong.

To me it appears that we have three separate regional districts with different reasons for being told to come to the table by the leader. The nucleus is the Central Regional District (CORD) who has lost a good portion of their 'raison d'etre' when the Westbank opted to become a municipality and now have a surplus of bureacrabs and anointed politicians that must find new homes in which to work or rule. On the north end is NORD which is unraveling and is a dysfunctional version of its original being as it blindly stumbles through governance and personality issues and was ordered to the table by the provincial government. On the South end of the table is the South Okanagan Similkameen regional district that appears to be working quite well and would like to be left alone but has been forced to endure this traveling circus probably in the hope that its functionality will serve as an example and will rub off on its Northern Cousins.

The next meeting tentatively called the 'council of council' (a ripoff of the loya Jarga in Afghanistan) will be comprised of 120 elected officials representing municipal councils and regional district boards will convene in Kelowna (Mecca?) on March 7. The Provincial Government has received special dispensation to suspend certain sections of the Kyoto protocol that prevents the large creation of artificially created hot air that contributes to global warming. The public is welcome but watching gramma's home movies might be a more entertaining choice.

Sister City of Modesto has budget problems.

Firefighters continue to lead the way as list doubles in one year

Modesto Bee Feb 28 By ADAM ASHTON

Firefighters and top managers received the best salary increases in Modesto City Hall last year, cementing their presence among the city's 100 highest-paid employees. At least 100 city employees earned $110,000 or more last year in total income, up from 49 in 2006, according to information The Bee obtained through a California Public Records Act request. Fifty-eight of the 100 best-paid employees work in the Fire Department, up from 49 in 2006. Nine of them were department chiefs who don't get overtime but can earn certain stipends, increases for advanced degrees and uniform allowances. The number of police officers among the top 100 earners declined, from 28 to 19 in 2007. One was Chief Roy Wasden; four of them were captains who can't collect overtime. Top executives, engineers and attorneys saw a boost in their pay. The council gave them a 5.5 percent salary increase in July. The city instituted a hiring freeze a month later because of a sharp downturn in its revenue. Some employees had special contracts. Retired City Manager George Britton, for example, received a $2,000 monthly pay increase when the council extended his working agreement by six months in June. He earned $176,547 in 2007, up from $166,332 in total compensation a year earlier.

Two factors drove up the firefighter wages: a 6 percent across-the-board pay hike in December 2006 and increased overtime hours that resulted from the hiring freeze, Fire Chief Jim Miguel explained. One fire engineer, which is a rank above a firefighter but below a captain, earned $135,325 in 2007 -- $61,851 more than the maximum regular wage for that position. A fire captain earned $147,739 -- $62,531 more than that job's top base salary, largely because of overtime. The City Council passed the firefighter pay increase months before a drop in tax revenue ravaged Modesto's budget plans, forcing the city to cut $14 million in spending two months ago. If approved, the contract would raise firefighter wages by 22.5 percent overall between 2007 and 2010 and bring Modesto's pay up to par with 11 compar-able cities. The worsening financial outlook forced Miguel to cancel a recruiting class of eight firefighters who would have joined the department. Instead, he used overtime to make up for eight vacancies. The Fire Department's overtime spending is on the rise, from $1.1 million in 2004-05 budget year to a projected $1.7 million this year. Miguel said that money the department saves by not filling positions offsets the overtime, making the hiring freeze worthwhile in checking the city's expenses.

Cherryville and Lumby show sparse turnout against governance proposal

February 26, 2008 The Other Beaver

Only about 20 people attended a presentation by consultant Allan Neilson-Welch to the Electoral Area Services Committee last Thursday which outlined the current review of governance options for the entire Okanagan Valley. Of the twenty areas residents who attended most of them were from rural areas such as Cherryville and many appeared suspicious over the motivation for possible changes to valley-wide governance. The review is laying the groundwork for the provincial government to make a decision as to how the Okanagan Region will govern valley-wide issues and there is significant pressure to link all three regional districts into one as well as eliminate Electoral Areas. The present review is being headed by a committee of 12 politicians, four from each regional district, however the provincial government has stated emphatically the present status quo is not acceptable. Eliminating Electoral areas means that rural areas like Cherryville (Area E) and Rural Lumby (Area D) may be joined with Lumby or some other incorporated body.

That’s what’s bothering rural residents and the fact that there might already be a done deal. “I’m suspicious about what’s going on. What’s behind it?” said Clint Whitecotton, from Cherryville. Mike Gavinchuk, a resident from BX-Swan Lake, voiced a concern that despite the consultation process, a decision on governance has already been made. “I want some assurance that making one unit (one regional district) is not already in place,” he said. In terms of why the provincial government initiated the process, Neilson-Welch pointed out that Victoria is responsible for municipalities and regional districts. “They see this as a big region that will get more crowded and they want to get ahead of the curve,” he said of growth issues such as transportation and water. He added that the governance committee is not interested in changing boundaries for municipalities and electoral areas. However NORD BX-Swan Lake director Cliff Kanester, believes Victoria will ignore the entire process. “Is this a matter of getting some input and they will do what ever the hell they want?” he said.

Everyone that spoke favored maintaining the North Okanagan Regional District as it currently is. “The farther the people are from where the decisions are made, the less democracy there is,” said Joan Crebo from Cherryville. Demands were also made that any changes be left up to the public to decide, and aren’t imposed. “The individual areas need a vote so Vernon and Kelowna don’t steamroll the entire valley,” said Ken Burgess, a resident form BX-Silver Star. Mike MacNabb, BX-Silver Star alternate director, says residents are concerned their rural jurisdictions may disappear, especially when Vernon says it would accept amalgamation. The latest round of comments from valley politicians has become more supportive of amalgamation of some kind. However during the meeting all five of the North Okanagan’s electoral area directors indicated to Neilson-Welch they are in favor keeping the three regional districts in the valley. “It’s very clear that we want status quo,” said Herman Halvorson, rural Enderby director. Kanester shot down suggestions that the valley’s three regional districts aren’t working together. “There’s already co-operation on the Okanagan Basin Water Board and air quality. What else do we need?” he said. Eugene Foisy, Area E Cherryville director, echoed comments from the public and doesn’t support the review process. “This isn’t coming from the grassroots. It’s coming from the government. Who the hell are they to tell us our system isn’t working?” he said.However, if the government is measuring discontent by the number of protesting residents turning out, things don’t look good for Electoral Areas.

Regional governance dominates discussion

February 27, 2008 Penticton Western

Penticton Mayor Jake Kimberley predicts the provincial government would step in if local municipalities cannot agree on reforms to regional government, a topic that dominated his recent meeting with the mayors of Westside, Kelowna and Vernon. Other topics Kimberley discussed during the Feb. 12 meeting included affordable housing and Wakefest. But the future of regional governance dominated discussions between the mayors, said Kimberley, as regional directors from across the region get ready to discuss governance reforms March 7 with the presentation of a consulting report. Options said to be on the table include the status quo of three separate regional districts, a single regional district and an interregional authority responsible for issues deemed to be of regional importance such as water, air quality and transportation. Community Service Minister Ida Chong tasked a local board of elected officials with reforming regional governance late last year to meet “growth management and governance challenges” in the Okanagan Valley. Other reasons driving the review include the recent incorporation of Westside — once the largest non-incorporated area in the Central Okanagan Regional District — and the emergence of valleywide issues such as water, air and transportation management.

But this provincial push for regional governance reform has not received a positive reception in rural parts of the valley, whose representatives fear their constituents would be neglected, with the possibility of centralizing regional governance in Kelowna. Larger communities meanwhile are concerned about having to foot most of the bill and the possibility of creating another layer of government instead of reducing it through the creation of an inter-regional authority. Questions about who would sit on a future regional governance board also still remain, added Kimberley. One potential outcome (and additional expense) of the review for Penticton could be the extension of municipal services to areas now serviced by the regional district, said Kimberley. Kimberley hinted it might be difficult to find consensus before the March 31 deadline which some have said is “ridiculous” in light of the many answered questions. Coun. Rory McIvor said earlier this month amalgamating the three districts and thereby reducing the regional representation would be “a recipe for disaster.” He also suggested that the final decision would come from the province. On other issues discussed during the mayors’ meeting, Kimberley said the mayors agreed that they do not have enough resources themselves to fix the affordable housing issue. On more specific issue, Penticton also consulted with Kelowna on the issues of secondary suites — the city has promised to legalize them — and questions around hosting Wakefest. Penticton is considering to host the event after Kelowna withdrew its support for it, following concern from business owners and police, who said rowdy, intoxicated youth had pushed the city to the verge of a riot.Wakefest organizers say they have learnt their lessons from the Kelowna experience and supporters of the event say it would generate additional tourism and event dollars.

Transportation Plan Meeting

Betty Selin, Astral Media Radio - Vernon

Another chance Wednesday night for Vernon residents to have their voice heard on the city's draft transportation plan. The North Okanagan Naturalists Club, Sustainable Environment Network, and Western Corridor Committee are teaming up for a public meeting. Bill Image, with the Naturalists Club, says they've had support since the group went public with concerns about the proposed by-pass. He says the western by-pass has received the most attention, but residents need to look at the whole plan. Wednesday's meeting is from 7pm till 9pm at the Schubert Centre. Image says the city's planner will be there to answer questions.The deadline for Vernon residents to give input is Friday.

Super Regional Governance Meeting TODAY at 10

February 27th - RDNO office, 9848 Aberdeen Road, Coldstream - 10:00 am


Public welcome. Listen to the chosen 12 debate the future of your Valley!

Come for the learned and reasoned debate; stay for the Lunch !

City efforts blocked by NORD

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - February 27, 2008

The City of Vernon’s attempts to reduce spending are failing at the North Okanagan Regional District. Council had asked NORD to reduce expenditures by one per cent in each department the city participates in. But regional district officials have indicated that it is too late in the process for the 2008 budget to be amended now. “This is total nonsense from an ineffective organization,” said Coun. Barry Beardsell. The issue first arose at city hall two weeks ago and the request for a one per cent cut to expenditures was then presented to NORD’s finance committee for review. “We did that at the city last year and it was quite effective,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham. But the response from members of NORD’s finance committee was that the city should have made the request earlier on in the budget process. That didn’t go over well with Beardsell. “We haven’t even got the finite details on expenses so how can you comment earlier?” he said. But NORD’s chairman points out that the 2008 budget must be approved by March 31 under legislation and it will go before the regional board for consideration March 5. “We asked for input (from member jurisdictions) in November and December,” said Jerry Oglow.

He added that it would also be difficult to reopen the budget now because any changes would have to referred to the Greater Vernon Services Committee for possible impacts on the delivery of water and parks and recreation. Oglow believes there are some outstanding implications if the city’s request were to proceed. “Where did that figure of one per cent come from? Do you want to reduce services by one per cent?” he said. NORD’s provisional 2008 budget includes a seven per cent overall tax requisition for the entire region.

City denies financial break for housing project

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - February 27, 2008

There are limits to the City of Vernon’s generosity. Council decided Monday not to give financial breaks to non-profit housing projects constructed on land the city has provided.“We have to draw a line in the sand somewhere,” said Coun. Barry Beardsell. The Vernon Community Land Trust asked the city to waive $1,700 in fees associated with rezoning 4005 Pleasant Valley Rd. It also wanted grants to offset the cost of designing, constructing, inspecting and certifying the off-site works, building permit fees and city utility connection fees. Council recently agreed to provide the city-owned property to the trust, which will then turn over the one-acre property to the Vernon Transition House Society for construction of six duplexes for families and senior women. The decision to turn down the request for financial assistance was unanimous Monday. “We are assisting in a big way with the development cost charges and the land. Let’s tell them to stop coming and begging for more,” said Beardsell. That was also the view of Coun. Pat Cochrane. “When we are providing the land, we need to collect the appropriate fees.” In a letter to council, the Vernon Community Land Trust defended the need for the city to waive various fees. “Transition House has a business plan in place and will raise funds for capital costs through provincial ministries and grants,” said Randy Kolibaba, chairman of the land trust. “Applications for capital grants have a much better chance of success if they include community partners and in-kind contributions.” On a related note, some officials are concerned that the Greater Vernon Services Committee has turned down assistance for an affordable housing project on city land. The Vernon Native Housing Society had asked for a break on parks and water-related development cost charges for a housing initiative on 19th Avenue. Coun. Juliette Cunningham believes it’s not right that Vernon taxpayers bear the brunt of supporting affordable housing. “Greater Vernon needs to step up to the plate,” she said.

----------

City has done its part Feb 27 Morning Star Editorial

Social advocates may not be very happy with the City of Vernon, but council’s actions Monday were reflective of the fiscal responsibility they ultimately have to taxpayers. Obviously there is a need for the community to support the development of affordable housing, and one can’t blame social agencies for trying to get the city on board. However, the reality is that the city has shown considerable leadership when it comes to the entire issue. It has now provided property for two different projects, and it has looked at changes to development cost charges as a way of making such developments more financially viable. An extensive study of the attainable housing problem in Vernon and what efforts should be taken to alleviate it was also spearheaded by the city. With all of that in mind, council was justified Monday in turning down a request from the Vernon Community Land Trust that $1,700 in fees associated with rezoning land on Pleasant Valley Road be waived. The trust also wanted grants to offset fees for building permits and utility connections, as well as inspecting and certifying the off-site works. Yes the organizations pursuing these affordable housing units are non-profits and financial resources are limited, but they have to be willing to step up to the plate themselves or find other funding sources. Not all of the onus can be placed on the city, and ultimately taxpayers who foot the bill.Perhaps Coun. Barry Beardsell’s comments are extreme when he refers to “begging” by the non-profits. But it is time for those groups to accept the fact that the city has gone above and beyond and not to keep coming back looking for more.

‘Powerful’ video shakes up council

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - February 27, 2008

A graphic video about crystal meth and its impact on individuals and families shook up Vernon’s civic leaders. Council members were visibly troubled Monday after viewing Stolen Lives, a video produced by the police to highlight the link between drug use and vehicle thefts. “It had a real impact and impression on us,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. Besides images of thieves stealing bait cars, there are scenes of doctors operating on victims of accidents involving stolen vehicles. The video includes interviews with those involved in stealing cars as well as the widow of a man who was killed in an accident while driving to work. “It’s very powerful. There are no actors,” said Insp. Steve McVarnock, with the Vernon RCMP. “What you see is what you get. It’s the real world.” The video was developed by Sgt. Tim Shields, who is now the officer-in-charge of the Lake Country RCMP. It has been shown in secondary schools across the province, including recently in Vernon, Coldstream and Lumby. “We're had great success in the schools with this,” said McVarnock. He will also be showing it to Crown counsel at the court house. “We want them to see the impact of car thefts and drugs.” said McVarnock of the Crown lawyers and judges who are involved in the sentencing of auto thieves. Coun. Pat Cochrane is hopeful the legal system will take the video’s message seriously. “The penalties don’t reflect the crime,” said Cochrane. “We are doing everything possible to get people not to drink and drive, but with something equally as bad or worse because it involves stealing vehicles, it has no penalties.” Coun. Juliette Cunningham wonders if the city should look at forcing merchants to restrict the sale of ingredients used to make crystal meth. “It’s being productive. It would make it more difficult to get their ingredients,” she said.

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

Stolen Lives Trailer

Casino fight reignited

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - February 27, 2008

Emotions continue to run high at Vernon city hall over the expansion of Lake City Casino. On Monday, Coun. Barry Beardsell took a swing at council’s recent decision to permit the casino to relocate without first pursuing an agreement for additional funding. “Which ever councillor that suggested you give them approval and then negotiate is naive,” he said. Subsequent to relocation being approved, city staff tried to negotiate a funding agreement with Lake City Casino but the company turned the request down. While the city gets a portion of casino revenue, Beardsell is convinced an deal prior to approving relocation could have led to money for a social responsibility fund. Beardsell never identified the council member he was referring to, but Coun. Jack Gilroy believes it was him. Gilroy was a firm supporter of Lake City Casino moving to Anderson Way and he vocally opposed trying to get more money out of the company beyond the revenue formula. “Lake City Casino is a good corporate sponsor and they do a lot in town and we don’t need to gouge them,” he said. Also on Monday, council asked for a meeting with MLA Tom Christensen to see if the local casino can be upgraded from community status to a destination casino. Beardsell says destination casinos must provide municipalities with a greater share of the revenue, and that money could go to initiatives like O’Keefe Ranch. The provincial government is not permitting any new destination casinos, but Coun. Patrick Nicol believes it is worth pursuing the issue. “The community benefits to a greater degree if we can make it a destination casino,” he said.

Program a "failure" - Video

Program a "failure" - Video CHBC
Web posted on Tuesday, 26 February 2008

The conundrum of creating affordable housing confounds Kelowna city council.

New Website wants Western Bypass Now !

http://www.westernbypassnow.com/

Traffic Pollution Damages Children's Lungs: That's a Fact

Vernon has four schools, a seniors homes, and a daycare within 500 metres of 27th Street. If we wait 10 or 25 years for a bypass, our children's lungs will be damaged by living and learning near a major highway.

Get Involved, Demand a Bypass Now!

It's Time to Challenge the
Foolishness of Waiting 25 Years for a Bypass!

Only people with little concern for the next generation and people with disabilities would choose lower taxes over protecting the health of the many children and vulnerable seniors who live near these highways. It is time that Vernonites who give a damn about our kids stood up and challenged what I call "The Vernonites Against Everything!"

Logging Poplar / Cottonwood Trees

THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF VERNON INVITATION TO QUOTE
Q-OPS-08-31 - Logging Poplar / Cottonwood Trees
Quotes with the words “Logging Poplar / Cottonwood Trees – Q-OPS-08-31” marked on the sealed envelope will be received at the office of the Purchasing Agent, 1900 – 48 Ave, Vernon, B.C. V1T 8Y7, up to and including closing time of 2:00 p.m., local time, Tuesday, March 4, 2008 for the following:
To provide labour, materials and equipment required to fell, bunch, skid, process,
deck and load-out approximately 2000 tonnes of Hybrid Poplar / Cottonwood Trees.
---------------------
The City of Vernon's tender off to sell this 2000 Tonnes of tress must have been sucessful as they are now looking for someone to harvest the tress and deliver to a buyer. The original tender "The City is interested in receiving purchase bid offers for the sale of approximately 2000 tonnes of Poplar Cottonwood Trees which will be logged and ready for transport mid April 2008. " closed Feb 25 and apparently was successful in getting a buyer.

Maybe the money from the sale of these trees will be available for the 2008 budget to offset the money we have budgeted for Pine Beetle tree removal. ? ($75,000)

Casino Fund No Go

Starlee Speers, Astral Media Radio - Vernon

The Vernon city council decision to approve the casino expansion before negotiating for more money is coming back to haunt them. Councillor Barry Beardsell says, neither Lake City Casino or the Provincial government have any reason to give the city any extra money for a social responsibility fund. Beardsell says, if the city is still unable to get money for a social responsibility fund then they should raise the licencing fee for the slot machines. Councillor Jack Gilroy defended himself against Beardsell's criticisms saying, Lake City is a good corporate sponsor in Vernon and they shouldn't be gouged. Council voted to meet with MLA Tom Christensen to discuss the issue.

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

City To Seek More Gambling Revenue by Pete McIntrye KissFM

Vernon will look into having its main gambling outlet declared a 'Destination Casino' The city will be setting up a meeting with MLA Tom Christensen to find out more about the process of getting a bigger chunk of the gaming revenue from Lake City Casino. Councillor Patrick Nicol says Vernon would be a logical choice. "And if we were able to get that destination assignment, then we would be eligible for additional funds, as I understand it, but I'd like to be clearer on that, from the (BC) lotteries." Councillor Barry Beardsell says the city should have sought a bigger percentage of the revenue before it approved Lake City's relocation to larger facility last year, when it had some leverage. "As far as I'm concerned, they (city) have no leverage because the administrator already went to Lake City to try and get some additional money for the social responsibility fund and they said absolutely no, even though the entire cost of that building is ultimately going to be paid on a gradual basis, 100 percent out of the earnings from the casino."
Beardsell says the extra money could be used to help the struggling O'Keefe Ranch.

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

Don Quixote Note: Last year every slot machine in Vernon brought in $130,000 each. We have allowed this franchise to double the number of slots from 200 to 400. Now most of this money goes to the provincial government but the Casino makes a good return from operating this franchise. All their capital expenses are 100% recoverable from the Province. The City voted to place $50,000 each year from their increased revenues from this casino into a Social Responsibility Fund to offset the negative affects of addiction etc. To suggest that the Casino is being gouged for not seeing the public relations and advertising value to agreeing to match this amount each year is ridiculous. The Casino is a "Good Corporate sponsor" for those events where this sponsorship attracts customers to their Casino. (This is called good Corporate Business practice !)

A casino in Vancouver offered as a community benefit to place $200,000 each year in such a fund and this fund has been in existence in that City since 2005.

Amazing interview with Kelowna Councillor

http://www.castanet.net/

Called telling it like it. This is an interview with Kelowna Councillor Carol Gran says the way the City is dealing with developers and affordable housing amounts to blackmail and extortion.

Ombudsman blasts funding for murder-case defence

Executive Summary A Test Of Wills Ontario's ombudsman Report (85 pages)

The Canadian Press February 26, 2008

TORONTO — Ontario's ombudsman is blasting the province's Legal Aid agency for “catastrophic” errors in judgment in financing the defence of former traffic cop Richard Wills.André Marin also faults Legal Aid Ontario for a culture in which no one seems to care about taxpayer dollars.Marin's special report traces the history of an often-bizarre murder case in which Mr. Wills, once a Toronto police officer, was convicted last year of killing his lover in 2002.More than $1-million in taxpayer dollars went to pay for seven different lawyers for Mr. Wills, who was able to get legal aid from the province by divesting himself of his assets.Mr. Marin wants the province to make legislative changes to prevent a recurrence of the Wills “fiasco” and to try to recover as much legal aid money from him as possible.Attorney General Chris Bentley says the province is taking Mr. Wills to court in an effort to get some of the money back.Mr. Wills, 50, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the 2002 death of his long-time lover Linda Mariani, 40.Her remains were found in a garbage bin stored behind a wall in the basement of his home in Richmond Hill, Ont., north of Toronto.Mr. Marin's report, entitled “Test of Wills,” is scathing in its assessment of how Legal Aid Ontario handled the case.“It was a shameful episode that never should have happened and should never be repeated,” Mr. Marin said.“But make no mistake: it could happen again if nothing is done.”Mr. Bentley also said the province had requested that a judge review some of Mr. Wills' legal bills to see if any money should be returned.

Will Vernon Challenge Kelowna ?

Yesterday at Council Bruce Mol of the Greater Vernon Cycling Advisory Committee asked the City of Vernon to challenge the City of Kelowna to a contest re cycling to work for a week.

Will Council accept and can enough staff be persuaded to peddle their ass for the Glory of Vernon ?

Vancouver Park Board rejects city budget

CBC Feb 26

For the first time in a decade, the Vancouver Park Board failed to pass the annual budget handed to it by the city, defeating it Monday night in a tied vote. Coalition of Progressive Electors Park Commissioner Loretta Woodcock said the budget asked for too many financial cuts. "This is a vote of non-confidence in the mayor that the spending that he's doing on his pet project like ambassadors, eco-density and civil city is reckless, and that the Park Board is not in the mood to accept efficiency reductions while that kind of spending is taking place at city hall," Woodcock told CBC News on Monday evening. The Monday night vote was tied 3-3 and so the budget failed to pass. The budget will now need to go back to city hall and be re-worked. Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan's civic party, the Non-Partisan Association did have a majority on the Park Board, until longtime commissioner and former board chair Allan De Genova was kicked out of the caucus by Sullivan over a vote to expand the Vancouver aquarium. De Genova has since announced he plans to seek the nomination of the rival Vision Vancouver party and challenge Sullivan for the mayor's job in the upcoming civic election. In 2006, the Vancouver Park Board received more than $55 million from the city for the operation of parks, community centres, beaches, street trees and other services. The Park Board generated an additional $36 million in revenues from admissions, pay parking, concession sales and rental sources, making the total gross operating expenditures $91.2 million.

Affordable housing efforts a ’dismal failure‘

Ron Seymour 2008-02-26 Kelowna Daily Courier

An attempt to formalize a long-standing city practice aimed at encouraging affordable housing was defeated Monday by Kelowna city councillors. Council voted 6-2 not to formally endorse the policy, which grants higher-densities to new projects if the builder provides some affordable housing units or provides a cash-in-lieu contribution. Coun. Carol Gran was among the critics of the approach, which she said amounted to a form of “blackmail and extortion” against developers, and which has been nothing but a “dismal failure.” Less than 60 affordable housing units have been created in recent years through agreements between the city and developers, and most have been studio or one-bedroom suites. Gran said she‘d heard that many of the units had been bought by wealthy people on behalf of their children attending UBC Okanagan. “That kind of speaks to how wrongheaded this whole exercise is,” she said.

Other councillors said it‘s up to the provincial and federal governments to provide more affordable housing, particularly rental accommodation. “We don‘t have the power or the resources,” Coun. Barrie Clark said. “It‘s time to admit we have not solved the problem and we never will.” Since 2000, the city‘s official community plan has contained a provision that allows for a so-called density bump, which allows developers to build more units than would normally be provided, so long as some provision is made for affordable housing in the project. But the details of how that should be achieved have never been written down. Planning staff‘s practice has been to encourage builders to set aside 50 per cent of the extra units for affordable housing, and the cash-in-lieu option has always been subject to negotiation. The proposal defeated Monday by council would have specified exactly how the OCP objective would be achieved. If a density bump was sought through an OCP amendment, five per cent of a building‘s total living space would have to have been for affordable housing units. Alternatively, a new formula could be used to come up with a cash-in-lieu payment.

Social planner Theresa Eichler described the proposal as “nice, clean and easy” and an improvement over the current practice of having staff negotiate with developers and then council ratify each arrangement. With the defeat of the policy, affordable housing arrangements will continue to be struck on a case-by-case basis. Mayor Sharon Shepherd and Coun. Michele Rule voted to introduce the standardized policy, saying it would help to provide at least a few affordable housing units. Couns. Gran, Clark, Colin Day, Andre Blanleil, Brian Given and Norm Letnick voted against it. Given said the city should focus on getting new rental projects built.
-------------------
Don Quixote Note: Policy under copnsideration can be found at Item 7.1 - Interim Policy for Requiring Affordable Housing, or Cash in Lieu Thereof, for increased Density.pdf (2399kb) (2008-02-21)

City can't solve housing issues

by Wayne Moore -Feb 26, 2008 Castanet

The City of Kelowna can't solve the lack of affordable housing or the shortage of available rental properties by itself. That's the message at least a portion of City Council delivered Monday. Council admitted it is philosophically divided on the issue during a debate on how to deal with developers requests for density bonuses. The debate centered around the type of compensation developers would be required to provide in exchange for density bonuses. With a land economist report due in approximately a month, and debate expected to last a few more months, City staff recommended a temporary solution which would require developers to provide either a percentage of the additional density in affordable housing or a cash-in-lieu equivalent. "I'm going to try really hard to be calm and collected because I have a fundamental and philosophical disagreement with what we have been doing over the last year," says Councillor, Carol Gran. "These amount, in most cases in the discussions we've had in open council meetings, to blackmail and extortion and I just can't for the life of me understand how we got here." Gran says the City is not able to provide the kind of housing that is needed in this community. "We could assist. There are developers sitting in this audience who were part of group that said we are willing to get involved and help out."

She says it's as simple as sitting down with the developers and non-profit organizations, deciding where the city has land and where the money will come from. "We can do a little bit, but until the other two levels of government get on board and start recognizing the problem and we stop taking it away from them, we're going to have the problem. It isn't just Kelowna that has this problem, it's happening all over." A vote to accept the staff report was defeated 6-2, with Councillor Michele Rule and Mayor Sharon Shepherd voting in favour. In fact, Shepherd was forced to second the motion to get it on the table, something she has never had to do in her two plus years as mayor. "I'm very disappointed. We've asked staff to clarify things so we don't have a debate everytime we get a new applicant in front of us that is putting forward what they think meets the needs of the City as well as what our Official Community Plan is suggesting," says Shepherd. "This is a difficult issue. Councillor Gran, you keep saying we shouldn't take on this responsibility, but we're part of the solution. It's very frustrating because we can't meet the needs of all of our community."

Councillor Barrie Clark says the city can provide some benefits to developers in the form of land and some tax breaks. "We don't have to apologize for one minute in the City of Kelowna for helping non-profits provide housing for people in need," says Clark. "We have done as well and better than any other municipality in B.C. We do have certain powers and we've used them and used them successfully." Clark adds while the City has the ability to provide affordable housing on its own, it has neither the resources or the power to do so. "The federal government and the provincial government have the power to really make an impact on this problem, and that is subsidize people, don't subsidize things." In concluding the debate, Gran says she believes it is time for the City sits down with developers to hammer out some solutions. "I want to suggest your worship that you take a leadership role in this and get a meeting together of the developers, profits and non-profits, and sit down and find out how we can put a deal together for some rental units in this community. If we start now, we might be lucky if they are built in the next two or three years." In the meantime, when it comes to developers and density bonus requests, council will continue to look at each of a case by case basis.

KISS FM still belongs to Rogers Broadcasting

CRTC Ruling Feb 25

2008-44 Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Ltd. (the general partner) and Jim Pattison Industries Ltd. (the limited partner), carrying on business as Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Limited Partnership
Enderby, Keremeos, Penticton, Princeton and Vernon, British Columbia
DENIED – Acquisition of assets

The Commission denies the application by Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Ltd. (the general partner) and Jim Pattison Industries Ltd. (the limited partner), carrying on business as Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Limited Partnership (Pattison), to acquire from Rogers Broadcasting Limited the assets of the commercial radio programming undertaking CKIZ-FM Vernon and its transmitter CKIZ-FM-1 Enderby, British Columbia. The Commission also denies the application by Pattison to acquire from Great Valleys Radio Ltd. the assets of the commercial radio programming undertaking CIGV-FM Penticton and its transmitters CIGV-FM-1 Keremeos and CIGV-FM-2 Princeton, British Columbia.
---------

By Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM

A plan for new ownership of KISS FM (CKIZ-FM) has been turned down. The Jim Pattison Broadcast Group announced last May it wanted to buy the Vernon radio station from Rogers Broadcasting for an undisclosed price. The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission announced Monday it had denied the application along with one for Pattison to purchase CIGV FM in Penticton.The commission's main concern was that Pattison would have owned 3 FM stations that can be heard in the Kelowna market, one more than new rules allow. It was also concerned that should it have allowed the sales, all nine of the commercial radio stations in Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton would have been owned by two companies, Pattison and Astral Media.The decision means KISS FM will continue under the ownership of Rogers which had owned the station since 1989.

B.C. may seize and sell impaired drivers' cars

CBC NEWS Feb 25

The B.C. government is looking at its own version of an Ontario law that allows for the seizure and sale of vehicles owned by people convicted of impaired driving. The Ontario law requires drivers who've had three impaired driving convictions in 10 years to forfeit their vehicles to the province, which then can then sell them. B.C. Solicitor General John Les said he is considering adopting similar legislation for B.C. that could be used against those with an established pattern of driving while impaired. The new legislation would be an amendment to the province's existing civil forfeiture legislation, which allows the province to seize property in civil court, Les told CBC's Rick Cluff on Monday morning. Ultimately, any decision to seize a vehicle would have to be made by a judge in court, said Les. "Where there's an established pattern of drinking and driving, or other egregious behaviour associated with that, the judge would have the ability to order the forfeiture of the vehicle," said Les. B.C. already has legislation that allows police to temporarily seize the vehicles of impaired drivers, take away their licences, and requires them to complete responsible driving programs. It can also require them to have an ignition interlock device that checks their blood-alcohol level on their vehicle when they start to drive again. But Robert Solomon, who is with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said Canada's impaired driving laws haven't done enough to curb what he sees as a serious and growing problem. Canada has the highest rate of alcohol-involved fatal crashes of any modern democracy, said Solomon. A recent MADD study shows 75 per cent of people who lose their licences due to drunk driving continue to get behind the wheel after their suspensions, said Soloman.

Tree burned down in Polson Park

by Rachael Kimola -Feb 24, 2008 CASTANET

A large cedar tree in a North Okanagan park burned to the ground early Sunday. Lieutenant Jim Beiber of the Vernon fire department says they responded to a call of a tree on fire at Polson Park just after 1:30 a.m. “According to dispatch, we got more calls on this tree fire than we would have on a house fire, so it was really noticeable. It was a solitary cedar tree standing alone at one end of the park, there was no chance of the fire spreading to other trees,” says Beiber. He says given the time of year and the tree’s location, the chances that the fire was human caused is very high. “It’s my suspicion that the fire was deliberately set. It was completely burned down by the time we arrived. We spent about 20 minutes applying foam to the area, penetrating the topsoil, just to make sure it didn’t start up again.” Beiber says this is the second time a cedar has gone up in flames this month. “There was an incident a couple weeks ago at the other end of the park where a tree and some cedar brushes were destroyed by fire, but there’s no way to know if the two incidents are connected.”

(1%= $163,406). Budget not Ready for Prime-Time yet !

The Road Rehabilitation Policy was reanalyzed by the Finance Department and it has resulted in an underestimation for Road Rehab of $94,484. ($1,251,000 not $1,156,516 is required).

This money was unanimously added to the budget deficit of $570,287 (3.49%) and new budget deficit stands at $664,771 (4.068%).

Council decided little else at the Budget session on Friday but a vote to accept this budget and set a day for public input was NOT accepted. There will be further Council Budget sessions to refine this budget which is not nearly ready for Prime Time. It is up to Council to delete the fat in this budget. You can find the details presented to the Council Friday at Agenda Package - 1.31MB (p. 15-34) (Capital tax figures at P. 32 and 33.)
-------------------------------
Some interesting stats purported to show our per capita tax was the lowest of the 12 cities compared were introduced but hopefully ignored as they were not inclusive of the real tax burden of the residential taxpayers in their respective cities. The comparison of municipal tax burdens on per capita basis while ignoring the tax burden from the regional districts is specious at best. I would hope that at the next budget session the full and complete per capita story is told. Likewise the introduction of Total Taxes on a representative house in each City while not completing the analysis by taking the tax paid as a percentage of their respective values is bogus and misleading. I stand by the chart below indicating Vernon has 2nd highest taxes in the valley.
For the Record the 12 Cities in the Comparison used by City of Vernon have the following Taxes as %age of House Value:

North Vancouver .468%
Chilliwack .773%
Kelowna .645%
Penticton .706%
White Rock .604%
Port Moody .560%
Pitt Meadows .609%
Campbell River .745%
Mission .914%
Cranbrook 1.117
Vernon .747%
Kamloops ..957%

RED Cities have a higher tax burden than Vernon.

They came with a gift.

By Jeremy Deutsch - Kamloops This Week - February 24, 2008

A large gift, both in size and value as Kamloops MLA Claude Richmond, and Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger, presented a $375,000 cheque to Kamloops for construction of a Spirit Square. The project, which is expected to cost roughly $750,000, will be a meeting place for residents to celebrate B.C.’s 150th annivPublish Postersary. “It’s important to bring communities together and give them a special place to celebrate,” Richmond said. But beyond this year’s celebration, it’s hoped the Spirit Square will be the centrepiece of the continued revitalization of North Kamloops.Mayor Terry Lake said the square could have gone anywhere, but the choice shows the city’s confidence in putting money into the area.
------------
Don Quixote Note: Another Spirit Square Grant. Has Vernon applied for one yet, Maybe at Polson Park. See also post at Burnaby gets $500,000 Spirit Square Grant.

We have a grants officer in Vernon and it might be interesting to get a report on the outstanding grants that are being applied for, grants that have been applied for and were not successful and those grants that were successful. A Quarterly report to Council and the public might be useful? Other Councils regularly announce their grant requests to the media and this keeps the public aware of the ongoing battle to secure grant monies for our community.

Vernon house fire

North Okanagan: Vernon house fire
Web posted on Saturday, 23 February 2008

A million dollar home went up in smoke Saturday afternoon near Vernon's Silver Star Mountain. Fire crews were called to the home on Melford Road just before noon Saturday. The house was fully involved when they arrived. Nine fire trucks were called in to assist transporting water to the scene as there are no fire hydrants in the neighbourhood. Everyone got out of the home. It's unknown what caused the blaze.




Castanet Fire fought for seven hours by Rachael Kimola
The house is a total loss, but no one was living in it. A structure fire destroyed a house on Melford Road at Swan Lake near Vernon on Saturday. Fire chief Bill Wacey says the fire started just before noon. “When we arrived the flames had broken through and were hitting about 15-20 above the house. We had to call in for support from the Silver Star Mountain Volunteer fire department,” says Wacey. He says one of the big problems they faced in putting out the blaze was a lack of water. “The closet hydrant was four kilometres away so we had to bring in our own water to fight it. That did delay us in putting out the fire, but we were able to save the garage and a pool house. There were several large trees near the house which also burned down but there were no other structures nearby which were at risk.” Wacey says the house had been under renovations for the last year, so no one was occupying it. “The cause is still under investigation. At this point we can’t say one way or another how it started.” Some 25 fire fighters worked on the scene at its peak. Crews took almost seven hours to completely contain the scene.