Treasurer departs municipal office

Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 30, 2009 4:00 PM

A new council with a new direction has sent another Coldstream staff member packing. Just six weeks after Coldstream council dismissed chief administrative officer Wendy Kay, another staff member is leaving. Catherine Lord, director of financial administration, has put in her notice effective the end of February (the last two weeks of which she’ll be on holidays). “They (council) are going in a different direction,” said Lord of her decision. “It’s not the direction I want to go.” Lord, who has worked at the district for four years, adds that council’s decision to dismiss Kay definitely played a part in her decision to leave. “We actually had a really good management team here,” said Lord, adding that she will miss the staff. “It’s a super group of staff.”

Lord’s announcement comes as a surprise to Coun. Bill Firman. “It came out of the blue. We never had a fight with her, there was no complaint, I don’t know why,” said Firman, who is one of the few councillors who has worked with Lord longer than a few months. While Firman doesn’t deny that this council is heading in a new direction, he believes Lord’s decision is more of a personnel matter, which he could not discuss. “There is a new direction, and for the better. No doubt about that,” said Firman, pointing to water distribution problems and local issues that are finally being focussed on. “But it’s got nothing to do with her that I ever saw.” The loss of Coldstream’s director of finance comes at a time when council is anticipated to discuss the budget, which must be finalized in May. Firman anticipates the district will get through budget deliberations with the aid of an accountant.

After February, Lord plans on remaining in the area to pursue work. She came to Coldstream following a lengthy 18-year career with the City of Vernon as deputy treasurer. Last year, she was nominated for Vernon Women in Business’ Woman of the Year award. She is currently involved with the North Okanagan Community Foundation and has previously served as treasurer at the O’Keefe Ranch, was involved with the Vernon Women’s Transition House Society, Vernon Rotary Club and was president of the Ribbons of Green Trail Society during the construction of the boardwalk.Mayor Jim Garlick could not be reached for comment.

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Career Opportunities Coldstream

Director of Financial Administration
Job Posting - 20Kb PDF
Closing Date: 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2009

Green options sought for Hesperia project

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 30, 2009 4:00 PM

The City of Vernon wants a proposed residential development to be as green as possible. Council has instructed the city-owned Hesperia Development Corporation to investigate options for sustainable construction of 1,000 housing units on 69 acres on Apollo and Longacre drives. “It could go further and needs to go further,” said Coun. Buffy Baumbrough. The corporation is responsible for establishing a development plan for the property. Private developers would then construct up to 1,000 residential units and some commercial lots. “Given the economic times, this could give an impetus to keep people in town and working. It could also give tradespeople training on environmental initiatives,” said Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe. One aspect of the plan is to promote bicycles, walking and residents sharing vehicles. “We are trying to set the trend for the future. We are trying to get people out of their cars,” said Ken Stewart, corporation president. Corridors will also be preserved for deer and other animals, particularly along a ravine on the property. “We have to improve the habitat for the environment and that is one of our goals and objectives,” said Stewart.

But Coun. Shawn Lee is concerned that corporation subsidies for enhanced sustainability could lead to artificial market conditions. “If it’s going to be a leader, we must show developers they can make money off of it,” he said. Considerable money will have to be spent by the corporation on site infrastructure such as $1 million for a community facility, $2 million for an expanded reservoir and $1 million for a bridge over the ravine. About 40 per cent of the 69 acres would be developed. “We don’t want to fill the property up as a solid housing development,” said Stewart. The original goal was to have the property developed in nine years, but build-out could take between 15 and 20 years because the planning process has taken longer than anticipated. “It’s a far more controlled and readily developed timeline,” said Stewart. “We will be very restrictive on what developers can build.”

It’s envisioned that the 1,000 units would consist of row houses, townhouses and four-storey apartment buildings. Most of the parking would be underground. About half of the units would be open market housing and the other half will be deemed attainable housing (for families earning between $55,000 and $90,000 a year). Stewart anticipates the entire project could generate revenue of $42 million with a potential dividend of $19 million for the city.

Horse racing loses a home

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 30, 2009 4:00 PM

Horse racing could get the boot from its home of 116 years, and that has enthusiasts fuming. The North Okanagan Regional District has told the Okanagan Equestrian Society (formerly the Vernon Agricultural Society) it can no longer use Kin Race Track as of Oct. 31, 2010 and all equipment must be gone by Dec. 31, 2010. “There are a few raised tempers,” said Ed Woolley, society president, of his members. The society sold its portion of the property to NORD a few years ago (the City of Vernon is also an owner), and both sides are currently locked in a legal dispute over use of the site. “If we can’t come to an agreement, a decision will be made by a judge,” said Woolley, who questions why an eviction notice is being handed out now. “Taking these actions makes one question whether they are negotiating in good faith.”As part of the discussions, there has been a suggestion that a new location be found for horse racing. “It’s not our first choice but it’s something we’ll look at. The city has said it won’t financially support any move,” said Woolley. Woolley insists there is a need for his group to have continued use of the track, including for Vernon Racing Days, other equestrian sports and training. “There are still a fair number of people involved in the equine business,” he said.“We have usage every day during the spring, summer and fall. It’s also part of the community’s history.”The schedule for the 2009 racing season should be released within a month.

NORD decided to issue the eviction notice at about the same time of November’s civic elections, and Woolley wonders if the regional district’s position has softened. “One or two of the people in opposition to us are no longer there. I’m not sure if the people who replaced them are in favour of us,” he said. But Wayne Lippert, Vernon mayor and Greater Vernon Advisory Committee chairman, believes the eviction notice is firm and insists that it’s part of meditation. “We are looking to move this process along,” he said. “There’s been discussion about the use of that property and whether the race track should remain there for a number of years.” Lippert says NORD is taking the society’s interests into account through a possible relocation, and he suggests the Vernon group could merge with another operation in B.C. to create efficiencies. “Horse racing is having difficulties across the province.” If racing does end at Kin Race Track, NORD will launch a planning process for alternate uses. “There have been numerous suggestions from a second sheet of ice at Wesbild Centre or expansion of sports fields,” said Lippert. “We have to look at it and see how best to serve the residents of Greater Vernon. We have to look at the best use of the land.”

Two men sentenced in Mayerthorpe case

CTV NEWS:
An Edmonton judge sentenced Shawn Hennessey and Dennis Cheeseman to 15 years and 12 years, respectively, for their role in the 2005 murders of four Alberta Mounties. Hennessey, 29, and his brother-in-law Cheeseman, 25, had been charged with first-degree murder but, last week, pleaded guilty to lesser charges of manslaughter. On Friday, Justice Eric Macklin delivered the sentences but said both men will have their actual jail time reduced by about five years because of time served and because they pleaded guilty before a trial. In an agreed statement of facts, the men said they provided a rifle and ammunition to James Roszko, then drove him to his Mayerthorpe, Alta. property. Roszko, using a different rifle, then murdered Constables Brock Myrol, Anthony Gordon, Leo Johnston and Peter Schiemann, on March 3, 2005 before turning the gun on himself. The Mounties were staking out Roszko's property, guarding evidence that was part of an investigation into stolen auto parts and a marijuana grow-op. The tragedy was one of the darkest days in the history of the RCMP, marking the worst single-day loss of life in more than a century.

The Crown had sought a sentence of 10 to 15 years while the defence was seeking four years less time served. Cheeseman and Hennessey spent close to 10 months in pre-trial custody following a preliminary hearing last year. They were eventually released on bail under strict conditions. Prior to the sentencing, Hennessey's father, Barry Hennessey, said he was worried the judge's sentencing decision may be influenced by a recording of a confession made by Cheeseman.Undercover RCMP officers posing as criminals taped Cheeseman admitting to them that he knew Roszko was planning to kill the Mounties. "Well, obviously we knew that he was going back to kill RCMP officers," Cheeseman admits on the tape."He said he was pretty much going to take care of business." The tape, which was recording during an RCMP sting, was unsealed after the pleas were entered last week. "You think the judge won't hear this?" Barry Hennessey asked from his home near Barrhead in an interview with The Canadian Press. "It is not fair. It is not right that they released all of this." He said Cheeseman was scared because he thought the undercover officers were real criminals."He was scared for his life," he said. "He thought they were Hells Angels."

Kin Eviction

Starlee Speers - Vernon 105.7 SUN FM

If the Regional District has its way, you won't be going off to the horse races at the Kin Race track in Vernon after 2010. The Okanagan Equestrian Society has been issued an eviction notice to vacate the Kin Racetrack in Vernon. Mayor Wayne Lippert says the city and regional district believe the land could be better used for sports fields. Lippert says NORD issued an eviction notice last year for the Association to be out by October 2010. The disagreement over the use of the track has been ongoing for a number of years now. Ed Woolley with the Kin Racetrack Association says the eviction notice from the regional district came in the middle of mediation. Woolley says discussions are still on going and it will ultimately be up to a judge to decide if the association has to vacate by October 2010. He says the case is similar to the battle over the Simpson covenant in Kelowna where a judge ultimately ruled against the city.

Hesperia Update

Starlee Speers - Vernon 105.7 SUN FM

Planning for the sixty nine acre Hesperia land development is moving along with the possibility that construction could start soon. Vernon councillor Mary Jo O'Keefe the development of the property on Apollo and Longacre drives is a long term project and will help keep trades people in Vernon. O'Keefe says the entire project will take from 15 to 20 years to complete. Plans for the property include up to one thousand residential units mixed with commercial space. The Hesperia lands are located above Apollo and Longacre drives in Okanagan Landing.The development of the property is being overseen by a committee operating at arms length of the city.

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Don Quixote Note: It is a Corporation not a committee that is overseeing this development.

Garbage warning

Web posted on Thursday, 29 January 2009 CHBC VIDEO

Some Okanagan taxpayers complain City Hall is threatening to sell their homes.

Our auxiliary cops are the best

Kelowna Capital News:

Once a problem program, Kelowna’s RCMP Auxiliary constables are now considered the best in Canada, according to Supt. Bill McKinnon. The city’s top cop told Kelowna city council credit is owed to Kerry Solinsky who spends his Saturdays 17 weeks a year in the station to deliver the Justice Institute training needed to put the volunteer force on the road. When he took over the program seven years ago, the auxiliaries were going through transition from a force that carried weapons to one that didn’t and since then Solinsky’s built a program the superintendent believes to be the best in B.C., if not Canada. “I don’t think the general public see a difference between the auxiliary and our regular officers. They see it as pants with a yellow stripe down the side. That’s a police officer and that’s somewhere they can get help,” the superintendent said. The auxiliary officers contributed 13,496 volunteer hours of community policing to Kelowna last year.

Still a ‘severely unaffordable’ city

http://www.demographia.com/dhi-ix2005q3.pdf Link to Report

Kathy Michaels - Kelowna Capital News

House prices may have dropped but that didn’t save Kelowna from earning the dubious distinction of one of the most severely unaffordable markets worldwide for the second year running. Kelowna was ranked the 19th most severely unaffordable city, and was nestled between Santa Cruz, California and the southwest region, of England in the fifth annual Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey. The study compares 265 markets in Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. In metropolitan areas of each of those countries, they divide median house prices in each region by the median annual gross household income. That provides them with a “median multiple” which represents how long it takes a person to buy a home if they were to divert their total annual income to the pursuit. Nationwide, it takes about three and a half years, which is affordable by their standard, but in Kelowna it’s a bit more time consuming.

The group which lobbies against smart growth, figures it takes about 6 1/2 years to buy locally because the median annual income is $53,200, while the median cost of a home is $362,100. Using that measure alone, it appears Kelowna has improved a bit over the last year in terms of affordability. In Demographia’s 2007 survey, the city ranked 13th in the same category, and noted that the median household income was $52,200, while the median house price was $446,300. According to Theresa Eichler, the City of Kelowna’s community planning manager, Demographia’s ranking is of limited value. “All it does is take the median house price and compare that to median household income— it’s one measure, and not a good one,” she said. Kelowna is unique in that there are a number of asset-rich retirees who make a limited annual income. Using annual income for a measure could skew results dramatically.

While Eichler doesn’t hold the study in high esteem, she did note that housing and land values are dropping in this region, and in years to come that will make room for more affordable housing. The costs of labour is also falling as the market tightens. All of Canada’s markets deemed severely unaffordable by Demographica were in British Columbia, including Vancouver, Victoria, Abbotsford and Kelowna. Canada had 10 affordable markets, the largest being Winnipeg (3.0). The most affordable markets were Cape Breton (2.1) and Thunder Bay (2.2). Other “affordable” markets included Chatham, Windsor, Moncton, Saguenay, Saint John, Trois Rivieres and St. John’s.

Cut costs and red tape says developer

Jennifer Smith - Kelowna Capital News

Time for cities to lay off the redundant regulation and any increases on development cost charges, the development community’s big whigs say. Thursday afternoon the Urban Development Institute’s executive director Maureen Enser and UDI Pacific president Al Poettcker were in Kelowna pushing their members to demand local government cut red tape and taxation. “We are going to be very, very selective with our business,” said Enser, who issued a warning to cities not willing to listen. Development cost charges are the levies municipalities use to charge developers for the infrastructure costs their developments create—things like roads, sewers, water treatment and park space—and are calculated based on the bills current construction creates. This year, the development lobby succeeded in convincing Kelowna to reduce the charges from the eight to nine per cent projected to approximately two per cent. Other municipalities, like Mission and New Westminster, have not responded as quickly, raising rates as much as 600 per cent, even in the face of unprecedented economic decline, Enser said.

The market has reached its slowest point in 27 years, Poettcker told the audience and Enser noted it could work to builders’ advantage if their community can lobby government effectively during the slowdown. The groups’ message to municipalities needs to be: “Turn on CNN, watch what’s happening and then watch where development goes,” she said. And her message is similar for the province which she sees creating burdensome regulations, particularly when it comes to protecting the environment. Seated in the audience, the City of Kelowna’s new sustainability manager (the post formerly known as the planning director) appeared receptive. In an interview after the meeting, Jim Paterson indicated he understands the need to be as efficient as possible and said, with provincial-level governments leaving many areas of environmental regulation up to individual cities, he understands there is a need to standardize the rules for developers.

That said, Paterson pointed out, with new issues like groundwater protection, just starting to enter government vocabulary, its likely there is plenty more regulation on the way. “You’re not going to make everyone happy,” he noted, saying finding the balance may be more about making everyone equally unhappy.

City neuters rabbit sales

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 29, 2009 6:00 PM

Restrictions could ultimately be in place on the sale of rabbits in Vernon. Council instructed staff Monday to investigate the feasibility of a bylaw banning the sale of rabbits that have not been spayed or neutered. Coun. Buffy Baumbrough, who raised the issue, believes something needs to be done to keep a handle on the feral rabbit population. “When you look at Kelowna and the issues they have had, it’s prudent to investigate the selling of unaltered rabbits,” she said. In Kelowna, officials have had to launch a program in which feral rabbits are trapped and killed. But that move has been controversial and Baumbrough wants to avoid a similar scene in Vernon. “It could have a positive situation before it gets out of hand,” she said of spaying and neutering rabbits. Vernon’s feral rabbit colony began when some residents released domestic animals and didn’t care for them any more. Because of the species’ ability to breed, the population exploded (a female rabbit can have a litter every 28 days – with an average of four to six young per litter). Coun. Bob Spiers is willing to lend his support to a proposed bylaw. “I suggested a year ago that stores shouldn’t be able to sell rabbits without them being spayed or neutered. It’s common sense,” he said.

Middle ground found over committee structure

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 29, 2009 6:00 PM

Consensus has surfaced over how Greater Vernon’s shared services should be administered. Details on how the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee should operate were hammered out during a joint meeting of Vernon and Coldstream councils, as well as the directors for Areas B and C Tuesday. “It’s a move in the right direction,” said Jim Garlick, Coldstream mayor. Coldstream had proposed that GVAC be split up into two separate entities for water and parks and recreation, and to allow more officials to sit at the table than is currently allowed. What was decided on Tuesday, though, was that everything remain within one committee and the voting structure remain the same, except for the possible addition of the Vernon School District on some parks matters and an agricultural representative on issues dealing with water. Coldstream would also be able to have alternate directors when their regular representatives aren’t present.

Garlick believes Coldstream’s concerns about representation have been addressed. “Now we have two representatives on the committee. If it’s workable, let’s make it work and move ahead,” he said, adding that he doesn’t want GVAC to become bogged down in governance discussions. The recommendations from the joint council meeting will now be passed on to the chairman of the North Okanagan Regional District, which determines committee structure. There also appears to be some middle ground forming on trying to keep all jurisdictions involved in water distribution. “We’ve got a good start and everyone is talking,” said Wayne Lippert, Vernon mayor. “Everyone has an open mind and wants to do what’s best for the citizens.” Last spring, the city announced it would withdraw from regional water distribution for a number of reasons, including a lack of co-ordination on capital projects among jurisdictions and the belief that customers are confused over the governance structure. Everyone at the table Tuesday says there is a need to work out the matter on their own and to avoid going to costly arbitration. “A lot of this stuff can be resolved,” said Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director. Lippert believes much of the recent conflict can be linked to some former politicians.“The personalities that were there were causing this. It’s the structure that’s been screwed up by us politicians,” he said.

Budget items adding up

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 29, 2009 6:00 PM

Vernon politicians are attempting to keep taxes from ballooning but items keep being added to the budget. A number of expenditures were included in the 2009 budget Wednesday, pushing a proposed two per cent residential property tax hike to 2.61 per cent (not including fire protection). Mayor Wayne Lippert said the goal now is to find ways to get the increase to two per cent. “I’d like to see it down to that or lower,” he said, adding that reserves may be used to cover some items or some expenditures may have to be removed from the budget. It’s believed fire protection taxes could be five per cent. “We could be looking at over seven per cent (total) that we need to whittle down,” said Coun. Bob Spiers.

Among the items added to the budget are four support staff for the RCMP, including an executive assistance, a front-desk employee and a switchboard operator. A full-time co-ordinator will also be hired for the Police Records Information Management Environment, a program mandated by the RCMP and government. The position will cost $66,000 a year, and Coun. Jack Gilroy says senior levels of government need to assist. “We need to stop the bleeding with PRIME. It costs more and we can’t keep going back to the taxpayers,” he said. Because the four positions may not be actually filled until later in the year, Spiers attempted to have only three-quarters of the $234,000 set aside in the budget. “The taxpayer of this year should not pay for the service he will get. To bill for a service he won’t get is wrong,” said Spiers. But a majority of council disagreed, citing the prospect that employees may be hired quickly and not providing the full cost now could lead to a shortfall next year. “It’s fundamentally wrong to handicap us in the future with a tax increase,” said Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe.

Also added to the budget is a transportation demand co-ordinator to organize alternate forms of transportation. It will cost $87,100 in the first year for wages and equipment. “This is a critical position,” said Coun. Buffy Baumbrough. “Transportation demand management fits in with the official community plan and what we heard from citizens.” The co-ordinator will look at ways to get people out of their vehicles through cycling, walking or transit. “We need to have someone dedicated to that part of the official community plan,” said Coun. Shawn Lee. Council will meet again Feb. 4 to go over the 2009 budget.

Staff volunteers personal time

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 29, 2009 6:00 PM

Vernon’s extensive official community plan review came in under budget.The total price tag for the two-year process was $463,992, while $548,500 had originally been forecast. “It is worth noting that exempt staff contributed some 1,725 hours of overtime to the OCP review process, which is not compensated (this equates to 246 seven-hour work days),” said Kim Flick, manager of planning and building services, in a report to council. “This included public consultation as well as research, development of public outreach materials and advertising, scenario development and report writing.” Coun. Buffy Baumbrough is pleased with how the initiative concluded financially. “It came in under budget thanks to the effort of staff. They put in 246 days unpaid – that’s their own time. They deserve to be applauded,” she said. That effort is also being acknowledged by Coun. Shawn Lee. “Staff sacrificed and we have a devoted staff. It speaks well of our staff,” he said. The cost-savings are already being targeted for more work related to the OCP. “We are hoping to carry over half of it for implementation and particularly monitoring,” said Flick.

Epic Tax Talks

Starlee Speers - Vernon 105.7 SUNFM

Vernon's self-proclaimed tax watch dog says a zero percent tax hike is unattainable at this point with all the extras council has approved. Councillor Bob Spiers says when fire services aren't included in the equation the tax increase is about two and a half percent, but currently with fire services included taxes stand to increase by seven percent, a figure he says is hard to swallow in this economy. With the numbers as they are now, residents in the Landing area would see the largest increase in taxes. Spiers says the increase could be whittled down to about two percent including fire by using reserves. Another budget meeting has been set for next Wednesday. The deadline for municipal budgets isn't until the middle of May.

Editor joins the City of Kelowna

by Castanet Staff -Jan 29, 2009

The managing editor of the Kelowna Daily Courier is leaving his post to join the City of Kelowna’s communications department. Tom Wilson leaves the Daily Courier after 17 years in various positions. He was city editor for eight years and managing editor since 2006. Having reached the height of his industry, he says there was nowhere else to go and leaving the Okanagan wasn’t an option. “The opportunity came along and I felt like it was time to do something new. I’ve got the best news job in the valley and the question comes: What do you do with your experience? There’s not a lot of other places to go in the Okanagan,” he said. “This was a good fit and a chance to learn something new and still be involved in the community.” Wilson trades his editing pen for a writing pen at the City of Kelowna, writing news releases and planning communications for the department. He leaves the newsroom Feb. 6 and starts at the city Feb. 16. The decision was a shock in his own newsroom, especially after being with the newspaper for so long. He came from Ottawa in 1992 as a business editor and filled several other duties before taking on the role of city editor.

2009-2013 FINANCIAL PLAN PREPARATION

The Regional District of North Okanagan is currently in the process of preparing its 2009-2013 Financial Plan, with final adoption in March of 2009.

At this time, the Regional Board invites residents of the Regional District to attend the first workshop of the Financial Plan process which is scheduled for:

Thursday January 29, 2009 9:00 a.m.
The Prestige Inn
4411-32 Street
Vernon, BC

For times and dates of future meetings relating to Financial Plan Preparation, please visit our website periodically or contact our office directly at (250) 550-3700.

Habitat for Humanity answers affordable housing call

JOHN MOORHOUSE Penticton Herald:

Penticton‘s limited supply of affordable housing is about to receive a bit of a boost. Florence Barton, chair of the South Okanagan chapter of Habitat for Humanity, says plans call for two low-cost homes to be constructed in Penticton over the next two years. One will be built this year on Stocks Crescent, with a second home scheduled for construction in 2010 on Huth Avenue adjacent to Ellis Creek. City council has agreed to waive $23,000 in development cost charges and other city fees for the Huth property. The site is being donated to Habitat for Humanity by Hugo Deuschle, who will build a second home on the remainder of the subdivided lot. Barton noted the Habitat homes come with a proviso. “The house has to stay as affordable housing for at least 20 years,” she said. “The mortgage provides that Habitat has the first option to buy the property back if the people want to sell it before they finish paying for it.” If Habitat for Humanity reacquires the property, it would either have to arrange for another family to buy it at low cost, or reimburse the city for the development fees on a pro-rated basis.

Construction of the Stocks Crescent home is expected to start in April, depending on the availability of students enrolled in the construction program at Okanagan College. Maria Cox and her two teenaged children have already been selected for the home. “The family for the Stocks Crescent house is going to be there helping out and are very eager,” Barton said.
The three-bedroom home will be just under 1,100 square feet, while the Huth house will be smaller with two bedrooms and covering about 950 square feet. The family for the Huth home has yet to be chosen. It‘s hoped the Stocks house will be at lock-up stage by the end of August and be completed by the fall. Barton noted the Huth home was designed as an environmentally sustainable house by Penticton architect Cal Meiklejohn. Those plans, however, were not usable for the Stocks home since they would not fit in with the surrounding neighbourhood‘s building scheme. “But we‘ll still do as much of the environmentally sustainable stuff as we can,” she added. Habitat for Humanity completed its first South Okanagan home, on Alder Street in Summerland, in 2007. Costs, not including the price of the property itself, amounted to about $75,000 to $85,000.

Habitat for Humanity is an independent, non-profit housing program committed to eliminating poverty housing by building homes in partnership with families in need. Its goal is to provide affordable housing to those who would not qualify or be able to afford a conventional mortgage and was designed to break the poverty cycle. Meanwhile, Habitat for Humanity is looking for a volunteer to research and apply for grants for the organization in the South Okanagan. “There are a number of grants for environmentally sustainable builds and we want to apply for some,” she said. “We are going to put a lot of green technology into this house.” Anyone interested in volunteering for the position can contact Barton at 250-494-5425.

Powell seeks Liberal nomination

CASTANET:
A North Okanagan lawyer and business owner has tossed his hat into the ring. Andrew Powell, a resident of Lumby, has formally confirmed his candidacy for the B.C. Liberal nomination for the constituency of Vernon-Monashee. “This community is my home, and I have seen it suffer. I want to support it now by seeking a spot in government, on the side of the team that stands for recovery and economic responsibility,” says Powell. He says his legal background will help set him apart from the other candidates. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for the others in the running. It is a credit to this constituency that there are so many excellent people who are willing to serve it. But my background is firmly in business and law, and I believe that, at this stage of the game, we should be seeking someone who has had hammered home all the practicality and pragmatism that comes from that type of career line.” Powell says before becoming a lawyer, he worked in the Policy and Public Affairs departments of the BC Environment Ministry. “I have been inside government. It is familiar territory for me.” For the last six years, Powell has been the assistant General Manager of Paragon Wood Products, an independent forest-products company owned by his family which has been hit hard by the current crisis in the lumber industry and the down turned economy. The main mill, in Lumby, has been in curtailment since September. “Perhaps more than any other candidate, I have experienced the effects of government decisions, market shifts, and industry fluctuations in very up-close and personal and I am tired of being critical. There has to come a point when a person stops complaining and tries to do something to help change things. For me, that time is now.”

Vernon - Traffic stop gets driver more than a seat belt charge

RCMP VERNON:
On Saturday Jan 24th one of the officers with the North Okanagan Traffic Services unit was working on Hwy 97 near Crystal waters when he observed a pickup truck traveling north bound. The officer observed several infractions under the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations; he also observed that the lone occupant was not wearing his seat belt. The officer affected a traffic stop and approached the driver and asked for his driver’s license.
The driver was not able to produce his license and he became upset with the traffic stop. The officer asked the male his name and when it did not check out with Motor Vehicle Branch the officer requested the driver step out of his vehicle. While checking the male before placing him in the police car the officer located a handgun and a loaded clip in his jacket.
The male has since been identified as from Vernon, he has been charged with seven firearm related offences, one drug related offence and one charge of obstructing a police officer. (The traffic charges for which he was checked for in the first place were never laid)
This case is a great example of the criminal interdiction value of our Southeast District Traffic Services members who patrol the local Highways and secondary roads of the North Okanagan. Over and above the tickets that are written, the traffic units uncover large quantities of drugs, cash, guns, and stolen goods on a daily basis while doing their duties in the Okanagan and around the province. They are a valued asset that assists in many other investigations going on in various units within the policing community.

Vancouver's credit rating downgraded over Olympic Village bailout

CBC NEWS:

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson says Moody's Investors Service has downgraded the city's debt rating, and that could cost taxpayers more money as they finance the Olympic Athletes Village project. The downgrading, to AAA– from AAA, could make it more expensive for the city to secure credit for the village bailout by as much as three-10ths of a percentage point, Robertson said.The downgrading itself was linked to the additional financial risks associated with Vancouver's Olympic Village project, he said.Earlier this month another credit rating agency, Standard & Poor's, placed Vancouver on a credit watch and hinted it may also downgrade its rating for the city as a result of potential debt coming from the village project.

Fortress Investment Group, a New York based hedge fund, was originally supposed to lend Millennium Development Corp. $750 million to build the condominum project that will house athletes during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. But it stopped payments to Millennium in September, after it had provided $317 million, because of the ongoing turmoil in global financial and real estate markets. Since then, the city has covered construction costs with a $100-million bailout loan and has proposed to take over the project financing by borrowing money to lend directly to Millennium to complete the project. Overruns have pushed the project's cost to $875 million. The development site is on city-owned land worth $200 million, putting the value of the whole development at more than $1 billion.

Grant Applications

2008 City of Vernon Grant Applications

A new page on City Of Vernon Website will show all grant applications that Vernon has outstanding.

Page will be expanded to include Possible Grants that are available for other local organizations and governments. There will also be a future link so the public can suggest Grant applications that may have been overlooked.

Council rejects call for raise rollback

Jason Luciw - Kelowna Capital News

A council and its raise aren’t easily parted. Given the troubled economy, Coun. Rosalind Neis recommended council show taxpayers that local government officials are willing to make some sacrifices, however small. After a first look at the 2009 budget this week, Neis proposed the mayor and councillors start by refusing their pay raises this year. “I know it’s a miniscule amount, somewhere in the area of $10,000 on a budget of $46 million to $48 million,” said Neis. “But it does set a tone in my mind.” She said the gesture would “fare well” with taxpayers, should council have to make some hard choices during budget deliberations this year.Neis added she still opposes the method by which council established its pay increases in the first place. Staff opted to take the median salary of mayors and councillors in six similar-sized municipalities. But Neis favors Kelowna council’s method of appointing a citizen committee to review remuneration. The Central Okanagan Regional District board also uses a citizen committee.

Council dismissed Neis’ recommendation—no other councillor would second her motion to reject the raise. At least two other members of council, including Mayor Doug Findlater, were visibly uneasy at Neis’ recommendation. As mayor, Findlater will make $56,325 this year. One third is considered a tax-free allowance to compensate for costs of doing municipal business. When Neis served as mayor last year, she made $52,140. The job now pays 7.4 per cent more. West Kelowna’s six councillors received raises of 4.6 per cent this year bringing their pay to $20,101. Last year, a councillor position paid $19,166. Like the mayor’s salary, one-third is tax free. To determine the pay rates for council members, West Kelowna staff researched mayor and councillor remuneration in three smaller communities Langley, City North Cowichan and Port Moody—and three larger cities— Campbell River, Penticton and Vernon. The highest and lowest salaries were disregarded and an average of the remaining four was used.

Meanwhile, the fledgling municipality’s provisional budget is calling for a five per cent tax increase, primarily to bolster its tiny reserves. Chief financial officer Jim Zaffino said if council wants to reduce the amount of the increase, it will have to lower contributions to reserves .Council has requested Zaffino come back with a report showing what reserves would look like in five to 10 years if council approved anything less than a five per cent tax increase this year. West Kelowna council hopes to adopt its budget by April 28. Before then, it will hold at least two public input sessions, tentatively set for Feb. 17 and March 17.

Budget: Mayor cautiously optimistic

CASTANET Wayne Moore - Jan 26, 2009 News

the federal government plans to announce $7 billion in infrastructure spending as part of Tuesday's budget is welcome news to Kelowna's mayor. Earlier this month, the City of Kelowna presented a 'wish list' of capital projects to MP Ron Cannan, after the feds indicated infrastructure spending was one way to stimulate the economy. "I look forward to hearing the details. We recognize there will be a one-third, one-third, one-third funding split between provincial, federal and municipal funding," says Sharon Shepherd. "When we put forward our projects, we took into account all of those things, so we are ready to go."

According to the federal Conservatives, the projects would have to be ready to go right away.
The projects proposed by the City of Kelowna in order of priority, include:

• $8.8 million to construct multi-use pathways
  
• $3.4 million to upgrade the Laurel Packinghouse
  
• $11 million to build the Glenmore Road Bypass
  
• $24 million to four-lane Highway 33 between Muir and Gallagher roads
  
• $12.5 million to construct a four-lane bridge over Mission Creek on Gordon Drive
  
• $11 million to bring sanitary sewer to Hall Road.
  

Shepherd says only the Hall Road sewer project is not ready to proceed. She says more public consultation is required before that project is ready to go. The proposed infrastructure funding is to include $4 billion for provincial and municipal infrastructure, $2 billion for universities and colleges and $1 billion for green projects. "We don't know what the criteria will be. There's also a mention of building green funds. Some of them may be able to apply for those funds as well." In making the announcement Monday, Transportation Minister, John Baird, indicated the funds would be used for roads, bridges, water systems, sewer systems and transit. Details will be unveiled during Tuesday's Federal Budget, scheduled to be released at 1 p.m. Pacific Time Tuesday.

B.C. - Press Conference: Lower Mainland Postings Guaranteed

Vancouver, BC:

For the very first time in the police force’s history, the RCMP is proud to be kicking off its "Lower Mainland Postings Guaranteed" campaign. While many companies are laying off employees, the RCMP says: "We're hiring!".

As the RCMP works to meet its National recruiting goal of hiring 1,792 members a year for the next five years, a new Accelerated Application Process (AAP) has been implemented. This process is allowing the RCMP to put a limited number of potential applicants through the hiring process in 83 days. The traditional process can take an average 333 days.

In addition to the new Accelerated Application Process (AAP), the RCMP is now offering Lower Mainland residents this limited opportunity to receive a guarantee that they will be able to return after training to the Lower Mainland.

"The fast track process is designed to deliver recruits to the front line sooner and we can now guarantee that a candidate will be returning to a Lower Mainland community" says S/Sgt Doug Ferguson, Senior Recruiting NCO at Pacific Region Recruiting. "The candidates still have to meet all of our qualifications, but the processing has been streamlined. We have blended this Lower Mainland initiative with our already successful 83 day Accelerated Application Process".

Anyone interested in finding out how they can take advantage of this one time offer and become one of 32 new police officers policing our Lower Mainland Communities is invited to attend a special Career Presentation on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at the Justice Institute of British Columbia Lecture Theatre, 715 McBride Blvd, New Westminster, BC. A first presentation will be held at 9:00 am and a second one at 12:00 pm. Selected applicants will be able to attend RCMP training in 83 days and receive a $500.00/week allowance for 24 weeks (training, accommodation and meals are included) and as a three year Constable receive an annual salary of $75,657.00 plus benefits.

Vernon traffic enforcement blitz

CASTANET:
A traffic enforcement blitz in the North Okanagan went very well over the weekend. RCMP patrolled the local Vernon roads from Okanagan Landing Road, 20th Street near Harwood School and in the Regional District out near the Christian School on Pleasant Valley Road.
During their shift they wrote:

16 speeding charges
Two speeding in school zone
One seatbelt charge
One ticket for open liquor in the vehicle.

Vernon RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says they also issued three speeding warnings and four warnings for speeding in a school zone. “They also assisted in a foot chase, and with the recovery of a stolen license plate on a vehicle. The officers will continue to assist the Vernon Detachment with traffic enforcement throughout the year, in efforts to make the roads safer for everyone using them,” says Molendyk. He says they want to remind all drivers that it is an offence under the Motor Vehicle Act not to yield for pedestrians that are crossing the street in the crosswalk. “It could result in a $167 fine. The police office has received several complaints from pedestrians about this offence.”

Government blamed for job losses

CASTANET: Wayne Moore - Jan 26, 2009
More than 30 health care workers in Vernon and Armstrong are about to lose their jobs. The BC Government and Services Employees Union is placing the blame at the feet of the provincial government. All of the workers were employed by AdvoCare, a private health service company.
Union officials claim two health care facilities in Vernon and Armstrong terminated the contract with AdvoCare because they had just negotiated a new collective agreement with the facilities.
"This is another outrageous example of policies of the Campbell government that allow private health care operators to flip contracts at will to prevent front-line workers from earning a decent wage," says BCGEU President, Darryl Walker. He says in December, employees successfully negotiated a contract which saw salaries increase from $14 an hour to $18 an hour. "It's all linked to the Liberal's notorious Bill 29. Employers have massive powers to contract out important health care jobs and flip contracts at will."

INFLATION RATE

The annual inflation rate was 1.2 per cent in December, says Statistics Canada. Here's what happened in the provinces and territories. (Previous month in brackets):

-British Columbia 1.2 (2.0)

-Newfoundland and Labrador 1.2 (2.4)

-Prince Edward Island 0.0 (2.3)

-Nova Scotia -0.2 (1.3)

-New Brunswick -0.6 (0.6)

-Quebec 0.5 (1.4)

-Ontario 1.5 (2.1)

-Manitoba 1.9 (2.7)

-Saskatchewan 2.6 (3.2)

-Alberta 1.9 (2.4)

-Whitehorse, Yukon 3.0 (3.5)

-Yellowknife, N.W.T. 3.1 (4.7)

-Iqaluit, Nunavut 3.4 (3.4)

Doctors question emergency room upgrade

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 23, 2009 4:00 PM

The latest in technology will help streamline Vernon Jubilee Hospital’s emergency department, but some doctors insist it’s not enough. An electronic patient tracking system is being installed in the emergency department at a cost of $164,000. It will provide all of the details needed to assess and treat a patient. “As there is always grid lock and code purples and complete congestion, this board will be of little value. We need more funded beds,” said Dr. Chris Cunningham, former VJH medical staff president. “Without more funded beds at VJH, this board and anything else introduced will be of little help to patients and health care workers. We have had more code purples and a greater amount of over capacities with patients having no proper beds since all our previous cries for help several months ago.” Dr. Ed Hardy, current medical staff president, has mixed views about the new tracking system. “The ER docs should be able to see and evaluate patients more efficiently and move them through the department more quickly, but if they end up admitted, they might still end up stuck in ER if there are no beds elsewhere An electronic board of any colour won’t fix that problem,” said Hardy.

Installation of the tracking system comes at the same time that construction has been launched on the new $160 million patient care tower. “The new tower does nothing to address the critical bed shortage we have had yesterday, we have today, and we will have tomorrow and even well past the day the new tower opens,” said Cunningham. “We need the government to commit to funding more beds immediately and commit to funding beds in the two extra floors shelled into the new tower.” George Abbott, health minister, anticipates beds could be developed in the one shelled-in floor after the tower opens in 2011, and the second one some time after that. “The beds will come as needed and clearly they are needed,” he said, adding that the tower project is an indication of the government taking the doctors’ concerns seriously. “All of that is needed to relieve pressure on a really good hospital. It’s one of the biggest projects in B.C.”

With the tracking system, doctors and nurses will have access to information like triage level, bed number, symptoms and updates on lab orders. It will eliminate the need to manually track down these details. “It won’t alleviate code purple but it will allow us to use the space more effectively,” said Dr. Manish Bhatt, emergency department head.“The white board will allow us to continue to see patients effectively and quickly. We want to take care of our patients and community and this will help.”

Doctors question emergency room upgrade

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 23, 2009 4:00 PM

The latest in technology will help streamline Vernon Jubilee Hospital’s emergency department, but some doctors insist it’s not enough. An electronic patient tracking system is being installed in the emergency department at a cost of $164,000. It will provide all of the details needed to assess and treat a patient. “As there is always grid lock and code purples and complete congestion, this board will be of little value. We need more funded beds,” said Dr. Chris Cunningham, former VJH medical staff president. “Without more funded beds at VJH, this board and anything else introduced will be of little help to patients and health care workers. We have had more code purples and a greater amount of over capacities with patients having no proper beds since all our previous cries for help several months ago.” Dr. Ed Hardy, current medical staff president, has mixed views about the new tracking system. “The ER docs should be able to see and evaluate patients more efficiently and move them through the department more quickly, but if they end up admitted, they might still end up stuck in ER if there are no beds elsewhere An electronic board of any colour won’t fix that problem,” said Hardy.

Installation of the tracking system comes at the same time that construction has been launched on the new $160 million patient care tower. “The new tower does nothing to address the critical bed shortage we have had yesterday, we have today, and we will have tomorrow and even well past the day the new tower opens,” said Cunningham. “We need the government to commit to funding more beds immediately and commit to funding beds in the two extra floors shelled into the new tower.” George Abbott, health minister, anticipates beds could be developed in the one shelled-in floor after the tower opens in 2011, and the second one some time after that. “The beds will come as needed and clearly they are needed,” he said, adding that the tower project is an indication of the government taking the doctors’ concerns seriously. “All of that is needed to relieve pressure on a really good hospital. It’s one of the biggest projects in B.C.”

With the tracking system, doctors and nurses will have access to information like triage level, bed number, symptoms and updates on lab orders. It will eliminate the need to manually track down these details. “It won’t alleviate code purple but it will allow us to use the space more effectively,” said Dr. Manish Bhatt, emergency department head.“The white board will allow us to continue to see patients effectively and quickly. We want to take care of our patients and community and this will help.”

City’s actions send chill over park

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning StarPublished: January 23, 2009 4:00 PM

A mountain of snow is creating a pile of problems for some dog lovers. People who regularly walk their dogs at BX Ranch Park are shocked that mounds of snow cleared from Vernon roads and parking lots are taking up so much of the 27-acre site on BX Road. “It’s a great wall of Vernon,” said Lynne Johaneson of the snow. Among the concerns is the snow is taking up space that dogs usually use to run and that used to provide distance between the animals so there aren’t conflicts. “I was in among the piles and somebody said, ‘I’ve lost a Great Dane, have you seen it?’ And I had lost a border collie,” said Belinda Stewart. There is also a concern that road-related chemicals could impact the health of dogs if ingested, and nails and other debris has been found among the snow.“All of this stuff could hurt the dogs,” said Nancy Higgitt. There are also fears that the large trucks and front-end loaders dumping the snow are causing physical damage to the park — creating ruts and scraping off the turf. “It’s a despicable way to treat a park. It’s a community park and not a dumping ground,” said Ray Ivey, BX-Swan Lake Community Association president.

“Would this be tolerated in Polson Park? I don’t think so.” BX Creek is nearby and Ivey wonders what the chemicals will do to water quality once the snow melts. “Whatever is put on the streets is here now,” he said, adding that he has taken some snow for testing. Johaneson wants the City of Vernon to stop storing snow at BX Ranch Park. “Why is this the only place they are dumping at?” she said. The city was given permission to use the site by the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee. “They’ve been dumping snow in there for five years,” said Al McNiven, parks and recreation administrator. “This year we’ve had a lot of snow so more has been dumped than in the past.” The snow piles are supposed to be as close to BX Road as possible, but McNiven admits that hasn’t occurred this winter. “It wasn’t done the way it should be done,” said McNiven, who isn’t concerned about potential impact on the creek. “Runoff in the city goes into the storm drains and goes straight into the creeks. At least here, it has to go through the soil and there’s some filtration,” he said.

GVAC did not seek approval from the Ministry of Environment for the city to store snow next to BX Creek. Upset over the situation is Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director. “It’s a bloody mess. It’s blatantly apparent that we’re not helping the park by dumping snow there,” said Macnabb. “I understand there’s an agreement (between the city and GVAC) but it’s public park. To use this park as a snow dump, there’s something wrong with this approach.” Macnabb plans to raise the issue at the next GVAC meeting. Wayne Lippert, Vernon mayor and GVAC chairman, is aware of the residents’ concerns. “We realize melting snow may be a hazard and we are cognizant of it,” he said. However, he says city staff collect garbage at the site and studies have been done on the potential impact of road chemicals on the creek. “To my understanding, it hasn’t been an issue,” he said.

City tax hike aims for two

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 22, 2009

Vernonites could see a tax increase of at least two per cent, but some officials want that whittled down further. City staff was directed Thursday to work towards a two per cent residential property tax increase, not including fire protection services. It’s anticipated that further discussions next week will identify the overall 2009 hike. “We could see a two per cent increase, including fire protection. But I still would like to see it at zero,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. That is also the view of Coun. Patrick Nicol referring to some departmental surpluses and reserves. “We’ve been taxing people for money and not using it,” he said.

However, Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe fears that a zero per cent situation could lead to residents being hit by double-digit tax increases in the years to come. “I don’t want to reduce it where we create a problem for ourselves in the future,” she said. Coun. Jack Gilroy would have been comfortable with a 3.5 per cent overall increase as long as it went to infrastructure improvements. “We need to keep up with what we’ve been doing,” he said.

One challenge in determining the overall tax increase is the fire protection budget, which is billed separately. Presently, the fire protection budget calls for a 15.8 per cent hike. “Council will look at it and have an opportunity to make adjustments,” said Lippert. On Thursday, several items were added to the overall budget for consideration. While everything in the budget would amount to a 5.18 per cent tax increase, surpluses and reserves will be used at to bring it down to two per cent. Among the extra items are an addition to council chambers, an environmental resources co-ordinator and enhancement to the noxious weed program. There was no consensus on creating a full-time transportation demand management position at $87,000 a year to pursue transportation alternatives like transit and cycling. And that caused some frustration for Coun. Buffy Baumbrough. “It was a huge piece in our official community plan. If we wish this to be successful, we need to invest the resources,” she said.

Options for transportation demand management, including a part-time position, will be reviewed, but Nicol insists there must be a balance between programs and taxes.“You just can’t do everything in this economy,” he said.

One item that didn’t come up, but is expected to at Monday’s council meeting, is the future of the proposed roundabout at Pleasant Valley Road and 32nd Avenue.The city has budgeted $310,000 for upgrades to that intersection, including $30,000 for the roundabout. Even if the roundabout is cancelled, much of the money will still be spent. “Most of the money is for the work in the ground like pipes, sidewalks and curbs,” said Lippert. Council will meet Jan. 28 at 8 a.m. to continue work on the budget, including a public input session.

Layoffs out as Penticton council looks for budget cuts

JOHN MOORHOUSE Wednesday, January 21, 2009 Penticton Herald:

Penticton city council has backed off a proposed 10 per cent budget cut -- and is now looking to its employees for suggestions on saving money. Close to 100 city workers crowded into council chambers Monday night, amid fears many of them could be losing their jobs in the budget crunch. However, instead of a 10 per cent cut, council unanimously agreed to seek “reasonable reductions, added efficiencies and new revenue sources” in its 2009 budget deliberations while maintaining or enhancing 2006-07 service levels. Suggestions that from 30 to 50 jobs could be lost were refuted by Coun. John Vassilaki, who brought forward the 10 per cent reduction proposal following presentation of the draft budget earlier this month.

The draft budget, which has yet to be debated by council, includes a proposed 2.37 per cent tax increase to cover debt expenses, while trimming various operating expenses including a $390,000 cut in labour costs. Vassilaki said he is well aware his call for a dramatic budget reduction was probably unrealistic. He called for greater efficiencies in all city departments, rather than layoffs. “It burns my backside that no attempt was made by senior staff and other management to really look at practical ways to reduce the 2009 budget other than decreasing staff,” Vassilaki said. Mayor Dan Ashton said these are unprecedented times and the budget reflects that fact. He noted all city staff members were sent e-mails this week asking for budget suggestions, with further opportunity for public input as well.

One of the first to comment was Mark Billesberger, a laid-off city public works labourer. In a prepared address to council, Billesberger supported questioned the city‘s current ratio of managers to working staff. There are currently 30 managers for approximately 240 city workers. “It is my position that there is no need for this many managers to effectively run the city,” he said. He suggested by cutting 10 managers at a median salary of $75,000, the city could save $750,000 a year. Billesberger also supported calls to revise city policy regarding the sale of used city vehicles and suggested the city only replace vehicles when repair costs become unreasonable. “These vehicles are kept in tip-top running condition by our team of crack mechanics,” he said. “Most of these vehicles that are being traded in have absolutely nothing wrong with them.”

Coun. Garry Litke said he thinks council‘s budget process was backwards, starting with a proposed slash, rather than assessing the city‘s needs first and then determining what it can afford. Litke said council should get ready for the federal budget, which some say could provide grant money for “shovel ready” municipal projects. “We were elected to provide service to this community,” he said. “Not to throw inflammatory ill-considered thoughts out into the community that do create division and in my view, a lack of productivity while everybody is concerned about the rumours that are out there.” Patti Finch, president of CUPE Local 608, said council‘s decision to back off the 10 per cent budget cut comes with great relief. “It‘s a lot easier to think of ways to help save the city‘s money, when we‘re not worried about our own pocketbooks,” she said. Coun. Mike Pearce said he believes council will eventually settle on some sort of tax increase. He pointed to a request for additional firefighters, plus negative reaction to a proposed cut in the Penticton RCMP detachment. “We‘re faced with so many demands, it‘s just unreal,” Pearce said. “We need to hear all the input before we can make a rational decision.” “Likely at the end of the day, I think taxes are probably going to go up a bit,” he said. “But that is not shared by everybody on this council.” No date for the start of council‘s actual budget deliberations has been set, although Ashton said that will occur as soon as possible. “We‘re going to get to a budget that may not be acceptable to all, but will be acceptable to most of the people in Penticton,” the mayor said.

Zero budget increase in sight in Vernon

Wayne Moore Jan 21, 2009

Vernon taxpayers could see something they haven't seen in about 10 years - a zero percent tax increase. Following Wednesday's budget meeting, Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert, says a zero per cent increase is within reach. "I can see where we can still come in at zero and still look after everything. It's looking good. Vernon is in good shape that way," says Lippert. "It will be Council's decision about what's in and what's out, but we do have a good opportunity to get under the 2.5% for sure." Lippert says his concern is that services are being delivered to the satisfaction of the citizens while at the same time, infrastructure is being looked after. "Before, when Vernon did have a reputation for having zero budgets, at the same time, we weren't always keeping up with infrastructure, so when we did have to do it the costs were quite significant."

Vernon Council began the budget process looking at a 2.5% tax increase. Following Wednesday's session, that increase is significantly lower according to Lippert. He says $1 million earmarked for property for future firehall locations has been eliminated along with a request for 10 new firefighters and dispatchers. Lippert says those will be looked at under a Fire Services Strategic Plan, due later this year. Still to be determined is the possible addition of four new RCMP officers and five support staff, renovations to bring Council Chambers up to provincial building code, roads and sewers, among other projects. Lippert expects Vernon Council to complete budget deliberations when it gets together again Thursday morning.

First In

Betty Selin - Vernon 105.7 SUNFM:

The race is underway for the Liberal nomination in the Vernon Monashee Riding. Businessman, Michael Tindall has announced he's seeking the nomination. Tindall says Tom Christensen will be a "tough act to follow", but he is honoured to have the opportunity to put his name forward. He says the largest issue facing the province is the worsening economy and he has the experience and skills to make meaningful contributions in the revitalization of the province. Lumby Mayor's has invited the media to a press conference this afternoon.Last week we told you Eric Foster was considering a bid for the Liberal nomination. MLA Tom Christensen surprised everyone last week when he announced he would not be seeking re-election in May.

Cost cutting

Web posted on Tuesday, 20 January 2009 CHBC

When one Okanagan city trys to trim its budget even police jobs are on the chopping block.

Mayor Chooses His Priorities

City Of Vernon :

It's been an interesting week for Vernon's Mayor, Wayne Lippert. Having been contacted by various groups of supporters this past week, Lippert was urged to consider standing for the nomination of MLA, the office that will be left vacant in May of this year by the retiring, Tom Christensen. Nevertheless, as honored as he is to be considered, Mayor Lippert announces today that his priority for the next three years will be to the citizens of Vernon.

"After taking this weekend to think things over, I feel this is not the right time for a political move such as this. After just receiving the mandate a few weeks ago to serve a second term as Vernon's mayor, I'm not interested in changing hats at this time and inflicting a costly bi-election on the public. As much as I would love to serve in this position at some point in my political career, I think both the public and I would be better served if I use the next three years to gain more experience in public life before moving on to the provincial arena."

"I am extremely honored that so many supporters placed their faith in me, and although I would have been pleased to run for this nomination, I know that my November commitment to continue with the mandate of my second term, is more important. My promise, at that time, was to continue providing strong leadership, fiscal responsibility and the implementation our new Official Community Plan, and I want to see this through."

Over the next three years, Mayor Lippert will continue fostering open communication at City Hall and build on his already positive relationships with provincial and federal politicians, in particular, the new MLA for the North Okanagan, whoever that may be.

• News Release Document - 22Kb PDF

Council considers taking over financing of Olympic Village to save costs

CBC NEWS

Vancouver's finance director is recommending the city pay for the rest of the Olympic Village's construction through a direct loan to the builder, saying that method of financing would cut down on costs. A report from Kenneth Bayne presented to city council Tuesday afternoon suggests the city's best option is to take over financing the project and advance the next construction payment, due in February, directly to the developers. A direct loan to builder Millennium Development Corp. would have the advantage of cutting financing costs for the project because the city would charge interest of about five per cent, less than half of what Millennium is currently paying to its financers, Bayne says.If council approves the recommendation, it will borrow up to $458 million to finish construction of the Olympic Village for the 2010 Winter Olympics.Bayne also recommends the city use Millennium's $29-million deposit on the Southeast False Creek land, where the Olympic Village is being built, to help cover the February payment for construction costs. The city would then have until March 3 to borrow the rest of the money to complete the project, Bayne said.The city received unlimited borrowing power to ensure the project's completion after the B.C. legislature approved Bill 47 during a special sitting over the weekend, allowing the city to borrow money without going to referendum. "Providing this type of support is a highly unusual role for the city to play," Bayne says in his report to council. "However, the refusal of the current lender to provide funding to complete the project suggests that this may be the only way to ensure project completion."

Fortress Investment Group, a New-York based hedge fund, was to loan $750 million for the project. But it stopped payments to Millennium in September, after it had provided $317 million, because of the ongoing turmoil in global financial and real estate markets. Since then, the city has been covering construction costs with a $100-million bailout loan approved during an in-camera council meeting on Oct. 14.Cost overruns have pushed the project cost to $875 million. The development site is on city-owned land worth $200 million, putting the value of the whole development at more than $1 billion.

The City of Vancouver planned to sell some of the 1,100 condos following the Olympics to recoup its investment, but the worldwide recession has caused housing prices to drop. While the Vancouver Organizing Committee, known as VANOC, has repeatedly said the village's problems rest with the municipality, its executive vice-president in charge of marketing and sponsorship acknowledged Tuesday that the problems are tainting the Games as a whole."When you hear the words Olympic bailout, people assume that these are costs that are being spent because of the Games, which is simply not the case," Dave Cobb maintained. "If the village, for example, … makes $200 million, I don't think people are going to be saying that's Olympic profit and contributing it to us."

Fake cash leads to real trouble

Castanet:
Those hundred dollar bills won’t buy much, except maybe a jail sentence. A search warrant was executed at a residence in the 4400 block of 16th Street in Vernon Monday afternoon as RCMP searched for evidence of a counterfeiting operation. RCMP spokesperson, Gord Molendyk, says a 21-year-old man was arrested at the residence. “Officers seized a large amount of counterfeit Canadian currency that was being reproduced there, along with equipment the suspect was using in the counterfeiting operation,” says Molendyk. He says the investigation started in December as reports of counterfeit Canadian 20's, 50's and 100 dollar bills were showing up in the Vernon and Armstrong area. “Officers continued to investigate these reports until their suspect was identified and they could determine where he was working from.” Molendyk says the suspect has been released on a promise to appear and is expected to face charges of making counterfeit money and possession of counterfeit instruments. He is scheduled to appear in court in May.

Two developments pull the pin

Wayne Moore - Jan 20, 2009 CASTANET:
Two developments, previously approved by Kelowna Council, have been put on the shelf, at least temporarily. Developers for a 13-unit apartment complex at 1094 Lawson Avenue and a 22-unit apartment at 644 Lequime, have both informed the city they will not be going ahead with the projects. Urban Land Use Manager, Danielle Noble, says the developers in each case are looking to rescind development and variance permits in order to release the security deposit on the subject properties. "At this point in time, the applicants are seeking to release the servicing and landscape bonding relating to the development permit or variance permits," says Noble. "It is necessary to rescind the development permit in order that staff can release the associated bonding. It's more of a formality."

With the prospect of other developments being terminated due to the current economy, council did have some concerns about the process of bringing back these developments when economic conditions improve. Noble says it is not possible to allow a development permit to just sit idle. "The zoning obviously stays with the property, but should they pursue a development either under the current owner or it gets sold and a new applicant comes forward, they have to go through the process as would any other applicant." She did indicate development applications that are brought back after initial approval had been given would require less time and therefore fee structures could be changed to reflect the time involved. Staff is currently in the midst of creating a policy to reflect these situations. Meantime, Councillor Luke Stack, says its important council be apprised of these types of withdrawls.

"Today we have two nice apartment building projects that have been put on the shelf for various reasons and it's important we all know that because it is an indication of the changing economy," says Stack. "It's important we keep our finger on the pulse of what's happening in the community. One of the advantages of having it come before council is it gives us an opportunity to see some of the changes that are taking place in the marketplace."

Budget Meeting Vernon

SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21st, 2009
9:00 AM UNTIL 11:30 AM

Agenda - 206Kb
Agenda Package - 781Kb

Managers first to go as B.C. Ferries cuts costs

Jeff Nagel - BC Local News Published: January 20, 2009

Declining ferry travel due to the economic downturn has prompted B.C. Ferries to cut 35 managers and warn front-line staff they may face layoffs as well. In the face of a significant drop in ferry ridership and the resulting adverse impact on revenues, we must act to reduce the company's management and administrative costs," president and CEO David Hahn announced Tuesday.The administrative job cuts include several senior managers and director-level positions."While no front line or ship-based employees are directly impacted at this time by this corporate restructuring, further changes and possible layoffs are anticipated in shore-based positions, including unionized staff," Hahn said.He said the ferry corporation is committed to aligning its costs with the reduced public demand for ferry sailings "during these uncertain and turbulent times."

Graffiti tagging team busted

Rachael Kimola - Jan 20, 2009 CASTANET:
A pair of prolific taggers have been busted in the North Okanagan. Two young men, ages 18 and 19, were arrested in downtown Vernon over the weekend and are facing possible charges of mischief for their part in graffiti tagging more than two dozen buildings in both Armstrong and Vernon. Vernon RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says the two were noticed acting suspiciously by Vernon bylaws officers. “One was known to police and had been caught tagging buildings about a year ago. With the help of officers from Armstrong, they were able to tie the two in together and after some time the two individuals admitted to doing some tagging in our area,” says Molendyk. He says the two likely caused thousands of dollars in damage to the buildings they tagged in terms of the costs associated with removing graffiti. Molendyk says the two can’t be named until charges are approved and that could take a couple of weeks.

City honours snow removal crew

Wayne Moore - Jan 20, 2009 CASTANET:
It was a form of recognition they have never received before. Nearly 150 members of the City of Kelowna snow removal crew packed City Council chambers Monday as they were honoured for their work over the past month. "This is something we've never done before," says Mayor Sharon Shepherd in introducing those in attendance. "We want to say thank you and recognize all the effort that you have had to embark on over the last four-and-a-half weeks." Transportation Services Manager, Dale Beaudry, who will retire later this year, told council his crew went almost non-stop from December 12 to January 10. "During that time, we spent $1.1 million of the $1.3 million budgeted for the season," says Beaudry. "Our longest straight stretch of work was 72 hours non-stop. During that time, the equipment stopped running just long enough to change drivers." Beaudry says crews plowed the equivalent of 1,550 km of roads, 380 km of sidewalks, 45 parking lots and all roads within the parks. "We cleared snow from around 8,000 catch basins, 1,950 fire hydrants, 754 culs-de-sac and dead end streets, 113 bus stops and multiple wheelchair ramps, which are too many to count." He adds 360 loads of snow were also removed from downtown, town centres, culs-de-sac and areas where sight lines were being compromised.

"I want to recognize our mechanical staff who repair and maintain equipment that was running around the clock. Last, but certainly not least, the very courageous staff that answer the calls coming in." Beaudry says callers invariably like to vent on the first person who answers the phone. "These ladies deal with them both professionally and courteously. These calls resulted in 585 service requests entered into the tracking system." While snow removal crews were able to enjoy their first weekend at home in a month last weekend, the break could be short lived. The long range forecast calls for snow flurries Thursday and Friday.

PREMIER REALIGNS CABINET TO MEET ECONOMIC CHALLENGES

VICTORIA – Premier Gordon Campbell today announced the appointment of Blair Lekstrom as Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and the appointment of Kevin Krueger as the new Minister of Community Development. The provincial cabinet has also been realigned, creating a new Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development to be led by Minister Ida Chong. Previous functions under the Ministry of Small Business and Revenue, such as tax collection, natural resource revenues, and collection and loan management, will be folded into the Ministry of Finance. The Small Business Roundtable and smart regulation will now fall under Small Business, Technology and Economic Development. Property assessments and homeowner grants will move to the Ministry of Community Development. Climate action has been moved from the Office of the Premier to the Ministry of Environment. There are also a number of changes to the senior executive of the BC Public Service. “We are going through a period of unprecedented economic change, and government is not immune to that change,” said Premier Campbell. “Today is another part of our ongoing response to those shifts – both by ensuring we continue to have strong leadership in our economic ministries, and also by reducing the size of cabinet.” Ida Chong was appointed Minister of Technology, Trade and Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative on June 23, 2008. She previously served as Minister of Community Services, Minister of Advanced Education and as Minister of State for Women’s and Seniors’ Services. She was re-elected as MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head in 2005 after being elected in 1996 and re-elected in 2001. Kevin Krueger was appointed Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister Responsible for Regulatory Reform on June 23, 2008. He previously served as Minister of State for Mining. He was re-elected as MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson in 2005 after being elected in 1996 and re-elected in 2001. Blair Lekstrom was appointed Minister of Community Development on June 23, 2008. He was first elected in the 2001 provincial general election in the riding of Peace River South, and was re-elected for a second term in the 2005 general election. “I want to thank Richard Neufeld for his years of exceptional service as part of the provincial cabinet, and for his 18 years of dedicated service representing his constituents as MLA. I know he will continue to be a strong voice for British Columbia as a member of the Senate,” said Premier Campbell. “I also want to thank Ministers Chong, Krueger and Lekstrom for accepting their new roles and helping to lead British Columbia forward.”

Suspicious fire destroys home

CASTANET: Rachael Kimola - Jan 19, 2009
A suspicious fire destroyed a house in the North Okanagan over the weekend. Fire fighters from the BX Fire Department responded to the call of a structure fire in the 6700 block of Old Kamloops Road just after 4 p.m. Saturday. Fire Chief Bill Wacey says when he arrived on scene, the fire was fully engulfed and the home’s roof was collapsing into itself. “It was a very stubborn fire to fight. We had some accessibility issues because the driveway hadn’t been cleared of snow, so we had to bring our hoses up over the back bank. Plus the fire had spread to the floor jousts, so we couldn’t fight it on the inside, all the fighting of the flames had to be done from the outside,” says Wacey. He says the home, which was undergoing renovations, was totally destroyed. “Luckily, since it was being renovated, no one was home at the time of the fire. We believe it started in the living room and the cause is suspicious.” The fire is being investigated by Vernon RCMP.

Family Y seeks extra cash for expansion

Kelowna Daily Courier:
The City of Kelowna‘s 2009 budget could be reworked to provide more financial support towards a planned expansion of the Family Y. Officials with the Y have a $4.8-million plan to expand the facility with a gym, walking and running track, youth activity space and expanded fitness area. They hope to receive $2 million from the city – but at council‘s budget-setting session earlier this month, only $250,000 was included for the project. “This project is not included in the city‘s 10-year capital plan,” reads part of a staff report that will be submitted today to council.H owever, the suggestion is that possible city funding for the Y expansion be considered again before May 4, when the 2009 budget is expected to be finalized. As currently projected, the budget would trigger a tax increase of 3.3 per cent, or an extra $50, for the owner of a typical Kelowna single-family detached home. If council were to decide to include the full requested amount of $2 million for the Y expansion in this year‘s budget, the tax increase would rise to 3.5 per cent. To finance the expansion, another $2 million would come from a fundraising campaign initiated by the Y, $500,000 from Y reserves and borrowing of $300,000.

Hwy resurfacing projects get $6M

CASTANET:

Millions of dollars will be spent on highway infrastructure in the Okanagan thanks to a couple of recently awarded government contracts. Both Highway 97 and Highway 97C will benefit from resurfacing projects worth a total of nearly $6 million. Green Roads Recycling Ltd. was the successful bid winner for the following two projects:

$1,299,490 to resurface two sections of Highway 97 - a 3.95 kilometre two lane section south of Peachland from the Greata four lane section to Deep Creek Bridge and a 5.28 kilometre four lane section from the Drought Interchange to Gellatly Road.
$4,685,170 to resurface the eastbound and westbound lanes of the Okanagan Connector, Highway 97C, from the Highway 97 junction to the Brenda Mines Exit.

Okanagan-Westside MLA Rick Thorpe says this project uses hot-in-place resurfacing, which is an innovative paving technique that reduces greenhouse gas emissions from road construction by recycling existing road materials to create a safe and smooth road surface. “This resurfacing process prevents water infiltration and the subsequent loss of roadbed structural strength. Work on the Highway 97 project will occur from late May to August of 2009 and will be done at night from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Traffic delays on the two lane section south of Peachland are expected to be limited to a maximum of 20 minutes per lane,” says Thorpe. He says traffic delays on the four lane section will be minimal with single lane closures resulting in continuous traffic flow at reduced speeds. Work on the Okanagan Connector, Highway 97C, will occur from late May to July 2009 and will be done during daytime hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tumbler Ridge - Avalanche Causes Death Near Tumbler Ridge

2009-01-18 10:25 PST RCMP

On January 17, 2009 at approximately 2:30 PM, a group of six snowmobilers were in the area of the "Back Meadows" on Babcock Mountain when the side hill they were on broke free. One of their group had been highmarking at the time of the slide. The rest of the group was at the bottom of the hill, off to one side and were not taken by the slide. The lone male was buried by the slide and was not located prior to him perishing. The male was eventually located with the assistance of other snowmobilers who had been in the area. The other five members of the group were able to get out of the area without injury following the incident. At this time no names are being released prior to family being notified.

Further releases will be sent out as more information is obtained. Tumbler Ridge RCMP wants to remind the public to be aware of the avalanche rating for the area that they are in. Also to ensure that you are fully prepared to be in the mountains sledding. This includes taking the needed equipment, ie: probe pole, shovel and locator beacon.