NEW LIBERAL TAX REVEALS DECEIT, ARROGANCE - July 30, 2009

BC Conservative Press Release on the HST

The announcement by the BC Liberals to harmonize the provincial sales tax with the GST, after promising never to do so, is the mark of a deceitful and arrogant government, says BC Conservative Party president, Wayne McGrath. McGrath says that the move also reveals a desperate government looking for more and more ways to make up for its colossal blunders and overruns, such as the RAV line, The Vancouver Convention Centre and other Olympic related projects. “The HST is just another way for Premier Campbell to get more money from BC taxpayers. By harmonizing the PST with the hated GST, sales taxes will now apply to goods and services that were previously exempted. It is just another tax grab,” said McGrath.

“I also believe it is a convenient way to take people’s attention off of his scandalous behavior regarding the destruction of emails in the BC Legislature Raid case,” McGrath added.“The fact there has been no internal government investigation into who ordered the destruction of those files tells you volumes about what kind of ethics are emanating from the Premier’s Office.”McGrath says that even though Campbell received a third majority it does not give his government carte blanche to destroy evidence in criminal trials or to levy new taxes during a recession. “This puts the lie to the idea of these Liberals being a fiscally responsible government. You don’t hit people with punitive taxes on goods and services during a slowdown in the economy and expect it to help get us out of the recession. That kind of thinking belongs to socialists, leftists and progressives, not fiscally responsible government. This simply proves what we have contended all along – that the BC Liberals are “big government liberals”, not small ‘c’ conservatives.” “Now you can add duplicitous, deceitful and arrogant to that description as well,” concluded McGrath.

The BC Conservative Party believes that any perceived benefits derived from harmonization could also be achieved with amendments to the PST and without the massive tax increases to BC residents proposed by the BC Liberals. The BC Conservatives would also bring in a single rate of tax on incomes that would be applied only after a basic personal exemption, equivalent to minimum wage, so that low income earners do not pay tax, and working people are able to get ahead by not being taxed in a higher bracket every time they get a raise or work overtime.

For additional information: Wayne McGrath 250.542.7744 nwmcgrath@shaw.ca

Cash incentives for green farmers

Ron Seymour 2009-07-31 Kelowna Herald:

Farmers across B.C can access up to $10 million in the next four years to make environmentally friendly changes to their operations. High-efficiency drip irrigation systems, fences to keep cattle away from streams and improved fuel storage are some of the upgrades that may qualify for financial assistance from the federal and provincial governments.Generally speaking, farmers may expect to recoup about 20 per cent of the extra cost involved in a project deemed to have significant environmental benefits. “That could be the little bit of an incentive that makes a farmer consider that it‘s worth doing,” Agriculture and Lands Minister Steve Thomson said Thursday, as the program was explained during a press conference at St. Hubertus Estate Winery on Lakeshore Road.Winery co-owner Leo Gebert, who has used a similar program in the past, stressed that farmers will still cover the bulk of the cost for any new environmentally friendly equipment or farming procedure.But it‘s still worth doing, he said, because more sensitive farming practices, such as techniques that reduce pesticide use, help to ensure a better environment “for our kids in the future.” Drip irrigation systems, used by about half the farmers in the Valley, cut water consumption on a typical orchard by about 70 per cent. But the systems are expensive to install, compared to overhead sprinklers, and, even with the savings in water charges, it can take eight years for the conversion to pay for itself. With the new government assistance, Gebert estimated that timespan could be reduced to five years.“Water is really the resource we have to cherish and value,” said Kelowna-Lake Country MP Ron Cannan.The assistance program is funded 60 per cent by Ottawa and 40 per cent by Victoria.

Budget borrowing voted down in Dawson Creek

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — Streets won’t be paved, one will remain washed out and a municipal park’s foundation will deteriorate for another year after 10% of Dawson Creek residents voted down a bylaw that would allow the city to borrow $4 million to cover costs for such projects.Mayor Mike Bernier told a council meeting that some of what needs to be done will have to be ‘‘postponed indefinitely’’ after opposition to a borrowing bylaw.He said borrowing money is the most practical way to fund large projects and that the city has used such bylaws for the past 20 years because that’s a regular part of how a municipality funds capital infrastructure projects.‘‘If you had to pay cash that year your taxes would go up 50%,’’ Bernier said. ‘‘It’s not practical. It’s not a way to run a business. It’s not a way to run a city.’’ Bernier said citizens, including those who signed the counter petition, should get involved with the city’s budget process and help shape the outcome.‘‘When we have the budget meetings a very small percentage of people show up and that’s when we’re making decisions that run the community,’’ he said.

Band Says No Plans To Close Road

Fri, 2009-07-31 08:55. Starlee Speers-Vernon105.7 SUNFM:

The City of Vernon can expect a letter from the Okanagan Indian Band's lawyers soon regarding Lakeshore Road. That from Band chief Fabian Alexis who tells Sun FM there are no plans to close or block the road.Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert says he hasn't spoken to the Band chief or council since May when the band cancelled improvement work to the area.A press release issued by the Band this week reconfirmed its ownership of the road but Lippert says city records dating back to the 1900's prove otherwise.

Band maintains ownership of road

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: July 30, 2009 6:00 PM

The fate of a Vernon road remains uncertain. The Okanagan Indian Band continues to insist it owns Lakeshore Road from Tronson Road to Vernon Creek, and that it will take “appropriate steps” to protect reserve land from trespass and abuse. “We are looking at all of our avenues including legal. We’re not saying we will do anything yet,” Chief Fabian Alexis told The Morning Star. In late May, the band indicated the road could be shut down, but Alexis would not comment on that possibility. The band has issued letters to the Department of Indian Affairs, the provincial government, the City of Vernon and the RCMP regarding the matter. “We never surrendered ownership,” said Alexis, adding that the band’s case is documented.In a press release, the band council states development of Lakeshore Road never followed legal requirements and a specific claim has been filed with the federal government.“The band’s concerns are exacerbated by the fact that some local residents use the road to gain vehicular access to the band’s Kin Beach, where their conduct has given rise to band concerns for public health, safety and proper land use.”

Vernon’s mayor questions what the band means by “appropriate steps.” “It doesn’t say when or how. It doesn’t give any information to work with or information to work with the band,” said Wayne Lippert. “For us to understand their issues, we need to talk and if they won’t talk to us, that makes it very difficult for us.” While the band states the beach has been abused by the public, Lippert says the city was willing to initiate a $733,000 project at very little cost to the band.“We had an agreement to do some improvements there. When they turned us down, I questioned what their concerns really were,” he said.

The city claims it has authority over the road right-of-way. “The road was a travelled route before 1938 when the reserve was set up. There are documents that show the road was originally known as Lake Drive and that goes back to 1910,” said Lippert.

No changes planned for city intersection

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: July 30, 2009 6:00 PM

An intersection in Vernon will remain as it is despite some complaints. Council received a report Monday on realignment of 25th Avenue and 27th Street. Within the document, city staff explain why the old stop sign and merge northbound on to 27th have been replaced with a stop sign and north/south turn on to 27th. “It answers a lot of the questions,” said Coun. Bob Spiers of the report. Spiers had heard numerous complaints from residents about the new traffic pattern at the intersection. But staff indicate that the changes to the intersection were a result of 16 accidents over five years. “The previous layout required vehicles exiting 25th Avenue to merge with vehicles already traveling northbound on 27th Street,” said Amanda Watson, transportation technician, in her written report to council. “This often led to inappropriate approach speeds and the drivers exiting 25th Avenue were required to view the directly approaching traffic and check their blind spots, by looking backwards over their shoulder. These factors are known to lead to misjudgments regarding the distance, speed and location of safe gaps in the approaching traffic.” The new alignment requires drivers exiting 25th Avenue to approach 27th Street on a reduced angle and stop. “This reduces the distance over which vehicular conflicts can occur and enables drivers then to simply look to their left to see the oncoming traffic directly and be better able to judge speed and distance,” said Watson.

Spiers wants staff to post the report on the city website (www.vernon.ca). “It’s really good and will answer a lot of questions for our residents,” he said. Coun. Shawn Lee supports the new intersection, saying the former blind spot put motorists at extreme risk. “I’m happy with the changes that have been made there,” he said. And more work is planned for later this year. “The second phase, to widen the shoulder on the east side of 27th Street between Highway 6 and 25th Avenue, is planned to be undertaken October this year,” said Watson. “This final phase will further improve sight lines of the approaching traffic, whilst providing a more bicycle friendly shoulder on this well-used part of the bike network.”

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Don Quixote Note:

The report (to be posted online) will indicate to the concerned citizens the reason for the changes made. The changes that will further improve the sightlines on October will hopefully bring further improvements that will reduce the accidents at this location. I will be asking for an accident update report in spring of 2010 to see if this safety recommended change was warranted.

The staff report that will be posted online at City of Vernon Site can also be found here:

25th Ave and 27th st exit. (STAFF REPORT)

Subdivision slated for Landing site

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: July 30, 2009 6:00 PM

Resort plans for a contentious Okanagan Landing property have been replaced by blueprints for a subdivision. Vernon council gave two readings Monday to a bylaw that would rezone 9650 Eastside Road from tourist commercial to hillside residential. If rezoning occurs, 120 single and two-family units will be built on the 25 acres. “What we will build is attainable houses people can afford,” said developer Craig Stowe. This isn’t the first time that Stowe has been before council.

In 2007, he attempted to have the former Paraiso Point campground rezoned from tourist commercial to resort residential to allow for a 100-unit project. However, considerable debate surfaced in the community and the council-of-the-day decided to delay a decision on that rezoning application until the official community plan review was done.Stowe never pursued the resort plans after that, and has now decided to construct a subdivision known as Edgepoint.“The OCP has communicated what the community wants,” he said. “The community wants small footprint houses and greenspace.”There would also be a trail system and a recreational facility with a pool and children’s play area.

But some concerns are already being raised about the proposal. “It’s like an alley and now we’re going to have more development there,” said Coun. Shawn Lee of Eastside Road. “It’s a very narrow road out there. I’m all for development on that slope but we need to look at infrastructure.” Stowe, though, says a traffic study has been done.“There is enough capacity on the road for this development,” he said.

The rezoning application will be the focus of a public hearing Sept. 14. “I want to hear what people out there feel about it,” said Coun. Bob Spiers. Coun. Jack Gilroy is quick to point out that no final decision has been made on the development and first and second reading of the bylaw is procedural. “It doesn’t mean we accept the development. It means it will go to public hearing,” said Gilroy.

Band Asserts Title On Road

Glen Morrison Thursday, 30 July 2009 10:05 1o7.5 KISSFM:

The Okanagan Indian Band has fired another verbal shot in the dispute over Lakeshore Road in Okanagan Landing. The land dispute had been quiet for almost two months after the band had threatened a closure over concerns about area residents using the road to get onto the band owned beach.The City of Vernon says it has multiple documents that claim there's been a road there and right of way since the late 1800's. In a statement, Band Chief Fabian Alexis (pictured) is again asserting legal ownership of the roadway adding the band has filed a specific claim with the government of Canada seeking a resolution to the problem.He says their concerns are exacerbated by some local residents using the road to gain vehicle access to the Band's Kin Beach where their conduct has raised public health and safety concerns.Alexis ends the statement by saying the band will take 'appropriate' steps to protect their reserve land from trespass and abuse.

Mayor Wayne Lippert says he's frustrated by the statement, and that the band won't return his calls. "The city of Vernon has offered assistance in that (problems at beach) and we offered to put some significant funds into the infrastructure down there, and they turned us down," Lippert says he wouldn't be surprised if the band staged some sort of action on the road for the upcoming long weekend.

Feds plan to audit eBay marketers

Canwest News July 30:

OTTAWA — Canada Revenue Agency is planning a wave of audits on Canadians who have sold products on the online eBay website marketplace. Revenue Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn said on Thursday that anyone who has sold products on the website could avoid audits, fines and penalties by voluntarily coming forward and declaring the revenue to the agency. "Taxpayers should know that the tax laws that apply to traditional commerce apply in the same way to electronic commerce, like eBay selling," said Blackburn in a statement. "I strongly encourage eBay sellers, and for that matter, any taxpayer who has not already done so, to correct their tax affairs as soon as possible to avoid penalties or prosecution."Following a recent Federal Court decision, the agency received a list of eBay sellers and their transaction records that will allow them to begin audits by the end of the summer. The agency said it would use the records to determine whether sellers properly reported revenues on their tax returns.

RCMP following provincial directive on Tasers

Edward Hill - Goldstream News Gazette Published: July 30, 2009 9:00 AM

RCMP in B.C. will restrict use of conducted energy weapons, commonly known as Tasers, as requested by the province’s solicitor general.Sgt. Tim Shields with RCMP E division in Vancouver, said all B.C. detachments will abide by Solicitor General Kash Heed’s directive to restrict the use of Taser-type weapons. The order falls out of the recommendations of the Braidwood Inquiry, which was looking into the death of Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski.Shields said the RCMP is reviewing the 546 page report by retired judge Thomas Braidwood, but it will take time “to realize the full potential impact on RCMP across Canada.”“We don’t want a situation where we have one set of policies in one province that are different from another province,” Shields said. “We are the national police force. The goal is unified polices for the RCMP across the country.”The directive creates a number of thresholds that must be met before police can deploy a Taser, such as if a person is causing bodily harm or imminently causing bodily harm, and lesser force options haven’t or won’t work.

It also said officers equipped with Taser-type weapons must have access to defibrillators. Shields said the RCMP’s conductive energy weapon policy is already largely inline with Heed’s directive. Changed about a year ago, the policy dictates Tasers can only be used to stop a threat to public or police safety, Shields said.“The wording it different but the intent is similar,” he said.

OK Indian Band Reconfirms Ownership of Road

Starlee Speers-Vernon 105.7 SUNFM: 8:54

The Okanagan Indian Band has issued a release stating it will take the appropriate steps to protect their reserve land from trespass and abuse.Chief Fabian Alexis says the Band has officially reconfirmed its ownership of the portion of Lakeshore Rd that crosses Priest's Valley.Alexis states the city of Vernon has betrayed that it knows little about the history or legal status of this road, as neither the Province nor city has acquired legal rights to it.He says the Band is concerned that local residents are using the road to gain access the Kin Beach where the conduct has created problems. Lakeshore road was still open for access as of this morning.

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OKIB Website:

Press Release - Immediate Distribution - OKIB Asserts Ownership of Lakeshore Road. July 27, 2009

Link does not appear to be working yet.

EnCana doubles cash reward to $1 million to help solve Dawson Creek bombings

EnCana Corporation has doubled its offer of a cash reward for helping solve the Dawson Creek bombings. EnCana is offering up to $1 million cash for information directly leading to the arrest and prosecution of the individual or individuals responsible for the recent bombings at EnCana facilities in the Tomslake area near Dawson Creek, British Columbia. The reward, subject to the Terms and Conditions set out below, is intended to encourage anyone with information, including EnCana employees and contractors, help the police solve these crimes, stop any further attacks and help ensure the safety of the communities in and around Dawson Creek.

"We have doubled our reward, now up to $1 million, in the hope that someone will come forward to help solve these crimes. We are very willing to pay $1 million for information that helps stop these bombings and end these threats to the safety of the people in the Dawson Creek communities," said Mike Graham, EnCana's Executive Vice-President & President, Canadian Foothills Division.

"As well, EnCana employees and contractors are now eligible for the reward. We want to remove any barrier that would prevent someone with crime-solving information from coming forward. We have made this change to encourage someone who may have previously been reluctant to share information to now do the right thing and help police solve these crimes," Graham said.

"We have witnessed six bombings of natural gas facilities in the past nine months. Each one is a threat to the safety, well being and peace of mind of our workers, contractors and the people who live in the affected communities. These are violent and dangerous criminal acts. They disrupt the lives of the people who live there and pose a very serious risk of causing injury or even death. The safety of our workers and the people who live in the communities where we operate is of paramount importance," Graham said.

Persons with information about these bombings who want to qualify for the reward are encouraged to contact the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in one of the following ways:

• Telephone the RCMP toll-free at 1 866-994-7473
• Go online by visiting: www.dawsoncreekbombings.com
• Visit: www.encana.com and click on the Dawson Creek bombings link to the RCMP website
• Visit your local detachment of the RCMP

Party on, dude

Public Eye Online July 29:

The provincial government was living it up as the economy was crashing, spending more than half-a-million dollars on parties celebrating civil service excellence. But the government has said those celebrations were necessary to maintain a "high performing workforce" - something that’s "even more important during these challenging times."

And it has no plans to be a party pooper by discontinuing the annual premier’s innovation and excellence awards, which are meant to recognize the "positive impact the BC Public Service’s work is having across the province." According to records exclusively obtained by Public Eye via a freedom of information request, this year’s awards cost $562,741.52.

They included four regional parties and one provincial party, taking place between January 21 and March 26. The biggest ticket item was the $137,414.29 spent on videos showcasing nominees and their accomplishments. But catering and facility costs came in a close second at $125,511.70.

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2008/09 premier's innovation and excellence awards budget forecast:

Total expenses - $587,800.00

2008/09 premier's innovation and excellence awards actuals:

Total expenses - $562,741.52

Under budget by $25,058.48

Main Reason for budget savings:

• Newspaper ads - $0.00 Actual Original Budget $30,000 -("post-ceremony ads announcing Premier's Award recipients in local newspapers. Decision was made not to provide post-ceremony newspaper ads, as a cost-saver due to economic downturn")

• Table chocolates - $10,000.00 Budget: $5,805.85 Actual ("rogers' chocolate squares with gold foil P/A label and dvd's for ceremonies")

Evacuation Order Lifted 8am Thursday

Peter McIntyre Wednesday, 29 July 2009 15:52 105.7 KISSFM:

There's good news for the residents displaced from their homes by the Terrace Mountain Fire.Effective at 8 Thursday morning, the Evacuation Order will be rescinded for approximately 1,000 residents impacted by the wildfire.At that time, people living in the following areas will be allowed to return to their homes but will remain under Evacuation Alert and must be prepared to leave their homes on short notice:

It affects people in • Fintry, • Fintry Delta, • Upper Fintry/Dunwaters Estates and • Valley of the Sun.The Evacuation Order remains in effect for the Fintry High Farms area, affecting 13 residents.

While 85 percent contained, officials say the fire remains active and could flare up.Returning residents will receive an information sheet reminding them that they are returning on Evacuation Alert and should remain prepared as they may have to leave the area again without much notice.Controlled re-entry to the communities will be done by RCMP at the south end of La Casa resort and on the north side at Baziw Orchards.Westside Road will effectively be re-opened totally in both directions at that time.Fintry Provincial Park will remain closed though since it remains a key staging area for Ministry of Forests fire fighting efforts.The Vernon ESS reception centre will be closing Thursday at 5 p.m.....but all those affected by the fire will still receive help through the Mt. Boucherie Secondary School reception centre in West Kelowna.

SUPPORTIVE HOUSING OPENS IN VERNON

VERNON – The Province has provided $1.2 million to purchase and renovate Belvedere Apartments, 17 units of affordable rental housing for people with mental health issues, announced Eric Foster, MLA for Vernon-Monashee. “The Province is partnering with non-profit societies across B.C. to help create supportive housing solutions for those dealing with homelessness,” said Foster. “Through this development, we are giving individuals an opportunity to continue living in the communities where they have family and friends while they receive the support they need.”The total capital cost to purchase and renovate the building, at 1708 – 32^nd St. in Vernon, was $1,249,987. The Province provided funding through the Provincial Homelessness Initiative (PHI), a program that integrates support services with housing to help people move beyond temporary shelter to more secure housing, greater self-reliance and appropriate employment.“Providing safe affordable housing with support services is an important solution to issues facing our city,” said Wayne Lippert, mayor of the City of Vernon. “Our community is committed to working with our provincial partners and local societies to meet the needs of Vernon’s most vulnerable citizens.”

Fire: 85% Contained

Written by Glen Morrison Wednesday, 29 July 2009 10:25107.5 KISSFM:

Another good day on the fire lines Tuesday has allowed crews to increase containment of the Terrace Mountain fire. The Fire Information Office in Kamloops says the fire, which remains mapped at about 4,500 hectares, is now 85% contained.Crews have been able to build 35 kms of control lines around the fire. Officials say rank 1 to 3 fire behaviour was observed on the fire, which is a ground fire with some open flame, and an occasional torching of a tree. With continued hot and dry conditions expected for Wednesday, rank 2 and 3 is expected, which is low to moderately vigorous surface fire behaviour. About 1,000 residents between La Casa, Valley of the Sun and the Fintry area remain on Evacuation Order, while about 3,000 other residents are on an Evacuation Alert.

Questions About New Landing Housing

Written by Peter McIntyre Wednesday, 29 July 2009 10:04 107.5 KISSFM

A Vernon city councillor is concerned about plans for dozens more homes in Okanagan Landing. A company (Ekistics Town Planning) is proposing 120 single and two family housing units at 9650 hundred block of Eastside Road, which has Shawn Lee asking some questions. Lee tells KISS FM, "The future is development on that slope and of course there's going to be more but I'm concerned as a city and planning that we have in place what we're going to do on Eastside Road. It's a wonderful road but historically that was just a little track. It's not meant to take the traffic load that it's even got now."Lee expects to hear if residents also have concerns when a public hearing is held September 14.

City In & Out Of Film Funding

Written by Peter McIntyre Wednesday, 29 July 2009 10:19 107.5 KISSFM

The city of Vernon is keeping its options open when it comes to funding the Okanagan Film Commission.Mayor Wayne Lippert says the city has withdrawn its notice to pull out of the NORD function the end of this year, but issued notice to withdraw at the end of 2010.The mayor tels KISS FM, "The motion is doing two things. It's giving notice to the film commission that the city of Vernon does support them. I think in all fairness it's trying to make sure the funding is there at least from the city of Vernon's side of things. Lippert says the motion also recognizes NORD has had issues with some of its functions. He notes NORD has 69 functions when many other regional districts only have ten. The mayor says the city provided $20,000 of the $35,000 NORD granted the film commission last year. The commission works to attract film and TV productions to the valley.

B.C. fast ferries sold to UAE buyer

CBC NEWS:

British Columbia's three fast ferries have been sold to Abu Dhabi Mar, a yacht-building company based in the United Arab Emirates, said its previous owners North Vancouver-based Washington Marine Group. The details of the transaction are confidential, but Washington Marine Group said the PacifiCat catamaran vessels will be moved from Vancouver harbour by deep-sea vessel. The first ferry is to be transported next month. The controversial ferries cost the B.C. NDP government about $450 million to build in the late 1990s, and were supposed to provide speedy service between Vancouver and Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island.But the vessels were taken out of service after being plagued by mechanical problems and concerns about the large wake they caused. They were dry-docked for years until the B.C. Liberal government sold to the Washington Marine Group for about $19 million.

Cherry dumping raises MP’s ire

By JOHN MOORHOUSE Wednesday, July 29, 2009 Penticton Herald:

The federal government should move to stop the dumping of Washington cherries into the Canadian market, says B.C. Southern Interior MP Alex Atamanenko. Although there is a bumper crop this year, Okanagan cherry growers have been hit hard amid allegations that Washington state growers are flooding the market with bargain-priced cherries. Cherry production in Washington is up 30 to 50 per cent, resulting in a flood of cherries onto the world market. As a result, it is predicted that cherry prices for B.C. producers will be 40 to 60 per cent lower than a year ago. Atamanenko, the NDP agriculture critic, has written federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz urging him to take action, even if it means risking trade action under NAFTA. “Trade deal or no trade deal, the U.S. wouldn‘t hesitate to slap a tariff on our produce if it meant protecting their producers,” he said. “It‘s time for us to do the same.” Atamanenko said if the U.S. goes to NAFTA‘s trade dispute tribunal to appeal, so be it. Rather than always following by the rules, Ottawa should take more immediate measures. “What we have to do the next time this happens is to slap tariffs on at the border and stop these cherries – or apples -- from coming in.” he said. “We probably won‘t be able to save this year‘s crop, but in the future we‘ve got to have some kind of mechanism that won‘t allow (U.S.) produce to come in at a low price and undercut our farmers.”

The flooded market‘s impact on Okanagan cherry growers has been dramatic. Naramata grower Rob Van Westen said the packing house won‘t even accept smaller size cherries. The Lapin variety of cherries, in particular, was especially hard hit. Van Westen, who operates three acres of Lapins in his Boothe Road orchard, said he has been forced to leave much of the fruit hanging on the tree to rot. Cull rates could be as high as 40 per cent. “We‘re salvaging whatever we can. We‘re just chasing big cherries and leaving little ones on the trees,” he said. Whereas last year, growers received up to $1.80 a pound, Van Westen said this year he‘d consider himself lucky to receive a dollar a pound. Prices for later varieties, such as Sweethearts, will likely be somewhat higher. Atamanenko described the situation as a tragedy for Okanagan cherry growers. The MP said consumers can do their part by insisting on B.C. cherries at the grocery store. Despite the abundance of local fruit, some super market chains have featured Washington cherries on their shelves.

Highway landscaping approved

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: July 28, 2009 7:00 PM

A blight on the landscape is ready for transformation.Vernon council has given the green light to landscaping of Highway 97 between the weigh scale and Stickle Road. It’s anticipated that the project will take place between Sept. 10 and Oct. 8.“There is a need for us to beautify the north end,” said Coun. Buffy Baumbrough of the dead trees and grass lining the highway.“We have received so many calls and e-mails that we need to do something. It’s the gateway to our north end and people are being welcomed with a mess.” Ministry of Transportation approval is required because the right-of-way is provincial property, but city officials are confident that will occur.

To fund the initiative, the city will take $120,000 out of the road reserve and $110,500 from the casino reserve. Swan Lake Nurseryland is donating $130,000 and $500 a year will come from the BX-Swan Lake electoral area because that section of highway is located in the regional district and not the city. “It’s the community coming together and it’s refreshing to see Mike Gavinchuk (BX-Swan Lake director) come on board,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert.As part of the project, the city will also try to develop an agreement with Gavinchuk to cover the costs of irrigation water.The provincial government used to maintain landscaping along the highway but that came to an end in 2003 because of budget cuts. Since then, local jurisdictions have debated whether they should take over landscaping. “It’s a type of downloading,” said Lippert of the city funding something that’s a provincial responsibility.

“But it comes down to community pride and community pride dictates we look after it.”

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Picking up the slack Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star

There was some question Monday as to whether the Ministry of Transportation will approve the City of Vernon landscaping Highway 97 from Stickle Road to the weigh scales. But I think the answer is known already.Of course it’s going to say yes to the city, the regional district and Swan Lake Nurseryland spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on land it abandoned years ago. And how the highway corridor became a wasteland of dead grass and weeds is a crucial part of the issue that’s been forgotten. It was back in 2003 that the Ministry of Transportation walked away from funding roadside maintenance because of budget cuts. That meant that any infrastructure invested on the right-of-way — whether it was trees, shrubs or irrigation lines — was left to rot. Ultimately, Victoria was deciding that it was no longer responsible for land that it owns.

No sooner did that occur and concerns were being raised locally about the state of the landscaping and the negative impact on Vernon’s image. It became a regular bone of contention for then-councillor Barry Beardsell. “It still looks like a dump out there. It’s absolutely atrocious,” he told council in 2004.Because the corridor is actually outside of Vernon’s boundaries, attempts were made to get then-electoral area directors Cliff Kanester and Stan Field to help fund improvements. But the BX boys refused, saying that it wasn’t up to their taxpayers to pay for a provincial responsibility.

Fast-forward to today, and Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert shares those past concerns. “It’s a type of downloading,” he said of the city forking out $230,000 for landscaping, while $130,000 will come from Swan Lake Nurseryland and $500 a year from BX-Swan Lake residents. “But it comes down to community pride and community pride dictates we look after it.”

And obviously I understand why they are picking up the ball. The corridor is a horrible mess and tourists must wonder if the town is worth exploring after seeing the dead zone.It should also be pointed out that this isn’t the first time area jurisdictions have taken over funding key initiatives when the province turned the taps off. Countless dollars are collected every year in local property taxes in the North Okanagan so the Ministry of Health doesn’t have to pick up the full tab of hospital expansions or for purchasing medical equipment. The City of Vernon has also ventured into social services in the last few years, directing cash towards the Women’s Centre and property for affordable housing. There once was a time when the provincial government contributed towards milfoil weed control in the lakes, but Okanagan municipalities and regional districts took over 100 per cent of the program many years ago. The City of Vernon must also maintain 27th Street as a local service road although it is a significant link between two provincial highways.

Government downloading has become so common that it should be designated as an Olympic sport in 2010. Ultimately, there was little choice for the City of Vernon and Gavinchuk to accept responsibility for the Highway 97 corridor, and Swan Lake Nurseryland deserves considerable praise for taking an active role in the community.But as part of the upgrades, a small portion of the barren landscape should be left for everyone to see. And within it, there should be a giant sign saying, “This mess is brought to you by the B.C. government. To lodge a protest, call Premier Gordon Campbell or Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster.”

City council takes axe to heritage tree regulations

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: July 28, 2009 7:00 PM

Proposed regulations for heritage trees have been cut off at the roots. Vernon council refused Monday to accept a recommendation from the environmental advisory committee that would have forced anyone wanting to cut down a heritage tree to hire an arborist first. They would have also faced “a significant fine” if a tree was removed without the permission of the city. “This has a feeling of interference I’m not comfortable with,” said Coun. Shawn Lee. “I think we need to do something to make it desirable for people to preserve trees. Is there another way? I think this is very heavy-handed.” A heritage tree is considered to be more than 30 years old.Opposition to the recommendation also came from Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe.

The advisory committee had recommended that anyone wanting to remove or significantly alter a heritage tree would have to hire an arborist and provide a report to the city showing the tree is hazardous and must be taken out. “The majority of the committee members felt heritage trees are worthy of protection in the community,” said Coun. Buffy Baumbrough, committee chairwoman. “Heritage trees have a particular value in our community. They act as landmarks, they add to the community aesthetically and they add habitat values.” While regulations have been shot down, city staff has been instructed to complete an inventory of heritage trees on public and private property.

More firefighters denied

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: July 28, 2009 7:00 PM

A proposal to bolster firefighting ranks has been left to smoulder.Vernon council has shot down the hiring of two additional firefighters because the request from administration came months after the 2009 budget was approved.“The budget process has started as we speak for 2010. We need to set this aside and look at the budget process,” said Coun. Patrick Nicol.Nicol added that there are significant financial pressures facing the city.“Dealing with these things in isolation is not what we should be doing when dealing with the budget.” The annual salary for a firefighter would be $57,200, but the total bill jumps to $70,356 when corporate costs are considered. Because 2009 is well underway, the cost for both positions for the rest of the year would be $46,904. The information presented by fire chief Jeff Carlisle will become part of the 2010 budget discussions, but opposition came from Coun. Buffy Baumbrough. She wanted the firefighters hired now.“It significantly reduces our overtime and the money we’re paying out for overtime is offset,” she said.

Carlisle had asked council for the two extra firefighters when the 2009 budget was being developed in the spring but that request was denied at that time. He says he resubmitted his report now because it had been suggested to him that the matter could be reconsidered part way through the year. To maintain a minimum duty strength of five firefighters per shift, overtime costs have soared. They went from $112,000 in 2007 to $185,000 in 2008 and there was a 19 per cent hike during the first quarter of this year. “They (two new staff) will allow our firefighters to take their time off and train,” said Carlisle. “This will not eliminate overtime but it will go a long way to manage the situation.” Carlisle says maintaining a minimum duty strength of five becomes difficult when staff are either ill or on holidays and because of that, he will ask for two new firefighters as part of the 2010 budget. “We’ll see how it fits into the (council) priorities,” he said. “I was told it was good information. They want to include it in the budget process. I don’t take it as a no.” Currently, most firefighters are being compensated for overtime through days off, but some are receiving cash payments.

Coun. Jack Gilroy removed himself from the debate because his son is a city firefighter.

Castanet Poll on Cell Phone use while Driving

Results as at 6 AM July 29

Question: The City of Kelowna supports an RCMP proposal to ban the use of hand held cell phones while driving. Did council go far enough?

Yes. Ban only hand held cell phones

938

No. Ban all cell phones

857

Don`t ban the use of either

458

Total Votes: 2253

Cops arrest bat man

Castanet Staff - Jul 28, 2009

North Okanagan RCMP had to pull a tazer on a man approaching them with a weapon. Vernon RCMP responded to a call of a man fighting with people in a residence in the 12500 block of Westside Road around 2 a.m. Tuesday. RCMP spokesperson, Gord Molendyk says while en route, information indicated that guns were possibly involved. “When the officers arrived, two people from the house told them a man inside the house was intoxicated and wanted to fight with everyone. A few minutes later the police saw the man exit the house and approach them with something in his hands,” says Molendyk. He says the man continued to approach them, holding a bat.

“They produced the Conductive Energy Weapon and demanded that he drop the bat and get down on the ground. At a distance of approx 10 feet away, he complied. The CEW was not deployed and he was arrested without further incident.” Molendyk says the 20-year-old man is expected to appear in court later Tuesday to answer charges of breach of his conditions, as well as possession of weapon dangerous to the public peace. Other charges are also being considered. No firearms were located in the residence.

WEB FIRST: Bodies found in Vernon trailer

Published: July 28, 2009 3:00 PM See Wednesday's Morning Star for further details.

Vernon RCMP and Emergency Response Team personnel have discovered two bodies inside a trailer at an Okanagan Landing mobile home park Tuesday.Police were called to the scene shortly before 10 a.m. with the ERT squad asked to assist after reports of shots fired.Police will confirm that the deceased are the residents of the trailer, a 71-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman, but can't confirm the cause of death at this time.

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Written by Peter McIntyre Tuesday, 28 July 2009 13:44107.5 KISSFM

Vernon RCMP are confirming two people are dead after an incident in Okanagan Landing this morning.Police surrounded a mobile home across from Kin Beach on Lakeshore Road just before 10 after reports of shots fired.Spokesman Gord Molendyk (pictured) says a man in his 70's and a woman in her late 60's were found dead inside the residence.He says it's too soon to say what happened or if it was a murder suicide.Investigators are still on the scene and police will be releasing more details later today.

North End Plan Approved

Written by Peter McIntyre Tuesday, 28 July 2009 10:21

The city of Vernon has given the green light to beautifying the north entrance to the city.The highway landscaping has been neglected since the province stopped funding the service several years ago.Councillor Shawn Lee is delighted something is being done.Lee says, "I'm just thrilled. Since they stopped watering that stretch a a few years ago, everytime I headed out of town I thought this is sending the wrong message about Vernon."The city will spend $230,500 to landscape the area between Stickle Road and the weigh scales with work scheduled to run September 10 to October 8. BC's Ministry of Transportation still has to give its approval to the plan. $120,000 will come from the Road Reserve and $110,500 from the Casino Reserve. Swan Lake Nurseryland owner Mike Kowaluk has agreed to provide $130,000 in services and products as part of the store's 50th anniversary, while Area B of NORD will donate $500 annually. Lee admits Area B is getting off lightly in the funding but says he's pleased with the rural area's cooperation and support of the project.Councillor Patrick Nicol says the project is "much needed and long overdue." The city and Area B will develop an agreement on the costs to water the landscaped area.

Fire Chief Turned Down

Written by Peter McIntyre Tuesday, 28 July 2009 09:55107.5 KISSFM:

Vernon's fire chief has been told by city council to come back in the fall with his request for more manpower. Jeff Carlisle was seeking funding for two new firefighter-dispatchers outside of the normal budget budget cycle.He says the new staff is needed to manage a 19 percent increase in overtime costs. ($36,464 year to date compared to $30, 543 in 2008). Carlisle told the media, "When you have a staffing level that's 24-7, you have training requirements, long term illnesses, you have a number of different factors, emergencies, where you have to recall people from off duty. All those things impact your overtime budget."

Councillor Patrick Nicol didn't see it as a case needing immediate attention."I think the principle is to be fair to all the (city) departments, and I think there's any number of areas you can look at. One is in the public works department where they are 50 percent over their allotted budget. "The new positions would have added $140,000 dollars to the city payroll, which includes salaries and corporate costs. Council passed a motion to forward the chief's information to the budget process this fall with Councillor Buffy Baumbrough the lone opponent.

According to a report, the city has spent $246, 527 on overtime costs this year, 29 opercent more than the $190, 055 during the same period in 2008.Carlisle says, there will be an operational impact to council's decision saying some firefighters will have to take on additional shifts."We've had to move people's holidays around in order to maintain the minimum (staffing) strength. We've had to move pool firefighters holidays around. We've had to shuffle and things like that."Carlisle told council he has to have a minimum five people on duty 24-7, with a minimum response to calls of four.It's the second time in the last few weeks Carlisle has not been successful with a request to council. In June, council voted 5-2 to keep the downtown firehall as a composite station and the Okanagan Landing Hall as volunteer.

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Kate Bouey-Vernon 105.7 SUNFM:

Vernon's fire chief has lost another battle with city hall. Councillors have decided to put off his request for another two full-time firemen until 2010 budget discussions get underway in the autumn. Chief Jeff Carlisle told council Monday that his overtime budget was huge and growing and that the only way to keep it down would be to add to his staff. Carlisle says he'll be back with the same request in the fall."We'll continue to manage the way we are within our contract with our union and our minimum duty strength.''

Mayor Wayne Lippert says council will look at the matter at the appropriate time."We were close to getting in the budget discussions, there was some good information there, so I think the most appropriate place is at budget time."Council also heard that firefighters responded to 1356 callouts in the first six months of this year.

Stop BC Library Cuts

Background

BC provincial public libraries have not yet received their 2009 annual operating grants from the provincial government, nor have they been told how much money they will be receiving – both of which usually happen earlier in the fiscal year. There have been strong indications that the Province has decided to stop funding libraries and that this funding may be cut from the current and subsequent budgets.

What You Can Do to Help

BC’s public libraries are important to the communities they serve, make sure the BC provincial government knows how you feel about public libraries not yet receiving their 2009 annual operating grants.

To show your support of continued provincial funding for BC’s public library system, please:

• Sign the “Don’t Pull The Plug on Libraries” online petition
• Sign and mail a postcard to the Hon. Premier Gordon Campbell – postcards are available at your local library or you can download a copy here (pdf: 180kb)
• Call or send a letter to your local BC Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and/or the Minister of Education, Hon. Margaret MacDiarmid
• Send a letter to your local newspaper editor stating your support for continued provincial operating grants for BC public libraries

Vernon golfer cashes in on his way to a date with Tiger

By Brad Ziemer, Vancouver SunJuly 28, 2009 4:14 AM

Before he could even begin to savour his top-10 finish in the RBC Canadian Open on Monday, Vernon's Chris Baryla had to change some travel plans.Baryla was scheduled to head to Columbus, Ohio for this week's Nationwide Tour stop. But a six-under 66 in Monday's rain-delayed final round at Glen Abbey Golf Club changed things.Baryla, who had started the day tied for 43rd, ended up finishing the event tied for eighth. And that top-10 finish makes him eligible to play in this week's Buick Open in Grand Blanc, Mich., where the two-time B.C. Junior champion will tee it up alongside Tiger Woods and 154 other PGA Tour pros."It's a great opportunity and I'm looking forward to it," Baryla said. "It's a tournament with Tiger in it, so it has to be a quality event."

He made $123,037 US for his finish Monday, which tied him with Calgary's Stephen Ames as the low Canadian at Glen Abbey. That is about $3,000 more than Baryla made in his best year on the Nationwide Tour in 2006. His previous biggest payday came in 2007 when he earned $33,600 after losing in a playoff at a Nationwide Tour event."Being low Canadian is a huge achievement for me, absolutely," Baryla said. "It's the difference between thinking that I have the ability and validation, and it's nice to have that validation ... It was kind of a hectic day. I had to play 30 holes today. Basically, I just had time to change my socks and underwear between rounds."Baryla's solid play this week should not come as a surprise. After finally overcoming a serious back injury that made his 2008 season a complete write-off, the 26-year-old has recorded two top-five finishes -- a tie for fourth and a tie for fifth -- in just five Nationwide Tour appearances this year. He currently stands 52nd on the Nationwide money list with earnings of $60,819.Baryla, who was followed Monday by a large gallery of family and friends that included his mom Lorraine and sister Amber, said being healthy again has made all the difference to his game."I feel fantastic," he said. "Since they cleared me to play at the end of last year, I have been trying to put in the time and get the body back in shape and it's starting to pay off. I feel good and feel healthy. I have been playing very well. The game has been progressing nicely."

Minor hockey tournaments could lose out in SOEC ice times debate

Penticton Herald Staff Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Penticton Minor Hockey Association says it may be forced to cancel its host tournaments next season, as it negotiates ice time costs and availability at the South Okanagan Events Centre. PMHA president Bruce Judd said Monday the tournaments could be cancelled to allow for more regular season game time. However, he noted the cancellation remains tentative, as minor hockey continues to talk to the city. The tournament dates remain open, but have not yet been booked. Judd said minor hockey has requested 600 hours at the community rink - identical to what it received last season. So far, only 200 hours have been booked, mainly involving Saturday ice times. Judd admitted the tournament cancellation is not a done deal just yet, pending the results of negotiations with the city. He acknowledged it is being used as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the city. “It‘s a drastic move,” he said. “We‘re just trying to force an issue for all the years to come.” “None of us can understand, if you subsidized it last year, why can‘t you subsidize it this year?” Minor hockey already has 12 tournaments scheduled for 2009-10. Judd said with dozens of visiting teams and hundreds of hotel nights, that has a significant economic impact. Minor hockey estimates the tournaments generate about $2.9 million to the local economy.

Judd said the 600 hours minor hockey booked at the community rink last year were at a subsidized rate of $120 per hour. This compares to 1,500 hours at Memorial Arena for $71 an hour and roughly the same rate at McLaren Park Arena. Full ice costs at the community rink range from $145 to $150 an hour. However, faced with a deficit which could exceed $1 million for the SOEC, Memorial Arena and the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, city council is now looking to increase revenues. Council discussed the ice time issue last week and postponed a final decision to its Aug. 4 meeting to allow for further review. At issue, how much the city should subsidize the ice costs for minor hockey. Continuing the subsidy level at the community rink would cost the city an extra $38,000. Coun. Andrew Jakubeit, who also serves as past-president of Penticton Minor Hockey, suggested the city split the subsidy into two budget years. A fall subsidy of $19,000 would be included in the 2009 budget, while the remaining $19,000 would be budgeted for 2010. Meanwhile, Judd fears Aug. 4 may be too late. He suggested Global Spectrum, which manages the SOEC and Memorial Arena, may have already booked the remaining ice times to other organizations by then. However, that suggestion was denied Monday by Curtis Webb, general manager of Global Spectrum‘s Penticton operations. Webb said all ice time bookings for the SOEC community rink and Memorial Arena are on hold until the issue is decided by council. “We are in a holding pattern right now, of booking any ice times,” he said. “We have not contracted anybody‘s ice times for 2009-10 season.” The only confirmed times at the community rink are home games for the Penticton Lakers of the Kootenay International Junior (B) Hockey League. Webb said no further bookings will be made until after city council decides how handle the ice time issue with minor hockey. He said even if council doesn‘t make a decision until Aug. 4, there will still be time to confirm ice times with all user groups. Webb said Global Spectrum subsidized minor hockey times at the community rink last year without the approval of city council. Judd said he‘s been told that council plans a special meeting this week to discuss the issue. However, that could not be confirmed Monday by City Hall staff.

Kelowna against cell phones in cars

by Wayne Moore - Jul 28, 2009 CASTANET:

The City of Kelowna has waded into the debate over banning the use of cell phones in moving vehicles, however, they didn't go far enough for one councillor. A resolution before council Monday asked that the city support the RCMP's initiative to ban the use of cell phones while driving. Council, at the urging of Andre Blanleil, amended the resolution to include only 'hand held' cellular devices. Councillor Michele Rule, says the amendment was one she couldn't endorse. "Because of that amendment, I won't be supporting the motion," says Rule.

"The report in here is very clear that evidence concludes there is no difference between the cognitive diversion associated with hands free and hand held cell phone." Rule says the report which accompanies the resolution spells out the risks. "The passenger is aware of the driving situation, the driving serves as an additional lookout for hazards. The passenger can adjust speech tone and conversation in the driving environment. This report was quite scary." Councillor Charlie Hodge says he's not crazy about hands free devices, however, " my big concern is seeing someone driving around with one hand on the cell phone and making a left turn," says Hodge. "My concern really is with the hand held units. I think that is the number one danger." Council passed the resolution to ask the province to support the RCMP initiative with Councillor Rule voting against.

Employment Opportunity City of Vernon

RECORDS COORDINATOR
Download - 79.83KB pdf
(Full-time – Permanent)

Competition #: 0063-COV-09
Closing Date: Internal Applicants – July 31, 2009
External Applicants – August 7, 2009
Rate of Pay: $26.40 per hour

Reporting to the Manager of Corporate Services this position is responsible for maintaining the
City’s corporate records system and coordinating and researching all Freedom of Information
(FOI) Requests for Records.

Baryla Top Canadian

Written by Peter McIntyre Monday, 27 July 2009 17:18107.5 KISSFM

A Vernon golfer was tied for top Canadian at the RBC Canadian Open which ended today at Glen Abby in Oakville Ontario.

26 year old Chris Baryla fired a 6 under par 66 to end up in a tie for 8th place, tied with Stephen Ames for top Canadian.

Baryla pocketed a cheque for $123,038, and was six shots back of the leaders.

Australian Nathan Green outlasted Retief Goosen in a two-hole playoff to win the rain delayed event, the 34 year old's first PGA Tour win.

Chris Baryla of Vernon ties for low Canadian at 100th Canadian Open. (8th Overall)

T8

T43

Chris Baryla

FC

SC

P

S

H

-6

F *

-12

69

71

70

66

276

City, union reach deal

Jul 27, 2009 08:55 AM The Star:

After 35 long and miserable days, a deal was reached this morning to end the strike by Toronto's garbage collectors and other outside workers.The settlement came after around-the-clock bargaining sparked by a 48-hour ultimatum issued Friday by Mark Ferguson, president of CUPE Local 416, representing some 6,200 outside workers.Ferguson said the next step is for the city to make a deal with striking inside workers represented by CUPE Local 79.He said the outside workers' deal would only be put to a ratification vote once the inside workers have an agreement as well.The strike is not expected to end until then.

Debate pending on tight-lipped Penticton council policy

JOHN MOORHOUSE Monday, July 27, 2009 Penticton Herald:

It‘s time for Penticton city council to loosen its inter-governmental lips a bit, say a pair of city councillors. Councillors Dan Albas and Garry Litke have issued a notice of motion, to be debated at the Aug. 4 council meeting, over a city policy preventing council from taking a more vocal stance on issues outside its direct jurisdiction. The policy states that “in order to avoid conflict with other levels of government”, council members, city staff and city advisory committee members should refrain from taking positions on political issues beyond the scope or control of city council. Council members should “only address issues that are apolitical and within local government areas of jurisdiction.”

Albas said Sunday although there was no one single issue that prompted the call for the policy change, he pointed to a recent suggestion by Coun. Andrew Jakubeit that council write a letter to Penticton MLA Bill Barisoff regarding regulations which prohibit search and rescue personnel from riding in an ambulance to assist with a patient following an incident. City staff noted such an issue was outside the city‘s jurisdiction. “As council, we‘re supposed to represent the people of Penticton. If we find there‘s a matter than we feel that‘s important, we should be able to communicate that to our MLA or MP,” Albas said. “It‘s obviously a selective policy, because we‘ve sent items to the Union of B.C. Municipalities a resolution that is outside of our jurisdiction.” Albas said loosening the current policy would allow council to have a voice on senior government issues, as long as it‘s respectful and constructive. “I can‘t think of anyone in the provincial or federal government that wouldn‘t like to hear from a municipality on what it thinks is important on particular issues, especially when they have to do with mutual concern.” he said. “It seems kind of goofy that we can‘t a letter to our own MLA to discuss something Ð that we have to rely on the mayor to have a conversation on his own.” Litke said there are instances where this tight lips policy puts council and the community at somewhat of a disadvantage. “There‘s a policy that constrains this council from commenting on issues that are the jurisdiction of other governments,” Litke said. “But oftentimes the lines of jurisdiction cross and this council has in the past been reluctant to comment on issues such as that.”

Terrace fire now 50% contained

Jul 26, 2009 / 8:55 am CASTANET:
The wildfire at Terrace Mountain, which is estimated at 4,500 hectares, is now 50 percent contained. BC Forest Service crews have completed control lines on the west side of the fire, and are making good progress towards completing control lines on the east flank. Fire officials will continue to assess conditions for burning off opportunities. Resources on site include 250 BC Forest Service firefighters, 89 pieces of heavy equipment, 16 helicopters, and an additional 59 firefighters with the Structural Protection Units from the Office of the Fire Commissioner.

The weather is forecast to be sunny with the possibility of afternoon thundershowers and winds from the north at 12 to 20 kilometres per hour. Hot and dry conditions are expected to return for Monday. Although some of the Evacuation Orders have been downgraded to Alerts, other Evacuation Orders and Alerts remain in place for areas around the wildfire. On Saturday, some 1,200 residents were allowed to return home, however the evacuation orders remain in effect for some 1,000 residents.

For more information please contact the Emergency Operations Centre at 1-250-469-8490.

Fire in Armstrong may have been arson

Ron Seymour 2009-07-26 Kelowna Courier:

The clubhouse at Armstrong‘s only golf course was destroyed early Saturday by a fire that may have been started by an arsonist. The two-storey, 3,500-square-foot building at the Royal York RV Park and Golf Club, which contained a lounge, restaurant and pro shop, burned quickly after the fire started about 4:15 a.m. “I got over there within minutes of receiving the alarm, and it was already a sickening sight,” Wendy York, one of the family members who share ownership of the golf club and campground, said Saturday. “It was already fully engulfed, and it wound up being a complete loss,” she said. “The building was totally destroyed. We also lost 25 power golf carts.” Del Honeybourne, who lives right across from the golf course on the south side of Armstrong, said there was some suspicious activity around the clubhouse at the time the fire started. “The building‘s alarm woke me up, and then I heard a car racing like mad out of the parking lot,” Honeybourne said. “I looked out our window and saw flames going up from the clubhouse.” Another resident tried to pull the carts away from the building, but they were chained and locked together. The York family developed the nine-hole golf course and 24-site RV park in 1990. Aside from the loss of the clubhouse, there was only minimal damage to a nearby putting green, and no other buildings or vehicles were affected. “The Armstrong volunteer fire department did a great job of making sure the fire didn‘t spread into some nearby trees,” said York, who hopes the golf course might soon resume operations with a temporary structure for a clubhouse.

Vernon: Wins Visit from one or more Vancouver 2010 Olympic and/or Paralympic Games athlete(s)

ACT NOW B.C.:

July 11 is Paralympic Day, and in honour of the 2010 Paralympic Games, for the month of July GamesTown 2010 will be awarding tickets to the Paralympic Winter Games events! 12 BC Communities will win tickets and other great prizes. Make sure your community is a part of GamesTown 2010 by sharing your story!

Prize Details: Eight (8) winning communities will be awarded: - 1 x Pair of tickets (2 tickets total) to the Xth Paralympic Winter Games Events (events to be determined by the Province in it sole discretion)

Three (3) winning communities will be awarded: - 1 x Pair of tickets (2 tickets total) to the XXIst Olympic Winter Games Events (events to be determined by the Province in it sole discretion)

One (1) winning communities will be awarded: -1 x Visit from one or more Vancouver 2010 Olympic and/or Paralympic Games athlete(s) (either before or after the close of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and the Contest Period)

July Winners:

• 100 Mile House: Paralympic tickets
• Ladysmith: Paralympic tickets
• Lake Country: Paralympic tickets
• Saanich: Paralympic tickets
• Sicamous: Paralympic tickets
• Tofino: Paralympic tickets
• Vancouver (City of): Paralympic tickets
• Williams Lake: Paralympic tickets
• Chemainus First Nation: Olympic tickets
• City of Langley: Olympic tickets
• Vanderhoof: Olympic tickets
• Vernon: Athlete visit

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Gamestown2010 Vernon entries (4 so far)

25th Ave and 27th st exit. (STAFF REPORT)

Agenda Package - 5.45 MB P.6 and 7. (CITY OF VERNON- COW AGENDA)
SUBJECT: Realignment of the intersection of 27th Street and 25th Avenue

At its regular meeting held on July 13,2009, Council requested that staff provide information regarding the realignment of 25th Avenue at its intersection with 27th Street. Concerns have been raised regarding this intersections visibility at the stop sign, the new angle of entry onto 27th Street and the swept path of school buses turning right onto 27th Street.

Staff Response
The alterations to this intersection was undertaken as an Accident Remedial Project to address the sixteen accidents that had occurred over a five year period. The previous layout required vehicles exiting 25th Avenue to merge with vehicles already traveling northbound on 27th Street. This often led to inappropriate approach speeds and the drivers exiting 25th Avenue were required to view the directly approaching traffic and check their blind spots, by looking backwards over their shoulder. These factors are known to lead to misjudgments regarding the distance, speed and location of safe gaps in the approaching traffic.

When two lanes merge, rather than intersect, a longer length is created over which vehicle to vehicle conflicts can occur. Research has also established that "such angled intersections pose particular problems for older drivers due to the decline in head and neck mobility which usually accompanies advancing age." lt should also be noted that it is requirement of the Motor Vehicle Act to ensure any maneuver is a safe one by undertaking visual checks and that the sole reliance on a single mirror would not meet this requirement.

Given the number and type of accidents at this intersection it was clear that drivers were failing to merge safely and therefore the Accident Remedial Project was implemented. The new road alignment was designed and constructed so as to require drivers, exiting 25th Avenue, to approach 27th Street on a reduced angle and to stop. This reduces the distance over which vehicular conflicts can occur and enables drivers then to simply look to their left to see the oncoming traffic directly and be better able to judge speed and distance.

At the design stage the turning requirements for a school bus were overlaid on the design drawing to ensure that a bus could make the right turn onto 27th Street. At the construction stage Al Hemming of School District 22 was contacted and on October 31, 2008, a school bus was successfully driven though. However, to ensure ease of use by the school bus the curbline was altered by 0.8m. The first phase of the construction work was completed last year prior to the fall of snow. The second phase, to widen the shoulder on the east side of 27th Street between Highway 6 and 25th Avenue, is planned to be undertaken October this year. This final phase will further improve sight lines of the approaching traffic, whilst providing a more bicycle friendly shoulder on this well used part of the Bike Network. As with all projects in the City, its use and any future accidents will be monitored to ensure it meets the desired aims of reducing traffic accidents at this location and improving facilities for cyclist.

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Don Quixote Note: This is the staff report that will be shown to Council at Monday's COW meeting at 8:40AM. My unscientific poll on right has not attracted many people's opinions to date. Any comments (of a civil nature) are welcome -(anonymous comments have been turned back on for 2 days) ! As I am operating from a backup computer with limited availability these comments may be slow in been posted-sorry!)

I think the report is well detailed and explains fully why the original change was made.
Don Quixote Note: The letter from the retired Police Officer that brought this matter before Council can be found in the Morning Star's letters to editor.

Water bomber battling B.C. forest fire crashes into Okanagan Lake

(CP) – 43 minutes ago

KELOWNA, B.C. — A water bomber battling the Terrace Mountain fire near Kelowna, B.C., has crashed into Okanagan Lake.Transportation Safety Board spokesman Bill Yearwood says the pilot is expected to survive. Yearwood says he doesn't know what caused the crash. Just over half the 2,200 people forced from their homes after the fire flared up have been allowed to return home.But they are still on evacuation alert.The fire that now covered 45 square kilometres is only 25 per cent contained.

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An AT-802F Air Boss watertaker crashed into Okanagan Lake near Kelowna, B.C. on Saturday. (Conair website). July 25th, 2009.

Airtanker crashes into B.C. lake near Kelowna

Updated: Sat Jul. 25 2009 14:13:47 ctvbc.ca

An airtanker plane engaged in fighting forest fires in West Kelowna, B.C., crashed into Okanagan Lake on Saturday, CTV News has confirmed. The pilot was able to escape unhurt.Rick Pedersen, a spokesman for Conair, said the plane flipped over at around noon while attempting to scoop up water from the lake. But Pedersen said he doesn't know what caused this to happen.The AT802 Fire Boss plunged into about 110 metres of water, prompting officials from the Canadian Aviation Safety Board to launch an investigation.The Fire Boss loads water at the rate of 40 gallons per second at over 60 miles per hour, according to the Conair website.Powered by a turbine engine, it takes off and lands on the water, at remote strips or at small airports, and offers low vibration and excellent pilot visibility, Conair said.

Suspicious fire destroys Armstrong golf clubhouse

Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: July 25, 2009 10:00 AM

A Saturday morning fire destroyed the clubhouse at the Royal York Golf Course in Armstrong, taking with it tons of merchandise and memories. Armstrong Spallumcheen volunteer firefighters got the call at around 4:25 a.m. Saturday, and the clubhouse was fully involved when they arrived on scene. Close to 30 firefighters battled the blaze.“We have no idea what happened,” said Wendy Dauncey, whose family, the Yorks, own and operate the nine-hole facility and RV Park. “The clubhouse is demolished, it’s gone. A lot of memories are gone as well. A lot of people have gotten married here.Dauncey said nobody was hurt in the blaze, which also destroyed a number of golf carts parked at the course

The RV Park was fine with only ash from the fire ending up on a few trailers.Fire crews were still on the scene Saturday morning mopping up the suspect blaze.“We are investigating it as a suspicious fire at this point,” said Armstrong Spallumcheen fire chief Rob Brown. “We have RCMP on the scene and looking at it from that aspect first, and see what we can figure out.”The golf course was closed Saturday.“We’ll try to re-open as soon as possible,” said Dauncey. “We’re going to get a temporary building, we’re bringing in some golf carts from Osoyoos.”Course members were finding out the news Saturday.Sharon Bain and her family have been members for nearly eight years, and her two kids, now adults, began playing at Royal York as juniors.“I feel like there’s a huge hole in my life, a huge loss,” said Bain. “It’s such a great place. The people get treated so well there by the Yorks and Jason (head pro Wizniak). The course and clubhouse hosts lots of social functions, and we go to them all.”

Weevils could be the answer to Lake Scugog weed woes

Invasive Plant Council of BC: (Published an Ontario letter to editor below:

Durham News, March 30, 2009 (ONTARIO)

There is a workable, environmental answer to the problem of out-of-control growth of the lake weed called Eurasian milfoil. The solution is to buy and install sufficient numbers of a native predator, the Milfoil weevil, to reduce significantly the thick infestations of this lake weed that we all find so obnoxious.This is a bio-control that has been used elsewhere with great success, that actually gives native plants a chance and yet has no negative effect on other species including humans.These weevils have historically been present in Lake Scugog because they ate the native milfoil, which is present but never in big supply. However, when the Eurasian variety of milfoil was introduced into our lake in the late 1960s, it took many years for the tiny, sesame seed-sized weevils to propagate to sufficient numbers to destroy the huge milfoil weed-beds that were as much of a problem in the 1980s as they are now.However, as their food weed-beds disappeared, their numbers once again crashed to low levels, allowing the milfoil once again to proliferate -- starting basically in 2006.Because non-native Eurasian milfoil is not just a Lake Scugog problem, but a North American problem, a company has sprung up that supplies quantities of weevils for 'salting' in milfoil-dominated lakes to speed up the natural predator/prey cycle -- with great success.The Scugog Lake Stewards witnessed evidence of a lake transformation using additional weevils from this company and were excited to hear that the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Natural Resources have agreed with their use. There appears to be no downside to introducing additional weevils other than organization of the venture, finding funds and public education.

Introduced in tight plots within the weed-beds, weevils produce three to four generations each summer and each female will lay over 400 eggs in her lifetime. It is not an instant solution, but within two to three years, we could be able to use the bay recreationaly once again.

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Population boom for Lake Scugog weevils

Weevils Make Dramatic Progress in an Ontario Lake

Southern Ontario’s Puslinch Lake had been waging a losing battle against Eurasian watermilfoil for a number of years before deciding to become Ontario’s first Milfoil Weevil project. Located in Cambridge, ON, approximately 30 minutes southwest of Toronto, Puslinch Lake is approximately 400 acres (163 Hectares) with maximum and average depths of approximately 18 and 4.5 feet, respectively (5.5m and 1.4m). Owing to the very shallow depth and rich organic sediments in the lake, topped-out milfoil covered more than 50% of the lake surface when the MiddFoil project began in 2006. This coupled with very high stem density made Puslinch one of the most difficult project lakes we’ve worked with to date.

Fifteen thousand weevils were stocked in three locations during 2006; 24,000 were stocked in three additional locations in 2007; and 12,000 were stocked in two locations in 2008. Although follow-up surveys revealed limited progress during the first two years of the project, dramatic changes were noted by mid-summer 2008. As the aerial photos below illustrate, large areas that were topped out and very difficult to get a boat through are now clear of milfoil.