Lets ensure we have the facilities for the Doctors who always get you in the End !

Colorectal Surgeon song by Bowser and Blue.

Remember to sign the VJH Purple Ribbon Petition http://www.petitiononlinecanada.com/petition/vjh-purple-ribbon-campaign-petition/136

Opening day will be yet another "Code Purple" day at VJH where admitted patients exceed hospital capacity. Patients will continue to backup in the emergency department for hours and days at a time while they desperately wait for for a stretcher to become available in a hospital hallway, broom closet, or cast room.   We, the citizens of the North Okanagan and Shuswap say the status quo is unacceptable. 
When the Tower of Care opens, it is slated to open with two empty "shelled-in" acute care floors set aside for completion at an undetermined future date.   We say the time to finish these shelled-in floors is now.   We, the citizens of the North Okanagan and Shuswap are petitioning our provincial government to end constant overcapacity at VJH and complete the two shelled in floors now.

Games spared extra expense

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star  Published: July 31, 2011 1:00 AM
 Forking out cash for criminal record checks will not become an official Winter Games​ activity.  The City of Vernon’s finance committee confirmed Thursday there is currently no fee for criminal record checks for charities.  “They  are a legitimate group and the RCMP will cover the work at no charge,” said Coun. Patrick Nicol of Greater Vernon’s 2012 B.C. Winter Games committee.  The organizers had asked the city to waive fees, which they speculated could reach $12,500 for 500 volunteers.  Akbal Mund, Winter Games president, said the request was made because his group had been led to believe that a B.C.-wide fee for checks would be initiated.  “We’re ecstatic that there will be no charge to the volunteers for checks.”  The Games committee was concerned that criminal record check fees would significantly impact its budget.  “Our goal is to provide a long-term legacy for the community,” said Mund. Because the Games will need about 500 record checks done, the city has held discussions with the  RCMP detachment about the logistics involved.  “It definitely increases the staff workload,” said Nicol. “They will do it over a period of time so it doesn’t hit the system all at once.”  The B.C. Winter Games will be in Greater Vernon from Feb. 23 to 26.

Committee to review compensation for city council

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star  Published: July 31, 2011 1:00 AM 
Anyone running for a seat on Vernon council this fall will know what they’ll get paid.  A citizens’ committee will review remuneration for the mayor and councillors elected Nov. 19.  “We try and come up with an unbiased committee that can look at this,” said Leon Gous, chief administrative officer. The committee will consist of three members of the public, with at least one having previous elected municipal government experience.  The committee will examine data from similar-sized communities and other relevant information before presenting a recommendation to current council.  If the recommendation includes a change in pay, that change does not come into effect until the Jan. 1 following the civic election year.  A  remuneration policy, including the citizens’ review, was initiated a few years ago so existing council members are not determining their salary.  Coun. Bob Spiers​ doesn’t believe there is a need for elected officials to earn more. “I’m quite happy with the current base pay which allows for a cost of living increase annually,” he said. Presently, the base pay is $63,466.00 annually for the mayor and $20,473 annually each for the six councillors. In addition to this, each council member receives $137 per committee meeting they attend.
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Don Quixote Note: The base pay and any meeting pay claimed is 1/3 tax free. The committee meeting pay of $137 per meeting was approved by the Council in Sept of 2009 despite the unanimous vote of the last Council to accept Mr McGrath's minority report of a Cost of living increase only in October of 2008 prior to the last municipal election. Council members do not automatically get the $137 meeting pay, they must claim it.

See Wednesday, October 15, 2008 Politicians pocket pay hike for Minority Report Details

Veteran councillor to donate pay increase Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Traffic changes panned

Ron Seymour  The Daily Courier 2011-07-29 
Upgrades at a downtown Kelowna intersection have only served to make it more dangerous than ever, nearby residents say.  The city has installed a concrete median, put up a pedestrian-activated traffic light, and imposed various turn restrictions at the corner of Richter Street and Cawston Avenue. However, many drivers either don‘t understand how the new traffic movements are supposed to work or are deliberately choosing to ignore the restrictions, say Wayne and Texsey Turberfield, who‘ve lived in a house at the corner for four years.  "It‘s a real schmozzle," Wayne said Thursday. "This corner is definitely a lot more dangerous now than it used to be." "It‘s a total joke," Texsey added. "There‘s going to be a bad accident here soon, no question." City officials say they‘re aware that many improper traffic movements are being made by drivers at the rebuilt corner. "We‘re monitoring it," said city engineer Purvez Irani. "We‘ll try to solve this situation, either through design changes or enforcement." The intersection was redesigned as part of the construction of the new multi-use pathway along Cawston Avenue. Previously, there were only stop signs on Cawston, with drivers able to turn left or right onto Richter, and vice versa.  Now, eastbound drivers on Cawston are only supposed to turn right onto Richter, with no through traffic or left turns permitted. However, in the course of 20 minutes‘ observation Thursday afternoon, more than one-third of eastbound Cawston drivers violated the restrictions, weaving their way through gaps in the concrete median. One driver even headed down the wrong side of Richter for a stretch. Drivers on Richter Street are now not supposed to turn left onto Cawston but, again, violations are fairly common. Design changes were made at the corner largely to accommodate the interests of cyclists and pedestrians using the multi-use pathway. "That‘s all fine and good and the path is a nice addition to the street," Wayne Turberfield said, "but it seems like they forgot about making it safer for drivers."

East Hill project denied

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star  Published: July 31, 2011 1:00 AM

A contentious development proposal on Vernon’s East Hill has been shot down. Council has denied third reading of a bylaw that would have rezoned 2602 25th Avenue from large lot residential to four-plex housing residential.  “It simply doesn’t fit with the neighbourhood,” said Coun. Patrick Nicol of the unanimous decision not to proceed with the development.  “There was no support for it at the public hearing.”  Residents had expressed concern that the plan for two, four-unit buildings on the 0.3-hectare property would increase traffic and negatively impact the character of the neighbourhood. The applicant had insisted that the proposal would support redevelopment of downtown and encourage people to walk to nearby services instead of driving.
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More Input Sought On Plan
There’s a go-slow approach for land use planning in downtown Vernon and adjacent neighbourhoods.
Instead of adopting the city centre neighbourhood plan, council has rescinded third reading so there can be more public discussion on the future of the area.  “This is an important plan for the city,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert.  “Anyone who wants to provide input should get it into us.”  The plan will designate land use activities in the downtown core, as well as in the Seaton Secondary area.A second public hearing will be held in September.
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Hotel Room Tax Adding Up
Hotel room tax dollars are starting to roll into Vernon’s tourism marketing program.  During the 10 months of 2010 that the additional hotel room tax was officially collected, the city received $286,994.
“A comparison of AHRT revenue by month shows a significant improvement in 2011 with a 23 per cent increase in March and 42 per cent increase for April over the comparable 2010 months,” said Michelle Jefferson, tourism  manager, in a written report to members of city council.  “Note that the AHRT is not exactly two per cent of the room revenue for a variety of reasons, including long-term stays that do not require the collection of AHRT and properties that are located in Vernon for B.C. Stats statistical purposes, but are not within the municipal boundaries and therefore are not subject to the AHRT.”

Downloadable Paper Petition for completion of 2 Shelled-in Floors at VJH

DEADLINE FOR PETITION FAST APPROACHING.
Stick one in your back-pocket and collect names as you meet people.

http://www.petitiononlinecanada.com/petition/vjh-purple-ribbon-campaign-petition/136

 If you haven't signed the online petition at link above Please feel free to click on this petition and print out the full sized version and collect signatures. Return the completed ones to the collection point at the front desk of the Coldstream or Vernon Municipal Halls.

D'oh! Are Internet Explorer users dumb?

CTV News.ca  Date: Saturday Jul. 30, 2011 12:54 PM ET

There isn't a shortage of choices when it comes to web browsers -- options such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Camino and Opera are just a click away. But a new report suggests that a web user's IQ score may be lower than average if their go-to option is Internet Explorer. According to AptiQuant, a Vancouver-based online psychometric testing company, Internet surfers using any version of Internet Explorer rank significantly lower in terms of their intelligence quotient."The study showed a substantial relationship between an individual's cognitive ability and their choice of web browser," said the study published on Tuesday.
IQ scores

• IE 6.0, 7.0 users = low 80s 
• IE 8.0, 9.0 users = between 80 and 100 
• Firefox, Chrome, Safari = 100 to 120 
• IE with Chrome Frame, Camino, Opera = over 120

Will farms trump a recreation complex in Glenmore?

Ron Seymour  The Daily Courier   2011-07-28
A major recreation complex planned for Glenmore would result in the loss of productive farmland, members of a city committee say.  The Agricultural Advisory Committee is opposed to the city‘s plan to buy five properties totalling 26 acres at the southeast corner of Valley and Longhill Roads.  "We voted against this plan because there‘s no benefit in it for agriculture," committee chairman Leo Gebert said Wednesday. "Our mandate is to preserve agricultural lands."  The city hopes to win permission from the Agricultural Land Commission to exclude the properties from the Agricultural Land Reserve. The site would then be used to develop amenities such as soccer pitches, ball diamonds, a playground and a major recreation building.  "I know we all want to have parks and green space for our kids, but once the site is taken out of agricultural use, it‘s gone forever," Gebert said.  "You pave it over with parking lots and put up buildings and sports fields, there won‘t be any crops grown on it ever again."
City staff say it has always been the intention to develop a major recreation complex for Glenmore, which has a population of 23,000. The area is said to be under-served in recreational amenities, compared to Rutland and the Mission.  Glenmore has less than half a hectare of parkland for every 1,000 residents. The city‘s goal throughout Kelowna is to provide 2.2 hectares of park for every 1,000 residents. Staff said many locations were considered for possible use as a Glenmore recreation complex, with all but the Valley-Longhill site being ruled out. Problems with other possible sites included the high cost of acquiring property that‘s not within the land reserve, longer distance from populated areas and local schools, and topographical constraints. 

Still, some councillors are worried about advancing an exclusion application to the Land Commission against the objections of the city‘s own agricultural advisory committee. "I‘m very concerned about sending this proposal to the ALC without the AAC‘s support," Coun. Robert Hobson said at Monday‘s council meeting.  Earlier this year, the ALC rejected an exclusion application for lands near the Vernon campus of Okanagan College. The property would have been used for a large sports complex, and the proposal had the endorsement of Vernon and Coldstream councils, as well as the college.  Kelowna city staff will meet again with members of the agricultural advisory committee next week to try get the group on board before submitting the exclusion application to the ALC.  Asked if he thought it was likely committee members would change their mind, Gebert said: "I suppose there is that possibility."

B.C. eyes mobile gambling apps

There is a Fine if you play while Driving

By Tom Fletcher - BC Local News  Published: July 29, 2011 10:00 AM

VICTORIA – Trying to maintain market share in rapidly evolving gambling business, B.C. Lottery Corporation is looking at expanding its online games and tickets to mobile phones and tablets.  BCLC launched its gambling website PlayNow.com a year ago, as unregulated internet poker websites started cutting into the province's lucrative casino and lottery business. B.C. was the first government in North America to jump into online gambling, and PlayNow.com now bills itself as "B.C.'s only legal gambling website."  At the July 2010 launch, cabinet minister Rich Coleman estimated that B.C. residents were spending $100 million a year on online gambling, and made no apologies for encouraging BCLC to go online and raise its betting limit to $9,999.  Now some of those unregulated sites are moving to smart phone and tablet applications, and BCLC is preparing to do the same. A survey asks PlayNow.com customers if they would use their mobile devices to play lotteries, poker, casino games and sports betting.A BCLC spokesperson said no decision has been made yet to proceed with mobile gambling.

PlayNow.com now has 170,000 registered players, and is running ahead of expectations, despite an initial software glitch that mixed up player bank accounts and forced a month-long shutdown. Online gambling still represents only one per cent of the corporation's revenues, but that's expected to grow to four per cent by 2014. The bulk of BCLC's more than $1 billion annual profit comes from conventional lotteries and casinos, as slot machines have displaced bingo games in recent years. After returning some of the gambling-funded community grants that were cut in 2009, Premier Christy Clark appointed former Kwantlen University president Skip Triplett to review eligibility for the grants and stabilize funding for non-profit groups.  Triplett's community forums begin Aug. 11 on Vancouver Island, moving to the B.C. Interior and finishing in Metro Vancouver in September.

Fire In City Park

Written by Peter McIntyre Friday, 107.5 KISSFM 29 July 2011 13:45

Vernon fire crews have been battling a grass fire in Becker Park, just west the Vernon Rec Complex.  It started around 2 o' clock on a hill  and quickly spread to the south, closer to some homes on Centennial Drive.  Fire crews managed to get hoses and personnel into that area to cut it off , and now look to have it under control despite some advancement to the west over the back of the hill.  No word at this point on the cause. There's have been some suspicious fire starts in Becker Park in the past.
Click on photo to enlarge and see another one.
(P.McIntyre, Kiss FM photos)

Police Receive Complaints Of Door-to-Door High Pressure Sales

7/29/2011 05.7 SUNFM:

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Vernon RCMP are telling residents they don't have to put up with high pressure sales on their doorstep. The police comment follows complaints over the past few weeks about high pressure tactics being used by a security alarm company conducting door-to-door sales. Police says this has happened before and that police in other areas of the province have received similar complaints. The RCMP say the security company in question has a business license but that consumers don't have to put up with aggressive marketing. They suggest the salesperson be asked to leave the property.

For a moment take a walk with me

VJH Purple Ribbon Campaign
Please have a listen to this beautiful new song-- lyrics by Falkland resident Linda Myers with vocals and performance by the truly gifted musician Charlae. Hats off to local musician Chris Madsen for producing this piece.The piece is inspired by the continuous overcapacity crisis at VJH.

Capital Work Projects (ALL)

• 31 Ave Road Reconstruction -32 Street to 30 Street

  2011 Road Reconstruction Capital Project - Project Awarded to Peters Brothers Construction
  Start Date: Tuesday, August 2, 2011 (Estimated)
  Completion Date: Tuesday, September 6, 2011 (Estimated)
  

Shepherd seeking third term as mayor

Wayne Moore - Castanet Jul 29, 2011
Sharon Shepherd has made it official. Shepherd announced late Thursday night she will seek a third term as Kelowna's mayor.  In a news release, Shepherd says her ongoing vision for Kelowna is to have “a safe, healthy and economically vibrant community where all can experience an enhanced quality of life now and into the future.” Shepherd says she feels it is important to pursue being the best mid-sized city in the country and the recently adopted official community plan that looks to 2030, titled “Greening Our Future”, sets the guidelines in achieving that goal.  “Kelowna is a leader in sustainability with solar, geothermal, district energy and recycling policies and programs” says Shepherd, “ yet there is still lots to do.” Shepherd also identified new initiatives to consider include a Policing Advisory Coalition and an Alternate Transportation Committee that deals with walking, cycling, and transit needs.(more)

Landscaping draws scrutiny

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star  Published: July 29, 2011 1:00 AM

Morning Star File Photo

A rocky situation has developed in a Vernon neighbourhood.  There have been reports of children throwing landscape rocks into neighbouring yards since upgrades were done to 20th Street in the Harwood  area.  “We need to look at a hard surface there,” said Coun. Shawn Lee.  Lee insists the rock — which is about four inches in diameter - should be removed because of the potential for damage or someone getting hurt.  “The barriers used to protect the telephone poles can be used as catapults,” said Lee who visited the area. “I tried it and I got about 20 metres with a rock. Some times things look really good but kids can be inventive. Give them ammunition and they’ll shoot it.” A landscape architect decided to go with the current rock size. “We have it in other locations and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t,” said Rob Dickinson​, the city’s engineering services manager. It’s likely the rock will be replaced with quarter-inch gravel. But Lee isn’t impressed with that option. “I’d like to see a different surface,” he said. “You could put in finer stuff but the kids will just use it.” The City of Vernon is also speaking out against complaints that the road upgrades has led to a narrowing of the space vehicles can access on 20th Street. “It’s the same standard size travel lane as elsewhere,” said Leon Gous, chief administrative officer. “You can get the same truck through there as on 27th Street.” Gous says that the overall width of the road has narrowed but that is because of the curb.

Mayor draws sharp attack

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star  Published: July 29, 2011 1:00 AM

Vernon’s mayor is being accused of fuelling disputes with neighbouring jurisdictions.  Jim Garlick, Coldstream mayor, says he is increasingly frustrated with Wayne Lippert over the future of water and parks and recreation.  “The main instigator of virtually every service review or the instigator of disruption (at meetings) is Wayne Lippert,” Garlick told The Morning Star. “I don’t believe anyone can get along with Wayne Lippert. We’ve seen that with fire dispatch at the regional district.”  Garlick is particularly upset with comments Lippert made about Coldstream not supporting Vernon withdrawing from water distribution. “It just shows they can’t hold to an agreement, so if you can’t hold to an agreement with someone, what kind of partnership can you expect to have?” Lippert told Kiss FM. Garlick says his municipality has been consistent about keeping the water utility intact and has been part of the negotiation process. “Wayne Lippert has a way of turning everything into a fight,” he said. Garlick claims the ongoing disputes may be Lippert’s way of encouraging amalgamation of Greater Vernon’s jurisdictions. “That’s his main goal. I don’t think it’s the City of Vernon, it’s Wayne Lippert. He wants to bring the Ontario amalgamation model here,” said Garlick. 

Lippert denies he is forcing amalgamation. “Amalgamation will happen eventually if it’s something citizens want,” he said.  Lippert also challenges Garlick’s comments that he is difficult to deal with at meetings.  “I’m there to look for benefits for everyone and to find solutions. I’m in politics but I hate politics,” he said. Lippert stands by his concerns about Coldstream’s handling of the water utility. “We all agreed to sit down with the province to work out an agreement and look at the best models. Coldstream agreed to that but never signed the agreement. They stalled it,” he said. Garlick opposes amalgamation and says the current governance structure allows his council to address the specific interests of Coldstream and to be financially accountable. “In the case of amalgamation, service in the area would go to the service levels and costs of the city. This would include garbage pick-up, transit and other departments that would have little if any benefits to the outside areas. There will be the need to take on the costs of roads in the electoral areas from the province with increased expectations of service by the residents for those roads,” he said. However, Lippert says residents in all jurisdictions are considering amalgamation because of the disputes over water and parks.  “People are talking to me about it,” he said. “Areas B and C should be amalgamated with Vernon or Coldstream or incorporated as a municipality on their own. In the long run, (amalgamation for) the whole North Okanagan should be looked at.”

Clock repairs proving costly

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star  Published: July 29, 2011 1:00 AM

There’s no cheap fix to Vernon’s clock tower.  The device at 32nd Avenue and 31st Street hasn’t worked for about four years, and it could cost between $8,400 and $30,000 to get it back up and running. “It’s a tough decision,” said Coun. Shawn Lee of the price tag.  “But something has to be done.”  Installing an electronic unit will cost about $8,400 while a local resident says he could refurbish the current mechanism for $30,000. The city would pursue a heritage grant if the existing system is preserved. “It would be nice to keep the old mechanism from a heritage perspective or we could say we’re in the 21st century and go electronic,” said Lee.  Lee has pushed for the clock to be fixed because he doesn’t believe the current situation reflects well on the city and it frustrates residents wanting the correct time. The clock was part of Vernon’s 1912 post office, which was demolished in 1959. It was installed in the tower, in front of the Greater Vernon Museum,  in 1967. One city employee was responsible for maintaining the clock but he retired a few years ago and the city has not had specialized clock expertise since then.

McGrath to retire as BC Conservative president

Public Eye July 28, 2011 
Provincial Conservative president Wayne McGrath has exclusively told Public Eye he won't be seeking re-election at the party's upcoming annual general meeting in Nanaimo. "My position next term is going to be past president. There's no beating me out for that," quipped Mr. McGrath, who has been president of the party for the past four years. The annual general meeting is scheduled to take place on September 24 at the Vancouver Island Convention Centre.

BC Conservatives look for cheques in the mail

Public Eye July 28, 2011 
Provincial Conservative leader John Cummins is hustling for donations. Earlier this month, Mr. Cummins sent out a four-page fundraising letter urging recipients to "bring common sense and conservative ideas back to Victoria." In an interview with Public Eye, party president Wayne McGrath said around $7,000 was spent mailing out the letter to "known conservative supporters" - an amount that has already be recouped. The following is a complete copy. BC Conservative Party fundraising letter

Firefighters strike tentative agreement

Kelowna Daily Courier: 2011-07-28
Kelowna‘s unionized firefighters would have their pension plan enhanced under a proposed new contract.  A tentative agreement has been struck between negotiators for the City of Kelowna and the International Association of Firefighters Local 953.  "We‘ve got a deal with them," Stu Leatherdale, the city‘s human resource directors, said Wednesday.  Areas in which agreements have been reached include contract language provisions granting greater flexibility in the staffing schedules at various firehalls.  "That will represent a significant cost saving for the city," Leatherdale said.  In return, the city has agreed to improve the firefighters pension plan, to match that provided to police and firefighters in other parts of the province.  Currently, Kelowna firefighters have a pension plan equivalent to other City of Kelowna municipal employees.  While there is the framework of an agreement, the key issue of wages is still unresolved.  That‘s because wages for Kelowna firefighters are automatically linked to those paid to their counterparts in the Lower Mainland.  "The salary increase for Kelowna‘s firefighters will be the same as what the majority of Lower Mainland municipalities end up paying their firefighters in terms of an increase," Leatherdale said.  Although most of the contracts expired last year, talks are still ongoing between firefighters‘ unions and municipal representatives in the Lower Mainland. Arbitration may be needed in some cases to reach a new collective agreement.  The last contract between the City of Kelowna and its firefighters ran from January 2008 to March 31, 2010. It provided for a wage increase of 10 per cent over the 27-month life of the contract.  According to city employee salary information released in late June, Kelowna firefighters identified as having 10 years of service earned an average of $89,000 last year.

Vicious beating sends 3 to hospital

by RCMP - Castanet Jul 28, 2011 / 3:00 pm

A reported domestic assault turned ugly last Tuesday night. On July 26 at about 8:20 p.m., Vernon RCMP responded to the call just off Buchanan Road in Coldstream. Officers discovered that three people had been allegedly beaten with a baseball bat by a man who was known to all three. The victims, two women and a man, suffered visible bruises to their legs, arms, torsos and face. The two women were transported to Vernon Jubilee Hospital for further medical treatment.One remains in hospital and required surgery to repair a broken arm.  The story then took a bizarre twist when police apprehended a 27 year old man several hours later in downtown Vernon when both the RCMP and the City of Vernon By-Laws officers responded to a complaint of a male exposing himself in the downtown core. The suspect is facing three charges of assault with a weapon, three of uttering threats, as well as assault and aggravated assault. He was scheduled to appear in court Thursday to answer to these charges.

WHEN WILL THERE BE "PEACE IN THE VALLEY" ?

First Posted 07/19, 2006

Bell overcharges B.C. customers for calls -Customers instructed to find errors on bills themselves

CBC News  Posted:Jul 28, 2011

One Bell Mobility cell phone customer in B.C.'s Okanagan is warning others to double-check their phone bills after she was charged upwards of $30 a month for long distance calls from cities she has never visited.  Since May, Kelowna resident Amy Johnston has been receiving cell phone bills with small inconsistencies.  "On my cell phone bill, I was noticing an abnormal number of long distance calls," she said. "I then noticed that they were saying that my calls were being placed from Kamloops or even Fort McMurray — two places where I don't spend any time. So I knew that something was up."  Johnston said she wasn't in Kamloops during the billing cycle, and has never even been to Fort McMurray.  According to Bell, the issue lies in a newly-installed cellular tower that was incorrectly coded.  "They were having a problem with the Okanagan area and I don't know exactly what the problem is, but there's something that's re-routing our calls so that they're going through Kamloops or Fort McMurray," Johnston said. Johnston has been credited for some of the false charges, one phone call at a time, but is still being forced to scour her phone bill every month.  "To be honest, I can't even be sure that the problem is fixed because my bill now comes out to being 50 pages long because I have them crediting me for $90 here, then I get charged an extra $30 for these long distance calls that I haven't made." (more)

Okanagan Lake evaporation factor

by Castanet Staff - Jul 27, 2011

The are many pressures put on Okanagan Lake on a daily basis. With so much demand on water supply, it's imperative to understand what is happening to the Okanagan's water resources.  As a part of this effort, the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) has partnered with Environment Canada for an important study to better understand what is happening to the water in Okanagan Lake. Beginning this week, the OBWB and Environment Canada launched three large yellow buoys on Okanagan Lake, each three metres tall by 1.8 metres wide, to monitor lake evaporation for at least the next three years. The final buoy was launched Wednesday morning.  This study comes as the result of work done on the comprehensive Okanagan Water Supply and Demand Study – a three-year, $3 million project that looked at the valley’s water supply, but found one piece of the puzzle missing: how much water is lost off Okanagan Lake through evaporation?  Initial estimates put lake evaporation at one metre per year. But the Okanagan is known to be a region with water supply challenges, and estimates aren’t good enough when effective water resource management is at stake.   By determining how much water is lost to evaporation, the Okanagan will be in a better position to plan for these challenges, including drought.
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 Another Don Quixote Parody:With Apologies to Stompin' Tom Connors ‘The Consumer’

Oh yes we are the Muni Taxpayer running in the race
Paying for the bureaucratic reports in the ol'  city-hall marketplace
Another report needed for something, we'll buy it while it's hot
The Politicians tell us we’ll Save a lot of money spending money we don't got,
We Save a lot of money spending money we don't got

The Muni Taxpayer they call us
We always get a fair shake
Roads that will have to diet and no rights to regulate our lake
We can't buy nothing lasting no matter who we choose
And any way you look at it you always seem to lose.

The Muni Taxpayer they call us
We're fussy about what we want them to make
We look at the price of hamburger but they bill us for T-bone Steak.
And all those fancy reports that gather dust upon the shelf
They're always full of Political dreams when they're full of nothing else

Oh yes we are the Muni Taxpayer running in the race
Paying for the bureaucratic reports in the ol'  city-hall marketplace
Another report needed for something, we'll buy it while it's hot
The Politicians tell us we’ll Save a lot of money spending money we don't got
We Save a lot of money spending money we don't got

Hospital Hill Pedestrian Crossing Traffic Counts Expected To Take Another Year

Rebecca Barton 7/28/2011 105.7 SUNFM

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Pedestrians on Hospital Hill will have to play Russian Roulette for another year as the city continues to review crossing safety on Highway 97 near Vernon Jubilee Hospital. City of Vernon Transportation Technician Amanda Watson says they are hoping to partner with UBCO to enlarge the scope of the project and look at how vehicles in the surrounding area are moving and parking. She says they have reports that several people are parking on one side of the highway and then crossing over to the hospital. She says, "It is thankful that there hasn't been any accidents at this location. People are concerned about vehicle speeds and the size of vehicles approaching them but the accident history is thankfully good at this location." Watson anticipates the review will be complete by the spring of 2012.

Fare hike en route

Ron Seymour  The Daily Courier  2011-07-26
Bus riders will have to dig a little deeper into their pockets when they climb aboard Kelowna Regional Transit next year.  Single-trip adult fares will rise from $2 to $2.25 under a new rate schedule approved yesterday by city council. The fare increase - the first in more than four years - is justified because of all the service upgrades made to the system since 2007, a majority of city councillors said.  "The quality of the transit system is so much higher than it was in 2007," said Coun. Kevin Craig, a university student who uses public transit to get to the UBC Okanagan campus. "I think a very good rationale has been made for an increase in the fee," said Coun. Robert Hobson.  Total budget for the Kelowna area transit system, including the subsidies from local and provincial taxpayers that currently account for 74 per cent of all expenses, has doubled from $9 million in 2005 to $18 million this year.  The extra investment has increased total annual service hours by 55 per cent, from 113,000 to 176,000, and paid for other improvements such as the introduction of RapidBus along Highway 97, and fancier and more numerous bus stops. But total system costs actually recovered from fares paid by passengers has fallen from 35 per cent in 2005 to 26 per cent today. The fee increases are an attempt to boost that ratio back up to the 30 per cent target set by B.C. Transit, the Crown corporation that assists municipalities in paying for local bus systems.  The new fares, to take effect Jan. 1, 2012, are in line with those charged by similar-sized systems such as the one that serves Kamloops, city councillors heard.  Collectively, the higher fares are expected to generate $550,000 of extra revenue for Kelowna Regional Transit. The system, which operates from Oyama to Peachland, carried more than four million individual rides last year, but less than three per cent of workers rely on it for their daily commutes. Craig and Hobson joined councillors Andre Blanleil, Luke Stack, Angela Reid-Nagy, Graeme James and Mayor Sharon Shepherd in voting for the fare increases. Councillors Michele Rule and Charlie Hodge were opposed. Hodge said the higher fees would be a hardship on poor people, and Rule said she had a philosophical position that riding public transit should be free to users.

Other details of the fare increase:

• Single-trip rate for seniors & students up to Grade 12 will rise from $1.75 to $2 
• A monthly pass for adults will rise from $53 to $60 
• The UPass for UBCO students will rise from $50 to $60 per semester in September 2012, pending approval from students in a campus referendum expected to be held in January.

Man arrested trying to get to mayor

Castanet Staff - Jul 27, 2011 / 2:06 pm 
An unidentified man was arrested Wednesday morning after he allegedly caused a disturbance inside Kelowna City Hall.  The man had moved to the second floor where he was apprehended.   The call came in saying the man was not cooperating with city staff and that he wanted to see the mayor. The incident occurred shortly before 11 a.m.  Mayor Sharon Shepherd was attending a ceremony at the 'Portraits of Honour National Tour' at the time of the disturbance.  Outside the hand-cuffed man was joking and cooperating with police as they put him into a cruiser.  RCMP say the man was intoxicated and has a history of mental illness.  Police are continuing to investigate.

July 26, 2011 media release: District of Coldstream Supports the Greater Vernon Water Utility - PDF

Premier Responds To Hospital Group

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Wednesday, 27 July 2011 

Polson Tower Rally on Canada Day

The citizen's group pushing for more bed funding at Vernon's hospital, has received a response from BC's Premier. Peter Hill, organizer of a rally attended by 200 outside the Polson Tower on Canada Day, sent an email to Christy Clark a week after the event, and heard back from the Premier this week. "It wasn't just the normal generic stuff that you sometimes expect from some politicians, but actually she did say thank you and appreciated the contents of the email." Hill is upset at comments from Shuswap MLA George Abbott who told the Morning Star he's not convinced more acute care beds are needed at the hospital. Hill says, "It's a sad reflection (when he) does not respect those who are hands-on, namely our doctors, nurses and surgeons." Hill says the medical experts are the ones who have to work in the often overcrowded facility every day. Hill --who has been meeting with hospital staff and local politicians--says a BC government financial rep was recently at the site. "He actually did a tour of the hospital just this past week, so obviously something is in the wind." Vernon Monashee MLA Eric Foster told Kiss FM last week he continues to press for the funding to put beds in the two shelled in floors at the top of the new tower.  "I've got a path worn between the Solicitor General's office, Minister of Health's office and now talking to the Premier about it. We're just trying to figure out how were going to pay for it." The new beds and equipment would cost about 10 million dollars per floor, plus another ten million a year to staff it.

Commonage plan garners support

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star  Published: July 27, 2011 1:00 AM 
Vernon politicians insist they have taken every necessary step to protect part of the Commonage.  Council voted 6-1 Monday to issue a development variance permit for a 28-lot subdivision on 242 hectares near Chum Road. It includes one 80.9-hectare lot.  “The land owner has a legal right to subdivide and by granting the variance, it provides an opportunity to protect sensitive ecosystem through covenants,” said Coun. Buffy Baumbrough .  Mayor Wayne Lippert says one large parcel will make it easier for wildlife to move around than if there were several individual lots.  “It leaves a lot more land unobstructed by fences,” he said.  While many residents have expressed opposition to any kind of subdivision, city officials say that even if the variance had been denied, subdivision could not be blocked because of existing zoning. “I can’t agree to ignore people’s rights to property,” said Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe. Lone opposition to the variance came from Coun. Bob Spiers . “I wanted more information on the layout that could occur with the variance,” said Spiers, adding, though, that actual development could not be stopped. “I would have probably eventually gone along (with the variance).” Bob Armstrong, who owns the property, says his goal is to ensure the integrity of the grasslands and wildlife habitat. “We’ve put a lot of work into the plan and it’s the best decision in regards to the environment,” he said, adding that parts of the area have been abused over the years.  “It can be more beautiful than it is now.”  Armstrong won’t speculate on the subdivision proceeding. “We’ll have a family meeting and make that decision,” he said.  The recently formed North Okanagan Natural Areas Preservation Committee is upset with council’s actions. “They had the option of saying no and leaving the developer with their options,” said spokesperson David Kennedy. Kennedy says the variance is a major departure from the intent of current zoning and he challenges the accuracy of sensitive ecosystem mapping provided by the applicant to the city.  There is also a concern that subdivision of the Armstrong lands will put pressure on other adjacent properties to develop. “We asked if this will set a precedent and they (city) didn’t answer the question,” said Kennedy. NONAP will appear before council Aug. 8. “What’s badly needed is an overall (land use) plan for the area,” said Kennedy.
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Don Quixote Note: This variance layout that created a single 200 acre lot that will be restricted to any further subdivision (as are all of the 28 proposed lots) and restricted as to building on the the highly sensitive environmental portions of each of these potential lots (if the applicant actually proposes the subdivision going forward) appears to be a better deal for the protection of that 200 acre piece and one that I would have reluctantly agreed to if we either got community access to or it was rezoned to park and public space. As this applicant had not indicated that he would designate this land as Park and Public Space at the time of the application I requested deferral so a more detailed layout indicating the 10% of perimeter road access frontage  that is required under the NU Zone for this 200 acre parcel (except for park and public space) was brought forward . Lacking a seconder to the deferral motion I naturally rejected the motion of the variance at this time and in the current form.

My main objection to this or any other potential development that is 'out of time and out of place' is that development should occur from the inner core and move outward. When these developments are approved (generally over my objection and vote) I feel that the concept expressed in the OCP that all development Pays for itself is sufficient protection that will deter such applications coming forward. The belief that all such developments would have to provide the upfront costs to access City sewer and GVS water was dis-proven if you examine the Vernon Bylaw 3843 (1992) -Vernon Subdivision and Development Services Bylaw and find out that in this NU Zone Well water and Septic Tanks are the standards required. To give us that extra portion of comfort that Development pays for itself I will be giving a notice of motion that all such zones that have this low service level as to water and sewer be changed. Hopefully the rest of Council will provide the votes to make this important future OCP compliant tool to be considered and approved.

City opposes relocation of marina

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star  Published: July 27, 2011 1:00 AM
 The City of Vernon is opposing plans to relocate a private marina on Okanagan Lake.  On Monday, council reaffirmed a 2004 decision that South Bay not be used by the Outback strata on Eastside Road for boat storage.  “It was agreed that South Bay would not be a marina and that has never changed,” said Coun. Patrick Nicol. “Public access to South Bay is historical.”  The Outback strata has applied to the provincial government to construct a 72-slip marina in South Bay because the existing facility in Quarry Bay is subject to damage by storms.  While the city identified the location of a marina during the development permit stage for the Outback in 2004, officials admit the agreement with the strata is voluntary and not legally binding.  “We have no authority over the lake,” said Leon Gous, chief administrative officer.  “Enforcement is with the provincial and federal governments and our resolution doesn’t oblige the feds and the province to do anything. If the province approves the marina, there’s not a lot we can do about it.”  Council is asking the province to extend the public input process for the application.  “Postponement benefits both groups,” said Nicol of the strata and residents who have concerns.  Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA, has approached the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations about the process.  “There are all kinds of opportunities for public input,” said Foster.  “The ministry told me the process is at the very beginning.”  The Outback strata insists that a marina no longer makes sense in Quarry Bay because kokanee habitat only permitted a temporary structure.  “Given that we are not permitted to install a more solid, permanent structure, the marina and breakwater are forced to cope with wave action that temporary structures cannot withstand,” states a letter from the strata’s marina facilities committee.  “Adults and children caught on the docks were being heaved around violently. Safety is as much a part of our rationale to move to South Bay as structural damage.”  The committee states the marina would only occupy the western half of South Bay, with the eastern half open for others. “We believe there is more than enough room for us and our immediate southern neighbour.”

Concerns about the proposed marina have come from some area residents including Kim Napasaiko. “The basis of damage to their personal property is hardly a sufficient reason to propose such a large and invasive structure with so many negative implications,” said Napasaiko in a letter to the city. “Some of those are property values, fish habitat, safety and swimming issues, drinking water and navigation on the water.” The proposed marina will completely restrict public access to the bay and neighbouring private properties.” No one from the Outback’s marina facilities committee could be reached for comment.

City picks up possible arts space

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star  Published: July 27, 2011 1:00 AM
 Taxpayers have bought a piece of land in downtown Vernon but it’s unknown whether it will be the future home of an art gallery and museum.  The City of Vernon has purchased the Vernon Flower Shop building at 3011 31st Avenue for $315,000.  When asked if this will be the site of a proposed museum and art gallery complex, Mayor Wayne Lippert would only say, “It’s a potential site for future arts and culture space.”  Both the public art gallery and the museum have been lobbying for new facilities because their current locations are cramped and do not contain climate controls necessary to protect artifacts.  The gallery’s recent Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts fundraiser was held across from Vernon Flower Shop in Cenotaph Park.  Lippert insists that no matter the use, the latest land acquisition will prove a benefit to the community.  “We’ve looked at it because we bought the adjacent medical clinic property a few years ago. It could be a park and an art walk,” he said. The purchase has full support among council members.  “It consolidates the rest of the block,” said Coun. Bob Spiers of the city’s existing land holdings.  “We could do something with it in the future. It’s a good investment.”  Coun. Jack Gilroy admits some residents may question purchasing the flower shop building when the city already owns the Coldstream Hotel property which has been sitting vacant for years.  However, he says the flower shop site makes sense.  “That’s the area we want to do some redeveloping in,” said Gilroy. “We will have more parking downtown until there is a plan for the land.”  As for the Coldstream Hotel property, Gilroy says it is critical for the long-term future of Vernon. “We are trying to get a development there with shops on the bottom and housing above so we can get more people living downtown,” he said. The Vernon Flower Shop will lease back the building on a monthly basis until it has found alternate premises.

Dispute Is Fueling Amalgamation Talk

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Tuesday, 26 July 2011 15:15

Vernon mayor and G-VAC chair Wayne Lippert says Coldstream's change of stance on Greater Vernon Water won't do anything to solve the local governance issues. In fact, he says all the disagreements between the regional partners, have led to more talk of amalgamation.  "People are getting frustrated with the Regional District of the North Okanagan, and Greater Vernon, and since I first became mayor (six years ago) to now, not just in the city of Vernon but in the BX and Coldstream, people that earlier didn't want to talk about amalgamation, are now coming to me saying, 'How can we make that happen?'" Lippert says Coldstream's about-face on the water issue has happened a number of other times in discussions.  "It just shows they can't hold to an agreement, so if you can't hold to an agreement with someone, what kind of partnership can you expect to have?" Lippert says Coldstream seems to be willing to talk lots, but with no action.

Local Politicans Appear To Grow Tired Of Bickering - Coldstream council rejects water devolution as solution

Rebecca Barton & Kate Bouey 105.7 SUNFM 7/26/2011

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Coldstream council wants to wash away about three years of negotiations on the structure of Greater Vernon Water. ``Coldstream council has said `we don't support the devolution of the water system, we want to see it stay as it is'.'' says Mayor Jim Garlick. The announcement follows an in-camera session of council on Monday. Garlick is hoping to convince the City of Vernon to end efforts to pull out of the water distribution system. He also hopes an old governance bylaw on water and parks can be returned. ``It's a more positive way to head rather than fighting with one another,'' Garlick says. Meanwhile, Vernon councillors have been looking at Greater Vernon Parks and Rec. Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert says they've passed a motion supporting the current structure. ``I think it's time the politicians put their egos away and everything else and really thought about what the citizens of Greater Vernon want,'' says Lippert. The mayor would like negotiations on the parks strucutre to be put on hold until after local elections this fall.

Coldstream Changes Water Stance

Written by Glen Morrison 107.5 KISSFM Tuesday, 26 July 2011 10:03

Coldstream council has changed it's mind on getting rid of Greater Vernon Water.Mayor Jim Garlick says devolution isn't in the interest of the area and they don't support getting rid of the system. "He says keeping it as it is now better serves all of the residents."Instead of that what we'd like to see is the reinstatement of the Greater Vernon Services establishment bylaw. We'd like to work on re-instating that. It was taken out in the last term." The mayor says removing the bylaw has created conflict and impacted not only water issues, but parks as well."The City of Vernon has stated it was erroneous to take it out because what it ended up doing was not giving us a clear governance model, and what we've seen as a result of that is problems in the parks service and and in water." Both RDNO and GVAC will now vote on the proposal.

Vernon Council Hopes Other Communities Will Volunteer Funds - Criminal record checks may prove costly for City

Kate Bouey 7/25/2011 105.7 SUNFM

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There's hope that other communities within Greater Vernon will help the City pay for the cost of criminal record checks for up to 500 BC Winter Games volunteers. They will be specifically dealing with youngsters taking part in the 2012 Games set for Greater Vernon this coming February. Councillor Patrick Nicol believes it's the biggest number ever processed for an event. ``If you did the math, (it) might get to anywhere between 12 and 16-thousand dollars.'' A staff member told council that a record check costs about 40 dollars each. Council has a policy of paying for record checks for non-profit organizations, such as the Winter Game

Vernon Council Approves Controversial Variance - Dangerous precedent set, say opponents

Kate Bouey 7/25/2011 105.7 SUNFM

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Vernon city council held its collective nose Monday and approved a controversial development variance permit on 600 acres of land in the Commonage. Only councillor Bob Spiers voted no. The permit will allow the development of a 28-lot subdivision around environmentally-sensitive land off Chum Road. Councillor Mary-Jo O'Keefe says the regional district had a chance to buy the land some years ago and turned it down. ``It's very disappointing when things like that happen but now I think we have to go forward and make the best of it,'' says O'Keefe. She stresses that council should not ``impede private ownership of land.'' The council chamber was packed with opponents to the variance permit. North Okanagan Natural Areas Preservation Committee spokesperson Dave Kennedy says City staff failed to adequately answer the issues, accusing them of ``dodging'' a question about whether council's decision would set a precedent which could be followed by other rural developers. The owner of the land in question, Bob Armstrong, insists that that council's approval of one 200-acre parcel will actually better-protect that land. ``It can restore itself again,'' says Armstrong. ``It's been trampled and trodden and run over with dogs forever and I think it can be more beautiful there than it is now.''

Downtown Vernon Beautification

Kate Bouey 7/25/2011105.7 SUNFM

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A heads-up for drivers in Vernon's downtown. Construction work is expected to start next week on part of 31st Avenue. One block, just east of 32nd Street, will be the first to get the beautification treatment before crews move in by Cenotaph Park. City staff say they are still waiting for a design of that block from BC Transit. That's where the new downtown bus terminus will sit. Total cost of the two block project is around a million dollars. Improvements will include decorative lighting and a canopy of trees on both sides of the road.

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See Also:  http://vernonblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/city-to-fund-part-of-downtown-revite.html

http://vernonblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/beautification-project-goes-to-vote.html
http://vernonblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/downtown-bus-terminus-gets-ok-despite.html

Commonage Variance Approved

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Monday, 25 July 2011 18:29

A Vernon land owner says he will have a family meeting and decide if 242 hectares of land in the Commonage will be subdivided.  Bob Armstrong made that comment after city council approved a variance to allow him to subdivide a 200 acre lot near Chum Road which is larger than what's normally allowed.  Opponents like Dave Kennedy wanted the permit rejected, saying it sets a precedent for more development in that natural area.  "They did have the option of saying no, and leaving the developer with his options. It's as simple as that. Why wouldn't they say no?"  Kennedy, with the group North Okanagan Natural Areas Preservation Committee, says the variance is a major departure from the intent of the current zoning and is a precedent that could be repeated in other similarly zoned areas.  "The lot sizing is about real estate values, not sensitive habitat values."  Council members say it will give the city more control over protecting sensitive areas, using  covenants.  Armstrong says critics have to realize, he has the right to develop the land.  "The city had the opportunity to buy it as a park at one time and they didn't, but they (opponents) still want it as a park even though it's private land and that really doesn't work." Armstrong says a lot of work has been put into preserving the environment and wildlife on the lot.  "That's why we have that 200 acre parcel that's not really sterilized but it's in the best interest of the environment, the wildlife and agricultural land components. It's a great thing to have it so it can restore itself again. it's been trampled and trodden and run over with dogs forever, and I think it can be more beautiful there than it is now."  Opponent Linda Kennedy questions how much of of the sensitive areas will be protected.  "They're using a map supplied by the engineering company, but we have no signed piece of paper from their biologist that says exactly where those sensitive areas are."
Armstrong is proposing a 28 lot subdivision on 242 hectares with the approval for that coming from a previous regional district decision.  The opponents plan to be back at council August 8th to make what they call a constructive submission on the issue of development in rural areas of the city.

Committee To Review Council Pay

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Monday, 25 July 2011 18:45

A citizens committee will review if Vernon council members deserve a pay hike.  Council has given the go ahead to appointing a three person committee to look into the issue, for the first time in three years. Councillor Bob Spiers says any increases would take  effect in January---after this fall's civic elections.  "Hopefully they come back with the same recommendation that they always have that the policy of allowing a cost of living increase each year, is what goes forward."  One of the committee members will be a former elected person. Councillors currently make a minimum of $20,474 a year, while the mayor's base pay is around 63-thousand.

City To Buy Downtown Site

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Monday, 25 July 2011 18:55

The city of Vernon is buying another piece of property in the downtown.  Council has given approval to buy The Vernon Flower Shop at 3011 31st Avenue from the Spoor family, for 315-thousand dollars. Councillor Patrick Nicol says there's no specific plan for the site.  "We need to improve our downtown core, we need to continue move forward and that's what that's all about, and the prices these days are a little bit lower than they were a few years ago so this is an opportune time to purchase." The site is near other ones the city has acquired the last few years between the Library/civic centre and Cenotaph Park.

Games Request:Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM  Monday, 25 July 2011

Organizers of next year's BC Winter Games are seeking a fee break from the city of Vernon.  President Akbal Mund says they're asking the city waive the cost of criminal record checks for all the games volunteers.  He says they're concerned the added costs will impact their budget, and reduce the community legacy fund.The record checks, done by RCMP, cost around 20 dollars per person.  Over two-thousand volunteers will be needed for the Games next February.
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Hotel Tax Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM :Monday, 25 July 2011

Vernon's hotel room tax is starting to bring in more revenue.  The city's tourism manager Michelle Jefferson says the two percent levy charged to hotel and motel customers, has generated close to 70-thousand dollars through the first four months of this year.  She says it was up 23 percent in March, and by 42 percent in April,  compared to the previous year.  The tax, which started in March 2010, brought in 286-thousand dollars last year, money used for tourism marketing.
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Vernon Council Pay Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM  Monday, 25 July 2011 

Vernon council members will decide today if their pay should be reviewed. The issue comes up every three years, with council having the option to appoint a citizens remuneration review committee to study the issue, including what other communities pay their mayors and councillors.  The committee would make a recommendation in a  report, and any pay hikes wouldnt take effect until January 1-st,  following the civic elections.  Vernon's mayor had a base pay of  63 thousand dollars last year, while councillor's made a minimum of 20-thousand-474 dollars.

New provincial court judge appointed

by Daniel Hayduk - Castanet Jul 24, 2011 / 2:30 pm

Photo: Contributed - Facebook

In an effort to reduce caseload pressures, a new provincial court judge has been appointed for Vernon, Attorney General Barry Penner has announced.  Mayland McKimm will begin his new post on August 15. McKimm's appointment will help reduce the caseload pressures while Penner works toward keeping a balanced budget.McKimm, chair of the Legal Services Society until earlier this year, and a board member since 2003, practices mostly criminal and family law. The Victoria resident began his law career in 1984 at McKimm & Lott in Sidney after receiving his law degree from Northwestern University in Chicago.

Keep fire dispatch local?

Castanet Poll: Results

Question: Should emergency dispatchers be located in the district they will be serving?

Yes 679
No 164

Total Votes: 843

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by Castanet Staff - Jul 24, 2011 / 2:30 pm

For the next five years, fire dispatch service for the South Okanagan will be handled out of Kelowna. In a controversial decision, the Regional District of South Okanagan voted Thursday to accept the bid put forward by the City of Kelowna.  Kelowna's bid, at $1.075 million, was the lowest of four received when the RDOS put out a Request for Proposals for the dispatch service.  Penticton Mayor Dan Ashton, the chair of the Regional Board, wasn't happy with the outcome of Thursday's vote.  "City Council, which has four representatives, myself included, voted vehemently against moving this," says Ashton. "Pat Hampson and Mayor McLean, Pat being the Mayor of Oliver, and Mayor McLean of Princeton voted with City Council to hold the line, but unfortunately we were more expensive and what transpired was the Regional District Directors voted to move the facility to Kelowna. " The City of Surrey came in with the second highest bid followed by the Fraser Valley Regional District and the City of Penticton. Under Kelowna's bid, the Regional District will save nearly $1.8 million over the life of the contract. City of Penticton dispatchers have provided regional dispatch service since 1990. Five jobs will be lost because of the move.

Funding boosts rural access to emergency care

Kristi Patton - Penticton Western News  Published: July 21, 2011 3:00 PM 
The lobbying for rural hospital funding from South Okanagan municipal officials seems to have gotten through to the province who announced a $10 million emergency care plan this week.  The program will benefit rural communities and support physicians by improving patient access to rural emergency services, according to the province. The South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver and Princeton General Hospital were indicated as two of 19 B.C. hospitals in need.  In June, Oliver Mayor Pat Hampson told the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen board that Oliver’s emergency ward has only three doctors providing coverage where there normally would be seven. He said doctors have submitted their resignations over pay-equity issues because they are being paid on a case-by-case basis in emergency instead of receiving salary as in Penticton Regional Hospital. Hampson along with Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells, Boundary Similkameen MLA John Slater, Keremeos Mayor and regional hospital district chair Walter Despot, RDOS directors Alan Patton and Mark Pendergraft and two doctors from Oliver and Osoyoos lobbied the government last month for some sort of short to medium-term solution. “I feel positive about it. We made the pitch and something has come of it and, most importantly, it indicates that the province recognizes it’s a problem,” said Hampson.(more)

MLAs get thousands for 22 minutes work on committee

Paying Attention : Paul Wilcocks Saturday, July 23, 2011MLAs Norm Letnick and Rob Fleming got an awful lot of extra money for almost no work last year.  Letnick, a Liberal from Kelowna-Lake Country, was paid $13,353 - on top of MLAs' base pay of $101,859 - to chair a legislative committee that met once, for 22 minutes. Fleming, a New Democrat from Victoria-Swan Lake, was paid $8,903 as deputy chair.  The two led the grandly named Select Standing Commitee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills.  The committee met once in the last fiscal year, rubber stamping two housecleaning bills for non-profits. It took less than half an hour. Letnick and Fleming didn't set the pay. All MLAs approved the pay rates after a 2007 report on MLAs compensation. They took the money though. They weren't alone. New Democrat Jenny Kwan was paid $4,437 as deputy chair of the legislative initiatives committee, which met twice, for three hours, to discuss the HST petition.(more)

Abbott won't join lobby for more VJH beds

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star  Published: July 24, 2011 1:00 AM

A local politician is reluctant to join the fight to open two additional floors at Vernon Jubilee Hospital to ease overcrowding.  Shuswap MLA George Abbott, who represents Armstrong, Enderby and Falkland, says a number of factors must be considered before the government looks at adding acute care beds at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.  “I am not in a position to be definitive on whether they (two shelled-in floors) should or should not be completed,” he told The Morning Star.  VJH is funded for 148 acute care beds but on average, there are 165 patients daily. Patients are placed in hallways and surgeries have been cancelled.  Residents, physicians, nurses, civic leaders and Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster have been demanding that Victoria complete the two shelled-in floors for acute care beds because of chronic capacity issues.  However, Abbott says the new patient care tower, which will open in September, should create greater efficiencies for patient flow.  “The sensible thing to do is complete the $180 million (tower) and see how they can manage capacity issues,” he said. “There is no experience on what will happen with capacity.”  Abbott, who says he hasn’t received many calls from constituents about overcrowding, believes vacated space in the existing hospital could also be used for patients once the tower is operational. “There are overcapacity issues for a variety of reasons,” he said. “There is a growing need for alternate level of care (residential) beds. I’m advised 46 new beds will come on stream later in the community to deal with capacity. Interior Health is attempting to deal with the situation.”  Ministry of Health officials have indicated that one of the challenges in considering the two floors at VJH is the government’s limited financial resources.  It could cost $10 million to develop each of the floors, and then $10 million each annually to operate the floors.  “Health care has grown every year at about six per cent at a budgetary level,” said Abbott, a former health minister.

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 Abbott out of touch on tower  Editorial - Vernon Morning Star  Published: July 24, 2011 1:00 AM

One has to wonder if George Abbott likes being the odd man out?  The Shuswap MLA isn’t convinced there’s a need to complete the two shelled-in floors at Vernon Jubilee Hospital for acute care beds — a view that is completely contrary to residents throughout the region, physicians, nurses, municipal leaders and Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster.  Abbott claims he hasn’t received many calls from his constituents about surgeries being cancelled and patients being stacked up in halls. But that is surprising given that a recent public rally included residents from Armstrong and Enderby and the Falkand Community Association recently wrote a letter to the editor demanding more acute care beds. But even if Abbott’s phone isn’t ringing off the hook, it’s a well known fact that most of his constituents — even in Salmon Arm and Sicamous — rely on services at VJH. It is his issue just as much as it is for Foster. Before looking at the two shelled-in floors, Abbott insists there is a need to look at any efficiencies the new tower may create in patient flow and to move ahead with residential care in the community.  Both are valid points but keep in mind that VJH is already operating as efficiently as possible and overcrowding still occurs, while the creation of residential care beds for seniors  is a long-term initiative and nothing is going to happen overnight.  One would expect Abbott, as a former health minister, to take a greater interest in an issue directly impacting his constituents. But instead, he does nothing but fuel perceptions about politicians and bureaucracy.