Band members get $5K for prison land

by Contributed - Castanet Mar 22, 2013 / 4:32 pm
According to the Oliver Daily News, members of the Osoyoos Indian Band will be paid $5,000 each, for the use of land for the new correctional centre.  Later this month, cheques will be distributed to each adult member of the band. Each child will receive the same amount, but it will be held in trust until they reach the age of majority. Population figures vary depending on where you get your information. Statistics Canada says there were 600 persons living on the reserve in 2006, but only 320 listed as aboriginals. According to further information, provided by the OIB:. There are 511 band members receiving per capita distribution for a total payout of $2,555,000. The number of members 19 and under is 190. The number of members living off the reserve is 332.

By Joe Fries - Penticton Western News Published: August 14, 2012 4:00 PM

Three sites at either end of the Okanagan Valley were short-listed as potential homes for a new jail, but the deciding factors remain locked up in secrecy.  The B.C. government eventually settled on a plot in a new business park outside Oliver that’s owned by the Osoyoos Indian Band. Premier Christy Clark made the announcement there in February, and the 360-cell provincial remand centre is expected to open in 2016. Two of the seven sites offered by the Village of Lumby also made the top three, but pitches from the District of Summerland and the Penticton Indian Band did not, according to government documents, and it’s unclear what set those proposals apart from each other or the eventual winner.  (more)

Hoosegow cash cow

Saturday, 10 March 2012 02:00 ROY WOOD Kelowna Daily Courier:

The recently announced provincial jail near Oliver will have a 20-year financial impact approaching a billion dollars on the South Okanagan, says Penticton's economic development officer.  In a 2011 report to Penticton chief administrative officer Annette Antoniak, David Arsenault said: "We estimate that the overall direct and indirect economic impact of the facility in the South Okanagan will add an additional $824 million in new revenue to our local economy in the next 20 years."  The report was written with Penticton in mind as the site, but Arsenault said in a recent interview the overall numbers still pertain even though the site will be about 30 kilometres south of the city.  The provincial correctional centre, announced early last month, will be built just north of Oliver on the Osoyoos Indian band's Senkulmen Enterprise Park, adjacent to the Jackson-Triggs winery.  The project is a partnership between the B.C. government and the Osoyoos band. Negotiations will involve "hundreds of meetings" with the province, said band Chief Clarence Louie.  However, Louie is hopeful the details can be worked out in a matter of months.  The provincial Ministry of Justice estimates that once a "comprehensive business case" has been developed, "we hope to go from shovels in the ground to full operations in 30 months." That would mean a likely opening in late 2015 or early 2016.  Construction will cost an estimated $200 million. According to the B.C. Construction Association, a project of this type would provide five person-years of employment per million dollars of construction cost, which translates into 1,000 person-years of employment work for the South Okanagan construction industry.  As for ongoing  employment, a release from the ministry says the new jail "will directly employ about 240 correctional staff. In addition, a number of contracted staff will work on site, like nurses, doctors, dentists, food service workers, trades personnel and counsellors."  According to Arsenault's report, the 893 direct and indirect jobs associated with the correctional centre will result in an annual payroll of about $40 million, leading to $2.3 million in provincial tax revenue and $2.6 million in local taxes.  For Penticton, Arsenault said, there will be increased traffic at the airport along with increased need for health, counselling, legal, food preparation, educational, security and other services. (more) 

Lumby loses bid for correctional facility

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: February 08, 2012 1:00 AM

Residents on both sides of the prison debate are  looking to heal rifts and plan for Lumby’s future. The village’s bid for a 360-cell correctional facility has been dashed, with the province choosing to construct a jail on Osoyoos Indian Band land near Oliver. The goal now is to reunite Lumby residents after a divisive year that saw often heated debate. “Give it six months and it will be forgotten,” said  Huguette Allen, with Concerned Citizens of Lumby, which opposed a prison. “People are so tired of it, they want to forgive and forget.” Mayor Kevin Acton, who lobbied for a facility, is pleased the government finally selected a location. “People will now move on and patch and mend relationships,” he said. But Acton believes the conflict played a role in the prison not coming to Lumby. “You have to look at the resistance. The First Nation did an incredible job pitching it and there was absolutely no resistance there,” he said. Acton and the previous council promoted a prison as a way of stimulating the economy. “I’m choked. The whole North Okanagan will lose out on a huge economic opportunity,” he said of the facility going to Oliver. “It’s frustrating because I know how badly Lumby needs the jobs.”
Acton continues to stand by his actions. “It always makes sense to shop as hard as you can for deals and we gave residents an opportunity to talk about it,” he said. The next step is to refocus on the economy. “We have to create jobs and a tax base and that means industrial land,” said Acton. Allen says a focus on green industry and agriculture could be beneficial for the village long-term. “Lumby must decide what kind of community it wants to be and who it wants to attract,” she said. MLA Eric Foster suggests the future could include generating energy from wood waste. “We’ve been talking to the players here already about the opportunity,” he said. Coun. Nick Hodge says there are already positive economic signs, including a seniors care facility. “That will provide 60 jobs and there will be more traffic between Lumby and Vernon,” he said. For prison opponent, Randy Rauck, the debate revealed residents on both sides of the subject are proud of Lumby. “It was a big wake-up call for people to pull together on their passions,” he said, adding that the controversy increased the village’s profile. “Lumby is on the map. People are interested in coming out to the community.” However, not everyone is as optimistic. “I hope we can keep our community alive,” said Tracie Gobelle, who was with a pro-prison group. “We don’t have any other options. There is nothing else that has been presented. Our young people will be moving away to find work.” Gobelle questions if other possible employment opportunities will run into opposition. “We can’t let things slip through our fingers because a handful of people don’t like what it may mean for Lumby,” she said.

Lumby Mayor, MLA Comment On Prison Site

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Monday, 06 February 2012 12:52

The B.C. government has selected an industrial park between Oliver and Penticton as the site for a new prison.  Premier Christy Clark made the announcement in Osoyoos Monday, saying the $200 million project will provide economic benefits for the South Okanagan and greater public safety.  The site is owned by the Osoyoos Indian band and the project is the first partnership of its kind between the B.C. Corrections Service and a First Nation.  The prison will include 360 cells, which will more than double inmate capacity in the province's Interior.  The government says the project will create up to 1,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction and the jail itself will employ about 240 people by the time it opens, which is expected in 2015.  However, there's no firm construction schedule yet because Clark says the government and the Osoyoos band still have to work out a detailed business plan before the project moves ahead. Lumby was one of three other bidders along with Summerland and the Penticton First Nations.  Vernon Monashee MLA Eric Foster says the site was a big part in the decision with the Osoyoos band having serviced land ready to build on. Foster isn't sure if opposition to the idea in Lumby may have hurt the village's chances. "I think the site was a big part of the decision making, and the people in the southern part of the valley, near Osoyoos and Oliver, really embraced the idea, so I'm sure that kind of weighs into it." Foster says he didn't have any say on the decision. "It was non political, and based on merit."  The MLA says he is a bit disappointed Lumby came up short. "I am a bit. Lumby put a lot of effort into it, but it's one of those decisions that gets made, and you move on from there." Lumby mayor Kevin Acton says he's disappointed the village didn't get the facility which he says would have boosted the area's economy. "The North Okanagan lost out on one of the biggest economic drivers that have come along in a long time, and it's unfortunate we didn't get it." Acton says his council will continue to look for other opportunities for the village. He thinks the strong opposition in the Lumby area may have played a factor in the provincial decision. Fifty six percent of LUmby residents voted for it in a referendum last year, but 66 percent of nearby Area D residents voted against it.

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B.C. announces site for Okanagancorrectional centre NEWS RELEASE

Lumby out of the running for new prison

Morning Star File Photo

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: February 05, 2012 4:00 PM

It appears like Lumby won’t become the home of a new prison.  Premier Christy Clark and Solicitor General Shirley Bond will attend a press conference with Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie in Oliver at 10:30 a.m. Monday. A media advisory indicates there will be an announcement, “befitting public safety and job creation for families in the Okanagan.” Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA, would not speculate on the outcome of the press conference. “I have been told there will be an announcement tomorrow,” he told The Morning Star. Lumby, the Osoyoos Indian Band, the Penticton Indian Band and Summerland had applied for a 360-cell facility. However, the concept of a prison divided Lumby residents. During a referendum in April, 56 per cent of those who voted in the village said yes to a prison while 44 per cent said no. In adjacent Area D of the North Okanagan Regional District, 34 per cent voted yes while 66 per cent voted no. While some residents insisted a facility would bolster the economy and draw new families to the area, others were concerned about public safety and that Lumby’s image may become one of a prison town. Foster believes Monday’s decision — no matter what it is — will be good for residents of Lumby and area. “It will be done,” he said of the debate that has dominated the community. Look for more details shortly after an announcement is made Monday at www.vernonmorningstar.com

New Prison Expected For Oliver

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Sunday, 05 February 2012 13:15

It appears a new prison in the BC Interior will be located in the South Okanagan, and on First Nations land.  The BC government has announced Premier Christy Clark will be in the South Okanagan on Monday morning. Premier Christy Clark will be joined by Minister of Public Safety, Solicitor General and Attorney General Shirley Bond and Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band to make an announcement benefiting public safety and job creation for families in the Okanagan. That is expected to announce the site of a new 360 cell, minimum security prison which Lumby, Summerland and the Penticton First Nations also submitted proposal for. The announcement will be made at Senkulmen Enterprise Park on Hwy 97 in Oliver.
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At long last, the BC government is ready to make a decision on an Okanagan prison site. Vernon Monashee MLA Eric Foster confirms to Kiss FM, the Solicitor General's office will make the announcement on Monday, with the time and perhaps more details to be announced later today. Foster said he could not say anything else about the announcement at this time. Lumby, Summerland and the Penticton and Oysoyoos First Nations have submitted proposals for the 360 cell minimum security correctional centre.  Solicitor General Shirley Bond had originally set last June as when her ministry would announce its decision, but that was set back by as she said several times the complexity of the decision, and possibly cost factors with the rejection of the HST by BC residents.

MLA Updates VJH Beds, Prison Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Monday, 30 January 2012 03:39

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Monday, 30 January 2012 03:39
Vernon's MLA's says he continues to push for more hospital funding to officials with BC's Health Ministry.  Eric Foster says he's hopeful of an announcement in the near future to proceed with beds on the shelled-in floors of the new Polson Tower. Foster says the recent HST deal with Ottawa should give his government a chance to move forward with some projects. Meantime, it continues to be all-quiet on a decision for a new prison in the Okanagan. Foster believes the facility is still under consideration, and he expects to get an update when MLA's return to the legislature next month. Lumby, Summerland, along with Osoyoos and Penticton First Nations are in the running for a 360 cell, minimum security facility.

Jail Decision Within Weeks - The Solicitor General doesn't want the new provincial prison to become an election issue

Betty Selin 10/4/2011 105.7 SUNFM

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Lumby's Mayor says he got some very good news during his recent meeting with the Solicitor General. Kevin Acton says Shirley Bond explained why the decision on where a new jail will be located is now three months past due.  He says she also apologized for taking so long, but it is such an important decision because money is tight.  He also says Bonds doesn't think it would be fair to have to go through a municipal election with this a campaign issue.   The Mayor says Bond also told him all four communities, Lumby, Summerland and the Osoyoos and Penticton Indian Bands are still in the running for the 360 cell facility.

Prison Could Be Shelved

Written by Glen Morrison 107.5 KISSFM  Friday, 30 September 2011 10:27

 Conceptual design of new prison

We likely won't know where or when a new prison will be built in the Okanagan for a while yet, or if the project will go ahead at all. Lumby is being considered along with Summerland and the Penticton and Osoyoos First Nations.  Summerland's mayor, Janice Perrino met with Solicitor General Shirley Bond at the Union of BC Municipalities conference in Vancouver, and says given the rejection of the HST vote and the impact on the budget, the minister admitted it was possible the 250 million dollar proposal could be shelved.  Perrino says, "We thought that with the HST failure this project may be completely shelved, and she said she was not sure,  although she does feel there is a huge need, so I kind of got from that, that this may somewhere go ahead." Perrino was told by Bond the four applications are still under review, but a decision could still be several months away.  The mayor says there's also been talk the 360 cell, minimum security prison could be located in northern BC.

Prison, Hospital Beds Update

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Monday, 19 September 2011 17:33

There's only so much money to go around. That's the message Vernon Liberal MLA Eric Foster is getting from provincial officials as he awaits word on bed funding for the hospital, and if Lumby will get the nod for a 250 million dollar new prison. The MLA says, "We're trying to come up with more beds for hospitals, money for schools and highways. Someone mentioned recently it was a matter of priorities, it's all about priorities. You've got a finite amount of money and you've got to spread it out." Foster will be presenting a six-thousand name petition supporting more bed funding, to the Health Minister this week, and is still hopeful Victoria will come through with money to reduce hospital overcrowding.  "Nobody has come out and said no to me, that we're not going to do it, so I guess that's a slightly positive thing, but at this point I haven't had anything more than that."  Foster met with Premier Christy Clark on the issue last week. The new 180 million dollar Polson Tower begins moving and treating patients this Sunday, and Foster says an official opening will be held October 13th.

Prison Question Dividing Community - Another letter to the Solicitor General

Kate Bouey 105.7 SUNFM 9/2/2011

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Both the yes and no sides in the prison campaign in Lumby are wondering why it is taking so long for the Solicitor General's Office to announce where a jail will go in the Okanagan. `No' campaigner Huguette Allen says the province put a deadline on submissions and then promised a quick decision. Allen has written once again to the solicitor general complaining that the delay is costing money and perpetuating a divide in the Lumby community where there has been resentment between opposing sides. Allen wants Lumby ``at least'' taken off the list of potential sites.The `No' campaigner says municipalities and indian bands rushed to hold opinion polls and put together submissions only to have Victoria delay its decision when it had stated that would come in June.

Council withdraws prison submission

By Penticton Herald staff  Monday, June 20, 2011
 Penticton council has formally withdrawn its submission for a provincial prison within city limits – but will now support any neighbouring community‘s application that has the greatest economic benefit to Penticton.   Council voted 5-1 Monday night to present the alternative proposal in the wake of last week‘s opinion poll which saw two-thirds of the voters oppose having the 720-inmate jail in the city. Coun. Mike Pearce, who presented the revised motion, has been a vocal supporter of the economic benefits stemming from the prison. Pearce said while he was disappointed by the opinion poll results, he had no alternative but to accept them.

Penticton says NO to correction facility

JAMES MILLER/Managing Editor  Penticton Herald Saturday, June 18, 2011
 Penticton residents voted two-to-one against locating a correctional facility in the city. The result of a five-day opinion poll was released Saturday night with 4,302 of the 6,445 votes cast being opposed. With 66.7 per cent of the residents opposed, Mayor Dan Ashton said he will take the numbers to Monday night’s city council meeting and some sort of motion is expected. The poll was non-binding meaning the ultimate decision in whether to continue pursuing the facility still remains in the hands of council. "It’s a decisive number that’s said ’no’ and that’s what council wanted to know. Council wanted to go out and collect information," Ashton said. Coun. Mike Pearce, who was a strong advocate for locating the prison in Penticton, said he was "extremely disappointed" with the outcome.  Tom Bijvoet, who presented the mayor with a petition opposing the prison, and Lindsey Hall, who spoke against the facility at a recent forum, could not be reached for comment.
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PROPOSED CORRECTIONAL CENTRE - OPINION POLL RESULTS
For Immediate Release June 18, 2011
Approximately 24% of eligible voters participated in this week’s opinion poll regarding the proposed correctional centre within Penticton city limits. When asked "Do you approve of a Provincial Correctional Centre being constructed and operated within Penticton city limits?” results were as follows:
No: 4,302 Yes: 2,143 Total Voters: 6,445
Total Number of Eligible Voters: 26,500 For more information contact: Cathy Ingram, City Clerk 250-490-2412 cathy.ingram@penticton.ca