Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Thursday, 09 February 2012 13:30
Interior Health's failure to meet waiting time targets for certain
surgeries, could help the case for getting more bed funding for Vernon's
hospital. The agency will have 3.4 million in funding withheld by the province
after not meeting targets for hip, knee and cataract procedures last
year. Vernon
mayor Rob Sawatzky --a retired physician-- says adding 30 to 40 beds in
the new Polson Tower, would help ease the back-log. "It would seem to be a logical conclusion that if IHA can supply more
beds, they can provide these services more timely, and avoid the
penalty." The mayor says the penalty is not necessarily a one time thing. "If they can't meet time standards in the future and get these things done on time, they will continue to get these penalties." Sawatzky along with the mayors of Coldstream and Salmon Arm, MLA Eric
Foster and Area B director Bob Fleming, met with IHA officials
Wednesday to stress the need for new beds. "There's no question we are under-bedded by any stat you use. We are at least 30 to 40 beds under-bedded." The Health Ministry says the province withholds 10 per cent of the
health authorities' budget for hip-replacement, knee-replacement and
cataract surgeries at the beginning of the fiscal year and pays it out
at the end of the year provided they have met the wait-times target for
those surgeries. The target is that no more than 10 per cent of clients wait longer
than 26 weeks for hip-or knee-replacement surgery. For cataract surgery,
the target is no more than 10 per cent waiting longer than 16 weeks and
no cases waiting longer than a year.
Showing posts with label hospice house. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hospice house. Show all posts
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Monday, October 03, 2011
Dancing With Vernon Stars Winners
The 2011 Dancing with the Vernon Stars has waltzed its way to another successful event. The dancing finals featuring ten local couples had 500 people on hand at the Vernon Rec Centre Friday night. The Salvation Army's David MacBain and his wife Carole won the
couple's amateur competition, while Klaus Tribes of KT's Restaurant took
the pro-am event, and was also named the community favorite with his
Viennese Waltz to the Mary Poppins chimney sweep scene. The event was a fundraiser for the North Okanagan Hospice Society, and the totals raised are still being tabulated. Vernon RCMP spokesman Gord Molendyk raised a little extra for the
charity by wearing a red, star-covered jacket for the RCMP's Monday
morning media update. Someone at the event said they would donate $100 if he did that. It's the same jacket Molendyk donned for his dance with wife Christine on Friday. There were wise cracks Monday that it looked like something Don Cherry, or a magician, would wear.Photo: RCMP spokesman Gord Molendyk in his 'Dancing with the Vernon Stars' jacket at the RCMP media update Monday. (P.McIntyre photo)
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Greater Vernon Waives Fees For Dancing With The Stars
They're already practising their moves for the big night. Ten couples involved in this year's ``Dancing with the Vernon Stars'' are hoping to raise $15-thousand for the North Okanagan Hospice Society. Greater Vernon politicians, including Jack Gilroy, have waived the one-thousand dollar fee needed to rent the Rec Centre auditorium. ``It's a huge fundraiser for the hospice house and I don't know anybody who desn't support hospice,'' says Gilroy. The big event takes place September 30th.
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Eric Foster - VJH Purple Ribbon Rally July 1st, 2011
Canada Day Rally at Vernon Jubilee Hospital - Purple Ribbon Campaign to get the gov't to complete the two shelled in floors in the new Polson Tower, and Fund more acute care beds. The 100 day countdown is on to the Tower completion ( set for late Sept. 2011) - we need the two shelled in floors completed 'Now'! Now, before the workers go away and it costs even more to get them back in. The overcrowding is 'chronic', it is not just a one time thing. People are coming to the North Okanagan, the population statistics show an increase in elderly, and a corresponding increase in need for hospital beds and medical services. The statistics have demonstrated it over and over ... It is the North Okanagan's turn to receive the funding for beds!!!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Fire hall birthday bash
Jennifer Zielinski - Castanet Jun 18, 2011
Vernon Fire and Rescue will be celebrating their 120 birthday this Saturday June 18. The crew will be recognized for the years of fire service to the City of Vernon. There will be an open house from 1:00 - 4:00 pm at the Fire Station at 3401 30th Street. The event will feature historical displays for viewing, and an auto-extrication demonstration will take place at 2:00 p.m. Sparky the Fire Dog will also be in attendance, and refreshments will be available by donation, with proceeds going to the Hospice House.
Vernon Fire and Rescue will be celebrating their 120 birthday this Saturday June 18. The crew will be recognized for the years of fire service to the City of Vernon. There will be an open house from 1:00 - 4:00 pm at the Fire Station at 3401 30th Street. The event will feature historical displays for viewing, and an auto-extrication demonstration will take place at 2:00 p.m. Sparky the Fire Dog will also be in attendance, and refreshments will be available by donation, with proceeds going to the Hospice House.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
VJH administration comes under fire
By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - May 25, 2008
A Vernon Jubilee Hospital official is accused of hindering a petition demanding improved health care. The Vernon Taxpayers Association is upset that VJH administrator Peter Du Toit ordered a petition organized by the group removed from the emergency department’s waiting room. “He has no right to deny people access to the petition, especially when it deals with the hospital,” said Tony Stamboulieh, association spokesman. “He is interfering in the process and the free flow of information.” The petition calls on the provincial government to provide more resources for acute care beds as well as nurses and operating rooms. Stamboulieh points out that Du Toit is a public servant and VJH is a taxpayer-funded facility. “He has no right to interfere with the process,” said Stamboulieh. Du Toit acknowledges that he asked staff to remove the petition from the emergency waiting room.“We don’t think the hospital or staff should be involved in political issues,” he said.
Du Toit also believes the presence of the petition could take away from staff duties. “What happens is people ask questions and engage staff to answer questions, that could take away from time to provide care,” he said. The petition campaign will wrap up Saturday, and Stamboulieh says the number of names grows daily. “We are seeing strong support throughout the region,” he said. Stamboulieh would not speculate on how many names have been collected to date, but he says the final figure will be revealed after the deadline. However, he is confident that the petition will send a strong message to the provincial government and Interior Health Authority. “There is a disconnection between the people entrusted to run the government and the people who pay the money — the taxpayers,” he said, VJH is regularly at code purple (full) status, and Stamboulieh insists that is impacting patient care.“The stories we hear are hair-raising,” he said. “The people who sign the petition know what the facts are personally or through family members.”
The petition is available at Armstrong Bakery, Armstrong city hall, the Ashton Creek Store, Askew’s in Armstrong, Butcher Boys, the Coldstream municipal office, Hungry Jack’s in Enderby, the Enderby Credit Union, Enderby IDA Pharmacy, the Falkland Store, the Halina Centre, the Lumby Pharmacy, North Valley Echo in Enderby, Pleasant Valley Quilting in Armstrong, Serenity Tanning, Shepherd’s Hardware in Armstrong, Spallumcheen municipal office, Towne Cinema, Vernon city hall, the downtown Safeway pharmacy, Okanagan Sausage on 30th Avenue and at doctor’s offices.Volunteers will also have petition-signing tables at the Swan Lake Nurseryland, the Vernon Farmers’ Market, and Buy-Low Foods.
Anyone wishing to download the petition can find it at vernonblog.blogspot.com.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Lake Country WAIVES DCC COSTS OF $215,136
Blue Heron Villa, Sept. 22, 2007
at 9509 Main Street in Lake Country, houses 25 one-bedroom units funded under the Independent Living BC program. All the assisted living units in the three-storey wood frame building are designed to be wheelchair accessible to accommodate aging in place. Blue Heron Villa opened to residents in February 2007.Residents pay 70 per cent of their after-tax income for their suites. In addition to housing, they receive two meals a day, weekly housekeeping and laundry services, recreational programs, assistance with medications, mobility and other care needs, and a 24-hour response system.
Partners and Funding
The total capital cost of this project is $6,046,397.
- The federal government, through CMHC, provided $625,000 in capital funding.
- The provincial government provided a one-time grant of $625,000.
- The District of Lake Country waived the development cost charges (valued at $215,136) and approved a property tax exemption for the society.
- The remainder of the funding is provided in the form of a mortgage through the Province’s operating agreement.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Helping for hospice - Video CHBC
Web posted on Tuesday, 18 September 2007 VIDEO
North Okanagan politicians dig deep, literally, for a good cause.
Construction starts for Hospice project. Groundbreaking ceremony TODAY
By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Sep 16 2007
A long-awaited expansion of Vernon’s Hospice House is about to get underway. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the facility at 3506 27th Ave. “With the hole dug, it means it’s happening,” said Brenda Thorlakson, executive director. As part of the ceremony, politicians, public figures and businesspeople will participate in a digging challenge. Prizes will be awarded for the deepest hole and to the individual who raised the most pledges. Among those who will be picking up shovels are MP Colin Mayes, MLA Tom Christensen and representatives from all municipal governments in the North Okanagan.
A long-awaited expansion of Vernon’s Hospice House is about to get underway. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the facility at 3506 27th Ave. “With the hole dug, it means it’s happening,” said Brenda Thorlakson, executive director. As part of the ceremony, politicians, public figures and businesspeople will participate in a digging challenge. Prizes will be awarded for the deepest hole and to the individual who raised the most pledges. Among those who will be picking up shovels are MP Colin Mayes, MLA Tom Christensen and representatives from all municipal governments in the North Okanagan.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Finance Committee was busy last Thursday.
In a posting at Finance Committee meeting at 1 PM
I suggested that 'The DCC's in the amount of $15,160 to GVS and $18,522 to Vernon CAN BE WAIVED by invoking the DCC section of the Local Government Act (LGA) (12) As an exception to subsection (11), a local government may provide assistance by waiving or reducing a charge under this section for not for profit rental housing, including supportive living housing.'
The finance committee debated whether this idea was plausible and after a description of the legalities involved in such an interpretation of this part of the Act decided to simply go ahead with recommending that a Grant to cover the proposed building costs be given to Hospice House and that the Money come from the Assisted Living Reserve. This unanimous recommendation from the Finance Committee of Mayor Lipperet, and Coun. Gilroy and Nichol will be voted on at the next Council meeting.
They did not discuss whether the $15,160 DCC's payable to GVS should be covered by a Grant provided by GVS rather than only the taxpayers of Vernon. Waiving the building permit fee and plumbing fees or reducing to a $1 was dismissed in favour of a grant.
They also had a lengthly discussion on the permissive exemptions for 2008 and there will be a few new listings allowed on a phase in basis, a few deletions and a reclassification of an existing exemption to allow for a 100% exemption. These recommendations will be ratified by Council at the next council meeting.
-------------------------
Don Quixote note: I was naturally surprised that my suggestions for DCC's being waived rather than provided for by a grant was turned down.
In a subsequent conversation it was acknowledged that this method was viable and an option for council when it came to affordable housing where there was a legal housing agreement with any future proponent under the right circumstances.
As I had posted in a Sept 11 posting : 'This same kind of thinking with regards to DCC's re the 40 units for affordable housing beside the water reclamation plant and the potential $400,000+ that might be diverted from the taxpayers to the Developers DCC fund was discussed at the above link. Hopefully this will be addressed asap as well as the DCC review by an external Consultant that is long overdue.'
So I had lost the smaller battle but it appears that I may have won a bigger one.
-------------------------------
However I was not completely convinced and have described the circumstances to the Provincial Government and hopefully will get a definitive answer whether my original suggestion is possible and legal. (copy of text of my e-mail below.) When I get my answer I will be forwarding it on to the City !
I am basing my question on the sections below of the LGA.
My City is planning to give a Grant to Hospice House to cover building permit fees as well as DCC's. It is my understanding that under the act that since this is a not for profit group running this end of life care facility that My City could waive or reduce the DCC's rather than giving a Grant to the Society and have them pay the DCC's back. The other possibility for waiving the DCC's would be as a possible component of an IHA sponsored or approved facility?
Could you advise what my City Council would have to do to invoke this section of the act to waive the DCC's. A simple resolution to that effect or would it need provincial government approval and/or some legal agreement between the City and Hospice house?
LGA ACT DCC section:
http://www.qp.gov.bc.ca/statreg/stat/L/96323_28.htm#section932 Division 10 — Development Costs Recovery Definitions 932 In this Division: (11) As a restriction on (a) sections 176 (1) (c) [corporate powers – assistance] and 183 [assistance under partnering agreements], and (b) sections 8 (1) [natural person powers] and 21 [partnering agreements] of the Community Charter, a local government must not provide assistance by waiving or reducing a charge under this section.
(12) As an exception to subsection (11), a local government may provide assistance by waiving or reducing a charge under this section for not for profit rental housing, including supportive living housing.
I suggested that 'The DCC's in the amount of $15,160 to GVS and $18,522 to Vernon CAN BE WAIVED by invoking the DCC section of the Local Government Act (LGA) (12) As an exception to subsection (11), a local government may provide assistance by waiving or reducing a charge under this section for not for profit rental housing, including supportive living housing.'
The finance committee debated whether this idea was plausible and after a description of the legalities involved in such an interpretation of this part of the Act decided to simply go ahead with recommending that a Grant to cover the proposed building costs be given to Hospice House and that the Money come from the Assisted Living Reserve. This unanimous recommendation from the Finance Committee of Mayor Lipperet, and Coun. Gilroy and Nichol will be voted on at the next Council meeting.
They did not discuss whether the $15,160 DCC's payable to GVS should be covered by a Grant provided by GVS rather than only the taxpayers of Vernon. Waiving the building permit fee and plumbing fees or reducing to a $1 was dismissed in favour of a grant.
They also had a lengthly discussion on the permissive exemptions for 2008 and there will be a few new listings allowed on a phase in basis, a few deletions and a reclassification of an existing exemption to allow for a 100% exemption. These recommendations will be ratified by Council at the next council meeting.
-------------------------
Don Quixote note: I was naturally surprised that my suggestions for DCC's being waived rather than provided for by a grant was turned down.
In a subsequent conversation it was acknowledged that this method was viable and an option for council when it came to affordable housing where there was a legal housing agreement with any future proponent under the right circumstances.
As I had posted in a Sept 11 posting : 'This same kind of thinking with regards to DCC's re the 40 units for affordable housing beside the water reclamation plant and the potential $400,000+ that might be diverted from the taxpayers to the Developers DCC fund was discussed at the above link. Hopefully this will be addressed asap as well as the DCC review by an external Consultant that is long overdue.'
So I had lost the smaller battle but it appears that I may have won a bigger one.
-------------------------------
However I was not completely convinced and have described the circumstances to the Provincial Government and hopefully will get a definitive answer whether my original suggestion is possible and legal. (copy of text of my e-mail below.) When I get my answer I will be forwarding it on to the City !
I am basing my question on the sections below of the LGA.
My City is planning to give a Grant to Hospice House to cover building permit fees as well as DCC's. It is my understanding that under the act that since this is a not for profit group running this end of life care facility that My City could waive or reduce the DCC's rather than giving a Grant to the Society and have them pay the DCC's back. The other possibility for waiving the DCC's would be as a possible component of an IHA sponsored or approved facility?
Could you advise what my City Council would have to do to invoke this section of the act to waive the DCC's. A simple resolution to that effect or would it need provincial government approval and/or some legal agreement between the City and Hospice house?
LGA ACT DCC section:
http://www.qp.gov.bc.ca/statreg/stat/L/96323_28.htm#section932 Division 10 — Development Costs Recovery Definitions 932 In this Division: (11) As a restriction on (a) sections 176 (1) (c) [corporate powers – assistance] and 183 [assistance under partnering agreements], and (b) sections 8 (1) [natural person powers] and 21 [partnering agreements] of the Community Charter, a local government must not provide assistance by waiving or reducing a charge under this section.
(12) As an exception to subsection (11), a local government may provide assistance by waiving or reducing a charge under this section for not for profit rental housing, including supportive living housing.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Finance Committee meeting at 1 PM
At the Finance meeting at 1pm today the committee will reconfirm Council's intention to give up more than $60,000 in fees and DCC's that normally would be payable. ($15610 to GVS and the balance to the City of Vernon.)
The DCC's in the amount of $15,160 to GVS and $18,522 to Vernon CAN BE WAIVED by invoking the DCC section of the Local Government Act (LGA) (12) As an exception to subsection (11), a local government may provide assistance by waiving or reducing a charge under this section for not for profit rental housing, including supportive living housing.
Both the City of Vernon and GVS through NORD must take this route so no precedent is set. To simply allow these amounts to be given to Hospice House as a grant with them then paying these DCC's would in effect be a sleight of hand that would cost the residential and business taxpayers and give an unnecessary benifit to the DCC trust fund. This would effectively reduce the stipulated rate of future payments required by developers to DCC projects.
It is also my opinion that the Application and building fees can also be waived as is done in other municipal jurisdictions across Canada or reduced to $1. This will give the needed benifit to Hospice House and simply reduce the amount by which these fee revenue accounts will already exceed their budgeted amounts for 2007.
This only leaves the $12,750 for Curb and sidewalk . A grant for this at the time it is necessary may be needed.
--------------------------
This whole idea of giving out money in one form that is returned to us for a nuanced purpose reminds me of the present story of the Tories using Central money to give to a local campaign, only to have it turned back to headquarters for ads etc. The Tories are copying the Liberals for sleight of hand accounting and it should not happen at the municipal level.
The HOSPICE HOUSE deserves these waiving of fees and DCC's. JUST DO IT THE RIGHT WAY !
http://www.qp.gov.bc.ca/statreg/stat/L/96323_28.htm#section932
The DCC's in the amount of $15,160 to GVS and $18,522 to Vernon CAN BE WAIVED by invoking the DCC section of the Local Government Act (LGA) (12) As an exception to subsection (11), a local government may provide assistance by waiving or reducing a charge under this section for not for profit rental housing, including supportive living housing.
Both the City of Vernon and GVS through NORD must take this route so no precedent is set. To simply allow these amounts to be given to Hospice House as a grant with them then paying these DCC's would in effect be a sleight of hand that would cost the residential and business taxpayers and give an unnecessary benifit to the DCC trust fund. This would effectively reduce the stipulated rate of future payments required by developers to DCC projects.
It is also my opinion that the Application and building fees can also be waived as is done in other municipal jurisdictions across Canada or reduced to $1. This will give the needed benifit to Hospice House and simply reduce the amount by which these fee revenue accounts will already exceed their budgeted amounts for 2007.
This only leaves the $12,750 for Curb and sidewalk . A grant for this at the time it is necessary may be needed.
--------------------------
This whole idea of giving out money in one form that is returned to us for a nuanced purpose reminds me of the present story of the Tories using Central money to give to a local campaign, only to have it turned back to headquarters for ads etc. The Tories are copying the Liberals for sleight of hand accounting and it should not happen at the municipal level.
The HOSPICE HOUSE deserves these waiving of fees and DCC's. JUST DO IT THE RIGHT WAY !
http://www.qp.gov.bc.ca/statreg/stat/L/96323_28.htm#section932
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Council provides grant for Hospice
By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Sep 12 2007
Expanded care for the terminally ill has received a major financial boost from the City of Vernon. Council approved a grant of $60,000 Monday to help cover various development fees related to the expansion of Hospice House from six to 12 beds. “I think the citizens of Vernon will be very pleased that this has been approved by council,” said Anne Clarke, with the Vernon Hospice Society’s Grow the Dream campaign. “The services of Hospice affect everyone in the community.” The next step will be for the city’s financial committee to determine where the funding will come from in the budget.
Coun. Jack Gilroy was a strong advocate for the city getting behind the campaign. “This house is very special,” he said of the programs for those residents who are dying and their families.
“Every day, there are more building permits and more areas developing, so you can’t tell me we can’t afford to help Hospice.” That was also the view of others around the council table. “It is such a worthy project,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham.
The only concern came from Coun. Barry Beardsell, who was worried that providing a grant to Hospice may open the door to other organizations seeking city funding. “I want us to do what ever we can for Hospice but that it is done in a structured way and does not set an awful precedent,” he said. As a result, the finance committee will also look at establishing a policy for similar requests from non-profit groups. “We need to try and develop a policy that will stand the test of time,” said Beardsell. The grant from the city puts the Vernon Hospice Society at about $2 million towards its $3 million fundraising goal. It’s anticipated construction for the expansion will begin Sept. 18
--------------------------
City helps create dream
Sep 12 2007 EDITORIAL
Although it’s always a small concern when the City of Vernon gives a break to a charitable group, the $60,000 to help cover the various development fees for the expansion of the Hospice House is a good deal for the community. Councillor Barry Beardsell, ever watching the city’s pennies, correctly points out that the move could set a precedent for other requests. If you say yes to Hospice, how do you say no to the hospital foundation or the boys and girls club? That’s why it’s important that the finance committee follow up this move with establishing a policy for similar requests from non-profit groups. However, having said that, former mayor Anne Clarke, with the Vernon Hospice Society’s Grow the Dream campaign, is bang on when she says the citizens of Vernon will approve of council’s move. In fact, the community has already said yes to the campaign to the tune of $2 million towards its $3 million fundraising goal. Council can read the writing on the wall that the community supports and treasures this vital service within its borders. Indeed, it’s the community that responded so overwhelmingly to the initial campaign to build the facility in the first place that allowed Hospice to become a reality in Vernon. It only makes sense in a time of incredible growth and development that the city help cover those same fees for the building of a facility that touches so many taxpayers’ lives. The City of Vernon can feel good about playing a small role in ensuring the Grow the Dream campaign pays dividends in doubling the number of beds at the Vernon Hospice House.
Expanded care for the terminally ill has received a major financial boost from the City of Vernon. Council approved a grant of $60,000 Monday to help cover various development fees related to the expansion of Hospice House from six to 12 beds. “I think the citizens of Vernon will be very pleased that this has been approved by council,” said Anne Clarke, with the Vernon Hospice Society’s Grow the Dream campaign. “The services of Hospice affect everyone in the community.” The next step will be for the city’s financial committee to determine where the funding will come from in the budget.
Coun. Jack Gilroy was a strong advocate for the city getting behind the campaign. “This house is very special,” he said of the programs for those residents who are dying and their families.
“Every day, there are more building permits and more areas developing, so you can’t tell me we can’t afford to help Hospice.” That was also the view of others around the council table. “It is such a worthy project,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham.
The only concern came from Coun. Barry Beardsell, who was worried that providing a grant to Hospice may open the door to other organizations seeking city funding. “I want us to do what ever we can for Hospice but that it is done in a structured way and does not set an awful precedent,” he said. As a result, the finance committee will also look at establishing a policy for similar requests from non-profit groups. “We need to try and develop a policy that will stand the test of time,” said Beardsell. The grant from the city puts the Vernon Hospice Society at about $2 million towards its $3 million fundraising goal. It’s anticipated construction for the expansion will begin Sept. 18
--------------------------
City helps create dream
Sep 12 2007 EDITORIAL
Although it’s always a small concern when the City of Vernon gives a break to a charitable group, the $60,000 to help cover the various development fees for the expansion of the Hospice House is a good deal for the community. Councillor Barry Beardsell, ever watching the city’s pennies, correctly points out that the move could set a precedent for other requests. If you say yes to Hospice, how do you say no to the hospital foundation or the boys and girls club? That’s why it’s important that the finance committee follow up this move with establishing a policy for similar requests from non-profit groups. However, having said that, former mayor Anne Clarke, with the Vernon Hospice Society’s Grow the Dream campaign, is bang on when she says the citizens of Vernon will approve of council’s move. In fact, the community has already said yes to the campaign to the tune of $2 million towards its $3 million fundraising goal. Council can read the writing on the wall that the community supports and treasures this vital service within its borders. Indeed, it’s the community that responded so overwhelmingly to the initial campaign to build the facility in the first place that allowed Hospice to become a reality in Vernon. It only makes sense in a time of incredible growth and development that the city help cover those same fees for the building of a facility that touches so many taxpayers’ lives. The City of Vernon can feel good about playing a small role in ensuring the Grow the Dream campaign pays dividends in doubling the number of beds at the Vernon Hospice House.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Will the Finance Committee do it right on Thursday re Hospice house. ?
(Pete McIntyre) 107.5 kiss fm City To Contribute to Hospice Campaign
The 'Grow The Dream' campaign is getting a big lift from Vernon taxpayers. City council has approved a 60-thousand dollar grant to the Hospice Society's fundraiser. The society is two thirds towards its goal of raising three million dollars to double its beds to 12. Mayor Wayne Lippert is not worried about setting a precedent when it comes to giving money to non profit groups. "We have spent a lot more money on other things that probably don't have the same emotional ramifications that hospice would have in a community." Lippert says the city has money set aside to assist groups like this. "Because it goes toward part of the health benefits of the community." The 60 thousand dollars is the equivalent of what the society would have paid the city for development, building permit and other fees.
----------------------
Hospice Funding
Starlee Speers, Standard Radio News
The city of Vernon is giving the hospice house 60 thousand dollars instead of giving them a break from paying for a building permit and DCC's. Mayor Wayne Lippert says, he doesn't see this as a precedent setting city donation to a charity. Council voted to send the issue to the finance committee so they could decide which city coffers to pull the money from.
----------------------
Don Quixote Note: The Hospice House gets a 100% permissive tax exemption for their property and deserve it and hopefully this tax exemption will be extended in this tax year. This effectively eliminates their taxes to NORD and the schoolboard etc.
The $60,000 proposed grant covers :
Now lets think outside the box and use some common sense. Lets not give the money to hospice and then have them give it back to us to put back into the DCC trust fund which will in effect lower the requirements for DCC's from developers. (Not only that but it also earns interest) Use the provisions of the LGA to waive these DCC's. (I'm sure that GVSC could also use the same section of the act to waive their DCC'S. )
As to the fees involved I am sure they could be waived down to a nominal amount without setting a precedent but if not then a grant might be the only way to go. (We see developers understate the building value all the time and we don't go back and collect a more precise fee when the $100,000 declared value becomes the $350,000 per unit sale price.)
LGA ACT DCC section:
http://www.qp.gov.bc.ca/statreg/stat/L/96323_28.htm#section932 Division 10 — Development Costs Recovery Definitions 932 In this Division: (11) As a restriction on (a) sections 176 (1) (c) [corporate powers – assistance] and 183 [assistance under partnering agreements], and (b) sections 8 (1) [natural person powers] and 21 [partnering agreements] of the Community Charter, a local government must not provide assistance by waiving or reducing a charge under this section.
(12) As an exception to subsection (11), a local government may provide assistance by waiving or reducing a charge under this section for not for profit rental housing, including supportive living housing.
---------------------
Nosy neighbours need not apply
This same kind of thinking with regards to DCC's re the 40 units for affordable housing beside the water reclamation plant and the potential $400,000+ that might be diverted from the taxpayers to the Developers DCC fund was discussed at the above link. Hopefully this will be addressed asap as well as the DCC review by an external Consultant that is long overdue.
The 'Grow The Dream' campaign is getting a big lift from Vernon taxpayers. City council has approved a 60-thousand dollar grant to the Hospice Society's fundraiser. The society is two thirds towards its goal of raising three million dollars to double its beds to 12. Mayor Wayne Lippert is not worried about setting a precedent when it comes to giving money to non profit groups. "We have spent a lot more money on other things that probably don't have the same emotional ramifications that hospice would have in a community." Lippert says the city has money set aside to assist groups like this. "Because it goes toward part of the health benefits of the community." The 60 thousand dollars is the equivalent of what the society would have paid the city for development, building permit and other fees.
----------------------
Hospice Funding
Starlee Speers, Standard Radio News
The city of Vernon is giving the hospice house 60 thousand dollars instead of giving them a break from paying for a building permit and DCC's. Mayor Wayne Lippert says, he doesn't see this as a precedent setting city donation to a charity. Council voted to send the issue to the finance committee so they could decide which city coffers to pull the money from.
----------------------
Don Quixote Note: The Hospice House gets a 100% permissive tax exemption for their property and deserve it and hopefully this tax exemption will be extended in this tax year. This effectively eliminates their taxes to NORD and the schoolboard etc.
The $60,000 proposed grant covers :
- offsite work (curb gutter and sidewalk) $12,750
- Application fee $12,744
- Other fees , plumbing , variance etc. $1700
- Dcc's Vernon $18,552
- Dccs Water $5,140 (GVSC)
- Dccs Parks $9,470. (GVSC
Now lets think outside the box and use some common sense. Lets not give the money to hospice and then have them give it back to us to put back into the DCC trust fund which will in effect lower the requirements for DCC's from developers. (Not only that but it also earns interest) Use the provisions of the LGA to waive these DCC's. (I'm sure that GVSC could also use the same section of the act to waive their DCC'S. )
As to the fees involved I am sure they could be waived down to a nominal amount without setting a precedent but if not then a grant might be the only way to go. (We see developers understate the building value all the time and we don't go back and collect a more precise fee when the $100,000 declared value becomes the $350,000 per unit sale price.)
LGA ACT DCC section:
http://www.qp.gov.bc.ca/statreg/stat/L/96323_28.htm#section932 Division 10 — Development Costs Recovery Definitions 932 In this Division: (11) As a restriction on (a) sections 176 (1) (c) [corporate powers – assistance] and 183 [assistance under partnering agreements], and (b) sections 8 (1) [natural person powers] and 21 [partnering agreements] of the Community Charter, a local government must not provide assistance by waiving or reducing a charge under this section.
(12) As an exception to subsection (11), a local government may provide assistance by waiving or reducing a charge under this section for not for profit rental housing, including supportive living housing.
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Nosy neighbours need not apply
This same kind of thinking with regards to DCC's re the 40 units for affordable housing beside the water reclamation plant and the potential $400,000+ that might be diverted from the taxpayers to the Developers DCC fund was discussed at the above link. Hopefully this will be addressed asap as well as the DCC review by an external Consultant that is long overdue.
Monday, September 03, 2007
Hospice Exceeds Goal
by David Fowler - Sept. 03, 2007 CASTANET
Holding Hands For Hospice, the $3 million dollar fundraising campaign in support of a 24 bed stand alone Hospice House in Kelowna, finished Saturday night half a million dollars over their goal. Organizers call it the most successful fundraising event to-date in Kelowna.
Walter Gray, Honorary Chair, says “Our new 24 bed stand alone hospice will bring so much peace and comfort not only to those who are going through their end of life but to their families as well.” The hospice will be built on the historic Bennett family property on Ethel at Springfield. The campaign was a unique fundraising partnership between the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation, the BC Cancer Foundation and the Central Okanagan Hospice Association. Dr. Terry Flannigan, chair of the Casino Royale Heart of Gold gala, says announcements of $50,000 in support from RBC Dominion Securities (Kelowna branch) and RBC Royal Bank, as well as an anonymous donation of $50,000 were made to the black tie event at the Grand this weekend.
Holding Hands For Hospice, the $3 million dollar fundraising campaign in support of a 24 bed stand alone Hospice House in Kelowna, finished Saturday night half a million dollars over their goal. Organizers call it the most successful fundraising event to-date in Kelowna.
Walter Gray, Honorary Chair, says “Our new 24 bed stand alone hospice will bring so much peace and comfort not only to those who are going through their end of life but to their families as well.” The hospice will be built on the historic Bennett family property on Ethel at Springfield. The campaign was a unique fundraising partnership between the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation, the BC Cancer Foundation and the Central Okanagan Hospice Association. Dr. Terry Flannigan, chair of the Casino Royale Heart of Gold gala, says announcements of $50,000 in support from RBC Dominion Securities (Kelowna branch) and RBC Royal Bank, as well as an anonymous donation of $50,000 were made to the black tie event at the Grand this weekend.
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