Top Cop Dismisses Staffing Concerns

Posted on 12/2/2016 9:40 PM 107.5 KISSFM

Jim McNamara, RCMP Superintendent Vernon/North Okanagan
Vernon's top cop has responded to a media report that suggested the detachment is under staffed, which was putting officers and the public at risk.

Superintendent Jim McNarmara issued the following statement, which was sent to media at 5:56 pm Friday:

I am concerned by significant inaccuracies that could compromise both officer and public safety, in the November 30th Infonews article by Charlotte Helston on RCMP staffing in Vernon.

To set the record straight, I do not believe chronic under staffing is leaving our police officers or the public in danger. Ms. Helston's article is largely based on information from anonymous sources. Unfortunately anonymous sources, or those not working within our environment, don't have to account for misinformation they're providing. When she contacted me with questions on staffing, overtime and leave I provided her with detailed, factual answers. She literally used less than ten words from what I gave her.

Ms. Helston acknowledges the City of Vernon is paying for 48 officers then states "estimates would indicate the number of roadable officers is closer to 38 or 40." During my public budget presentation to council on November 30, I advised we are working to increase the number of police officers to the 50 approved by council. We presently have 57 officers in the 56 established positions, however due to illness, injuries and administrative leave, we're billing for 48 officers. If the city is being billed for 48 it means that on average we've had 48 roadable officers providing operational police services to the City of Vernon.

Furthermore, ours is a regional integrated detachment which re-deploys resources amongst our five detachment areas as required. Vernon has established minimum resource levels and our Watch Commanders have the authority to call in overtime resources.

After a rigorous analysis of shifting demands, this year we adjusted shift schedules and resources to re-deploy general duty officers to peak policing hours. This will decrease response time to priority calls and increase time available for pro-active policing. Ms. Helston was provided with this information and chose not to share it.

Finally, as a result of the excellent work being done by our officers, the numbers are going in the right direction. From 2014-2015 there was a 2% decrease in the overall Crime Severity index in Vernon and this year from January to August we've actually seen a 5.9% decrease in violent crime compared to last year.

Vernon has a police detachment of extremely competent, capable and dedicated employees. I'm very proud of the work they do to keep our community safe.

Supt. J.B. McNamara
Officer in Charge
Vernon/North Okanagan RCMP Detachment

Listen live to BBC Radio stations now available in CANADA (FREE)

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/bbc-iplayer-radio/id1121180921?mt=8
Description
The official BBC iPlayer Radio app for listening to BBC Radio wherever you go.
- Listen live to BBC Radio stations from the World Service and across the UK
=============
Date: 07.07.2016 Last updated: 07.07.2016 at 15.24
Category: BBC iPlayer; World Service
The BBC has today launched an international BBC iPlayer Radio app in the Republic of Ireland, the first stage of its global roll-out.
Available in the UK since 2012, the free BBC iPlayer Radio app will transform access to BBC Radio programmes internationally, making it easier for audiences around the world to listen to a variety of BBC radio stations, including BBC World Service English, on their devices wherever they are.

BBC World Service in English, which has a global audience of 66m, will automatically display on a touchscreen dial when users outside the UK open the app for the first time. Users can simply spin the dial to access more BBC Radio stations and discover more world-class content which includes news, music, drama, comedy.

As well as access to live radio programmes from the World Service and radio stations across the UK, users around the world with the app can:

Catch up or listen again to their favourite BBC Radio programmes
Download podcasts to enjoy anywhere, even when offline
Browse and listen to carefully curated BBC Radio highlights and collections
View daily schedules and categories quickly and easily
Discover audio and video clips, including many live performances
See what tracks are playing on air as well as track lists for on-demand programmes
Wake up to and doze off to BBC Radio with a built-in alarm clock and night mode
----------
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/stations

Vernon Mayor on Castanet - Questions ???

http://www.castanet.net/

Send questions to news@castanet.net


ACTUAL VIDEO INTERVIEW AT:
http://new.livestream.com/castanetnews/events/2833579

Kamloops This Week to expand to three times per week

By: Kamloops This Week in Events, News January 6, 2014
With the impending closure of the Kamloops Daily News, Aberdeen Publishing, owner of Kamloops This Week, has announced it will increase its publication dates to three days per week as of Jan. 17. Watch for KTW to land on city doorsteps on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. “It was very surprising to hear of the impending closure of a great competitor in the Kamloops Daily News,” said Kamloops This Week publisher Kelly Hall. Media in general are challenged on a daily basis. You have to look closely at your business model and you have to move quickly when you are faced with challenges.” “The Daily News has been a strong community partner and will be missed. I feel for the employees and their families as they go through this sad time. “Over the years, we have been very competitive in all aspects of gathering news and providing a viable option for readers and advertisers. You will continue to see Kamloops This Week grow along with our community.”

Kamloops Daily News shutting down

by Wayne Moore - CASTANET Jan 6, 2014 / 11:04 am
After 80 years of operation the only daily newspaper in Kamloops is ceasing operations. Glacier Media announced Monday morning the Kamloops Daily News will roll off the press for the final time within the next 60 days. According to a story in the newspaper Monday morning the reason for the closure is purely one of economics. Revenues have declined and the company has not been able to reduce expenses enough to continue. “Personally I am very saddened to make this announcement,” says Daily News publisher Tim Shoults. “We have struggled for the last several years, worked tirelessly and taken many difficult steps along the way which were designed to ensure our future. Unfortunately the realities of our industry, our local advertising market and our labour situation were too great for us to overcome. “We recognize that this decision severely affects our staff and their families and our hearts go out to them as they deal with the shock and loss this decision creates. We are offering our staff counseling on site at the Daily News if they wish to take advantage of it." The closure means the loss of 50 jobs at the paper. Kelly Hall, publisher of Kamloops This Week, says he takes no pleasure in the downfall of a competitor. "It's not a happy day. We've got some tremendous journalists down at the daily," says Hall. "They've got some tremendous employees that have put a lot of time, energy and sacrifice into making their product a product that is serving the community." Kamloops City Councillor, Pat Wallace, says the reporters at the Daily News have always been top-notch. "And, they've been good participants within the city. I think the loss of those jobs is quite devastating, not only to the people that are losing them, but to the community at large," says Wallace. Glacier Media publishes 83 newspapers in Western Canada including 32 in BC. Seven of those are daily newspapers in Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Victoria, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Prince George and Kamloops.

Media mogul close to $25B Kitimat, B.C. refinery deal

 CBC News Posted: Mar 6, 2013 12:45 PM PT 
A B.C. media mogul says he is very close to inking a deal to build a massive new crude oil refinery in Kitimat.  Speaking to business leaders at the B.C. Chamber of Commerce in Vancouver, newspaper publisher David Black said he plans to sign a memorandum of understand within a month with an American investment firm for the $25 billion project. "This refinery project, I believe, will be seen as the best business project of the century by the time it's done," he said. The plant, to be built north of Kitimat, would refine oil from the Alberta oilsands shipped either by pipeline or rail.  Black says he's teamed with Oppenheimer Investments Group in the U.S. to raise the funds to proceed. The original $13 billion price tag of the refinery itself has risen to $16 billion with the choice to implement new technologies to reduce greenhouse gases, and other costs with the project bring the total capital investment to $25 billion. (more)

The Rosalie Award Betty Selin to Receive Major National Award

2/15/2013 105.7 SUNFM:
Co-host of the 105.7 Sun FM Morning Show Betty Selin will receive “The Rosalie Award” during Canadian Music Week, celebrated in Toronto from March 19-24, 2013. The Rosalie Award is given annually to a Canadian broadcaster  who is considered a Trailbreaker among women in the radio broadcasting industry. Vice-President and General Manager of Astral’s BC Interior  operations, Don Shafer, said, “Betty is a genuine trailblazer”,  adding, “We can’t be more pleased to see Betty take the national stage at Canadian Music Week and see her work and  career recognized across Canada.” Sun FM General Manager Gord Leighton said, “Long before it  was commonplace for women to take a leadership role in  broadcasting, Betty Selin was on the air as a news anchor,  reporter and broadcast manager”. The award is named after Rosalie Trombley, who was music  director of a Top 40 powerhouse CKLW - also known as "The  Big 8" – in Windsor. Her influence altered the direction of CKLW and led to an annual award named after her. She was  the subject of the song 'Rosalie' by Detroiter Bob Seger. Betty Selin is a seasoned, award winning professional journalist  and broadcaster of 33-years. She is also a Mother, Wife,  Grandmother and community volunteer. (more)

Betty Selin Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Rebecca Barton 105.7 SUNFM 3/26/2012

---

Sun FM Vernon's own Betty Selin will receive a lifetime achievement award from the Association of Electronic Journalists. Selin is only the third woman to receive the honour. She began her career in 1979 and has won several awards including "Best News Cast in a Small Market" in 2008. Dozens of individuals have received this award since 2003. Recipients are nominated by industry peers to recognize accomplishments in the profession of electronic journalism.
---------
TORONTO, Feb. 22, 2012 /CNW/ - RTDNA Canada - The Association of Electronic Journalists is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2012 RTDNA Lifetime Achievement Awards in each of our four regions. The awards will be presented at Regional Awards Banquets in Vancouver, Winnipeg and Halifax on April 14^th, and at the National Conference President's Gala June 22^nd, 2012. 

 

BC REGION

Radio - Betty Selin
Betty Selin began her career in broadcast journalism in 1979. She is a recipient of the prestigious Jack Webster Fellowship; winner in 2008 of the Byron McGregor Award from the RTNDA for "Best Radio Newscast in a Small Market (BC)" and the "Woman of the Year" in the City of Vernon. During her tenure as Regional News Director for Astral Radio's 23 BC Interior licenses, Betty and her team received more than two-dozen provincial and national news awards. She is presently morning news anchor and morning show co-host at 105.7 Sun FM Vernon (CICF), a member of the Astral Radio family. Betty is actively involved in the community and has contributed her leadership skills as a board member or Chair in a variety of organizations.

Kidston Receives Growers Award

Keeping our roots Wednesday, September 06, 2006

 Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM  Friday, 27 January 2012 15:03 

The BC Fruit Growers Association has given one of its highest honours to a Coldstream resident.Jamie Kidston has run a 40 acre orchard since 1977, land that has been in his family since 1904.
He was also a long time board member of the Vernon Fruit Union and Growers Coop packing houses,  and for Sun Rype Products before it became a listed company. Kidston was presented with the BCFGA's Life Member Award Thursday in Kelowna, which his dad James also received in 1985. The BC Fruit Growers Association also honoured Vernon Morning Star reporter Richard Rolke Thursday with its Press Award, recognizing his professional reporting on the tree fruit industry. "Picking fruit, and all of the related activities, was the only job I had until I decided to pick up pen and notepad." 

Top stories of 2011

Written by Peter McIntyre Saturday, 31 December 2011 12:00
Thanks for listening to Kiss FM and following our website postings.  With your support, we are the most listened to radio station in the North Okanagan, and our website is number one for news and information. Kiss FM News broadcast and published more than 1,600 local news stories this year. On behalf of News Editor Glen Morrison and the rest of the Kiss FM News team, here's the our list of the top 11 local stories in 2011. Happy New Year! News Director Peter McIntyre
----------------------------------------
11..TSN comes to Armstrong Aug 19
10..Colin Mayes wins third term as Okanagan Shuswap MP May 2
9...Agricultural Land Commission approves Okanagan College's second application to use farm land for sports complex Nov 23
8...VJH Foundation reaches 7 million dollar goal in area's largest ever fundraiser in Tower of Care campaign Oct 20
7...New nine million dollar College Way opens in Coldstream July 24
6...Trial of former Vernon teacher Deborah Ashton charged with sex offences with student ends in mistrial Feb 23
5...Fires: Blaze at Sperlich Log Construction in Enderby Dec 29 causes explosion which kills volunteer firefighter Daniel Botkin
-Residents flee Skyline Manor apartment fire Feb 25, cause undetermined
-Suspicious fire guts 25th Ave apartment next to Lincoln Lanes Apr 30
4...Mixed prison vote result for Lumby and area in referendum April 30: village residents voted  56 percent Yes, while Area D residents vote 66 percent no.
3...Homicide of 18 year old Taylor Van Diest in Armstrong on Halloween night, police still have no suspect
2..New $180 million VJH hospital tower opens after 2.5 years of construction, first last babies Sept 26, staff say overcrowding still an issue
1...Vernon voters choose retired family doctor Rob Sawatzky as new mayor November 19, defeats two term mayor Wayne Lippert, also new mayors in Spallumcheen, Enderby

Anonymous website comments to end

Published: November 22, 2011 8:00 AM  Abbotsford News:

For the last few years, as abbynews.com and the Black Press​ family of websites have garnered more attention, some readers have raised concerns about one issue in particular — the fact we allow visitors to post anonymous comments.  The policy has led to some unpleasant and mean-spirited postings. It’s also raised an inconsistency in our Black Press​ brand. Our community newspapers don’t print anonymous letters, yet we've allowed our websites to become a place where people can hide their identity while occasionally engaging in personal attacks and allegations. Starting Dec. 1, that policy will change.
People will only be able to comment by using their Facebook account, which means their name, often even their photograph, will be linked to the statements they post.
---------------
Don Quixote Note: As the Morning Star is a Black Press company I expect that this policy will be adopted locally.

Radio station shuts down newsroom

Published: November 13, 2011 1:00 AM Morning Star:

Major changes are underway at a Vernon radio station.  The local news department at Sun FM has been closed, impacting news director Betty Selin and reporter Kate Bouey.  “We are modifying our news strategy,” said Don Shafer,  Kelowna-based vice-president and regional manager for Astral Media​. “These are unfortunate changes but they reflect the times.” Besides the current economic downturn, Shafer says there was a need to look at operations because of new technology.  “The way people get news and gather news is changing,” he said. “All news gathering organizations are changing and we’re changing with that.” While there won’t be a dedicated newsroom, Shafer insists Sun FM will continue to follow current events in the North Okanagan. “We will continue to do a morning news run,” he said.
“We will use our announcer staff in Vernon to cover Vernon.”  Bouey had been with the station for about two years and  was responsible for covering the RCMP and Vernon city hall beats. Selin has been associated with the local station for about 30 years, and along with being news director, she is co-host of Sun’s morning show.  “We hope Betty will stay with us with the morning show and Betty is considering her options,” said Shafer. Selin could not be reached for comment. Sun FM has also reduced newsroom staff in Kelowna and Terrace.

CRTC gives green light for Sun TV to operate new 24-hr conservative news service

The Canadian Press Posted: 26/11/2010 10:18 AM
 OTTAWA - The CRTC has given the green light to Sun TV's new conservative 24-hour television news service.  The federal regulator's approval was considered a sure thing after Quebecor Inc. dropped its request for a special licence that would have required cable and satellite carriers to offer the service.
Quebecor has previously announced it wants the network —sometimes called Fox News North because of its pre-announced conservative slant — to begin airing Jan. 1.  The CRTC said it was granting the network a Category 2 specialty service licence for five years.  That means the new station will need to negotiate with cable and satellite carriers for a place in their line-up.

Kory Teneycke quits Sun TV

Andrew Mayeda, Postmedia News September 15, 2010 8:02 AM

OTTAWA — Kory Teneycke, a Quebecor Media vice-president and main advocate behind the proposed Sun TV News Channel, has announced his resignation. He will be replaced by Luc Lavoie, a former aide to Brian Mulroney. Teneycke, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's former director of communications, said Wednesday he decided to resign because it had become clear his involvement in Sun TV would only "inflame" the controversy over the channel, dubbed "Fox News North" by its critics

Finalists named for BC's Annual Journalism Awards

A selection of BC's best journalists have been named as finalists for the 2010 Jack Webster Awards. Winners will be announced at the 24th annual Jack Webster Awards dinner on November 1st at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Vancouver.

CBC's Senior Foreign Correspondent Adrienne Arsenault is the featured speaker at the awards dinner and CTV's Tamara Taggart and Perry Solkowski take on this year's hosting duties. A special guest appearance will be made by the Vancouver Sun's Vaughn Palmer and The Province's Mike Smyth. The 2010 Bruce Hutchison Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to celebrated sports journalist, Jim Taylor.

http://www.jackwebster.com/awards/finalists.php

Jack Webster Award for Community Reporting

• Tim Petruk
  Kamloops This Week
  East Side Stories
• Derek Spalding
  Nanaimo Daily News
  Outbreak Exposure
• Raffelina Sirianni, Kent Simmonds, Kylie Stanton, Curtis Allen, Geoff Hastings, Sandy Heimlich-Hall
  CFJC TV Kamloops
  Dirty Surgical Tools

---------------
No local media cracked the Jack Webster Awards in 2010.

City hall's list of the un-willing leaked

BOB MACKIN, 24 HOURS

Number 12 is not a bad number. Vancouver Canucks’ legend Stan Smyl’s number 12 hangs from the rafters at Rogers Arena. Someday the B.C. Lions should retire quarterback Dave Dickenson’s number 12. Someone at city hall thinks I’m a number 12, according to a leaked list of nattering nabobs of negativism and vile vexers of Vision Vancouver. 24 hours’ columnist Mike Klassen tops the list and his CityCaucus.com partner Daniel Fontaine is number three. Second place belongs to Alex G. Tsakumis, whose eponymous blog revealed the list. Global TV’s Marisa Thomas and The Province editor Wayne Moriarty are numbers four and five. CKNW’s Christy Clark, Jill Bennett and Janet Brown occupy six through eight. Next are Vancouver Sun’s Jeff Lee, ex-BCTV reporter Harvey Oberfeld, Georgia Straight editor Charlie Smith and me, lowly number 12. Mayor Gregor Robertson and city manager Penny Ballem, why didn’t I make the top 10 and what can I do to climb the ladder? This demands explanation!

----------

From City Caucus:

Finally, here is the list of The Fantastic 15 who are doing their damndest to hold these jerks' feet to the fire.

1. Mike Klassen (citycaucus.com)
2. Alex Tsakumis (alexgtsakumis.com)
3. Daniel Fontaine (citycaucus.com)
4. Marisa Thomas (Global TV)
5. Wayne Moriarty (The Province)
6. Christy Clark (CKNW)
7. Jill Bennett (CKNW)
8. Janet Brown (CKNW)
9. Jeff Lee (The Vancouver Sun)
10. Harvey Oberfeld (harveyoberfeld.ca)
11. Charlie Smith (The Georgia Straight)
12. Bob Mackin (24 hours)
13. Mike Howell (The Courier)
14. Mark Hasiuk (The Courier)
15. Geoff Dembicki (The Tyee)
    

Atamanenko critical of Black Press closing Nelson Daily News and other dailies

Penticton Herald staff Friday, July 9, 2010:
The closure of the Nelson Daily News and the loss of 25 jobs in the Kootenay city is another blow to rural B.C., says B.C. Southern Interior MP Alex Atamanenko. The New Democrat MP was reacting to Wednesday‘s announcement that Victoria-based media chain Black Press is shutting down four of the 11 papers it purchased from Glacier Media, including the Nelson Daily News, Prince Rupert Daily, Quesnel Advisor and 100 Mile House Advisor. Black Press also purchased two other papers in the Kootenay-Boundary region – the Trail Times and Grand Forks Gazette – which will remain in operation. In a letter to company president David Black, Atamanenko called for the CEO‘s reconsideration of the Nelson paper‘s closure. “Nelson‘s local economy has again taken a hit,” he said. “You have just fired 25 people who support families and business in this small community of 9,298 people. In the City of Vancouver that would be equivalent to
firing 1,560 people.”

He noted The Nelson Daily News has been publishing for over 100 years. Its closure will mean the loss of an important daily tool in community life and the businesses community. Atamanenko also expressed concern about the increased concentration of ownership of print media in the province. “This could have serious consequences, diminishing the diversity of voices heard in our communities, given less competition,” he said. Black Press owns more than 100 publications in communities throughout B.C., Alberta and three U.S. states, including the Penticton Western and Summerland Review.

4 B.C. newspapers shutting down

CBC News Monday, July 5, 2010

Four of 11 community publications recently acquired by a large British Columbia media chain will be shut down. B.C.'s Trail Daily Times, Grand Forks Gazette, Creston Valley Advance, Fernie Free Press, Nelson Daily News, Prince Rupert Daily News, and Cariboo Advisor group — including Cariboo Advisor, Quesnel Advisor, 100 Mile House Advisor and Coast Mountain News — have been purchased from Glacier Media by Black Press. But the new owners plan to shut down the Nelson Daily News, Prince Rupert Daily News, Quesnel Advisor and 100 Mile House Advisor, causing about 40 people to lose their jobs, according to Black Press chief operating officer Rick O'Connor. "They're losing a lot of money," O'Connor said of the papers, adding paid circulation has been in decline. Black Press already owns competing publications in the four communities. Run by Victoria media baron David Black, the company owns more than 100 publications, many in small communities in B.C., Alberta, Washington state, Ohio and Hawaii. Despite the closures, O'Connor said the performance of its remaining publications should get stronger as the economy improves.

Proposed TV network for Okanagan on hold for now

Kelowna Daily Courier 2010-03-06
Corus Entertainment‘s proposal to establish a new TV network with local content in Western Canada, including the three major Okanagan cities, is temporarily on hold. The Local1 application by Corus Audio and Advertising Services Ltd. was scheduled to be considered at an April hearing by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. However, the commission announced Friday the application has been withdrawn from this hearing and will be rescheduled at a later date. Corus wants a broadcasting licence for regional specialty television programming in 64 cities and towns served by Shaw Cable. Each channel would display a page with several boxes of information containing up-to-the-minute information on local weather, traffic and road reports, community and local government information, environmental features and news feeds, plus up to six minutes of advertising every hour. Through its www.local1.com website, Corus had invited supporters to fill in an email to the CRTC by its March 15 deadline. Corus planned to launch the Local1 channels within six months of approval, possibly by the end of the year if it was approved in April. The Shaw-owned Corus already offers many TV services, including YTV, CosmoTV, Nickelodeon, Teletoon, the TV listings channel and EyesOn TV, plus it operates 50 radio stations.

Local Coldstream Councillor Responds to Editorial

http://coldstreamernews.blogspot.com/2009/12/councillor-responds.html (full posting) (excepts below:)

The above article appeared in the December 23rd edition of the Morning Star. The article accuses two members of Coldstream Council of having their heads buried in the sand and not jumping on the opportunity of expending scarce tax dollars on a ski tournament obviously designed for well to do skiers. As one of those Councillors being dumped on by the above reporter I feel compelled to present my side of the story.

Apparently, the only people who know how to spend taxpayers’ dollars are sitting in news media offices and writing editorials about it. They know that it is far more important to spend homeowners’ money on supporting well healed skiers’ tournaments then improving infrastructures of the community, providing services, such as water, sewer, protection services and other useless items.