Hoteliers on side with tax (SALMON ARM)

By Barb Brouwer OBSERVER STAFFJun 28 2006 http://www.saobserver.net/

If Salmon Arm council and residents agree, visitors to the community may help to pay some infrastructure costs. A delegation representing the Salmon Arm Hotel Association, Shuswap Recreation Society and the Shuswap Hut and Trail Alliance appeared before council on Monday.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Salmon Arm Hotel-Motel Association president Kent Schneider told council that 75 per cent of the local hotel operators are in favour of an additional two per cent hotel tax to fund a third sheet of ice at the Sunwave Centre and support trail development on the Shuswap Hut to Hut Trail. As well, they want 80 per cent of funds acquired through the tax to go towards the new sheet of ice, with the remaining 20 per cent going to trail development. Speaking in favour of the proposal, Coun. Chad Eliason told councillors the creation of both items would increase economic benefits for the area. "It's a great way to get our visitors to help pay for some of our infrastructure costs," he added. Coun. Marg Kentel agreed, offering kudos to the delegation for their hard work in putting the proposal together. "Ice time is at capacity," she said. "I am very excited about this going to budget." Having support from the majority of area hotels, city council can now pass a bylaw permitting the additional tax, said city administrator Carl Bannister, who pointed out councillors will also have to decide if they want to borrow the money up front. "We think that two per cent (collected from the hotel tax) will amount to about $130,000 annually and 80 per cent of that will be approximately $104,000," said Monica Dalziel, director of corporate services, pointing out the numbers are based on an assumption that the third sheet of ice would cost $4 million. "The taxpayers of Salmon Arm would be paying two-thirds of the debt repayment, which is estimated at about $325,000 per year over a period of 25 years." If council approves the proposal, a long-term borrowing bylaw would need to go through the alternate approval process and or a referendum. This hotel-motel tax bylaw would have to be renewed at the end of the five-year term, at which point hotel and motel owners would have to go through their own approval process again.

Ban blown, says Crown

By Chuck Poulsen Saturday, July 1, 2006 http://www.dailycourier.ca/article_323.php

A sensational Kelowna murder trial took a twist Friday when the Crown said television station CHBC had committed an "egregious breach" of a ban on identifying undercover policeofficers.The Crown has asked Madame Justice Mary Humphries to find CHBC in contempt of court for video coverage of the trial aired during Thursday's 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts.Humphries said she would discuss the issue with the Crown and CHBC, including its lawyers, July 7.She said that session would be designed only to find out "where we might be going and how much time will be required."Humphries viewed the newscast Friday morning."It's of sufficient concern that it has to be dealt with and not fluffed off as if it didn't matter," she said. "Unfortunately, this has impinged on the trial. I want to think about this. It took me by surprise this morning."CHBC had no comment.The news video shows a female undercover RCMP officer who befriended accused killer Ronda Black.The video shows the officer walking outside the courtroom with prosecutor Norm Yates. It does not show her face, but Yates said it identifies the officer because of her physical size and distinctive hairdo.Yates said the Crown office has received calls from private citizens, including Black's mother, saying they could identify the officer as a result of the video.The video was taken off the station's website late Friday morning.Ironically, the newscast was aired the night before Humphries was to rule on a CHBC application to air video of another undercover officer, known as Mr. Big, as he talked a confession out of Black. It was understood that the video would have blurred the image of Mr. Big so he couldn't be identified.Humphries said she would hold off on that ruling, in part, because more electronic intercepts had yet to be entered into evidence. She said she was also hesitant to release the undercover tape if she couldn't have "confidence" in the media sticking to her requirements.Black is charged with the 1998 murder of her husband, Keith Black, in their Westside home.The female officer befriended Ronda and introduced her to Mr. Big, the head of a fictitious crime family.Ronda told Mr. Big how she stabbed Keith in the neck and transported his body to Alberta where a friend, Howard Steadman, buried the remains.On Friday, court heard Ronda tell the female officer, who was carrying a recording device, that she (Ronda) feared that Steadman would find out she had betrayed a confidence never to mention his name."He (Steadman) doesn't want his name to come up," said Ronda. "He's done this kind of thing before. I'd rather go to jail than have this guy find out that I have betrayed him."I'll need protection (provided by the crime family) for myself and my son."Steadman faces a separate charge of being an accessory to murder.

Teachers-Government Reach Deal

by Wayne Moore - Story: 19895July 01, 2006 http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-19895-3-.htm#19895

A five-year agreement has been reached for British Columbia's public school teachers, Finance Minister Carole Taylor announced today. The 16 per cent compensation package extends to 2011 and includes a 12 per cent general wage increase, two per cent LTD allowance due to the fact the British Columbia Teachers' Federation (BCTF) funds its own long-term disability program, 0.5 per cent to encourage teachers to join rural and remote school districts and 1.5 per cent to continue the standardization of the salary grids started by Vince Ready. Upon ratification, teachers will receive $3,700 in an early signing incentive for finalizing the new contract before the expiry of the existing one and up to $1,000 in 2010 because of the length of the agreement.

CANADA DAY

Board looks to restrict mining activities

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Jun 30 2006

http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=35&cat=23&id=680651&more=
The battle over mining claims is going political. The Greater Vernon Services Commission board voted Thursday to try and restrict mining activities in critical watershed areas. Stan Field, Area C director, also wants to take the controversial matter to the provincial stage. "This is a provincewide issue," Field told his colleagues. "This goes beyond our watershed. This (legislation) means they can be staking claims on your property and my property." GVSC will apply to the Ministry of Mines to officially create reserves where a claim can't be staked once the reserve is in place. An existing valid mining claim can still be surveyed and taken to lease in an area over which a no-staking reserve has been established, subsequent to the staking and recording of the claim. The issue was brought to GVSC's attention by the Canadian Private Land Owners Group, which is fighting provincial legislation that allows an individual to claim the sub-surface mining rights on privately owned property. The Canadian Private Land Owners Group will go before the North Okanagan Regional District next Wednesday, and Field hopes NORD will take the matter before the Union of B.C. Municipalities to pursue in Victoria. "We need to get behind this issue and support it," he said. "The current rules have to change and while it's being looked at (by the province), we need to exert pressure through the UBCM." Field is convinced that claims to sub-surface mining rights, and any subsequent mineral extraction, could have a significant impact on communities. "We can't allow mining to happen in our watersheds. It's a real concern for us," he said.

Fatal Motorcycle Crash VERNON

http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-19873-2-.htm#19873
by Staff - Story: 19873June 30, 2006 / 11:29 am
On Thursday evening at 11:20 pm Vernon RCMP were called to attend a single vehicle accident on 39th Ave at 17th Street in Vernon's East Hill. A 28 year old Vernon male was the lone rider of a 2006 Suzuki Sport Bike which was eastbound on 39th Ave approaching 17th Street at very high speed. At the scene of the crash on 39th Ave is completely blocked off for construction work. The Sport bike failed to slow in time to avoid the construction site barricades and crashed into the work side at high speed. The rider was ejected form the bike and was thrown into the construction site where he suffered significant injury. He was transported to Vernon Jubilee Hospital where he died a short while later. A major cause of the crash was excess speed. It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were involved. The crash is still under investigation.

Cultural complex & Boat Launch

Complex Discussion Put Off http://www.1075kiss.com/whatson/news.jsp
An expected discussion by G-V-S-C members about the proposed cultural complex, has been put on hold .The board decided to wait until the complex committee presents its final report to Vernon council on July 10-th.The pitch to make it a Greater Vernon project has already met with resistance from the rural reps who have said they won't support it. (Pete McIntyre June 30-06)

GVSC Approves Boat Launch
An upgrade to a popular boat launching site on Kal Lake should be completed late this summer.That after Greater Vernon Services approved a committee's recommendations for the Kalavista boat launch in Coldstream.The changes will go ahead pending approval from the Environment Ministry which could take several weeks.The plans include a new parking lot, with room for up to 25 more vehicles, along with improvements to the ramp and signage.Committee chair Mary Malerby says it was hard to please everyone, but she feels this was the best compromise.G-V-S paid $329,000 for the lot adjacent to Alexanders, last year. (Pete McIntyre June 30-06)

Residential Taxes may have to Increase ?? BUT NOT IN VERNON

For a larger image of Table please Click on it.The loss revenue in our area would range from $9200 in Lumby to $297,000 in Coldstream & $278,000 in Spall. Vernon has no Major Industry to tax. Kamloops would lose $3,672,000.


Province ponders tax break By David Skelhon Friday, June 30, 2006, http://www.dailycourier.ca/article_320.php
Coldstream residents could see a substantial hike in their property taxes if the provincial government goes ahead with a cap on heavy industry taxation.Currently, heavy or class four industry pays a rate based on industrial property values determined by B.C. Assessment Authority.District of Coldstream director of financial adminstration, Catherine Lord, said that the municipality currently receives over $400,000 per year from heavy industry. The provincial government is studying several options and one of them is to make the heavy industry rate the same as the regular commercial rate, said Lord.This would reduce the amount collected from heavy industry by 75 per cent leaving the municpality $300,000 short.“The shortfall would have to be met by regular commercial and residential tax payers,” said Lord.She said, “Historically the provincial government has allowed the municipalities to set their own mill rates.”Richard Taylor, the Executive Director of the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM), said that the recommendation for tax changes has come from the B.C. Competition Council. The council was formed by the provincial government last year.Taylor said the UBCM held a member consultation about the recommendations in May and has subsequently been communicating with Minister Ida Chong and Premier Gordon Campbell. “Minister Chong has said they won’t do anything until the municipalities have been consulted,” he saidThe City of Vernon has no heavy industry so Vernon tax payers are unlikely to be directly effected.

City councillor denies rumours

By RICHARD ROLKEMorning Star StaffJun 23 2006 morningstar
A veteran Vernon politician denies he’s resigning. Rumours have been circulating that Coun. Barry Beardsell is considering leaving office, but he says that’s not the case. “Certainly it’s crossed my mind but I’m not doing that. It’s wrong speculation,” said Beardsell, who was first elected in 1996. Beardsell admits he has been extremely concerned about the direction of the Greater Vernon Services Commission and the North Okanagan Regional District and how those agencies impact the city. “Obviously there’s people who know I’m frustrated,” said Beardsell, who sits on the GVSC board. “I was elected as a resident of Vernon to primarily represent the taxpayers of Vernon and I haven’t forgotten that.” Beardsell would not comment on his relationship with the city’s current council. “I won’t start speculating about the direction of council because it’s early on in the term still,” he said. However, Beardsell is lashing out at his colleagues over committee of the whole meetings held on Fridays. “This council was going to be the most open and transparent council,” said Beardsell. “Those (Friday) meetings were originally set up to acquaint the new council members with technical items. They weren’t to become additional meetings.” While the committee of the whole meetings are public, Beardsell says they aren’t well publicized and poorly attended by residents. Today’s session involves resort development, and with previous public concerns about the city’s relationship with developers, Beardsell fears that gives the wrong impression. “There’s a perception (of secrecy) and to see a meeting like this, people will wonder what else is going on.” Beardsell says the Friday sessions are onerous on councillors who already have a busy schedule. “Some of us on council have to work for a living,” he said. Mayor Wayne Lippert defends the Friday meetings. “They are essentially information sessions. They involve staff and we’ve had speakers come in,” he said. “They are committee of the whole meetings because provincial legislation says if council gathers and there is a quorum, they must be committee of the whole.” Lippert says the meetings are publicized on the city Web site, and the public is welcome to attend. “We’re not doing anything behind closed doors,” he said. “Everything done there must go through the regular council meeting and if Coun. Beardsell is concerned about what’s going on, he could attend. He finds time to go to GVSC. If there’s a time issue I could remove him from GVSC so he could attend these other sessions.”

GVSC greenlights fee hike

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Jun 30 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/

Users of Greater Vernon's recreation facilities were hit by an unexpected hike in fees Thursday. Greater Vernon Services Commission members voted to increase 2006/07 fees and charges by five per cent, although staff had only been recommending 3.5 per cent. "By going five per cent rather than 3.5 per cent in most instances, we will see an improvement in the financial situation," said director Barry Beardsell. Beardsell lobbied for staff's recommendation to be abandoned because he felt it didn't address projected increases in inflation or the financial impact of providing services. "Have we gone high enough because if we haven't, it's another year of being behind the eight-ball," he said. "It's finally time to set a direction where we go more than the inflation rate. We're not gaining ground." While the general rate hike for 2006/07 will be five per cent, there are some exceptions. Fees at the arenas will climb three per cent as part of GVSC's contract with Recreation Excellence, while field user fees will go from $12 to $15 an hour per field for adults and $5 to $6 for youth. As part of the budget process, staff looked at other communities and their recreation fees. "With the arenas, we're close to average, parks we're probably high and with pools, we're average," said Al McNiven, parks and recreation administrator. "We shouldn't be tying our fees to someone else's coat tails. Other communities don't do the same things we do," said director Cliff Kanester.

Vernon Victim #2

http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-19829-2-.htm#19829

by Wayne Moore - Story: 19829June 29, 2006 / 9:49 am
A gun toting robber appears to be on the loose in the Vernon area. Early in the morning of June 27, a 27 year old male was robbed at the corner of 32nd St and 31st Ave. He says the suspect pointed what was described as a black handgun or taser at the victim and demanded he place his wallet on the sidewalk and walk away. A second victim, a 17 year old female has now come forward, saying she was also robbed the same day. She says she was approached by a man at the corner of 27th St and 39th Ave and pulled into a car. She says the suspect produced what appeared to be a handgun and demanded her purse. The victim struggled, let go of her purse and was able to get away. She was not injured. The suspect quickly drove away in what is described as a mid 80's, dark blue or black, small Honda. The robber is described as 25-30 years old, clean shaven, Caucasian, 180 lbs. The fact that the robberies occurred back to back, the suspect was described as wearing a white ‘T’ shirt on both occasions, drove the older Honda and used what appears to be a handgun tied the crimes together as undoubtedly being perpetrated by the same male. Police are again appealing to the public for assistance. If anyone witnessed this crime or has knowledge of it, they are requested to call the Vernon Detachment or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Fireworks A Go JULY 1

http://www.1075kiss.com/whatson/news.jsp
Fireworks will once again light up the sky around Vernon on Canada Day.The event will be based at the D-N-D starting at 10:30 Saturday night.A citizen's committee helped raise eight-thousand dollars through sponsors for the 15 minute show.Fire chief John Lysholm says the Okanagan Landing Fire department will put on the display, while other local departments will volunteer their services for security and fire safety.Lysholm says, 'The best part about it is that its not just Vernon its everybody in the community. This is Canada Day celebrations that's all of us. So I think the fact that we brought them all together and that we're all working together co-operatively in this is a real plus."Parking will be available at Okanagan College with a free shuttle service to the grounds. (Pete McIntyre June 28-06)

Tories may have taken $2M in illicit donations

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060628/tories_donations_060628/20060628?hub=TopStories Canadian Press
OTTAWA -- The Conservative party may have illegally accepted millions in unreported donations last year because it didn't understand political financing laws. That's the startling conclusion drawn from testimony given to a Senate committee by the Harper administration's point man on cleaning up government. Treasury Board President John Baird has told the committee that his party did not consider fees paid to attend its March 2005 policy convention to be political contributions. But the Elections Act stipulates that convention fees do constitute a donation. The Tories' 2005 convention was attended by about 2,900 party members, who paid a regular fee of $600 each, although discounts were available for some. That means the party stood to rake in as much as $1.7 million, all or some of which should have been reported to Elections Canada as donations.

DON QUIXOTE NOTE: Following E-Mail received from Conservative Party

Statement by Conservative Party on Convention Fees
The Party's convention arrangements in 2005 fully respected the law.

The fees we charged our delegates to attend did not exceed the costs of running the convention. The fees covered such things as meals, hall rental, security and the like, and there was no net revenue earned by the Party. Consistent with interpretations of the Elections Act and the Income Tax Act issued by Elections Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency and applied many times in the past concerning the price of admission to political events, receipts for a political contributions were therefore not issued for any part of the delegate fee.

The President of the Treasury Board, the Honourable John Baird, was quoted, correctly, as saying that the Party did not issue tax receipts for the 2005 convention. He made no statement that the Party thereby did anything contrary to political financing legislation.

Michael D. Donison
Executive Director
Conservative Party of Canada

New manager has bold new vision for historic Mackie Lake House

By David SkelhonThursday, June 29, 2006, http://www.dailycourier.ca/article_318.php

Mackie Lake House is a magnificent heritage property, rich in history, on the east side of Kalamalka Lake off Kidston Road. Newly appointed manager Carolyn Grant, together with new caretaker David Carder, is just discovering the many treasures the property holds.“This is my dream job. Everything I have done before has lead to this position,” said Grant, who has a background in arts and culture. “I feel strongly about honoring this legacy.”Mackie Lake House was commissioned by Montreal businessman Ronald Buchanan in 1910. When completed it was considered one of the finest homes in the Okanagan. The building is largely original, complete with furniture and antiques from that era.The Mackies established the Vernon Preparatory School for boys in 1913 and Hugh and Grace Mackie moved to the house when they retired in 1945.Patrick (Paddy) Mackie was the youngest of five Mackie sons. During World War II, he served in the Royal Canadian Navy. He was a student at UBC, the Ontario College of Art and the Sorbonne in Paris.Paddy Mackie taught French at W.L.Seaton Secondary School in Vernon for 25 years. He was an accomplished watercolourist, potter, pianist and flautist and also a naturalist and historian. He never married and when he died in 1999, the five-acre, waterfront property was bequeathed to the Mackie Lake House Foundation. At the back of the property, lawns sweep down to a wooded area that connects with Kalamalka Lake. Grant said, “There are a couple of eagles that hang out in the trees . . . Paddy was a real environmentalist.”Grant said that the property has been used for wedding photography and receptions and also for meetings. It has a large barn, in excellent condition, and its loft is sometimes used as a temporary classroom for visiting school children. She said she would like to expand the property’s use. “It’s going to lean towards educational programming, and arts and culture related events.”Grant said tours are available by appointment, and special tours with “tea and treats” are planned. These will take place on July 15, August 5 and September 9 and will be guided by Vernon actress Christine Pilgrim dressed as Grace Mackie. Tickets are $20 and are available from the Vernon Museum.For more information on Mackie Lake House, call 545-1019, or go to www.mackiehouse.ca.

Tax Ratios to be examined for first time in 10 years.

Vernon Council instructed the Financial Staff to bring back a full report on the implications of changing the Light Industrial Ratio to the equivalent of the Business Tax Ratio AND to change the Utilities Tax Ratio from 2.82 to 5.00 or the same as Kelowna Rate by Oct/ 2006.

(From the June 26th meeting of Council)

HIGHLIGHTS Of GVSC AGENDA Thursday June 29

http://www.greatervernon.ca/user_files/File/June%2029%20Regular.pdf
REGULAR Meeting of the GREATER VERNON SERVICES COMMISSION to be held
in the Board Room of the Regional District Office at 8:00 a.m., THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2006

• 
  THAT the report from the Policies & Programs Manager dated June 21,
  2006 re Claims Staking in the GVS Watershed Area; THAT GVSC
  direct staff to identify higher risk areas within all watershed areas that
  should be included in an Application for Reserve under the Minerals
  Tenure Act; AND THAT an Application for Reserve be prepared and
  submitted by RDNO to the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Petroleum
  Resources; AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this report be forwarded
  to the RDNO Board for information.
• 
  5.2 Report from Jeremy Kinch, Project Manager dated June 21, 2006.
  Recommendation:
  THAT the report from the Project Manager dated June 21, 2006 re
  Water Rates Review be received; AND THAT the proposed scope of
  work and work program for the GVWU water rates review be approved
  as proposed.
• 
  5.3 Report from Al Cotsworth, Water Manager dated June 21, 2006.
  Recommendation:
  THAT the report from the Water Manager dated June 21, 2006 re
  Amendments to GVWU Rates Imposition Bylaw & Schedule “A” be
  received; THAT the GVWU Rates Imposition Bylaw No. 2139 and
  Schedule “A” be repealed and replaced with a new bylaw which
  incorporates the amendments included in this report; AND THAT the
  RDNO Board be requested to adopt the new GVWU Rates Imposition
  Bylaw at their next meeting.
• 
  6.1 Report from Al McNiven, Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture
  dated June 20, 2006.
  Recommendation:
  THAT the report from the Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture
  dated June 20, 2006 re Cultural Complex be received; AND THAT the
  GVSC postpone further discussions on this topic until the final report is
  received by the City of Vernon and the City of Vernon brings forward
  their proposal to GVSC.

City frustrates Rise developer

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star StaffJun 25 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=35&cat=23&id=676851&more=
The City of Vernon is being accused of allowing bureaucracy to sabotage a destination resort's plans. Leona Snider, president of The Rise, used a presentation to council Friday to blast city policies that she believes are targeted towards subdivisions more than resorts. "A resort development is not a suburban development," she said. "We've had a lot of changes given to us by the city and that's changing the natural environment and adding costs." One of Snider's primary concerns is the city's demands that trees be planted along roadways. "We've spent considerable funds on environmental studies and to now plant trees not native to the area will cause a lot of grief. We will have to supply them with water and they will kill the grasslands," she said. Snider also points out that The Rise has launched a vineyard and there are adjacent commercial orchards. "In a farming area, it's not advisable to attract birds (because they destroy crops)." Snider told council she takes issue with landscaping rules being imposed by the city at this stage in the development process. "Our plan was not frivolously thrown together," she said. There is also considerable concern that the city is promoting light pollution by demanding standard street lighting at The Rise, contrary to the resort's "dark sky" policy.
"Who wants it lit up like an air strip?" said Jim Radford, senior vice-president. Installing lights along the main arterial road will cost $3 million. "I've hired the best people to create a resort with ambiance and I'm dealing with bylaws that won't let me," said Snider. "The community has said to us to protect the environment but when you add lights and plant trees, it affects the environment." City staff confirm that regulations call for trees to be planted along boulevards.
"We're in the middle of discussions with the developer," said Lorne Holowachuk, the city's manager of planning, development and engineering services. Mayor Wayne Lippert acknowledged Friday that there are some differences of opinion between the city and The Rise.
"We've got a new council and they're interested in how the development is being done. It's good that she (Snider) came forward and wants to work things out," he said.

Boat Launch A Go

http://www.1075kiss.com/whatson/news.jsp A controversial parking lot in Coldstream looks like it will be moving forward.That after a committee had its recommendations on the Kalavista boat launch, approved by District council.Mayor Gary Corner calls it a good compromise.Mayor Corner says, '"They've taken recommendations, one being that we're going to move the tie down area in front of the parking lot that has just been purchased it will be sort of a drive through area where you'll be able to tie down."Kalavista Drive resident Jim Cookson, who initiated a petition against the expansion, disagrees it was a compromise.Cookson says, "Well 575 people signed the petition against the expeansion. the working group actually found ways to make the parking lot bigger than it was when they started. So congratulations to the other side they won."The recommendations will next go to GVSC for approval.(Pete McIntyre June 28-06)

New Drug Bylaw

http://www.1075kiss.com/whatson/news.jsp
Police and city bylaw officers could soon have a new tool for dealing with drug users.City council has given preliminary approval to a drug paraphernalia bylaw which would allow authorities to fine people caught with pipes and other drug items in public parks.Bylaw Enforcement Manager Clint Kanester says it would also allow police to remove offenders from parks.Kanester says, "We've also looked at some other things to deal with some of the back end of Polson Park issues, where we have people who have basically set up camp there. we constantly get complaints with regards to that type of situation."Kanester says a similiar bylaw was put in force in Kelowna last year, which is one reason why more transients moved to Vernon.(Pete McIntyre June 28-06)

DON QUIXOTE COUNCIL MUSINGS

At Monday's Committee of the Whole meeting the Council decided to re advertise the openings for 2 additional persons on the Vernon Land Corp. One applicant did not accept the nomination to this local government body. Back to Square 1 for all other future applicants.

Mr S. Debella and Mr. Bruce Beley were appointed to the 2 new spots on the Advisory Planning Board.

Clear plan for Duteau Creek

http://www.dailycourier.ca/article_280.php By Scott NeufeldFriday, June 16 After months of harsh criticism from rural water users who say they’re tired of paying higher rates without seeing any quality improvements, Greater Vernon Water has unveiled a new wrinkle in the Master Water Plan.The water utility has proposed an interim solution by building a dissolved air floatation facility at Headgates on Duteau Creek. Water project manager Jeremy Kinch said the proposed treatment option would result in significant improvement to water quality and prevent future boil water advisories.“This is our biggest source, our future source, it has the worst quality from an aesthetic perspective,” Kinch said. “(Duteau) is the key to the project as a whole.”The Greater Vernon Services Commission voted unanimously to go ahead with designing the facility which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2007.“Certainly from a rural users’ point of view this is going to give them the same quality of water as the folks downtown,” electoral area C director Stan Field said after the meeting. “This is really good news.”Three different options were examined and the most expensive option was chosen. However, the costly option also provides the clearest water.The new option is expected to cost $19 million which can be paid for with money borrowed through the water referendum. As funds allow, the Duteau Creek plant would eventually be upgraded.“We’re not building something today that’s a throwaway,” Kinch said. Dissolved air floatation works by using tiny air bubbles to push particles through the water to the surface in large basins. The floating sludge is then skimmed from the top while the purified water is sucked through the bottom of the basin.The system is effective in removing turbidity, algae and bacteria, however, it’s not as effective as a treatment plant would be. According to the water utility’s figures, the average turbidity for the year would be 0.4 with dissolved air floatation, well below the Canadian drinking water standard of 1.0. However, during peak times it could rise above 6.0 stirring up a boil water advisory.Kinch said if the floatation system had been in place on Duteau Creek this year there would not have been a single boil water advisory to this point. The water utility announced yesterday that another boil water advisory had been placed on Duteau Creek.“During periods of high turbidity, particularly in July, we could possibly exceed 5 NTU for short durations,” Kinch said.Under the latest Master Water Plan, a full Duteau Creek water treatment plant was scheduled to be finished by the end of next year. However, the $30 million price tag and lack of government grants made it too costly to complete, he said. Building the plant at Duteau Creek means that other projects will be pushed further into the future. Kinch said those projects should still be completed by 2015 when the $103 million Master Water Plan is supposed to be finished.

Residents making waves over lake access

http://www.dailycourier.ca/article_308.php By David SkelhonMonday, June 26, 2006
Vernon residents will have better access to Okanagan Lake if city council approves a planner’s report at today’s meeting but this doesn’t sit well with some residents close to access sites.The four access sites recommended for improvement are Foster Road and Kennedy Lane (off Tronson Road) and Delcliffe Road and Whitepoint Road (off Eastside Road). The report recommends that none of the sites be used as launches for “motorized boats.” The sites are intended for locals to launch kayaks and canoes, although the report acknowledges some tourists will use them.Coun. Barry Beardsell said that there are about 50 access points along the lake but not all of them are practical for improvement. He said some of them have been taken over by adjacent land owners and he is concerned that public access to the lake is severely limited.“I’m strongly in favour of opening up these access points for the local population,” he said.Coun. Patrick Nicol agrees with Beardsell. “Most people think better lake access makes a lot of sense.” However, Nicol added that each case needs to be looked at individually.Some residents of Delcliffe Road are upset by the proposal. Resident Steve Lewis said, “we’re dead against it…these small ones (access sites) are going to cause a lot of trouble.”Lewis added, “I feel that they should sell it off and use the money to buy a parcel of land and develop that as a park.”His main concern is that the beach would be used for night-time parties.Dr. Don Lemiski, a Delcliffe resident for over 35 years, said that he supports public access in general, but doesn’t think development would be appropriate at the Delcliffe site.Also, he doesn’t believe that, “ the city has the resources to start policing, and equipping these places with sanitary facilities.” He said that the resources should be used instead to upgrade existing beaches.“There’s a tremendous jump from something that’s undeveloped to something that’s advertised as a destination beach,” he said.Like Lewis, Lemiski is worried about night-time parties.Council has committed an annual budget of $150,000 to the ongoing process of improving access. The intention is to reduce travel distances for residents wishing to launch boats.The planner’s report outlines the concerns of residents close to the access sites. There are safety and security issues and it recommends that a protocol is developed for “cooperation between the RCMP, City of Vernon Bylaw Enforcement, and a private security firm to be contracted to patrol the four sites as a pilot program for the first year of operation.”Parking is also an issue and recommendations restricting the number of parking spots and using a combination of bylaw enforcement and towing of illegally parked vehicles are proposed.

Vernon Jubilee 'worst physical plant within IHA'

http://www.dailycourier.ca/article_313.php By Wayne EmdeTuesday, June 27, 2006
“We’re here to tweak your ears a little bit, to bring you up to speed,” said Dr. Chris Cunningham, Vernon Jubilee Hospital medical staff president, as he opened a presentation to Vernon city council on yesterday. His presentation focused on the projected population growth in Vernon, the physical facility at VJH, physician resources, and the need for political help.He outlined the current state of affairs at VJH, which has 31,000 Emergency Room visits a year, 5,500 to 6,000 surgeries and 60,000 radiological tests in what Murray Ramsden, the CEO of the Interior Health Authority, calls the “worst physical plant within IHA.”Dr. Cunningham pointed out that planning for the future is inadequate and that the IHA consultants have been told to keep inpatient beds at the same number in spite of population growth projections.“There are 34 fewer acute care beds and 17 fewer extended care beds now at VJH than there were in 2002,” he said, adding that they run between 120 and 140 per cent overcapacity.Dr. Peter King, VJH chief of emergency medicine said that a short term renovation to the emergency room, designed to alleviate gross overcrowding is months behind schedule. Currently the four operating rooms are used five days a week, but the lack of acute care beds has meant that non-surgical patients have been put into surgical beds, resulting in the postponement or cancellation of surgeries. “We already have unmet needs in orthopedics, for example, and patients are sent to Vancouver for surgery.” King described the emergency department as a piece of junk and that “it is embarrassing to treat patients there.”IHA planning consultants have also proposed no increase in the number of operating rooms for the proposed expansion of VJH. But the doctors say that eight are required to meet the demand. The proposed new building, built on the same grounds as VJH, will include an emergency ward, intensive care unit, imaging and outpatient beds.In a response to a question from Patrick Nicol, Dr. Cunningham said that a population based, age adjusted formula used to determine the number of beds in a hospital needs to be changed. Another problem facing VGH is the number of patients from outside Vernon who are treated at VGH. “Only 57 per cent of our surgery patients are from Vernon. When the patients go to other places, the funding stays in their home districts,” said Cunningham.Addressing a parallel problem, Dr. Ed Hardy, the VJH chair of recruitment said that the IHA doesn’t get involved in attracting family doctors because they don’t use the hospitals. However, to attract an orthopedic surgeon, for example, the IHA must be able to guarantee operating room time. It would be like trying to recruit Mario Andretti to your racing team and then telling him that he might get a car in two years, said Hardy.VJH currently needs another urologist, but the IHA has to approve the hiring. “We’re also competing with hospitals in Alberta,” said Hardy, “and they are upgrading their facilities while our physical plant needs work and we have patients in halls.”Dr. Mike Concannon, the VJH chief-elect of emergency medicine said that the facility is “too old, too decrepit and too small.” “The issue is we need not just new, but bigger. What we have now is inadequate for 2006. It won’t help if we make the emergency ward bigger without adding beds in the rest of the hospital.”Outside council chambers, Dr. Cunningham said that doctors had spent months and years dealing with the problems and that they need support from council after trying every internal avenue. “We’re not looking for answers today, but we want to initiate the process.” he said. “We need help to work through the political channels.”

Local gov’t earnings top $17.8 million

By Scott NeufeldFriday, June 23, 2006, 12:01 AM http://www.dailycourier.ca/article_299.php

The final bill for the cost of local government has come in.Last year, it cost taxpayers $17.8 million to pay the wages of staff and remunerate local politicians for the Regional District of the North Okanagan, Coldstream and Vernon. The figure was reached by combining the wages and expenses of local government employees as well as the earnings and expenses of politicians from the three government bodies.Vernon councillor and Greater Vernon Services commissioner Barry Beardsell said the cost of local government placed on the taxpayer is out of control. He said he is particularly concerned about the $408,232.08 in expenses that staff at the three government bodies racked up last year.“I think it’s absolutely atrocious, the poor taxpayer,” he said.The biggest spenders were regional district staff who passed more than $206,000 in expenses on to the taxpayer. Beardsell said that some of the expenditures need to be explained.“One of the things is they are going to have to be accountable,” he said.Slightly more than $3 million of the $17.8 million was paid to the 32 government employees who earn more than $75,000 per year. Beardsell said it is these top salaries that are driving the high cost of governing.“A lot of it is duplication of services when you’ve got three different divisions,” he said. “I think it’s the high-end salaries that bring about so much of it.”According to the financial reports the price tag for three finance managers is $264,755.01, the cost for three city engineering chiefs is $259,877.41 and the cost for four chief administrative officers (including Ron Campbell’s severance) is $560,561.33. Those numbers don’t include several thousand dollars in expenses that each employee charged.Beardsell said he went to Victoria to speak with the provincial government and tell them that Vernon is over-governed. He said he’s still waiting for a reply.“It’s almost as if Victoria is saying they don’t want to deal with it,” he said. Out of the $17.8 million total, $458,038.22 went to pay local politicians and reimburse them for their expenses. Former Vernon mayor Sean Harvey had the highest earnings of any local politician taking in $34,888.63, not including expenses. Electoral Area C director and regional district chairman Stan Field was a close second, earning $32,430.12. In third was former Coldstream mayor Brian Postill who totaled $28,563.36.After former mayor Sean Harvey, who according to the city spent $12,384, the local politician with the highest expenditures was Coldstream councillor Glen Taylor who spent $7,197.59. Field was third highest at $4,655.68.

Heavy industry tax cut could impose burden on local taxpayers

By Grant Warkentin Mirror StaffJun 21 2006
A huge residential tax hike could be the consequence of a provincially-imposed tax reduction for heavy industry. "The recommendation by the Pulp and Paper Industry Advisory Committee to reduce major industry taxation by 50 per cent and then cap it would trigger an immediate 41 per cent increase to the residential taxpayer in our city - and we already have one of the lowest dependencies on major industry," said Mayor Roger McDonell in an April letter to Rich Coleman, the provincial minister of Forests and Range and minister responsible for Housing.
Based on recommendations by the B.C. Competition Council, the provincial government is considering imposing a tax cap for heavy industry, restricting the amount of taxes municipalities could collect from heavy industry such as Catalyst's Elk Falls paper mill. The city is hoping to discourage the province from going through with the plan because the tax cap would mean a tax hike for residential taxpayers. "The shortfall in revenues as a result of this taxation stimulus policy would fall primarily on the residential taxpayer to make up," McDonell said.
In response, Coleman told McDonell his concerns would be considered. "I will share your letter with my colleagues to ensure the points you raise are considered as we formulate our response to the competition council's recommendations," Coleman said. Campbell River isn't the only community concerned about the effects a tax cap could have on its economy. Corporate Services Director Tom Stevens recently attended a meeting with other member municipalities of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) and he said the concern was unanimous.
"They all voiced concerns about the possibility of the provincial government introducing a tax cap," he said. Campbell River should get the support of the UBCM at the September annual convention, said Coun. Roy Grant. The UBCM represents every municipality in B.C. and resolutions passed at the annual convention can have an effect on provincial policy.
"I think this will send a clear message to the government of where we stand on this issue," said McDonell. In March, the competition council recommended the tax cap as a way to save the coastal forestry industry from falling into worse shape. "Unless these issues are addressed and the conditions are created to allow industry to be competitive, and to attract the capital required for reinvestment, the decline of the forest industry will continue," said council co-chair David Thompson in a news release. Catalyst has been asking the city for a decrease in taxes for several years. However, the city has a plan to gradually reduce them by 2010. "By the year 2010 Campbell River will be receiving only 20 per cent of its municipal tax revenue from major industry, whereas in 2003 we were at 32 per cent," McDonell said in a June 20 letter to the premier. "Were it not for the five-point plan-major industry would have paid $3.3 million more in municipal taxes since 2002."
Campbell river mirror

Vernon Gun Robbery

http://www.castanet.net/cgi-bin2/newNews/news_list.cgi?method=show_story&id=19742&query=searchby Staff - Story: 19742June 27, 2006 / 8:33 am

A 27 year old male, walking home from work, was robbed at (what appears to be) gunpoint early this morning in downtown Vernon. Police responded to the call just after 2:00 AM. The victim stated he was walking home when approached by the suspect at the corner of 32nd St and 31st Ave. The suspect pointed what was described as a black handgun or taser at the victim and demanded he place his wallet on the sidewalk and walk away. The victim complied. He witnessed the robber pick up the wallet, run to a nearby vehicle and drive eastbound down 31st Ave. The vehicle is described as an import, either Toyota or Honda, hatchback, blue, mid -80's and dirty. The suspect is described as a caucasian male, medium build, short brown (afro style) hair, wearing a white ‘T’ shirt and blue jeans. No money was stolen however the victim’s wallet contained several credit cards. The victim was not hurt. Anyone who witnessed this robbery or may have information concerning the suspect is urged to call the Vernon RCMP Detachment or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Vernon council totally off base

http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/ EDITORIAL JUNE 28

One has to wonder if the problem in Greater Vernon governance is the City of Vernon? A compromise was found earlier this month that clarified how the Greater Vernon Services Commission operates and its relationship with its parent body, the North Okanagan Regional District. However, the city threw a wrench into the whole process Monday, by refusing to support the necessary bylaw changes. Apparently council doesn't believe the document is clear enough when it comes to duties GVSC can't perform. Yet, if you look at the section in question, it is fairly comprehensive. It states that GVSC doesn't have the authority to do a number of things, including policies for financial management, contracting, purchasing, communication and computer systems. How much more of an explanation does the city need? It's also questionable that the city's three NORD representatives raised their hands for the compromise deal in early June and yet they were among the ranks of council members opposing the bylaw Monday. At the time of the NORD vote, Coun. Pat Cochrane was confident the bylaw change would get the support of his council. Such moves will leave residents wondering if the politicians know what they're doing. Support for the bylaw amendment is coming from other NORD members so it appears Vernon is the odd jurisdiction out. By being difficult and nit-picky over wording, the city is not only jeopardizing GVSC's ability to provide services, but its entire relationship with the rest of the regional district. It's time for this entire debacle to end so our elected officials can get on to more important issues. Hopefully, the City of Vernon will agree and begin co-operating.

Funding ensures shelter's survival

By David SkelhonWednesday, June 28, 2006 http://www.dailycourier.ca/article_314.php
Okanagan-Vernon MLA Tom Christensen announced yesterday that the Province would provide an additional $110,657 in funding for emergency shelter beds at the John Howard House. “Howard House is an important community resource to assist people in the Vernon area who would otherwise likely be homeless and I’m pleased that the province is helping the Society to continue its good work,” said Christensen.Howard House emergency shelter staff are delighted with the announcement. They said this will ensure the survival of the facility.“It changes everything,” said shelter executive director Barbara Levesque.Levesque said the shelter has been in financial trouble since the federally funded halfway house section closed. The shelter has 24 beds and last month served an average of 19 men per night and was full on several nights.“When the halfway house was shut down we only had funding for 10 emergency shelter beds left,” Levesque said. “Consequently we were losing a significant amount of money each month.” Blair Peden, president of the society’s board of directors, said “It’s wonderful. It’s something we have been trying to acquire for some time . . . it means we are going to survive.”Levesque said that potential donors were put off by the huge debt. “The hole was just too big but now I know other funding is going to come forward as well.” Levesque said this funding would come from private donors and other government programs. Ultimately, she said, “This isn’t about charity, it’s about creating opportunities for people who don’t have many.”“More than 80 per cent of the men are working. Many, many have addiction problems, many have mental health problems and some have both.” she said. Levesque said she would like to see more projects with life skills and literacy. She said there are opportunities in trades at the moment but some of the men need guidance.See said that Howard House had recently seen an increase in young people, age 19 to 23, seeking help. “These are a vulnerable group, easily influenced, often from unstable backgrounds.” She added, “There is always room to inspire young people to have their own apartment, or car or go on a vacation in Mexico.”Howard House has a second floor with 24 bedrooms that have been vacant since the closure of the halfway house.Peden said he would eventually like to see these used as part of a transitional living program, “for people who are really motivated to make positive changes in their lives.”“Residents would have their own, comfortable rooms with a TV,” he said, and the facility would be alcohol, drug and violence free. He said that statistics show it takes three to 12 months of stability before these men can start making their own way. “There's no quick fix,” he said.Peden said part of the facility could also be used to house women. The building is based on a World War I hospital and is built in the shape of an “H” and there is an opportunity to create separate wings.

TIME LINE RE ANDERSON SUBDIVISION BYLAW # 4739

TIME LINE RE ANDERSON SUBDIVISION BYLAW # 4739 Originally published 2003

Jan 27, 2003 (Harvey, O’keefe absent) Acting Mayor Jim MacGillivray
Bylaw 4739 passed.. Specified area approved Authorization to borrow $6,261,713.00 upon the credit of the municipality part of bylaw.
“---the costs of which shall be borne by the owners of the land in the said Specified Area,---“
(Original Sanitary Sewer Costs $1,029,394)

Feb 11, 2003 Public Input Meeting. Significant Capital Projects:

“Construction of roads, sewer and water utilities for the Anderson Subdivision. The project valued at over $6,000,000 will be the sole responsibility of the local property owners through a specified area”

Apr. 28,2003 OPEN COUNCIL MEETING: (all present)
$65,400 for oversizing is authorized for payment and a request to have the Greater Vernon Water Utility fund these costs in a estimated amount of $79,300.


July 14,2003 OPEN COUNCIL MEETING: (all present)
Mayor Harvey declared a conflict of interest with the following item and excused himself from the meeting. Councillor O’Keefe assumed Chair.

City confirms that it will pay the sewer oversizing costs and further that the $375,000 potential costs of future upgrade for the lift station and force main be deleted from the projects costs.

AND FURTHER, that the proposed sewer line to be installed by the specified area be designated as the North End Sewer Trunk Main and be declared a DCC transmission main project as outlined in the DCC bylaw, thereby allowing future development to receive a DCC Sewer Collection charge credit upon issuance of a building permit.

CARRIED,
with Councillor Cochrane opposed.


Aug. 1/ 2003 INCAMERA MEETING: (Harvey absent) Acting Mayor Pat Cochrane

“That the Anderson Subdivision Specified area costs be reduced by $738,796.71.

Oct 14, 2003 INCAMERA MEETING: (cochrane absent)
“Now THEREFORE Council resolves to fund $738,796.71 for the sanitary sewer works which will form part of the Anderson Specified Area pursuant to Bylaw No. 4739 from various general revenue sources as recommended by the October 6, 2003 Finance Committee.”

Nov 10, 2003 INCAMERA MEETING: (Nichol, Cochrane & Hall absent) “The Anderson Subdivision matter was removed from In Camera on November 10, 2003.” (e-mail from city clerk dated Dec 22/2003)

Nov 10, 2003 OPEN COUNCIL MEETING: (all present)
(Council minutes of November 10th were requested to be amended at the November 24th Regular Open Meeting to include this discussion)
· Councillor Beardsell advised that he believes that this Council has probably contravened the Local Government Act, and more, and certainly the spirit. The Act prohibits local government in providing assistance to an individual or commercial business undertaking.
· An offer was made to eliminate the requirement of a sewer lift station, estimated cost $375,000, but this was not good enough and now $739,000 has also been given away, along with $161,000 for oversizing of capacity for a total of $1.275 million. This has come out of the taxpayers pockets for the benefit of 10 owners of property and the majority of these owners were in favor of the specified area and the related costs
· Mayor Harvey responded that this cannot go without comment. There are several things that Councillor Beardsell suggested which the public needs to be very very aware of. Number One - the City of Vernon partnered with business in the specified area no differently than we did in the development of the downtown core revitalization.
· I do disagree with the source of funding for this project but the benefit at the end of the day far out-ways what we have contributed. My own preference would have been to use the existing money from the DCC’s, as it had been identified as a DCC project to service this. (cochrane)


No bylaw votes in a closed meeting (Sec 89 of BILL 14 -- 2003 COMMUNITY CHARTER)
242.4 A council must not vote on the reading or adoption of a bylaw when its meeting is closed to the public.
258.1 Unless otherwise provided,
(a) the power to adopt a bylaw under this or any other Act includes the power to repeal or amend the original bylaw,
(b) the included power to amend or repeal must be exercised by bylaw and is subject to the same approval and other requirements, if any, as the power to adopt the original bylaw, and
(c) the included power may be exercised in the original bylaw.
Limit on expenditures (Sec 173 of BILL 14 -- 2003 COMMUNITY CHARTER)
333 (1) A municipality must not make an expenditure other than one authorized under subsection (2) or (3).
(2) A municipality may make an expenditure that is provided for that year in its financial plan, other than an expenditure that is expressly prohibited by this or another Act.
(3) A municipality may make an expenditure for an emergency that was not contemplated for that year in its financial plan, other than an expenditure that is expressly prohibited by this or another Act.
(4) In relation to the authority under subsection (3), the council must establish procedures
(a) to authorize expenditures under that subsection, and
(b) to provide for such expenditures to be reported to the council at a regular meeting.
(5) If an expenditure is made under subsection (3), as soon as practicable, the council must amend the financial plan to include the expenditure and the funding source for the expenditure.
(6) For certainty, the authority under subsection (3) does not include the authority to borrow for the purpose of making the expenditure.
Financial plan
327 (1) A municipality must have a financial plan that is adopted annually, by bylaw, before the annual property tax bylaw is adopted.
(2) For certainty, the financial plan may be amended by bylaw at any time.

Definition of "assistance" (Sec 21/24/25 of BILL 14 -- 2003 COMMUNITY CHARTER)
181 For the purposes of section 176 (1) (c) [corporate powers — assistance] and this Division, "assistance" means providing a grant, benefit, advantage or other form of assistance, including
(a) an exemption from a tax, fee or charge, and
(b) the forms of assistance referred to in section 185 (1) [publication of intention to provide certain kinds of assistance].
Prohibition against assistance to business
182 As a limitation on section 176 (1) (c), a local government must not provide assistance to an industrial, commercial or business undertaking.
Exception for assistance under partnering agreements
183 Despite section 182 and in addition to the power under section 176 (1) (c), a local government may provide assistance under a partnering agreement.
Publication of intention to provide certain kinds of assistance
185 (1) A local government must publish in a newspaper its intention to provide any of the following assistance:
(a) disposing of land or improvements, or any interest or right in or with respect to them, for less than market value;
(b) lending money;
(c) guaranteeing repayment of borrowing or providing security for borrowing;
(d) assistance under a partnering agreement.
(2) The notice must be published before the assistance is provided and must include
(a) the intended recipient of the assistance, and
(b) the nature, term and extent of the proposed assistance.
Right of elector to complain about accounting (Sec 172 of BILL 14 -- 2003 COMMUNITY CHARTER)
330 (1) An elector may complain in writing to the council or to the municipal auditor, if the elector considers that
(a) a disbursement, expenditure, liability or other transaction is not authorized by or under this or another Act, or
(b) there has been a theft, misuse or other defalcation or irregularity in the funds, accounts, assets, liabilities and financial obligations of the municipality or of one of its administrative bodies.
(2) If a complaint is made under subsection (1) to the council, the council must give notice of the matter to the auditor.
(3) If a complaint is made under subsection (1) to the municipal auditor, the auditor must give notice of the matter to the council.

Borrowing for specified area
648 (1) A council may, by bylaw, provide for the borrowing from any person or for the appropriation from the local improvement fund of money necessary to meet the capital cost of a service for an area established under section 646.
(1.1) For the purpose of determining the capital cost of all or part of a service under this Division, either estimated or actual,
(a) the cost factors referred to in sections 633 [items that may be included in the cost] and 634 [charges must be established in advance] as determined by the council apply, and
(b) the capital or other cost of the service must be reduced by the amount of revenue derived from the service.
(2) Division 4 [Expenditures and Liabilities] of Part 9 [Financial Management] applies to a bylaw under subsection (1) except that, if the assent of the electors or a counter petition opportunity is required under that Division, compliance with section 646 (7) [elector assent for specified areas] is deemed to be compliance with that requirement.
(3) Subject to subsections (4) and (5) and section 649 [enlargement or reduction of specified area] and despite section 646 (3) [who bears cost of service], if the capital cost of the service is met out of money borrowed or appropriated under subsection (1), the entire capital cost of the service must be borne by the area specified in the bylaw.
(4) The cost of any capacity of the service in excess of that required for the specified area may be borne by the municipality unless the specified area is extended or merged and the full capacity of the service is required for the extended area or merged area, in which case the excess cost must no longer be borne by the municipality but by the extended area or merged area.
(5) A council may, by bylaw, provide that a part of the cost of the service for a downtown revitalization project approved by the inspector is to be borne by the municipality.
(6) [Repealed 1999-37-143.]
(7) Before adopting a bylaw under subsection (5), the council must provide the electors in the whole of the municipality with a counter petition opportunity in relation to the proposed bylaw.
(8) In addition to the information required by section 172.4, the notice of a counter petition opportunity under this section must include
(a) the total amount proposed to be borrowed,
(b) the part of the cost of the borrowing that is to be borne by the municipality, and
(c) the length of time for repayment.
Services for specified areas
646 (1) In addition to the exercise of the powers under Division 1 [Local Improvements] of this Part, a council may, by bylaw, undertake any service coming within the powers of the municipality for the special benefit of a specified area of the municipality.
(2) A bylaw under subsection (1) must define the area of the municipality that will be benefited.
(3) The entire cost, or a part of the cost of the service determined by the council and specified in a bylaw under subsection (1), must be borne by the owners of real property within the specified area or the users of the service, or by both.
(4) For the purpose of subsection (3), the council may impose within the specified area one or more of the following:
(a) a tax based on the assessed value of the land, or the improvements, or both;
(b) a parcel tax;
(c) other fees or charges provided in this Act.
(5) Subject to this section, Part 10.1 [Taxes, Fees and Charges] applies in respect of taxes, fees and charges imposed under subsection (4).
(6) A council may, by bylaw,
(a) provide that a parcel tax imposed under subsection (4) (b) may be commuted for payment in cash,
(b) set terms and conditions for a commutation under paragraph (a), and
(c) specify circumstances in which a commutation under paragraph (a) may be refused.
(7) Subject to the Waste Management Act, before a bylaw under this section is adopted one of the following requirements must be met:
(a) the bylaw must have received the assent of the electors;
(b) the service to be undertaken must have been requested by a petition and, for these purposes, sections 631 [petition to council] and 632 [sufficiency of petition] apply;
(c) the service to be undertaken must have been proposed by the council on its own initiative, and, for these purposes, sections 629 [council initiative] and 630 [petition against work] apply.
(8) The power to adopt a bylaw under subsection (1) may not be exercised through the adoption of a comprehensive general bylaw under section 259.1 and a bylaw under that subsection may not be consolidated into a comprehensive general bylaw under section 280.3.

Borrowing for specified area
648 (1) A council may, by bylaw, provide for the borrowing from any person or for the appropriation from the local improvement fund of money necessary to meet the capital cost of a service for an area established under section 646.
(1.1) For the purpose of determining the capital cost of all or part of a service under this Division, either estimated or actual,
(a) the cost factors referred to in sections 633 [items that may be included in the cost] and 634 [charges must be established in advance] as determined by the council apply, and
(b) the capital or other cost of the service must be reduced by the amount of revenue derived from the service.
(2) Division 4 [Expenditures and Liabilities] of Part 9 [Financial Management] applies to a bylaw under subsection (1) except that, if the assent of the electors or a counter petition opportunity is required under that Division, compliance with section 646 (7) [elector assent for specified areas] is deemed to be compliance with that requirement.
(3) Subject to subsections (4) and (5) and section 649 [enlargement or reduction of specified area] and despite section 646 (3) [who bears cost of service], if the capital cost of the service is met out of money borrowed or appropriated under subsection (1), the entire capital cost of the service must be borne by the area specified in the bylaw.
(4) The cost of any capacity of the service in excess of that required for the specified area may be borne by the municipality unless the specified area is extended or merged and the full capacity of the service is required for the extended area or merged area, in which case the excess cost must no longer be borne by the municipality but by the extended area or merged area.


New Community charter highlighted items not in old LGA

Borrowing in relation to a local area service
217 (1) If all of the costs of borrowing for the purposes of a local area service are to be recovered by a local service tax, the loan authorization bylaw does not require the approval of the electors under section 180 [elector approval required for some loan authorization bylaws], but it may only be adopted if
(a) the borrowing has been proposed by petition in accordance with section 212 [petition for local area service],
(b) the borrowing has been proposed by council initiative in accordance with section 213 [local area service on council initiative -- subject to petition against], or
(c) the bylaw has received assent of the electors in accordance with section 214 [local area service on council initiative -- subject to elector assent].
(2) If part of the costs of borrowing for the purposes of a local area service are to be recovered by a local service tax,
(a) a separate loan authorization bylaw is required for the borrowing in relation to which costs are to be recovered by the local service tax, with the bylaw adopted in accordance with subsection (1), and
(b) a separate loan authorization bylaw is required for the borrowing in relation to which costs are to be recovered by any other means, with the bylaw adopted in accordance with Part 6 [Financial Management].

FOR THE RECORD

SOME OF THE LINKS ARE BROKEN AND I AM FINDING NEW ONES .



Friday, November 18. 2005
FOR THE RECORD
I went and saw Kay Stamboulieh's film, 'Vernon Under Siege' at the Vernon Auditorium last night. It was well produced and provocative but extremely fair. It basically suggested that the developers in our city had highjacked the agenda.
I was especially interested when the movie brought up the matter of the $2.3 million in DCC'S and stated that Sean Harvey had convinced the council to switch their previous decision of one week earlier costing the taxpayers $2,300,000 and only 2 councillors had resisted this decision. As I remember, the camera had panned to a picture of the council chambers and showed the faces of those two councillors who had stood their ground, namely Barry Beardsell and Jim MacGillivray.
This set of facts was correct but in the interests of accuracy Coun. Patrick Nichol was absent during the second vote and when I asked him afterwards back in October of this year he assured me that he would have resisted and reconfirmed his first vote, i.e no extension of the deadline. As that second vote was 4-2 to extend, his vote wouldn't have made the difference.
Greg Armour had been recognized earlier in the evening and had received a standing ovation and rightfully so. After the Screening the people from the audience took to the mikes to express their concerns and solutions and beefs. Most were constructive and informative and the responses that were attempted by some of the candidates present who chose to speak were supportive of changing how City Hall served the people.
Some of the crowd took the opportunity to take some verbal potshots at the incumbents and since Barry Beardsell was the only councillor present he was "slagged " by some audience members. It was suggested that it was his job as the self appointed watchdog to catch all the financial wrongdoings, raise the flags, complain loudly on the steps of city hall and even call in the cops.
I had stood up at the first forum at the Shubert centre and defended Mr. Beardsell and was the first candidate to publicly bring up the details of the $2.3 million DCC fiasco and and mentioned it again at the Arts Center Forum and I thought that was enough. I was silent.
I should have stood up and told the crowd some of the facts about the going ons at City Hall and the interconnections that brought us to the point where a citizen Greg Armour was forced to fight City Hall and achieved success only when he got the "right" media's attention.
This is the speech I should have given, (most of which was and still is available in many sections of my blogsite.)( I will try to keep it short and concise and provide some links to the point I am making.)
When the downtown revite was first proposed in 2001 (I believe) there was a meeting for the public and specified area owners and I asked the following question to Mayor Harvey (as a reporter stood beside the mayor writing on his always present pad.).
"As the taxpayers don't have a right of counter-petition, if I persuade the owners to turn down this idea will not that save $600,000 and help reduce the residential tax load? "
"Bob, you know that if that happens we'll find a way to spend that money. "
When that meeting was reported in the "newspaper" no mention was made of that flippant remark. For me, that day foreshadowed one man's regard for my tax money and the "reporting" style of that newspaper.
Anderson sub division: Jan 2003-Aug 2004
Most of the background can be found at TIME LINE RE ANDERSON SUBDIVISION BYLAW # 4739 . This link shows you the details and the various sections of the municipal act that were violated. I asked for a section 330 investigation of this matter in Nov. of 2003 and it took 2 lawyers and a set of accountants 7 long months until August 4 of 2004 before the report came back. http://vernonblog.blogspot.com/2005_07_01_vernonblog_archive.html)
and the quote from Sean Harvey "It was an expensive opinion but it's important when doing the public's business to do it in a transparent and open fashion," said Harvey. The only councillor raising shit about this use of taxpayers money was Barry Beardsell. His initial reaction is best found in the minutes of http://www.vernon.ca/council/documents/2003/minutes_031110.doc where Beardsell stated his opposition to this use of taxpayer money without regard to their consent. Later on when the whitewash report of my 330 complaint came out he once again spoke out about his opposition to its findings. Barry pursued it up to the Provincial government level and both of us exchanged letters with this level of government who refused to step in.
The MORNING STAR on at least 2 times was given the TIME LINE RE ANDERSON SUBDIVISION BYLAW # 4739 in writing and I also brought it up at the 2004 budget meeting until I was ruled out of order.If the incompetence of the City Administrator who is the legal guidedog for council had been put under public scrutiny we might not be debating today why his contact was renewed.
Beardsell and Spiers went internal and the local Newspaper ignored the story.
The $2.3 million DCC Fiasco:
The timeline for this nightmare can be found at Don Quixote presented the cost of slot machines to the Vernon Community The basis facts are that at the Dec 13/ 2004 meeting the council voted 5-1 to put the new DCC rates in effect. (this was 7 months after the developers had an input meeting about these rates on May 10/04). Mr Harvey was absent at this meeting and called a special meeting at 8 AM on Dec 20 and (with Councillor Nichol now absent) had the implementation date changed to March 1/2005. This was carried by a 4-2 vote with only Councillors Beardsell and MacGillivray opposed.
Beardsell demanded a report from staff of the cost to the taxpayer of this vote and a staff report was published on March 2/ 2005 and is available to the public. I published comment about this in my article The Gang That Can't Shoot Straight. DCC RATES IN EFFECT OR NOT???. I made this known to the local newspaper but they chose to ignore it.
Later on after I got hold of this report I used it in October to chastise the council about their right to make any decisions until after the election and with reporters from both newspapers present detailed the facts about the $2.3 million. Neither newspaper picked up on this story but the Daily courier published my letter in which I outlined the details. (The Morningstar has yet to publish this letter.)
I mentioned both the Anderson and the DCC $2.3 million at the first public forum at the Shubert centre and the Morningstar's comment was :Vernon Morning Star P.A10 Friday Oct. 28: Bob Spiers called for the city to take a tougher stand with developers and not to provide them with financial support. "there's been a couple of (questionable) decisions of council," he said
The The Daily Courier P.1 Friday Oct. 28: The topic of the charges was also on the minds of another prospective councillor with Bob Spiers suggesting the charges have cost city taxpayers $2.3 million as developers saved money after former mayor Sean Harvey called a special meeting of council and delayed the then-increases to development cost charges. The courier also did a detailed story on Page 1 entitled 'Watch dog' tells how city lost millions. at http://vernonblog.blogspot.com/2005_10_01_vernonblog_archive.html
Beardsell and Spiers went internal and the predominate local Newspaper ignored the story.
Conflict of Interest:
View the Media Release and Report from Lidstone, Young, Anderson Barristers and Solicitors. http://vernonblog.com/exit.php?url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy52ZXJub24uY2Evd2hhdHNuZXcvZG9jcy9wcjA1MDUwNS5wZGY=&entry_id=1072
This report that dragged on for many months was initiated by Mr Greg Armour and you can judge the result by looking at the report. Once again somebody had gone the internal route.
Expense Account Allegations:
Mr Armour did show these receipts to Mr Beardsell and was told to run with them. Internal procedures and looking to the local press had failed before. If this had gone internal again it would have moved into in-camera and the house cleaning that happened might have been just a dream.

Mr Armour and an investigative CHBC reporter set the proper wheels in motion and the world unfolded as it should. They are to be commended
However don't look to one watchdog councillor to be the one asleep on the job, look instead at the local "newspaper".
That paper is free. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

'Watch dog' tells how city lost millions

Monday, October 31. 2005
http://vernon.kelownadailycourier.ca/archive/2005/10/28/stories/585_full.php4?latest_date=2005/10/28
Coun. Barry Beardsell took the brunt of the criticism at Wednesday night's all-candidates election forum as he defended his self-proclaimed role as the city's "watch dog." Visibly upset, Beardsell went on the offensive and charged that the city lost about $3 million in recent development boondoggles. "I am the watch dog, I was the watch dog and I want to continue to do that," said Beardsell to a crowd of about 300 gathered at the Schubert Centre, It's not often a chartered accountant is a member of council, he added. He was asked by an audience member where he had been when former mayor Sean Harvey had been misusing his expense account.Beardsell said he had been the councillor who questioned in March why Harvey's expense account was $8,000 over budget. It took staff two months to come forward with the information after the story broke of Harvey's misuses, which Beardsell said could be due to the staff being intimidated."There is a record of me asking that question," said Beardsell.But if Beardsell asked the question in March, how was it he was quoted as saying "I'm shocked" when news of Harvey's misspending broke, asked another audience member.The councillor argued though there was an overrun, it still wasn't known why.Beardsell proposed the whistle-blower policy recently adopted by the city so there is a process in place where staff can report anything they have a problem with without feeling intimated.Some of Beardsell's competitors in the election race came to his defense, saying he wasn't the only member of council that was part of the finance committee. What the public doesn't hear about is the other dollars wasted on projects like the Anderson subdivision. Millions of dollars were lost on that project, he said."The public hasn't picked up on that because the media hasn't told them," said Beardsell. Beardsell later explained the city used its borrowing powers on a dozen land owners of the Anderson subdivision in order to assist them with providing infrastructure for commercial developments. The city is to be repaid over 15 to 20 years; only some owners balked at the infrastructure costs and a legal fight broke out, he said. To break the impasses the city used $1 million of taxpayer money for further assistance in providing infrastructure. Beardsell said the city shouldn’t be providing financial assistance now that the property is worth about $17 million, a major increase in value.He also said that in December 2004 council voted to increase development cost charges (DCCs) when former mayor Sean Harvey was absent. Coun. David O’Keefe a long-time opponent of such increases voted against the proposal, Beardsell said.At the next meeting Harvey was present and put through an amendment to defer the increases for 2 1/2 months. Beardsell said that he and Coun. Jim MacGillivray were the only ones to oppose Harvey’s change.The 26 developers got new DCCs at the “bargain basement” rate, saving them $2.3 million and costing revenue of that amount for the city development reserve fund.

Keynote address Hungarian Revolution's 50th anniversary celebrations in Kelowna:

Honoured Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
October 23,1956!.... A date deeply engraved in my mind and heart as it is in the minds and hearts of all Hungarians. It is the date when Hungarians won the admiration of the world for their heroic rebellion against a ruthless, Soviet-imposed regime. It is a date that reminded freedom loving people the world over that dictatorial regimes may not last forever. Half a century ago the Hungarian people showed the world that human rights and freedoms are more important than life itself. It is the date that heralded the beginning of the end of the Soviet empire. The major reason for the eruption of the revolution was an underlying distrust and hatred for the Hungarian Communist government that was only able to exist due to the military support of the Soviet Union. After World War II, Hungary fell under the Soviet sphere of influence and was occupied by the Red Army, in line with the Yalta Agreement at which Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt discussed Europe's postwar reorganization. In 1945, Soviet Marshal Kliment Voroshilov forced the freely-elected Hungarian government to yield the Interior Ministry to the Hungarian Communist Party. Communist Interior Minister László Rajk established the Hungarian State Security Police, later known as the ÁVO, which brutally suppressed political opposition. Life in Hungary under the communist government was quite unbearable. Until 1951 most important food stuffs, such as bread, sugar, butter, lard etc. were rationed and in short supply.
Shortages also extended to practically all consumer goods western societies enjoyed. Worst of all was the lack of freedom and the constant fear of being arrested and held without trial! There was no freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom of the press, nor any other human rights free societies enjoyed and held dear. There were no free elections. Elections were farcical as only the Communist party candidates were listed on the ballots.Any dissent with the official party line was treated swiftly and severely, and those accused of opposing or criticizing the government disappeared from sight, usually in the middle of the night. One of my friends spent three years of hard labour in a coal mine for the offence of having in his possession leaflets that were critical of the government. He never even had the chance of distributing any of those leaflets before he had the misfortune of being arrested. Farmers were forced to join collective farms and lost their independence. Any farmer found to possess undeclared farm products was labeled to be a “kulak”, arrested and his food supply was confiscated which then was publicly displayed to humiliate him and act as a deterrent. Nobody knew who was a secret agent who would report any anti government statements or activities, everyone lived in fear. Government organized demonstrations, in support of government policies, were common place and attending them was mandatory for school children, workers and all other sectors of society. Stalin and Rákosi and other leaders were to be deified and adored. Travel to western countries was limited to the “elite” communist leaders. Hungary’s borders to the west were fortified with mine fields, barbed wires and observation towers to prevent Hungarians from fleeing the country.Even traveling to the border zone required special permits from the police. As a university student in Sopron, which was within 5 km of the border, I had to obtain such a document and renew it annually so I could attend the University.Russian language study and Communist indoctrination were made mandatory in schools and universities nationwide. Under Rákosi, Hungary's government was arguably among the most repressive in Europe. Life was bleak to say the least! Following the death of Stalin in 1953 there was a period of moderate liberalization in the Soviet controlled countries, including Hungary. In fact, the border fortification was removed during the summer of 1956 which facilitated the escape of many Hungarians following the defeat of the revolution. The moderate liberalization resulted in the replacement of Mátyás Rákosi with Imre Nagy as the new Hungarian Prime Minister in 1953. In 1955, the Austrian State Treaty and ensuing declaration of neutrality established Austria as demilitarized and neutral. In 1955 Nagy had considered the possibility of Hungary adopting a neutral status on the Austrian pattern but this never materialized as he was ousted by Rákosi and expelled from the Communist Party. The more liberal atmosphere gave rise to liberal movements among university students as well.On October 22nd students of the Technical University of Budapest produced a sixteen point document, which contained their demands for liberalization, and presented it to the government. The first and foremost demand was immediate evacuation of all Soviet troops from Hungary.
Other demands focused on

changes in government,
trial of previous government leaders,
fair general elections,
right to strike,
revision of foreign relations,
reorganization of Hungary’s economic life,
foreign trade relations,
revision of wages,
rational distribution of agricultural products,
equality of individual farms,
release of innocent political prisoners,
freedom of expression and freedom of the press,
removal of the statue of Stalin
and various other issues.

On October 23 students of the afore mentioned Technical University organized a peaceful demonstration in support of Polish demands for liberalization. The huge number of demonstrators, estimated at 200 thousand, ended up at the radio station and a delegation attempted to have the demands broadcast over the radio. The request was denied and, instead, the AVO opened fire on the demonstrators, killing several people. The ÁVH tried to resupply itself by hiding arms inside an ambulance, but the crowd detected the ruse and intercepted it.
With these guns and others obtained from the military, the real revolution begun.Stalin's giant statue, a reminder of the hated dictator, was torn down from central Budapest and protestors placed Hungarian flags in the boots atop the pedestal. Many soldiers joined the fighters and Hungarian Communist Party Secretary Ernő Gerő requested Soviet military intervention to deal with the so called “mob”. On October 24th Soviet tanks entered Budapest and Soviet soldiers guarded the bridges and the Parliament building. Revolutionaries quickly set up barricades to defend Budapest, and had captured some Soviet tanks by mid-morning. Many Russian tanks were torched by Molotov cocktails, others were friendly to the Hungarians. A very sad event was the massacre at the Parliament Buildings where nearly a hundred people lost their lives in a firefight between freedom fighters, members of the AVO and the Soviet Armed forces. During the next few days events happened in rapid succession, too numerous to detail here.Imre Nagy took over as Prime Minister and formed a government promising major changes, such as free elections with multiple parties, requesting the withdrawal of Soviet Forces from Hungary and the withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact. In the meantime the revolution extended to other parts of the country. Revolutionary councils arose nationwide, assumed local governmental authority, and called for general strikes. Life was returning to normal and people were looking to the future with great expectations. My personal experience with the revolution was in Sopron, a city on the Austrian border. Students of the University formed a Revolutionary Council and actively participated in maintaining order in the city and also supporting the revolutionary efforts of Budapest. As the news of the revolution spread aid in the form of food, medicine and various other goods started to flood in from western countries. The University of Sopron was a convenient place to receive and redistribute donations. Requests for supplies arrived from all over the country and our Council ensured that requested supplies arrived at the appropriate places by sending a designated student out with the shipment. I was one of those “shotgun” riders and accompanied two shipments to Budapest and witnessed some of the destruction in beautiful Budapest. However, the smiles of anticipation of a better tomorrow was on the faces of everyone. It was a wonderful feeling to feel free after so many years of oppression and fear.Words cannot describe this feeling, one must experience it to understand.Unfortunately, the expectations were dashed on November 4th of 1956 when reinforced Soviet forces crushed the revolution. Reportedly, over 2,500 Hungarian rebels and 722 Soviet troops were killed and thousands more were wounded. János Kádár, formerly in charge of the AVH and opponent of Imre Nagy, announced the formation of a "Revolutionary Worker-Peasant Government" consisting entirely of Communists. Following the fall of the revolution the new government acted swiftly and harshly. Thousands of Hungarians were arrested, imprisoned and deported to the Soviet Union, many unjustly. Over 200,000 Hungarians fled Hungary, some 26,000 were put on trial by the Kádár government, and of those 13,000 were imprisoned. CIA documents report approximately 1,200 executions, but former Hungarian Foreign Minister Géza Jeszenszky estimated 350 were executed.Among those executed were Imre Nagy, Pál Maléter two of the best known leaders of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Hungarian refugees dispersed throughout the World and an estimated 37 thousand settled in Canada, gratefully accepting the wonderful hospitality of the Canadian people. In December 1991 Boris Yeltsin, apologized officially for the 1956 Soviet actions in Hungary. This apology was repeated by Yeltsin in 1992 during a speech to the Hungarian parliament. Today we are celebrating the lives of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for a better life in Hungary and to pay homage to the memory of the valiant people who fought an unfair battle against overwhelming odds. They were shining stars and an inspiration to all freedom loving people. Please join me in a minute of silence in their memory.
******
In closing, I would like to add a parting advice.
As Canadian citizens we are fortunate to have our human rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
It is our duty to ensure that these rights and freedoms are protected for future generations for it is easy to lose human rights but very difficult to regain them.
Thank you very much.