Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 Beach Radio Vernon Tom Mark March 29, 2018 05:57 am
The city of Armstrong has turned down a request from Vernon to share in the cost for support staff for Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP. Mayor Chris Pieper says Armstrong is already paying more for policing this year because population growth. “Plus administration costs, plus building cost. So those particular costs will probably increase our taxes to the community by two or three times. We haven’t finalized that out.”He says what Vernon is asking for is service that is not in the contract Armstrong signed with the province. “Respectfully to the city of Vernon and the communities, those are costs that are there, that are used by the city of Vernon, used by Coldstream, used by the regional district and everything else. However the increased costs we are incurring this year are very high.” Pieper says the city has to take into account the affordability of residents when it comes to their taxes. “Our stand right now is that we can’t afford it. We’re going to have to pay extra policing costs next year as we increase to four police officers.” That extra officer alone works out to an increase of over 100 thousand dollars.
Showing posts with label armstrong. Show all posts
Showing posts with label armstrong. Show all posts
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Friday, March 02, 2018
Armstrong searches for new CAO
ROGER KNOX Mar. 2, 2018 7:30 a.m.NEWS MORNING STAR
The City of Armstrong is looking for a new chief administrative officer. The city announced in a press release Thursday that it had amicably parted ways with Melinda Stickney. The move came on Feb. 14. “The city wishes Ms. Stickney the best with her future endeavours, and wishes to thank her for her years of service to Armstrong,” said Armstrong Mayor Chris Pieper, who declined to discuss the matter further. Stickney had been employed by the city since 2007. She took over from Patti Ferguson as CAO in March 2014. During the transition, the city’s chief financial officer, Kevin Bertles, has been appointed the interim CAO.
The City of Armstrong is looking for a new chief administrative officer. The city announced in a press release Thursday that it had amicably parted ways with Melinda Stickney. The move came on Feb. 14. “The city wishes Ms. Stickney the best with her future endeavours, and wishes to thank her for her years of service to Armstrong,” said Armstrong Mayor Chris Pieper, who declined to discuss the matter further. Stickney had been employed by the city since 2007. She took over from Patti Ferguson as CAO in March 2014. During the transition, the city’s chief financial officer, Kevin Bertles, has been appointed the interim CAO.
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Transit Cost Reduced For City
Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 Beach Radio Vernon Tom Mark January 25, 2018 12:15 pm
Regional District of North Okanagan directors have informally agreed to adjust the cost sharing arrangement for regional transit service. They met Wednesday for a service review at the request of the City of Armstrong, which felt it might be paying too much. Board Chair Bob Fleming says those attending agreed. “Ultimately, there was a motion approved, which is subject to board approval, that will redistribute things a little bit and take a little bit of the burden off Armstrong, and that can only happen through the cooperation of other communities that were currently paying less.” Fleming says the matter was well discussed around the table at Wednesday’s meeting. He says it’s an example of all the communities working together on a point of fairness. “And redistribute it among other members in a sort of equal fashion. So it would mean some of the smaller communities were paying just slightly more in order that Armstrong pay slightly less.” Those other communities also have to approve it through their councils. Fleming says Armstrong’s share would drop about 7 points, which will be made up through small increases to other areas.
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Present distribution costs:
Regional District of North Okanagan directors have informally agreed to adjust the cost sharing arrangement for regional transit service. They met Wednesday for a service review at the request of the City of Armstrong, which felt it might be paying too much. Board Chair Bob Fleming says those attending agreed. “Ultimately, there was a motion approved, which is subject to board approval, that will redistribute things a little bit and take a little bit of the burden off Armstrong, and that can only happen through the cooperation of other communities that were currently paying less.” Fleming says the matter was well discussed around the table at Wednesday’s meeting. He says it’s an example of all the communities working together on a point of fairness. “And redistribute it among other members in a sort of equal fashion. So it would mean some of the smaller communities were paying just slightly more in order that Armstrong pay slightly less.” Those other communities also have to approve it through their councils. Fleming says Armstrong’s share would drop about 7 points, which will be made up through small increases to other areas.
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Present distribution costs:
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
RDNO Discusses Transit Service
Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 Beach Radio Vernon Tom Mark January 24, 2018 07:56 am
Directors with the Regional District of North Okanagan will sit down this afternoon for a formal service review of the regional transit service.The meeting was called over concerns expressed by the City of Armstrong.Armstrong Mayor Chris Pieper says there are large variances in who pays for the service.“We wanted to sit down and review how the funding formula is going to be divided up among all the users going forward.” Pieper says there’s no question about wanting the service, It’s just a matter of equity. “We’re not coming in with any notions of getting out of the service or anything like that. We’re just looking for equity and providing a good service going forward.” Armstrong pays about 25 per cent of the cost now.
Asked if he feels the city is getting value for its money? “Well, I think everybody’s getting value, but some people are getting a lot more value for a lot less money. I think when a service such as transit goes through your community there’s a benefit to everybody in the community.” Previous formulas were based on ridership. Pieper says he’s not demanding a a lesser fee for Armstrong, just a fair look at who pays what.
He says there may be some other issues discussed as well, but he expects a positive review.The meeting is being billed as preliminary with the purpose of reviewing the terms and conditions of the service and establishing a negotiation process for addressing the issues raised.
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http://www.rdno.ca/docs/2017_FP_Presentation_to_CoW.pdf
Asked if he feels the city is getting value for its money? “Well, I think everybody’s getting value, but some people are getting a lot more value for a lot less money. I think when a service such as transit goes through your community there’s a benefit to everybody in the community.” Previous formulas were based on ridership. Pieper says he’s not demanding a a lesser fee for Armstrong, just a fair look at who pays what.
He says there may be some other issues discussed as well, but he expects a positive review.The meeting is being billed as preliminary with the purpose of reviewing the terms and conditions of the service and establishing a negotiation process for addressing the issues raised.
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http://www.rdno.ca/docs/2017_FP_Presentation_to_CoW.pdf
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Armstrong Financials Online For Perusal
Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FM Tom Mark June 14, 2017 06:43 am
Armstrong`s Mayor is inviting the public to review the city`s financial report online. The report presented to council Monday night outlines costs of the city and salaries of council members and staff. Mayor Chris Pieper thinks the community is getting good value for money spent. “I think it shows that in both our remuneration of councillors and the expenses of councillors.“ Total councillor expenses were just over 11 thousand dollars for 2016. Mayor Pieper says as far as staff goes, the city is in line with other communities its size. He says they have a small staff but they`re busy. “They do a little bit of everything. We have in our finance department, we have one and a half people. In public works, it`s pretty lean.“ As far as staff salaries go, they come in at just one one million dollars. The highest paid is Chief Administrative Officer Melinda Stickney at 127 thousand 617 dollars. Overall, the Mayor thinks Armstrong is strong. “Well, I think our community is doing pretty good. We try our best to keep taxes affordable in our community as well as our services.“ The full 49 page report is on the city`s website
Armstrong`s Mayor is inviting the public to review the city`s financial report online. The report presented to council Monday night outlines costs of the city and salaries of council members and staff. Mayor Chris Pieper thinks the community is getting good value for money spent. “I think it shows that in both our remuneration of councillors and the expenses of councillors.“ Total councillor expenses were just over 11 thousand dollars for 2016. Mayor Pieper says as far as staff goes, the city is in line with other communities its size. He says they have a small staff but they`re busy. “They do a little bit of everything. We have in our finance department, we have one and a half people. In public works, it`s pretty lean.“ As far as staff salaries go, they come in at just one one million dollars. The highest paid is Chief Administrative Officer Melinda Stickney at 127 thousand 617 dollars. Overall, the Mayor thinks Armstrong is strong. “Well, I think our community is doing pretty good. We try our best to keep taxes affordable in our community as well as our services.“ The full 49 page report is on the city`s website
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
RCMP Costs in Armstrong Going Up Significantly
Vernon, BC, Canada / 107.5 KISS FM Ron Manz February 15, 2017 11:24 am
Taxpayers in Armstrong need to brace themselves for a significant increase in taxes this year to pay for RCMP policing costs. Armstrong’s population has gone over 5-thousand which means they no longer qualify for a rural policing designation for about 50 per cent of the costs. Mayor Chris Pieper says negotiations on the first contract started yesterday (Wednesday) and the expense of policing will be higher now. “Seventy per cent of our actual costs are born by the municipality plus some administration and some office costs, and that will take place by April 1st.” Under a rural designation last year, Armstrong paid $240-thousand, so Pieper says this will mean a major impact to taxpayers despite a contingency fund being started about six years ago to prepare for this moment. “We have a few bucks put away to lessen the initial impact but this year for sure there will be a significant impact to the cost of RCMP services to the City of Armstrong.” “We know it’s going to be significant because when you go from our rural police tax from a fifty percent to a seventy per cent cost plus administration and office space, those are significant numbers to a small municipality.”
Taxpayers in Armstrong need to brace themselves for a significant increase in taxes this year to pay for RCMP policing costs. Armstrong’s population has gone over 5-thousand which means they no longer qualify for a rural policing designation for about 50 per cent of the costs. Mayor Chris Pieper says negotiations on the first contract started yesterday (Wednesday) and the expense of policing will be higher now. “Seventy per cent of our actual costs are born by the municipality plus some administration and some office costs, and that will take place by April 1st.” Under a rural designation last year, Armstrong paid $240-thousand, so Pieper says this will mean a major impact to taxpayers despite a contingency fund being started about six years ago to prepare for this moment. “We have a few bucks put away to lessen the initial impact but this year for sure there will be a significant impact to the cost of RCMP services to the City of Armstrong.” “We know it’s going to be significant because when you go from our rural police tax from a fifty percent to a seventy per cent cost plus administration and office space, those are significant numbers to a small municipality.”
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Armstrong By-Election Winner
Posted on 11/19/2016 10:31 PM by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
Armstrong residents went to the polls Saturday to choose a new city councillor. The preliminary results of the by-election show Gary Froats winning with 237 votes. Second was Adrien Lemaire with 216, Gel Melin had 82, and Helen Jackson had 58. Froats wins a two year term on council until the next municipal elections in 2018. He takes over the seat previously held by Ron O'Sullivan who passed away in May
Friday, October 14, 2016
Crowded Race For By-Election
Posted on 10/14/2016 4:35 PM by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
Five candidates are running for the vacant councllor seat on Armstrong council in a by election in November.
As of the deadline at 4pm Friday, these were the candidates:
Gary Froats, Spallumcheen
Helen Jackson, Armstrong
Adrien LeMaire, Armstrong
Gil Melin, Armstrong
Wayne Snider, Spallumcheen.
Election officer Sue Wood says the candidates have a week to decide if they want to withdraw, and the slate of hopefuls will be finalized October 24.The by-election is expected to be held Saturday November 19. A two year term needs to be filled, left vacant by the passing of councillor Ron (Sully) O'Sullivan on May 27th this year.
Five candidates are running for the vacant councllor seat on Armstrong council in a by election in November.
As of the deadline at 4pm Friday, these were the candidates:
Gary Froats, Spallumcheen
Helen Jackson, Armstrong
Adrien LeMaire, Armstrong
Gil Melin, Armstrong
Wayne Snider, Spallumcheen.
Election officer Sue Wood says the candidates have a week to decide if they want to withdraw, and the slate of hopefuls will be finalized October 24.The by-election is expected to be held Saturday November 19. A two year term needs to be filled, left vacant by the passing of councillor Ron (Sully) O'Sullivan on May 27th this year.
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Fire hall agreements inked
by Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star posted Aug 28, 2016 at 5:00 AM
The City of Armstrong has unanimously approved in principle the draft of the new five-year mutual aid agreement for fire department emergency resources. The current deal between the city, Spallumcheen, Vernon Enderby, Coldstream and the Regional District of North Okanagan (which consists of BX-Swan Lake, Lumby and Silver Star) expired on March 3, but the partners agreed to extend it to the end of the year. “The agreement allows the communities to request and provide fire department emergency resources to the communities in the event an emergency exceeds the resources of an individual community’s fire department,” said Armstrong Mayor Chris Pieper, who is the city’s representative on the Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Service Commission. The commission had recommended that the city and the township support the draft in principle. The five-year agreement would take effect Jan. 1.
The City of Armstrong has unanimously approved in principle the draft of the new five-year mutual aid agreement for fire department emergency resources. The current deal between the city, Spallumcheen, Vernon Enderby, Coldstream and the Regional District of North Okanagan (which consists of BX-Swan Lake, Lumby and Silver Star) expired on March 3, but the partners agreed to extend it to the end of the year. “The agreement allows the communities to request and provide fire department emergency resources to the communities in the event an emergency exceeds the resources of an individual community’s fire department,” said Armstrong Mayor Chris Pieper, who is the city’s representative on the Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Service Commission. The commission had recommended that the city and the township support the draft in principle. The five-year agreement would take effect Jan. 1.
Friday, June 17, 2016
Armstrong Salaries Held at COL Hike -- ARMSTRONG 2015 SOFI online
Posted on 6/17/2016 7:53 AM by Ron Manz 107.5 KISSFM
The City of Armstrong's 2015 annual report is now public and it shows that council and staff salaries totaled roughly $1.1 million dollars. It works out to a 1.5% cost of living increase across the board for everyone. Mayor Chris Pieper topped the politicians earning just under $26-thousand dollars with councillors Lance McGregor and Linda Werner each getting $16,000. Staff salaries accounted for $950 thousand dollars....Pieper saying it's hard to compare that to other city's their size. "We have joint functions with Spallumcheen so some of our costs for operating in the fire department and parks and rec, it wuld be really difficult to compare us to any place else because of the uniquness on different funding we have." Pieper feels the pay scale is very reasonable in the current economic climate. "We have a small staff and we have a small public works, so our overall taxes are very affordable compared to some communities."Chief Administrative Officer Melinda Stickney topped the staff pay scale at $137-thousand with Chief Financial Officer Terry Martens earning $105 thousand.
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https://armstrong.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/30662?preview=84738
http://vernonblog.blogspot.ca/2015/06/armstrong-2014-sofi-online.html
The City of Armstrong's 2015 annual report is now public and it shows that council and staff salaries totaled roughly $1.1 million dollars. It works out to a 1.5% cost of living increase across the board for everyone. Mayor Chris Pieper topped the politicians earning just under $26-thousand dollars with councillors Lance McGregor and Linda Werner each getting $16,000. Staff salaries accounted for $950 thousand dollars....Pieper saying it's hard to compare that to other city's their size. "We have joint functions with Spallumcheen so some of our costs for operating in the fire department and parks and rec, it wuld be really difficult to compare us to any place else because of the uniquness on different funding we have." Pieper feels the pay scale is very reasonable in the current economic climate. "We have a small staff and we have a small public works, so our overall taxes are very affordable compared to some communities."Chief Administrative Officer Melinda Stickney topped the staff pay scale at $137-thousand with Chief Financial Officer Terry Martens earning $105 thousand.
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https://armstrong.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/30662?preview=84738
http://vernonblog.blogspot.ca/2015/06/armstrong-2014-sofi-online.html
Friday, June 26, 2015
Saturday, June 06, 2015
Regional districts, Splatsin band join forces to acquire abandoned railroad
June 06, 2015 - 1:10 PM By Charlotte Helston INFO-TEL Multimedia
ENDERBY - Local governments and First Nations will work together to acquire a discontinued rail corridor stretching from Armstrong to Sicamous. The North Okanagan Regional District, Columbia Shuswap Regional District and Splatsin Band have formalized their partnership with a Memorandum of Understanding, an important step in pursuing the land deal. “It brings us together as governments so there will be one voice speaking to CP Rail,” Splatsin Chief Wayne Christian says. The band has already obtained 29 acres of the line, which was shut down in 2009, but is now going after the remaining portions with hopes of keeing the entire corridor intact. The joint venture will promote communication and strengthen relationships between communities and residents, Christian says, adding local governments need to work together to “invest in the region for all our people and our collective future.” He says the band and regional districts share a common vision of a recreational greenway, although there are still many details to work out. Right now, the focus is on negotiating the sale, and the next step is nailing down an asking price from CP Rail. North Okanagan Regional District chair Rick Fairbairn believes the initiative will set the stage for future partnerships. “The opportunity to collaborate with the Splatsin and the (Columbia Shuswap Regional District) on such an important regional initiative also opens the door for all three jurisdictions to work on future joint efforts,” Fairbairn says. The Citizens for an Okanagan Rail Trail have been actively advocating for a recreational path from Vernon to Kelowna in tandem with the Shuswap Trail Alliance’s push for the same between Armstrong and Sicamous.
ENDERBY - Local governments and First Nations will work together to acquire a discontinued rail corridor stretching from Armstrong to Sicamous. The North Okanagan Regional District, Columbia Shuswap Regional District and Splatsin Band have formalized their partnership with a Memorandum of Understanding, an important step in pursuing the land deal. “It brings us together as governments so there will be one voice speaking to CP Rail,” Splatsin Chief Wayne Christian says. The band has already obtained 29 acres of the line, which was shut down in 2009, but is now going after the remaining portions with hopes of keeing the entire corridor intact. The joint venture will promote communication and strengthen relationships between communities and residents, Christian says, adding local governments need to work together to “invest in the region for all our people and our collective future.” He says the band and regional districts share a common vision of a recreational greenway, although there are still many details to work out. Right now, the focus is on negotiating the sale, and the next step is nailing down an asking price from CP Rail. North Okanagan Regional District chair Rick Fairbairn believes the initiative will set the stage for future partnerships. “The opportunity to collaborate with the Splatsin and the (Columbia Shuswap Regional District) on such an important regional initiative also opens the door for all three jurisdictions to work on future joint efforts,” Fairbairn says. The Citizens for an Okanagan Rail Trail have been actively advocating for a recreational path from Vernon to Kelowna in tandem with the Shuswap Trail Alliance’s push for the same between Armstrong and Sicamous.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Addition mistake results in change to Armstrong municipal vote
posted Nov 17, 2014 at 10:00 AM Morning Star:
Human error is responsible for an incorrect municipal election result in the City of Armstrong. Originally it was reported that Helen Jackson had received the sixth and final councillor’s seat after Saturday’s ballot with a total of 425 votes, 22 more than the seventh-place finisher, Lance McGregor. But a double check of the results Monday morning showed McGregor actually had 473 votes, meaning he finished sixth, earning a councillor’s seat. Jackson’s results were unchanged. Votes in Armstrong are counted by hand. “The error does not have to do with the counting of the votes by the poll clerks,” said chief election officer Natalie Garbay in a press release issued Monday. Garbay said it was her mistake. “The error was made by the chief election officer when the subtotals were added up,” she said. “I have re-checked the subtotals for all candidates and the only change was to the final total for candidate Lance McGregor.” The votes were hand-counted in tandem and results verified every 50 ballots. Both candidates have been informed of the mistake. As of Monday morning, nobody had asked for a recount of the votes. Incumbents Shirley Fowler, Paul Britton and Ron (Sully) O’Sullivan placed first, second and fourth. respectively, in the balloting to retain their seats. They will be joined on council by newcomers Steven Drapala (third in voting), Linda Werner (fifth) and McGregor. See Wednesday’s Morning Star for more on this story.
Human error is responsible for an incorrect municipal election result in the City of Armstrong. Originally it was reported that Helen Jackson had received the sixth and final councillor’s seat after Saturday’s ballot with a total of 425 votes, 22 more than the seventh-place finisher, Lance McGregor. But a double check of the results Monday morning showed McGregor actually had 473 votes, meaning he finished sixth, earning a councillor’s seat. Jackson’s results were unchanged. Votes in Armstrong are counted by hand. “The error does not have to do with the counting of the votes by the poll clerks,” said chief election officer Natalie Garbay in a press release issued Monday. Garbay said it was her mistake. “The error was made by the chief election officer when the subtotals were added up,” she said. “I have re-checked the subtotals for all candidates and the only change was to the final total for candidate Lance McGregor.” The votes were hand-counted in tandem and results verified every 50 ballots. Both candidates have been informed of the mistake. As of Monday morning, nobody had asked for a recount of the votes. Incumbents Shirley Fowler, Paul Britton and Ron (Sully) O’Sullivan placed first, second and fourth. respectively, in the balloting to retain their seats. They will be joined on council by newcomers Steven Drapala (third in voting), Linda Werner (fifth) and McGregor. See Wednesday’s Morning Star for more on this story.
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Mayor's Race Drops A Candidate
Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Friday, 17 October 2014 16:49
One of the mayoralty candidates in Spallumcheen has pulled out of the race. Dave Brew says he wants to spend more time with his family.He also ran for mayor in 2011, and before that was a three term councillor. "I've enjoyed it very, very much in the past, (but) different things gnaw at you. I've got great grandchildren, so I'm just going to make more time for myself," Brew tells Kiss FM. Brew says he made his decision to withdraw his name 15 minutes before the 4 pm deadline. It's now a two way race between incumbent Janice Brown and former five term mayor Will Hansma. Today was the final day for civic election candidates to withdraw. Six term Armstrong councillor John Trainor also withdrew his name. "Basically it's just a re-prioritizing of life, and I've decided after 18 years, I've sat in enough council and committee meetings, and I really don't have a whole lot more I can add to it," says Trainor. There were no changes to the candidate lists in Vernon and Coldstream.
One of the mayoralty candidates in Spallumcheen has pulled out of the race. Dave Brew says he wants to spend more time with his family.He also ran for mayor in 2011, and before that was a three term councillor. "I've enjoyed it very, very much in the past, (but) different things gnaw at you. I've got great grandchildren, so I'm just going to make more time for myself," Brew tells Kiss FM. Brew says he made his decision to withdraw his name 15 minutes before the 4 pm deadline. It's now a two way race between incumbent Janice Brown and former five term mayor Will Hansma. Today was the final day for civic election candidates to withdraw. Six term Armstrong councillor John Trainor also withdrew his name. "Basically it's just a re-prioritizing of life, and I've decided after 18 years, I've sat in enough council and committee meetings, and I really don't have a whole lot more I can add to it," says Trainor. There were no changes to the candidate lists in Vernon and Coldstream.
Friday, July 04, 2014
Pitch made for CP rail line
posted Jul 4, 2014 at 1:00 AM MARTHA WICKETT Black Press Morning Star
Local governments in the North Okanagan and Shuswap have launched an urgent drive to save the CP Rail line between Sicamous and Armstrong from potentially being chopped up and sold to private investors. A meeting was held recently to identify ways to preserve the line as a transportation corridor, initially for hiking and biking and, in the winter, perhaps cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Members of the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District board and Splatsin First Nation, as well as the mayors of Vernon and Armstrong, attended the meeting, which resulted in Sicamous volunteering to draft a resolution to the Union of B.C. Municipalities. The resolution states that UBCM should become the owner of these deregulated rail corridors, and should ask the province to institute a province-wide parcel tax, similar to that levied by the Municipal Finance Authority on property tax notices, to help in their purchase and maintenance. “We’re not the only ones dealing with abandoned railway,” said Sicamous Mayor Darrel Trouton. “This is an opportunity for us to possibly have a rail trail from Sicamous right down to the border. Hopefully it goes through, hopefully we get some support from the province and communities in the province.” A bid to acquire the line between Sicamous and Armstrong became more tenuous when an opportunity was missed during the process that CP Rail had to follow in deregulating the line. When a federally regulated railway, such as CP or CN, announces its intention to discontinue operation of such a line, they must adhere to a formal abandonment process laid out by the Canada Transportation Act. If no commercial sale of the line to a rail company is completed within the allowed time, CP must offer to sell the line to local governments for a price not more than the net salvage value of the line. However, the deadline for local governments to purchase the Sicamous-Armstrong line passed without an agreement. The portion of line is now in CP Rail’s real estate group. “There is no formal process once the CTA discontinuance process is complete,” wrote CP spokesperson Salem Woodrow. “CP remains in contact with local municipalities and we are considering our next steps. Any discussions we have are in private.” Why the window of opportunity was missed remains something of a mystery. Although there had been a regional effort to acquire the line during the allowed time frame, once a local government enters into negotiations with CP, the process becomes confidential. However, now that the timeline has expired, comments are still not forthcoming.
Local governments in the North Okanagan and Shuswap have launched an urgent drive to save the CP Rail line between Sicamous and Armstrong from potentially being chopped up and sold to private investors. A meeting was held recently to identify ways to preserve the line as a transportation corridor, initially for hiking and biking and, in the winter, perhaps cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Members of the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District board and Splatsin First Nation, as well as the mayors of Vernon and Armstrong, attended the meeting, which resulted in Sicamous volunteering to draft a resolution to the Union of B.C. Municipalities. The resolution states that UBCM should become the owner of these deregulated rail corridors, and should ask the province to institute a province-wide parcel tax, similar to that levied by the Municipal Finance Authority on property tax notices, to help in their purchase and maintenance. “We’re not the only ones dealing with abandoned railway,” said Sicamous Mayor Darrel Trouton. “This is an opportunity for us to possibly have a rail trail from Sicamous right down to the border. Hopefully it goes through, hopefully we get some support from the province and communities in the province.” A bid to acquire the line between Sicamous and Armstrong became more tenuous when an opportunity was missed during the process that CP Rail had to follow in deregulating the line. When a federally regulated railway, such as CP or CN, announces its intention to discontinue operation of such a line, they must adhere to a formal abandonment process laid out by the Canada Transportation Act. If no commercial sale of the line to a rail company is completed within the allowed time, CP must offer to sell the line to local governments for a price not more than the net salvage value of the line. However, the deadline for local governments to purchase the Sicamous-Armstrong line passed without an agreement. The portion of line is now in CP Rail’s real estate group. “There is no formal process once the CTA discontinuance process is complete,” wrote CP spokesperson Salem Woodrow. “CP remains in contact with local municipalities and we are considering our next steps. Any discussions we have are in private.” Why the window of opportunity was missed remains something of a mystery. Although there had been a regional effort to acquire the line during the allowed time frame, once a local government enters into negotiations with CP, the process becomes confidential. However, now that the timeline has expired, comments are still not forthcoming.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Brew runs for Spallumcheen mayor
by Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star posted Jun 15, 2014 at 1:00 AM
A familiar name wants to be mayor of Spallumcheen come November. Former three-term councillor Dave Brew has announced he will run for mayor in the November election. Brew, who served three terms as a councillor in the township, lost the 2011 mayoral election to fellow councillor Janice Brown by slightly more than 100 votes. While Brew had been contemplating a potential return to political life, two things, he said, made him confirm his decision. “The taxation on Class 9 farm tax; the province gave farmers a big break and Spallumcheen took it all away,” said Brew, referring to the township bylaw adopted this year that sees the farm class rate nearly double from 2013. The township said the increase in the rate on farm class was to counteract the effects of provincial Bill 8, introduced in 2013, in which farmers enjoyed $120,000 of tax relief in 2013 that everybody else paid for. The other thing that “really aggravated” Brew was his claim that council was “taking away people’s freedom of speech” in removing the question period segment at the end of regular meetings until after the November election. “Anybody should be able to ask a question about anything that’s developed during that particular session,” said Brew. “That’s never been done before.” Brown told The Morning Star in December that she planned to seek a second term as mayor.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Sunday, November 03, 2013
Building inspection targeted
By Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: November 03, 2013 1:00 AM
Armstrong’s representative to the Regional District of North Okanagan board says RDNO’s building inspection service function will close at the end of 2015. Shirley Fowler told her council that a motion came forward at the last RDNO board meeting to give notification that in two years, at the end of 2015, the function as it exists today will be disengaged. “Everyone will withdraw on that date,” said Fowler. “The two years will be the mitigation. Whoever chooses to still want to be involved in a building inspection function of RDNO at that point can re-start up from day one. “Anyone who wants to do otherwise will do otherwise from that point.” The City of Armstrong, in a way, spearheaded the motion a year ago when they informed RDNO they planned to withdraw from the building inspection service, feeling they weren’t getting enough for the money they provide for the function. Fowler said as soon as Armstrong gave notice, all RDNO members mentioned they were dissatisfied with the way things were going. “All of the participants, there were things (with building inspection) that everybody was not happy with,” she said. “They put them all together and felt the best way to deal with it was to start over again.”’ For Armstrong, it means they will still have to be part of the function until the end of 2015. RDNO is expected to soon receive the official notification of disengaging the building inspection function as soon as possible, allowing the board to officially vote on the motion.
Armstrong’s representative to the Regional District of North Okanagan board says RDNO’s building inspection service function will close at the end of 2015. Shirley Fowler told her council that a motion came forward at the last RDNO board meeting to give notification that in two years, at the end of 2015, the function as it exists today will be disengaged. “Everyone will withdraw on that date,” said Fowler. “The two years will be the mitigation. Whoever chooses to still want to be involved in a building inspection function of RDNO at that point can re-start up from day one. “Anyone who wants to do otherwise will do otherwise from that point.” The City of Armstrong, in a way, spearheaded the motion a year ago when they informed RDNO they planned to withdraw from the building inspection service, feeling they weren’t getting enough for the money they provide for the function. Fowler said as soon as Armstrong gave notice, all RDNO members mentioned they were dissatisfied with the way things were going. “All of the participants, there were things (with building inspection) that everybody was not happy with,” she said. “They put them all together and felt the best way to deal with it was to start over again.”’ For Armstrong, it means they will still have to be part of the function until the end of 2015. RDNO is expected to soon receive the official notification of disengaging the building inspection function as soon as possible, allowing the board to officially vote on the motion.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Size Does Matter
Written by Glen Morrison 107.5 KISSFM Wednesday, 23 October 2013 05:00
Janice BrownA new fire truck graces the Armstrong-Spallumcheen fire department , but it doesn't fit into the hall. Spall mayor Janice Brown says it's too long, and while they are having a study on a replacement the new truck needs a home for winter. Brown says "And because it's got water in the pumps we do need it enclosed so we approved 12 thousand dollars to put an extension on the back, it's like 8, 10 feet so that the truck can back in." The cost will be shared with the city, about 6 thousand dollars each. The addition will simply be walls and a roof, no power.
Janice BrownA new fire truck graces the Armstrong-Spallumcheen fire department , but it doesn't fit into the hall. Spall mayor Janice Brown says it's too long, and while they are having a study on a replacement the new truck needs a home for winter. Brown says "And because it's got water in the pumps we do need it enclosed so we approved 12 thousand dollars to put an extension on the back, it's like 8, 10 feet so that the truck can back in." The cost will be shared with the city, about 6 thousand dollars each. The addition will simply be walls and a roof, no power.
Tuesday, October 08, 2013
Communities Sign Water Pact
Written by Glen Morrison Tuesday, 08 October 2013 15:00
Spallumcheen and Armstrong are going to work together to provide a stable, long term supply of water for district residents. Armstrong has agreed to provide water service to the township. Spallumcheen Mayor Janice Brown says it will be voluntary for residents to hook-up or not. "Basically, we haven't got a water treatment plant or anything, and Spallumcheen can't afford to get into supplying the water, so we decided that Armstrong has the water system, and we can work together," says Brown. Brown says Spallumcheen has 14 water districts, some with aging infrastructure, health concerns, and unable to take on new users. "A lot of the water districts control our development," she says. Armstrong mayor Chris Pieper says this pact won't provide water for the Spallumcheen industrial area by Swan Lake. "The south will probably never be part of the city infrastructure, I mean, it's too far away, but there's a lot of areas right around the city of Armstrong where our water line goes right by people's places," says Pieper. Pieper says Armstrong already provides water to six districts in the township, and to about 35 private properties. The partnership will also give Spallumcheen a better chance of getting government grants for water system improvements.
Spallumcheen and Armstrong are going to work together to provide a stable, long term supply of water for district residents. Armstrong has agreed to provide water service to the township. Spallumcheen Mayor Janice Brown says it will be voluntary for residents to hook-up or not. "Basically, we haven't got a water treatment plant or anything, and Spallumcheen can't afford to get into supplying the water, so we decided that Armstrong has the water system, and we can work together," says Brown. Brown says Spallumcheen has 14 water districts, some with aging infrastructure, health concerns, and unable to take on new users. "A lot of the water districts control our development," she says. Armstrong mayor Chris Pieper says this pact won't provide water for the Spallumcheen industrial area by Swan Lake. "The south will probably never be part of the city infrastructure, I mean, it's too far away, but there's a lot of areas right around the city of Armstrong where our water line goes right by people's places," says Pieper. Pieper says Armstrong already provides water to six districts in the township, and to about 35 private properties. The partnership will also give Spallumcheen a better chance of getting government grants for water system improvements.
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