Selected Articles - Morning Star News

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Longer Council Terms Defeated at UBCM -- Vernon councillors vote against four-year terms

Kate Bouey

9/30/2010

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BC mayors and council members will still serve three-year terms after a ballot to extend them to four years was defeated Thursday morning at the UBCM convention in Whistler. Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert says over 600 delegates cast ballots after a close `hands up' vote the day before. The secret ballot saw 354 mayors and councillors vote against the change while 280 were in favour. Vernon councillors voted against lengthening the term in office.

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Another Drowning at a Popular Beach -- Police say alcohol likely factor

Kate Bouey

9/30/2010

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A 44-year-old man from out-of-province is the latest drowning victim in Kalamalka Lake. Vernon RCMP say they were called to the dock at Kal Beach just before ten pm Wednesday night for a report of a person calling for help. Police learned that two men had been on the dock and one decided to go for a swim. When he did not resurface, the second man called for help. Police say Vernon Search and Rescue found the body of the victim in only six-to-eight feet of water. They say alcohol was a likely factor. The man was in the Valley picking fruit and indications are he may be from Newfoundland.

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Vandals deface Coldstream elementary school.

http://www.chbcnews.ca/video/index.html?releasePID=e3Plkae6BjXs_WVWf8DTjbpkBXOk2PEj

Click on "Spray paint attack".

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Photo gallery -- A tour of the upper lakes. Courtesy: Debbie Gibson.

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Readers write - - TWO WRONGS DON'T MAKE A RIGHT.

Putting aside the issue of noise pollution, water pollution and air pollution as an argument against power boats in the north end of Kalamalka Lake my primary concern is safety.

I can appreciate the risks and safety concerns pertaining to access to and from the Kekuli Boat Launch. My own family has been involved in three serious accidents on Highway 97 north including a fatality. Sadly a family friend and person in our neighbourhood also were involved in fatal accidents on this highway.

However, I believe there is a real danger posed by power-boats at the north end of Kalamalka Lake with respect to the the safe recreation of scuba-divers, swimmers, kayakers, canoeists, children and youth on air mattresses etc. In addition, the safety of those on foot or bikes are threatened by increased motor-vehicle traffic in the Kalavista neighbourhood.

Although defensive driving on highway 97 is not a satisfactory solution to the dangers posed by this highway, newer vehicles have safety features such as airbags . Those enjoying the north end of Kalamalka lake who are not protected by the sturdy shell of a power boat are extremely vulnerable, especially swimmers and divers.

Safety studies with respect to Highway 97 and the resulting improvements have been reported in the Vernon Morning Star. Input from concerned Boaters and R.V.-ers who frequent Kekuli Bay ought to be brought to the attention of the media and pertinent ministries.

In conclusion, the offhand suggestion that residents in the vicinity of Kalamalka Lake move away from the disturbance created by power boats does not take into consideration that this would mean leaving family, friends, community, trusted health care providers: the list is long.

Furthermore, there are those who may want to visit the lake from Lavington or Armstrong or even much further away who do not appreciate the visit to the lake being diminished by the intrusion of power boats.

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Selected Articles - Morning Star News

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Council Meeting, September 27, 2010

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Just for fun -- High hopes.

I receive many crazy emails from prospective crooks but this seems to take the cake. I received it today and for fun I am posting it for a laugh. I wonder how anybody could fall for a literary gem such as this is beyond me. The first mistake is that I do not deal with CIBC. The second: I can read and write English.

CIBC Credit Card Services

This is to notify you we have recieve several complain from our customers that thier Credit card has been hack, so we therefore decide to upgrade our Verse Card, to a more secure and reliable Verse secure Visa card in other to prevent it from been hacked or lost of fund by on know individual, you are to secure your Visa Card now by filling the required informations below to enable us secure your Credit Card information to a more secure one now.

Informations needed;

Name on Card:

Card Number:

Issued Date:

Expiration Date:

CSV/Pin Number:

Futher Security inform if there is any;

Amount Left on Card:

Last Transaction date:

Thanks for your co-operation, Failure to secure his or her card is on holder risk.

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Readers write - - Boat launch sense.

As a teen I worked in many capacities at a self-contained large marina which serviced a year-round clientele on an ocean straight. There was plenty of parking, no immediate neighbours and an infinite ocean in which boaters would disperse.

There was no carnival-like sense of chaos or disruption to the small community such as we are subjected to given our finite lake and short recreational season.

What we have is a community boat launch nestled between houses on a quiet lane near one of the few accessible beaches. This pocket boat launch is expected by some to function as smoothly as a
large marina on a vast body of water.

On any day you can see residents using our streets to recreate: from running, walking, biking to horse-back riding. A busy boat launch is not compatible with those environmentally compatible activities.

For those of us who remember Coldstream as a laidback community it is sad to see the degradation of the quality of our lives little by little. Opportunities for peaceful afternoons, spent at the beach, strolls down our roads and lanes are met by those who seem not to value natural beauty and the sound of silence.

Trying to read a book or or simply wanting to sit quietly at the beach is an exercise in frustration given the assault of noisy "pleasure boats". Note to power-boaters: what prevents you from recreating away from the beaches and leaving us in peace? One might assume there is a certain gratification in having an audience to witness you demonstrate your nautical prowess and mastery of the wake.

Re. Ms. Strangward's letter to the Morning Star: the arguments presented by those who have a vested interest in expanding boat launch facilities clearly demonstrate a lack of consideration and empathy for those whose only wish is to preserve the safety and order of their neighbourhood.

Given that the expansion of the Kalavista boat would diminish the aesthetics and quality of life we in Coldstream enjoy, one must assume that those advocating for expansion are not interested in what people in Coldstream value and wish to preserve. One can hardly believe that they would accept the same noise and congestion in their own neighbourhood or community. It is a rare person that would willingly foul their own nest.

FYI The City of Vernon has A Good Neighbour Bylaw:4980 2005, which has a section pertaining to boat noise and the nuisance thereby created :

4.6 Boat Noise:

(a) No person shall launch a motor boat from any lands in the City if that motor boat is equipped with an exhaust system that permits the exhaust gases from the engine to be expelled directly into the air without first passing through the water unless the boat motor is equipped with a muffling device that ensures the exhaust gases from the engine are cooled and expelled without excessive noise;

(b) No person shall operate a motor boat in the City if that motor boat is equipped with an exhaust system that permits the exhaust gases from the engine to be expelled directly into the air without first passing through the water unless the boat motor is equipped with a muffling device that ensures the exhaust gases from the engine are cooled and expelled without excessive noise;

(c) No person shall operate a motor boat powered by an engine equipped with the exhausting devices commonly described as dry stacks or dry headers;

(d) No person shall operate a motor boat powered by an engine equipped with all exhausting devices commonly described as water injected headers unless a properly operating muffler is installed thereto;

(e) No person shall operate a motor boat powered by an engine equipped with exhausting devices commonly described as overtransom water cooled exhaust unless a properly operating muffler is installed thereto; and

(f) No person shall operate a motor boat so as to cause noise which disturbs the peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of the neighbourhood or of persons in the vicinity.

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Selected Articles - Morning Star News

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Sparkle Party -- Invitation!

Mark your Calendars!

*SPrKL Halloween Soiree

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Saturday, October 30th, 8PM

Come party for a good cause! Invite your friends! Dig out your SPrKLiest Halloween Costume
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Eat! Dance! Act Silly! Win Prizes! Bid on Silent Auction Items!

See below for further information!



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Event targets waste - Hazardous waste collection dates

Morning Star, September 21, 2010 7:00 PM

It’s time to round up those old pesticides, solvents and cleaners.

The North Okanagan Regional District will host its annual Household Hazardous Waste Round Up Oct. 2 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Okanagan College in Coldstream and from 9 a.m. to noon at the Enderby and Lumby fire halls.

“Bring your household hazardous waste for safe disposal or recycling - old pesticides, solvents, chemicals, or corrosive and toxic cleaners; anything with an explosive, flammable or poisonous label,” said Arnold Badke, general manager of engineering.

The event is for household hazardous waste only, and only containers up to 20 litres will be accepted. Waste from commercial or industrial sources will not be accepted.

Residents should take the following precautions when transporting these goods to the event:

1. Make sure containers have tightly secured lids to prevent leaks;

2. If the contents of the container is known, attach labels to ensure proper handling;

3. Pack items in a sturdy box and place upright to prevent spills and line your trunk or truck bed with plastic just in case.

4. Keep items away from children, pets or food products;

5. Containers that are empty and dry can go into your regular household garbage.

“If you cannot get to one of the three locations Oct. 2, there are many year-round locations for certain types of hazardous waste,” said Badke.

“Chasers Bottle Depot accepts some pesticides, solvents and flammable liquids from residents at no charge year round. Paint leftovers are accepted at Chasers and Interior Freight and Bottle in Vernon, Armstrong Collision and Glass in Armstrong or KBM Autoworks and Towing in Lumby.”

For more information about the event, call 250-550-3700

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Readers write - - Fake woman.

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Open House and Public Meeting on Boating in the North Okanagan.

Please see below the information regarding tomorrow evening's Open House and Public Meeting on Boating in the North Okanagan.

You'll have an opportunity to provide input at this meeting.

Please pass this information along to anyone who may be interested in attending.

The Consulting Team will be making a presentation at 7:00 pm.





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Selected Articles - Morning Star News

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Water issues - Water source changes!

Since the Duteau Creek Treatment Plant commenced its operation on Monday I would be very interested in your opinion and comments on the quality of water the plant is delivering. are you pleased with the quality? Are you disappointed? Please email me your comments or send your comments through the "comments" section below this posting.

My water is still coming from the east Kalamalka source so I cannot comment on the quality.

Thank you for your cooperation in advance.

Gyula

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Fairness in garbage!

My comments on the above news item elicited vigorous debate (see debate). It is worth to elaborate on the subject because the principles I tried to elucidate are valid not only for compulsory garbage collection but for other local government services as well.

Mandatory garbage collection, the way it is implemented in the city of Vernon, is basically a parcel tax. Each household pays $22.12 a quarter ($96.48 per year) and for this they can have up to two bags disposed every week. Theoretically speaking a high user may contribute up to 104 bags per year for a per bag fee of $0.92 while a conscientious low user who disposes a bag a month might pay $8.00 per bag. Not a fair arrangement. This is why I am against compulsory garbage collection as it is proposed by NORD.

A fair system would be to pay perhaps 20% of the total collection costs via access fee and the difference by tag fee. This would be fair as it would make those users who use the service more, contribute more to the total cost and would also encourage customers to reduce their garbage output.

Similar considerations motivate me for trying to improve sewer fees and water rates. I just need public support for my efforts.

Our current sewer and water fees are worth reviewing and I will attempt to do just that in a future article.

I would appreciate all comments, anonymous or direct, from all readers. If you wish to stay anonymous, click on the “comments” at the bottom of the article and follow the instructions (select Anonymous”from the choices) . The comments come through Google without revealing the identity of the commentator. You can also send me comments through email, address is at the top of the page.

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Readers write - What a great idea. Why didn't anyone think of this before?

The Russians are developing an airport security device that eliminates the privacy concerns that come with full-body scanners at the airports. They have a booth that you can step into that will not X-ray you, but will detonate any explosive device you may have on you.

They see this as a win-win for everyone, and there would be none of this junk about racial profiling. This method would also eliminate the costs of a long and expensive trial. Justice would be quick and swift. Case Closed!

This is so simple...that it's brilliant.

I can see it now. You're in the airport terminal , and you hear a muffled explosion. Shortly thereafter an announcement comes over the PA system, "Attention standby passengers - we now have a seat available on flight number _____".

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Readers write -- The older we get...(continued).

I was checking out at the local Walmart with just a few items and the lady behind me put her things on the belt close to mine. I picked up one of those 'dividers' that they keep by the cash register and placed it between our things so they wouldn't get mixed.

After the girl had scanned all of my items, she picked up the 'divider', looking it all over for the bar code so she could scan it.

Not finding the bar code, she said to me, 'Do you know how much this is?'

I said to her 'I've changed my mind; I don't think I'll buy that today.'

She said 'OK,' and I paid her for the things and left.

She had no clue to what had just happened.

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Selected Articles - Morning Star News

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