More Selected articles, Morning Star -- May 17, 2009

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Selected articles, Morning Star -- May 17, 2009

Interesting view from the Editorial! The director of Parks acknowledged that there are differential degrees of maintenance for different parks. Local parks get minimal maintenance, others are getting much more attention.

Should elected officials ignore their constituents desires of providing the service they require for their parks? They would do that at their peril. As a Coldstream Councillor I believe my obligation is to look after the interests of the taxpayers who elected me. Thus, when taxpayers complain I must look for ways to remedy their complaints.

Lavington Park is far removed from Vernon. The City is the contractor looking after parks. The contractor's representative has to travel 20 kilometers one way to do maintenance at that park. Maintenance include opening and closing the washrooms daily, opening the pool during summer months and various other maintenance work on the grounds as needed to maintain the park in top condition.

Now the issues: is it economical to have a maintenance worker travel 80 km's daily to open and close the washroom and the pool? Is there a better option? Could the level of service be improved so Lavington residents will not have to put up with roots like the ones below? I believe there should be some solution that would give the taxpayers of Lavington the service they are paying for.

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Readers write. Parenthood! Do they ever leave?

The next generation of house finches. (Photo by Debbie Gibson).

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Water costs questioned -- By Peter McIntyre, KISS FM News

Some Greater Vernon Advisory directors wonder if health officials are pouring taxpayers money down the drain.

Interior Health wants NORD to add a filtration system to the Duteau Creek Treatment Plant in the next few years, saying it will prevent diseases like crypto-sporidium.

BX Silver Star director Mike Macnabb questions spending up to $10 million when there's never been any cases of crypto in this area.

"That is a huge increase for perhaps a very small diminishment of any kind of potential problem. That's my concern, that we may be chasing too few bugs with way too much money."

He says it hasn't been proven scientifically that illnesses people experience on a yearly basis are directly related to the water.

Macnabb suggests the better idea would be to protect the Duteau Creek watershed.

Interior Health's Roger Parsonage told the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee they can't provide funding for filtration, but would support NORD in grant applications.

The agency wants the filtration added by 2015.

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It is easy to demand when money is no object since money is the responsibility of another jurisdiction. When overcrowded hospitals need extra funding Interior Health claims lack of funding as a reason for overcrowding. However, they make unreasonable demands on local governments disregarding the fact that local governments are also stripped of cash and they cannot exceed their borrowing limits.

Here we have a situation where the utility has to provide good quality water for the domestic user but the same delivery system is used for both domestic and agricultural use. Agriculture uses about 80% of the water and, although they don't need to have it treated, by necessity they use the treated water for irrigation. This is a great waste of money.

The solution is not simple. We could separate the distribution lines and only treat the water for domestic customers. That requires additional money. The alternative is the treatment of all the water at ever increasing costs. In order to treat all the water agriculture needs we have to construct a huge treatment plant at extra cost and then filter all the water regardless of use. Filtration is very expensive and either solution (separation or extra filtering costs) require more funds than the community can afford. Even if we would decide to pay for the increased costs our borrowing limits might prevent us from doing so.

These are some facts that Interior Health needs to consider before they place unreasonable demands on local governments. Local governments would love to be able to provide the best quality water but they must find a way to make it affordable to the taxpayers. Any chance of some extra grants IH?

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Lavington May Day celebrations.

Councillor Besso has taken these lovely photos of the activities at the Lavington May Day celebrations. Thank you Maria!


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Selected articles, Morning Star -- May 15, 2009

Enjoy!

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Councillor Spiers is correct: The example below demonstrates that the following home in Vernon would have a Municipal tax increase of 7.2% based on the City's Tax Calculation Guide (see below)

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Interior Health is now building patient care in real time

The Kelowna and Vernon Hospitals Project (www.buildingpatientcare.ca) has just installed sky-cams at Vernon Jubilee Hospital (VJH) and Kelowna General Hospital (KGH). The cameras will take photographs of the construction of the new Patient Care Towers going up at both sites.

Each camera will automatically press the shutter once every six minutes, providing a frame-by-frame photo archive of construction. So now you can watch as we build new facilities to benefit all Southern Interior residents.

Here is what the VJH site looked like a little while ago:

To view the site click here

Here is what the KGH sites looked like a while ago:

To view the Kelowna site click here

Anyone can view the images at any time by visiting the Kelowna and Vernon Hospitals website.


For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact www.buildingpatientcare.ca.

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Compare your Coldstream taxes to City of Vernon taxes!

Have you ever wondered how much your taxes would be if your property was located in the City of Vernon? Wonder no more! You can actually calculate it and compare the results to your 2008 and, once you received your current tax notice, to your 2009 Coldstream property taxes. Here is how:

Download the "Property Tax Estimator" from the City's website and fill in the values from your 2008 and 2009 Property Assessment (Land and Improvement separately). You will get the estimated sum of taxes you would pay in the City.

Here is an example: Land value: $260,000; Buildings: $197,000; Total:$457,000.

Estimated taxes as follows:

Property Tax Estimator (If the property was located in Vernon)

Property Taxes (If the property was located in Coldstream.)

Basically, the Municipal portion of taxes are almost 41% lower in Coldstream than in Vernon.

Now you know!


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South Australia's water shortage -- In need of a miracle

May 7th 2009 | LANGHORNE CREEK
From The Economist print edition

To turn a drought into wine

EVER since they started pumping water for their vines, the winegrowers of Langhorne Creek have learnt to cope with crises. But none as grave as the one they face now. Their water source at the mouth of the Murray River, in South Australia, has turned salty. Adelaide, the state capital 55km (34 miles) away, has been told its water supply from the Murray can no longer be guaranteed. The Murray Darling Basin Authority, a new body charged with saving Australia’s biggest river system from expiring, has its work cut out.

Early last month Rob Freeman, the authority’s boss, delivered grim news. The volume of water flowing into the Murray and its main tributary, the Darling, between January and March was the lowest in 117 years. The three-year volume up to March was the driest ever. Mr Freeman told Adelaide’s 1m people this meant that not enough water might be conveyed down the Murray to meet their “critical human needs” next year. Just 17 years ago, Adelaide relied on the Murray for only 10% of its water: regular rains filling dams in the city’s hills provided the rest. Now, it depends on the Murray for 90%.

Climate change and Australia’s worst drought in a century are partly to blame. But the river system that covers two-thirds of Australia’s irrigated farming land is also suffering from decades of overuse. South Australians feel this with growing bitterness. They are at the end of the line in a system that starts about 2,700km north. The more populous states of Queensland and New South Wales (NSW) comprise four-fifths of the basin’s area. Farmers, especially cotton and rice growers in those upstream states, account for 83% of the basin’s consumed water. The impact of all this has left the Murray’s mouth near Langhorne Creek close to ruin.

The wine region’s first water came from an ancient aquifer. Too much pumping forced the authorities in the early 1990s to switch water licences to the Murray, 10km away at Alexandrina, one of two lakes at the mouth facing the Southern Ocean. Plenty of water then flowed through the basin to keep the lakes fresh. Langhorne Creek’s wineries boomed. A crunch came last year. The flows stopped, and Alexandrina’s level has dropped 1.5 metres. Its water is now too saline to use.

The authorities are now pondering the harsh step of building a weir at nearby Wellington to stop the salt water moving back into the Murray itself. Experts predict this would in effect destroy the lakes and their surrounding freshwater wetlands. Penny Wong, the federal minister for climate change and water, says the “unfortunate reality” of the flow figures means the option must be kept as a “last resort”.

Growers at Langhorne Creek and nearby Currency Creek, meanwhile, have formed a company to build a pipeline to secure their water from a cleaner point on the Murray further east. They may yet survive. Australia’s interstate water-trading scheme has allowed the state to buy water from distant farmers in NSW, who have switched to less thirsty crops, and keep it in store for Adelaide. Mr Freeman’s body, launched by Canberra late last year, is the first with power to manage the entire river system, overriding rivalries between the four basin states, so that calamities such as Lake Alexandrina’s don’t happen.

Unless drought-breaking rains come, that will be a tough ask. Craig Willson, proprietor of Bremerton winery at Langhorne Creek, and a director of its pipeline company, reckons drought and loss of the lake’s water have cut the region’s productivity by almost 40% over the past two years. “Even so, we’re surprised at how well some vines survive using less water,” he says. Applied to growers of other crops, the same lesson may help save the Murray.

Alex Milton, M.P.A.
Climate Change Analyst/Analyste du changement climatique
Agri-Environment Services Branch/Direction génèrale des services agrienvironnement
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada/Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada
200-303 Main St./Pièce 200, 303, rue Main
Winnipeg, MB R3C 3G7
Telephone/Téléphone (204) 984-4153
Fax./Télécopieur (204) 983-2178
Alex.Milton@agr.gc.ca

Something to think about!

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Water Filtration Requirements, Interior Health Authority

Southern Interior Local
Government Association

SILGA

January 27, 2009

Hon. Gordon Campbell, Premier
Box 9041 Stn. Provincial Government
Victoria, BC
V8W 9E1

Dear Premier Campbell,

Re: Water Filtration Requirements, Interior Health Authority

At the January SILGA executive meeting, a number of our executive members raised the issue of the inconsistent application of water filtration requirements mandated by Regional Health Authorities across the province. Our executive questions why these important regulations are not standardized across all of the Provincial Health Authorities. It was further noted that the Interior Health Authority’s requirements are significantly more demanding than those in the rest of the province.

We do not question the need and importance of safe drinking water for the citizens of British Columbia and for all the members of SILGA. However, we don’t understand why there are the different standards in different areas. Further, the cost of the changes needed to meet the IHA requirements are beyond the borrowing capacity of most of our members.

The SILGA membership would appreciate receiving an explanation outlining why each Health Authority has the ability to set individual standards and why the standards are not consistent across the province. Further, we would like to know how our members are supposed to fund systems that have to provide treatment to standards higher than those imposed in rest of the province.

We look forward to your prompt reply,

Kevin Flynn,
President, SILGA

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Hunters target firearms ban -- By Jennifer smith

Armed with education about the importance and necessity for hunting in the area, a group of hunters fired off complaints to Coldstream council Monday.

“We went from dealing with an isolated situation to all of a sudden banning all firearms in Coldstream,” said Rick Plovie, a 30-year outdoorsman.

“We’ve gone from one extreme to another.”

The issue of firearms first came up at a February meeting, following a resident’s complaint targeted at Plovie about hunting near residential areas.

Plovie stated his case at that initial meeting and explained that he was hunting on private property with permission from the landowner.

Coldstream responded to the issue by bringing forward and giving three readings to a bylaw which would basically ban hunting in Coldstream.

While farmers would still be permitted to discharge firearms in order to protect their crops from birds or animals, it would force hunters out of the area.

“There’s high-powered rifles going off in the Coldstream Creek wooded area surrounded by housing...I don’t want to get one of those in the back,” said Coun. Bill Firman.

Although council was slated to adopt the new firearms regulation bylaw Monday, after hearing numerous complaints about it council agreed to postpone it.

The issue will be revisited with members of the hunting community at a June 15 technical advisory committee meeting.

“We need to just back off this,” said Coun. Pat Cochrane, agreeing with the hunters that it needs some work.

Another issue with the bylaw, both the original and the new one being considered, is the definitions make it so that no form of a firearm, including bows and BB guns, are permitted to be shot.

“The way this bylaw is written I cannot practise archery in my backyard,” said Leon Meier, a national 3D archery champion.

“I believe this bylaw is a knee-jerk reaction to an urbanite who does not like hunting.”

Several large landowners also made a point that they originally purchased their land so that they could hunt or practice shooting on their property.

Then there are farmers like Bob Advent, who grows raspberries and is constantly affected by deer eating his crops.

“We have an overabundance of deer around and I would love to have some of the guys like (Plovie) shoot them,” said Advent, who would be forced to do the hunting himself.

Many of the hunters say these rules and regulations are not very supportive to maintaining a rural community.

“This is rural living at its best, let’s keep it that way,” said Meier.

“If you want urban living, go back to the city.”

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Four arrests made after goat killings -- By Roger Knox

Four North Okanagan teenagers are facing serious charges in connection with what RCMP are calling a very disturbing crime.

The quartet were arrested on the weekend in connection with the theft of two goats from a Spallumcheen farm on May 3, and the goats’ subsequent killing.

“Our investigation resulted in the arrest of four individuals, and the recovery of the two deceased goats in a remote area near Falkland,” said Sgt. Dave Evans with the RCMP.

“I don’t have any details of any specific ritual, but the way the animals were killed was quite disturbing. This is very disturbing to the public and to the police.”

The property owner discovered the two goats missing from a gated pen on his property on May 3.

Police received information on May 5 that some students may have taken the goats to a field and killed them.

The police investigation has been ongoing since that day.

Evans said the goats received multiple stab wounds, were dismembered and some of their body parts were cut off.

“The motive isn’t exactly clear what with this matter going to court, but it appears these persons took the goats to that location for what looks to be the express purpose of slaughtering them,” said Evans, who added that he had no information that the owner of the goats or his farm were targeted.

Of the four arrested, two were remanded in custody – an 18-year-old male from Falkland and a 16-year-old male from Vernon – pending a Monday court appearance.

The other two males, one 17, the other 16, and both from Armstrong, were released on promises to appear in court.

The four are facing charges which include theft of cattle (the definition of cattle under the Criminal Code of Canada, according to RCMP, includes goats and farm animals), injuring or endangering cattle and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

The theft charge, said Evans, is the most serious, as it’s a straight indictable offence which can carry a prison term of not more than 10 years.

It’s believed the two males released will not be facing the theft of cattle charges.

Evans said investigators will be seeking a psychiatric exam for one of the accused.

“We are interested in ensuring these people get the necessary help and treatment they need, that the motivation for why this crime was committed is discovered and that they can receive the treatment to make sure it doesn’t escalate or repeat itself,” he said.

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Don't forget to vote!

Please! Don't forget to vote!


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Readers write - Information

Dear CRA members!

The Society for the Protection of Kalamalka Lake (* SPrKL*) is a recently registered society whose main goal is to protect and preserve the health and safety of Kalamalka Lake and its watershed for future generations so that the lake may be enjoyed by all user groups in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Our objectives include informing the public that Kalamalka Lake is the drinking water source for most of Greater Vernon, and encouraging users to help take care of it.

Another objective is to provide boating safety information for all lake users.

*SPrKL* just received permission at the recent Coldstream Council meeting to post educational materials and to hand out Transport Canada safe boating literature at the boat launches including Kalavista, Westkal, Kinloch, and Kekuli Bay, during the upcoming long weekend.

We are now appealing to everyone to help us by volunteering an hour or two of your time at a boat launch this weekend - hopefully enjoying the sunshine and handing out info to lake users.

If you can help, please contact Louise Christie as soon as you can:

Home phone: 250 542-9109
Email: louisec@talismanenviro.com

Thank you in advance,

*SPrKL* Directors:

Christine Cookson – President
Jennifer Finlay (Sigalet)
Janice Morgan
Flo Ryan
Trina Koch
Louise Christie

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Coldstream Council Meeting -- May 11, 2009

REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM

TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 11, 2009
IN THE COLDSTREAM MUNICIPAL HALL CHAMBERS
9901 KALAMALKA ROAD, COLDSTREAM, BC
FOLLOWING THE PUBLIC MEETING

A G E N D A

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Selected articles, Morning Star -- May 10, 2009

NORD Issues!

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Election Issues!

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Electoral reform -- All about BC-STV

Richard Rolke's article in the Morning Star opposes BC's proposed Single Transferable Vote system. He admits it works in some other countries, such as Switzerland and New Zealand but minorities are a fiasco in other countries such as Italy and Israel.

Canada, and BC in particular, is not like Italy and Israel with large numbers of small, fractured parties. We have the three or four major parties with appropriate voter base who wish to be represented in government. There is nothing wrong with politicians considering diverse ideas that represent their voters views and develop policies that incorporate views from a larger base population.

If 15% of the voting population favour the Green Party, they should have about 15% of the seats in the legislature . STV would provide that opportunity. In fact, I don't understand why the idea requires 60% approval for passing since we seem to believe that we live in a democracy where 50% plus 1 constitute majority.

For a perfect explanation how STV works please visit STV explained and consider this choice when you vote on May 12.

Check out also Christy Clarke's video on the top right corner of this blog. In addition, read the letters to the Editor in today's Morning Star presented below.

For information the current and proposed electoral boundaries maps are also enclosed.

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Selected articles, Morning Star -- May 6, 2009

Sorry for the belated posting -- I've been busy! Some comments later.

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NORD meeting today.

NORD Meeting today.

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Disgruntled Citizen -- Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPuJfbS2qMY

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Media Release -- Rafe Mair endorses NDP candidate Mark Olsen

Rafe Mair endorses NDP candidate Mark Olsen in Vernon Monashee

Sunday, May 3, 2009 .

VERNON — Mark Olsen, the NDP candidate for Vernon Monashee, received a public endorsement from Rafe Mair.

Mair says the Liberal energy policy is one in which “no one but industry had a hand in formulating [and] will ruin an ever-increasing number of rivers.”

Mair, a former Social Credit environment minister, endorsed Olsen at a public meeting at the Schubert Centre today.

Rafe Mair is concerned that Campbell and the BC Liberals are destroying the publicly-owned utility, BC Hydro, and that they are handing over BC’s water rights to international corporate interests. “This election, for me, boils down to a single issue—the environment and the plans by Campbell to deface and destroy the province I was born in and love and where seven out of my eight grandchildren live.”

Mark Olsen is a school bus driver for School District 22. He is president of the school district's support workers, and a passionate advocate for public education.

- 30 -

Contact:
Mark Olsen
markolsn@telus.net
ph. 250 540-4637

Donna Easto, media relations
donnaeasto@gmail.com

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Information -- Environmental issues.

Just a reminder that tomorrow, Sunday, May 3rd Rafe Mair will give a presentation at the Schubert Centre. Rafe is the spokesperson for "Save Our Rivers."

British Columbians are in danger of losing our rivers, access to our rivers and access to the outdoors to multinationals, mainly American, because of Campbell giveaways. Our rivers and water rights are in danger of being lost to British Columbians forever if the Liberals form the next government in BC.

You are urged to attend and voice your displeasure with the way the Liberals have raped and pillaged our natural resources as they pay back their political backers.

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Readers write - Information

Hey everyone, just thought you might like to witness the mentality of what we are dealing with! In fact, on Friday alone, there were 5 such incidents. Three here and 2 on the large public wharf.

Lynn

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Information for all

This is for information only at this time. We have been advised that there is an unconfirmed case of swine flu at Kidston School.

At this time we have no further info regarding confirmation or whether the School District would be following the lead of Beairsto School.

We'll keep you informed of further developments.

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Selected articles, Morning Star -- May 1, 2009

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Coldstream Environmental Committee Meeting.

THE CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM
ENVIROMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 4, 2009
IN THE MUNICIPAL HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
9901 KALAMALKA ROAD, COLDSTREAM, BC
4:30 PM

A G E N D A

1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

2. ELECTION OF CHAIR

3. TERMS OF REFERENCE

· For Committee information.

4. NEW BUSINESS

A) For information – Memo re: Lower Coldstream Creek Water Quality Meeting held February 18, 2009

B) E-mail from Planning Department listing environment related activities currently in progress

5. NEXT MEETING

Monday, June 1, 2009

6. ADJOURNMENT

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