HAPPY 2019!!! HAPPY 2019!!! HAPPY 2019!!! HAPPY 2019!!! HAPPY 2019!!! HAPPY 2019!!! HAPPY 2019!!!

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First Southeast Kelowna residents connected to clean drinking water

December 21, 2018

Nearly a dozen Southeast Kelowna residents in the Crawford Road area turned on their taps to clean drinking water this week. They’re part of the first group to receive clean drinking water from the City utility as part of the ongoing Kelowna Integrated Water project.

The Del Medico family was the first to have their water changed over. City utility crews connected their property earlier this month, and the family is thrilled.

“The whole process has been awesome; we couldn’t be happier. We can finally drink the water straight from the tap,” said John Del Medico. “We waited a long time and now the water is perfect, ready to go.”

Although these initial homes were connected mid-way through the project, it will take some time before other Southeast Kelowna residents are also connected to the new City water system.

“It’s a great feeling to see residents have access to clean water,” said Patrick Aylard, Project Manager. 

Although we could connect these first few homes because they were so close to existing City utilities, connecting other houses to the new system will take a bit longer."

It’s anticipated that other Southeast Kelowna residents will be connected to City water in 2020, when construction of new water mains and facilities is complete.

When asked what he would say to those Southeast Kelowna residents still waiting to be connected to the new water system, Del Medico added, “It’s well worth the wait. It’s funny, you always think we should have clean water, but we didn’t, and now we do.”

Substantial paving work has been completed on some of the major project roads where new water mains have been installed. Work is now underway to build a new water reservoir and pump station at 4075 Jean Road, as well as complete upgrades to the Stellar and Lower Crawford pump stations.

Construction of the Jean Road and Stellar Road facilities is expected to be complete by the end of 2019.

Phase 1 of the Kelowna Integrated Water Project, an $86 million project funded by a $43.9 million provincial and federal grant, will bring clean drinking water to more than 2,000 Southeast Kelowna households and a sustainable water supply for agriculture in the South Mission. Expected to be complete in 2020, this is the first phase of the Kelowna Integrated Water Supply Plan.

For more information and to sign up for project updates, visit kelowna.ca/water.

Click here to read more about Kelowna's water plan. 

Note the projected cost and compare it to Greater Vernon's projected cost here

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Bill C-76 Passed By Senate Just In Time To Apply For 2019 Vote

OTTAWA — Legislation aimed at preventing foreign interference and constraining the influence of big money in Canadian elections has been approved by the Senate.

Bill C-76 passed in the upper house late Monday on a vote of 54-31 and is expected to receive royal assent later this week.

That means the reforms will apply during next year's federal election campaign.

Chief electoral officer Stephane Perrault had warned that the much-delayed bill must go into effect by the end of this year if the independent elections watchdog was to have time to implement the reforms for next year's campaign. Read more

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Coldstream Candidate Meet and Greet Summary - Coldstream Issues - By Simone Runyan

Below is a link for viewing the summary minutes of last Saturday’s meet and greet. I thought you might be interested in putting the link on your blog. It can also be downloaded as a PDF and shared. 

Simone

Thank you Simone

Following is the link to the report:

                   Coldstream Issues

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Have you voted yet???

Remember to vote! 

You have 2 more days:

October 18 - Advanced Voting

8:00 am - 8:00 pm Coldstream Municipal Hall

October 20 - General Voting 

8:00 am -8:00 pm Coldstream Elementary School

8:00 am -8:00 pm Lavington Elementary School

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Election tidbits.

Key Dates:

October 10 - ADVANCED VOTING 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
                     •  Coldstream Municipal Hall, Council Chambers, Coldstream

MEET AND GREET THE CANDIDATES

Saturday, October 13, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, at the Coldstream Women's Institute Hall, 9909 Kalamalka Road.

October 17 - ADVANCED VOTING 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
                     •  Coldstream Municipal Hall, Council Chambers, Coldstream

October 18 - ADVANCED VOTING 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
                     •  Coldstream Municipal Hall, Council Chambers, Coldstream

October 20 - GENERAL VOTING DAY 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
                      •  Coldstream Elementary School
                         10104 Kalamalka Road, Coldstream
                      •  Lavington Elementary School
                         9715 School Road, Coldstream

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Coldstream candidates converge

Coldstream candidates converge

Meet and greet for municipal election candidates in Coldstream goes Saturday at 4 p.m.

• MORNING STAR STAFF
• Oct. 11, 2018 8:00 a.m.
• MUNICIPAL ELECTION

•  
Coldstream residents will have a chance to meet their political candidates Saturday.

The Society for the Protection of Kalamalka Lake presents a Coldstream Meet and Greet at the Coldstream Women’s Institute Hall (9909 Kalamalka Road) from 4 to 6 p.m.

“The public is invited to meet the 2018 local election candidates for Coldstream,” states a news release. “Please join us for coffee and cookies, and get to know your candidates.”

Incumbent Jim Garlick is facing a mayoral challenge from former councillor Bill Firman.

RELATED: Garlick running for fourth term as Coldstream mayor

RELATED: Firman makes it official

Challengers Ruth Hoyte and Stephanie Hoffman are contesting incumbents Doug Dirk, Glen Taylor, Pat Cochrane, Richard Enns and Gyula Kiss for a seat on council.  More

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Selected Morning Star News Clips - In case you missed them

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Selected Morning Star News Clips - In case you missed them ** 2018 Elections!

   

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Selected Morning Star News Clips - In case you missed them ** 2018 Elections!

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Selected Morning Star News Clips - In case you missed them ** 2018 Elections!

 

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BC MUNICIPAL ELECTION 2018 - Global News

https://globalnews.ca/news/4163072/coldstream-bc-municipal-election-2018/ 

The following Candidates are registered to run in the 2018 Coldstream Election:

Mayor:

Bill Firman

Jim Garlick (incumbent)

Council:

Pat M. Cochrane (incumbent)

Doug Dirk (incumbent)

Richard Enns (incumbent)

Stephanie A. Hoffman

Ruth Hoyte

Gyula Kiss (incumbent)

Glen A. Taylor (incumbent)

There will be a referendum Question regarding the following bylaws

Are you in favour of the Regional District of North Okanagan adopting the following bylaws:

– Greater Vernon Cultural Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2785, 2018; and

– Greater Vernon Multi-Purpose Cultural Facility Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 2786, 2018

District of North Okanagan to establish a cultural service and borrow an amount not to exceed twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) for the purpose of financing a portion of the monies required for the acquisition of lands and construction of a new Multi-Purpose Cultural Facility for the Greater Vernon Cultural Service?which authorizes the Regional

You can read the full article here 

You may also like to check all candidates running for office in the North Okanagan here

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Selected Morning Star News Clips - In case you missed them

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The author of the above letter is a retired employee of Greater Vernon Water (GVW) one of the major proponent of using Duteau Creek as a domestic water source. Here are a few items to counter his claims:

The VID system was built for irrigation and it was very efficient for that purpose. It did not need any changes!

The only change needed to be done was the construction of a dedicated domestic main connecting current Duteau domestic customers to Kalamalka Lake water. That would have provided total separation of the water systems.

As it is, there is virtually no separation: the same water is used for irrigation and domestic consumption as before except this water is a lot more expensive. WE DID NOT SOLVE THE SEPARATION PROBLEM! A farmer gets his irrigation water from the same pipe as he does his domestic water except for a huge cost differential. All the money spent and planned to be spent at Duteau could have been used for the separation.

Okanagan Lake was not needed for at least 40 years. However, infrastructure costs were estimated to be $35 million. It is noteworthy that GVW was planning to apply for a 50,000 ML water license for Okanagan Lake. How does that go along with the writers arguments? 

A filtration plant is planned for the Mission Hill Water Treatment Plant (a grant has already been applied for). That would take care of seasonal variations in water quality. 

Surprisingly however, the cost conscientious letter writer promoted the construction of a $2.6 million pipeline from Okanagan Lake to pump water to Goose Lake for irrigation purposes paid for by domestic customers and operated at the cost of domestic customers at an estimated annual cost of $160,000.

Credibility?

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Province introducing tougher rules on payday loans, cheque-cashing fees

New pay-day loan and cheque cashing rules

The Province is starting to tighten the rules to rein in payday-lending practices, and to protect people from excessive fees when cashing BC Employment and Assistance cheques.

For some time, British Columbia’s most financially vulnerable individuals have used non-traditional lenders and credit providers, who often impose high borrowing costs and debt loads on borrowers.

“Today, we’re making changes to better protect British Columbians who use payday loans, and cash social assistance and disability assistance cheques,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “We’re also looking to make further changes to protect vulnerable consumers, who use other high-cost financial services in the province.”

Limits on fees for cheque cashing, and high-cost loans, will go into effect on Sept. 1, 2018, as follows:

Strengthen payday-loans protections:

• Lowering the maximum fee to $15 from $17, for every $100 borrowed, matching the lowest rate in Canada.
• Extending the payday-loan agreement cancellation period, so a payday-loan borrower now has two full business days to cancel the loan without penalty.
• Prohibiting payday lenders from requiring, requesting or accepting consent from a borrower, to use or disclose their personal information for anything other than for arranging or providing a payday loan.
• Clarifying payday lenders’ data-reporting timelines. The receipt of more timely data will help Consumer Protection BC to focus its education and compliance efforts, and the data will help to inform government about trends and changes in the industry.

Limit fees for cashing social and disability assistance cheques:

• Capping the fee for cashing a provincial social assistance or disability cheque at $2, plus 1% of the value of the cheque, up to a maximum fee of $10. Note: this change applies to anyone in B.C. who cashes cheques.

Starting June 25, 2018, on the government’s website, the ministry is providing practical advice and information to all British Columbians, to help them make informed choices about borrowing money, and using expensive alternative financial services, like cheque-cashing services.

“Our government is working to provide opportunities to help lift people out of poverty,” said Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “Today’s announcement will ensure people, who are receiving income and disability assistance, and who rely on these services, are protected from unscrupulous practices, and have more money left in their pocket after they cash their cheque.”

These changes are part of government’s overall Consumer Financial Protection Action Plan led by Farnworth. By reducing costs to consumers, and introducing additional consumer protections, the action plan supports the Province’s goal of reducing poverty, and helps make life more affordable.

Although the actions are intended to protect the most-vulnerable consumers, the changes will benefit all British Columbians who use high-cost alternative financial services. Government will continue to consider taking steps to protect vulnerable consumers.

“We’ve been regulating the payday-lending sector for almost a decade, and we have first-hand knowledge of how it works. British Columbians are borrowing an increasing amount of money from payday lenders, and our data shows that number is approaching $400 million a year,” said Rob Gialloreto, president and CEO, Consumer Protection BC. “We support efforts of this nature by the Province, that are designed to protect vulnerable consumers who use the services of any high-cost lender.”

Advances in the protection of consumers, with more to come in the future on other high-cost alternative financial services, will strike a balance between industry and consumer needs as part of a well-regulated industry. Further research and work is underway in this policy area, including looking at other high-cost loans and cheque-cashing services, to determine what needs to be done to further strengthen consumer protections and affordability. 

As part of its public education efforts, the Province has launched a new website called Borrowing Money. This website will provide people with information to consider before taking out a loan of any kind. The content on this website will allow anyone in B.C. to become informed and educated on various credit products and services, what rights borrowers have, and where to go for assistance.

Quick Facts:

• In 2016, more than 160,000 British Columbians used payday lenders (approximately 4% of the population over 18 years of age).
• On Jan. 1, 2017, B.C. reduced the maximum permissible charge for a payday loan to $17 per $100 borrowed, down from $23.
• In 2016, British Columbians borrowed more than $369 million, and took out nearly 805,000 payday loans.
• In 2016, the average payday loan was around $460.
• Consumer Protection BC, a provincial regulator created by government, licenses certain sectors, and enforces the Province’s consumer-protection laws.

Learn More:

New Borrowing Money website: www.gov.bc.ca/borrowing-money

Consumer Protection BC: www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/

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RDNO Media Release - Temporary closing of refuse station

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MEDIA RELEASE - Greater Vernon Cultural Referendum!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: August 28, 2018

MEDIA CONTACT: Tannis Nelson, Manager, Community Services
PHONE/EMAIL: 250.550.3700 / tannis.nelson@rdno.ca

Regional District Kicks off the Public Education Campaign for Greater Vernon Cultural Centre Referendum


The Regional District of North Okanagan has launched a two-month long informational campaign featuring over 20 public events and dozens of presentations regarding the proposed Greater Vernon Cultural Centre that will be going to referendum with the 2018 local general elections.

On October 20, 2018, Greater Vernon voters will be asked to decide whether they support borrowing up to $25 million for the purpose of constructing a new multi-purpose cultural centre in downtown Vernon. The referendum will be held with the upcoming general local elections, and will determine whether the community can move forward with grant applications and fundraising to generate the additional $15 million required to complete this $40 million project.

In order to provide residents with the opportunity to learn more about the project, the Regional District has developed a website for the project, which can be found at www.gvculturalcentre.ca, as well as print and electronic materials that can be used to help promote the vote. In addition to providing information that people can review on their own, the Regional District will be making presentations and holding open houses in order to be available to speak with residents and answer any questions.

“It is essential that people are given a variety of opportunities to learn about this project so that they are able to make an informed vote,” said Juliette Cunningham, Chair of the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee. “This is an important project that has been brought forward as a result of public engagement and years of planning, and people should have the ability to learn about that process and the project itself prior to October 20.”

The first information open house will be held at the Village Green Centre mall on Saturday, September 1, 2018, where Regional District staff and community volunteers will be available to answer questions and provide information to mall visitors and back-to-school shoppers. Additional open houses and information sessions will be held:

• Village Green Centre mall - September 11, 2018 and October 6, 2018
• Vernon Farmer’s Markets throughout September and October
• Vernon Vipers games (Kal Tire Place) - October 6, 2018 and October 10, 2018.

Residents are encouraged to check the project website for additional information opportunities that may be scheduled, at www.gvculturalcentre.ca.

For further information, please contact us at 250.550.3700 or culture@rdno.ca.
Quick Facts

• Greater Vernon Voters are made up of the City of Vernon, the District of Coldstream, Electoral Area “B” (Swan Lake), and Electoral Area “C” (B.X. District)

• The proposed Greater Vernon Cultural Facility was identified as a community need through the Greater Vernon Cultural Plan. The Greater Vernon Cultural Plan was adopted in 2016 and is the first Cultural Plan in Greater Vernon (www.rdno.ca/culturalplan).

• Through the public engagement process for the creation of the Greater Vernon Cultural Plan, approximately 15,080 people attended to share their thoughts on culture in Greater Vernon. Read the Public Outreach results  

(http://www.rdno.ca/docs/PublicConsultationResults.pdf)

• View the project webpage at www.gvculturalcentre.ca.

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Selected Morning Star Newsclips - In case you missed them.- Letters to the Editor

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An apology - For having neglected my blog for a number of months.

Looking back at my last post I realize that I have not updated my blog since March. For this I apologize to my readers! My excuse is that I have had a number of unfortunate deaths of close friends and I was unable to collect my thoughts well enough to put them into writing. My great friend's, City Councillor Bob Spiers, death was a crushing blow to my inspiration. His encouragement and support in my efforts to try improving the Greater Vernon Master Water Plan. Rest in peace, Bob, mu good Buddy!

A local election is coming up in October and I think some of the readers will be interested in the candidates vying for office in the Greater Vernon area.

They might also be interested in the opinions published in the local Morning Star by various letter writers. Re-publishing readers opinions does not necessarily mean endorsement of the opinion of the writer.

Obviously, the issue of the Master Water Plan will probably be discussed again. It is well known that this writer (and Coldstream Councillor) is not enthralled by the plan and will likely explain WHY! 

So Dear Readers, welcome back and I hope you will like (or dislike! who knows) what will be reported on these pages.

Welcome:

Gyula

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Kalamalka Lake Road Construction Starts Monday

Kalamalka Lake road closure will affect local traffic!

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Selected Morning Star Newsclips - In case you missed them.

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Selected Morning Star Newsclips - In case you missed them.

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Selected Morning Star Newsclips - In case you missed them.

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