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coldstreamer@shaw.ca******* Issues related to the District of Coldstream, local government issues, political commentary, local area photos,oddities in the news etc....
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Breaking news: BC liberals inked ‘hidden toll’ into Sea to Sky highway deal – and we all pay for the next 25 years.
Posted on October 25, 2010 by Laila
For years, I have often wondered why, in such ’tough economic times’, the very expensive Sea to Sky highway was not tolled. I’ve called for it, many of you have called for it, and last year, even Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson called for it as an avenue for revenue to solve Translinks money woes.
What Gregor did not know at the time ( and neither did most of us ) is that the Sea to Sky highway is a very lucrative avenue for revenue – but not for the province of BC. In actuality, the Sea to Sky highway is costing the provincial government money, every single time a vehicle drives up or down the highway.
Sources have revealed to me, that the BC government inked a hidden toll into the agreement to build and maintain the Sea to Sky highway, via a model commonly known in the transportation/road-building industry as a ” shadow toll”. As a result, the provincial government will be paying a shadow toll on every vehicle that uses the highway for the duration of the agreement, which is 25 years. Where does that toll go? To the private company that operates and maintain the road – otherwise known as the ‘concessionaire’ in the agreement with the province – (read more)
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Greening of the Grid Road - The view from here.
The cut banks of the Grid Road have been hydro seeded. The green band is quite conspicuous at this time.
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Waterways and Water Woes - Your opportunity to ask questions!
Waterways and Water Woes
October 28, 7 PM,
Schubert Centre, 3505 30th Ave. Vernon
Have you wondered why we don't have better regulations? If so, this is your opportunity to come and suggest solutions and ask questions.
This Thursday October 28th at 7 PM, SENS will be holding an evening to identify the problems and solutions that exist on our waterways, ranging from Sugar Lake to Shuswap lake and including Kalamalka Lake.
There will be a panel of "Water Stewards" and a panel of "Regulators" so we can all be aware of the solutions that have been tried, those that are in process, and those that have yet to be enacted.
Please forward this email to all persons and groups you know who are working at improving the safety and the cleanliness of our lakes, creeks and rivers. All are welcome. Admission is free.
WHERE: Schubert Centre, 3505 30th Avenue, Vernon
WHEN: 7 PM to 9 PM. Thursday, October 28th
WHEN: 7 PM to 9 PM. Thursday, October 28th
A panel will address the problems that exist on local lakes and rivers, ranging from motorboats affecting salmon spawning areas, threatening the security of swimmers, kayakers and tubers, discharging grey and black water, as well as the increasing impacts of ATVs in wetlands and other problems related to the safety of our water.
Advisors from Transport Canada and the Regional District will inform us as to the regulations that can help solve these problems.
SPrKL Director and Coldstream Council member, Maria Besso, will be on the panel discussing issues concerning Kalamalka Lake.
SPrKL members and others concerned, please join the discussion, ask questions and/or suggest solutions!
Advisors from Transport Canada and the Regional District will inform us as to the regulations that can help solve these problems.
SPrKL Director and Coldstream Council member, Maria Besso, will be on the panel discussing issues concerning Kalamalka Lake.
SPrKL members and others concerned, please join the discussion, ask questions and/or suggest solutions!
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Reminder -- *SPrKL Halloween Soiree
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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*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
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Eat! Dance! Act Silly! Win Prizes! Bid on Silent Auction Items!
See below for further information!
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Monday, October 25, 2010
"COMMUNITY & LOCAL FOOD" FOCUS OF GREEN PARTY
On Sunday October 24th, the Okanagan-Shuswap Greens met in Paddlewheel Park hall to celebrate their 4th annual Harvest Dinner and discuss how local food economies contribute to building communities.
After the potluck dinner, Erik Bjorgan, candidate, pointed out how food security is closely linked to knowing those who grow our food and protecting local farmland. He reminded everyone of the social and economic benefits associated with eating locally and encouraging the producers in our region. Erik, who lives and works in Salmon Arm, is an active advocate for local food production and promotion.
Since the potluck dinner turned out to be a veritable feast of locally grown organic meats, vegetables, grains and scrumptious desserts, Erik's speech fell on receptive ears! Displays such as "Transition Town Concepts", Pilgrim Farm's produce, and Don Elzer's artistic rendering of a "Factory Village" where industrial and residential lots allow living, working and playing in the community reinforced the attractiveness of building local economies.
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Sunday, October 24, 2010
Council and Finance Committee Meetings, October 25, and 27, 2010.
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SENS (Sustainable Environment Network Society) meeting.
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Saturday, October 23, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Mayor Garlick replies to Morning Star article.
Mr. Mitchell
I am writing in the hopes of clarifying some reporting by the Morning Star. The new publisher to the Morning Star, Mr. Weatherington, was quoted in a recent article as saying that he looked forward to providing the community with information. I hope this is possible in the future. This has not been the case with some of the opinionated and manipulative reporting on the issue of the parks review and the draft proposal put forward by the facilitator, Mr. Nielson-Welch, to this review.
It should be pointed out that the reporter, Mr. Rolke, who seems to have taken up a campaign to abandon the parks review, did not attend the last meeting in which the draft proposal was put forward by the facilitator. If he had attended he would have heard the concerns around changes to the governance and operations of the Rec Centre and Civic Arena along with other points contained in the draft proposal. He woulds also heard discussion in support of some changes. Mr. Rolke’s articles give the impression that the various parties have accepted the direction provided in the draft proposal with no thought or investigation into the consequences. I want to make it clear that this is not the approach being taken.
The District of Coldstream financial officer is working with Regional District staff to provide the appropriate information on costs and liability to Coldstream council in order to make decisions on providing service for our parks in Coldstream.
Any changes to taking responsibility for land will be accompanied by a covenant ensuring the continued use as parkland for the area.
Coldstream council would like to see Kal Beach and parking lot be a sub-regional park and explore the possibilities of including it in the parks inventory or zoning as park.
The City of Vernon voted to include the Rec Centre and Civic Arena in the service as it is now. Coldstream is agreeable. Electoral Areas B and C raised no concerns to this point at our last Greater Vernon Committee meeting. This will most likely make the suggestion in the draft proposal to change these facilities a moot point.
A separate Arts and Culture and Youth Service is being considered to provide the groups involved a higher profile.
Service reviews such as this one we have undertaken are legitimate review processes under provincial legislation. This review was brought forward first by the City of Vernon as one of 19 in January 2007 and subsequently dropped. It was then reinitiated in June 2007 by Electoral Areas B and C. It then sat dormant for 2 years. Coldstream asked that the partners complete the outstanding review to address parks service levels, the budgeting process, arts and culture issues, and servicing contracts, as well as provide closure to the process. This review has been open to the public. The documents from the review are also public.
The partners have been working cooperatively to get through this service review and make informed decisions. We do not always agree. There are shortcomings to the existing service but there is no appetite to tear the service apart or "throw any babies out with the bath water". We may decide to make some changes. This service has seen changes since its inception almost 40 years ago. To say otherwise would be misleading and uninformed.
Jim Garlick
Mayor
District of Coldstream
Email jimgarlick@msn.com
I am writing in the hopes of clarifying some reporting by the Morning Star. The new publisher to the Morning Star, Mr. Weatherington, was quoted in a recent article as saying that he looked forward to providing the community with information. I hope this is possible in the future. This has not been the case with some of the opinionated and manipulative reporting on the issue of the parks review and the draft proposal put forward by the facilitator, Mr. Nielson-Welch, to this review.
It should be pointed out that the reporter, Mr. Rolke, who seems to have taken up a campaign to abandon the parks review, did not attend the last meeting in which the draft proposal was put forward by the facilitator. If he had attended he would have heard the concerns around changes to the governance and operations of the Rec Centre and Civic Arena along with other points contained in the draft proposal. He woulds also heard discussion in support of some changes. Mr. Rolke’s articles give the impression that the various parties have accepted the direction provided in the draft proposal with no thought or investigation into the consequences. I want to make it clear that this is not the approach being taken.
The District of Coldstream financial officer is working with Regional District staff to provide the appropriate information on costs and liability to Coldstream council in order to make decisions on providing service for our parks in Coldstream.
Any changes to taking responsibility for land will be accompanied by a covenant ensuring the continued use as parkland for the area.
Coldstream council would like to see Kal Beach and parking lot be a sub-regional park and explore the possibilities of including it in the parks inventory or zoning as park.
The City of Vernon voted to include the Rec Centre and Civic Arena in the service as it is now. Coldstream is agreeable. Electoral Areas B and C raised no concerns to this point at our last Greater Vernon Committee meeting. This will most likely make the suggestion in the draft proposal to change these facilities a moot point.
A separate Arts and Culture and Youth Service is being considered to provide the groups involved a higher profile.
Service reviews such as this one we have undertaken are legitimate review processes under provincial legislation. This review was brought forward first by the City of Vernon as one of 19 in January 2007 and subsequently dropped. It was then reinitiated in June 2007 by Electoral Areas B and C. It then sat dormant for 2 years. Coldstream asked that the partners complete the outstanding review to address parks service levels, the budgeting process, arts and culture issues, and servicing contracts, as well as provide closure to the process. This review has been open to the public. The documents from the review are also public.
The partners have been working cooperatively to get through this service review and make informed decisions. We do not always agree. There are shortcomings to the existing service but there is no appetite to tear the service apart or "throw any babies out with the bath water". We may decide to make some changes. This service has seen changes since its inception almost 40 years ago. To say otherwise would be misleading and uninformed.
Jim Garlick
Mayor
District of Coldstream
Email jimgarlick@msn.com
The article in question
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Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Trial ends, B.C. Rail scandal smell lingers on -- By Paul Wilcox
The B.C. Rail scandal has cost taxpayers some thing above $15 million.
And without more answers, that looks like a very poor bargain.
The trial ended with a whimper Monday.
Dave Basi and Bob Virk, former Liberal political aides, pleaded guilty to accepting benefits in return for leaking confidential information about the B.C. Rail sale to lobbyists for one of the bidders, Omnitrax.
Virk, the ministerial assistant to former transport minister Judith Reid, took a trip to Denver to an NFL game worth about $1,500.
Basi, aide to former finance minister Gary Collins, went on the trip and received another $25,695.
They also admitted leaking information to Bruce Clark, a federal Liberal fundraiser and a lobbyist (and brother of former deputy premier Christy Clark).
In a plea bargain, they were sentenced to two years of relaxed house arrest and Basi will have to pay a fine equal to the benefits they received.
Case closed, says Premier Gordon Campbell. Two rogue political staffers caught. Justice done. No questions to answer.
That's not true though. (read more)
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Meeting schedule for NORD committees - October 20-21.
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Monday, October 18, 2010
Photo gallery -- Canada Geese escorting 7 Snow Geese into the bay on Kal Lake. Courtesy: Debbie Gibson.
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Friday, October 15, 2010
Selected Articles - Morning Star News
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Thursday, October 14, 2010
Duteau Creek water supply report - Latest report on Duteau reservoir (October 6, 2010)
Reservoir levels started to rise giving rise to optimism for a good start next spring.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
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***Coldstreamernews***
We must protect our rights and freedom! (Photo courtesy of D. Gibson) Click on eagle to watch EAGLECAMS
About Me
- Coldstreamer
- I have been a resident of Coldstream since 1976. I have had 15 years of experience on Council, 3 years as Mayor. As a current Councillor I am working to achieve fair water and sewer rates and to ensure that taxpayers get fair treatment. The current direction regarding water supply is unsustainable and I am doing all I can to get the most cost effective water supply possible.