Anyone wishing to attend is welcome.
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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, February 5, 2009
Readers write -- British Columbia Farm Industry Review Board
Anyone wishing to attend is welcome.
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Budget overly optimistic about economy, Page says
The Canadian Press
OTTAWA -- Canada's parliamentary budget officer is casting doubt on the federal government's rosy projections in the budget, saying the recession will likely be deeper than expected and Ottawa's stimulus package smaller and less effective.
Kevin Page told a parliamentary committee Thursday the government's claimed $39.9 billion stimulus package over two years is effectively about 20 per cent smaller, at $31.8 billion.
And he adds that a portion of the smaller amount may not find its way into the economy because $10 billion is contingent on shared spending by other levels of government.
The difference will mean the extra spending is unlikely to create or save the 190,000 jobs projected by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Page said, estimating the number at closer to 120,000.
Liberal finance critic John McCallum called the discrepancies and the expectations of a more severe downturn alarming, adding that the government may have to raise its stimulus spending within the next few months.
He noted that the TD Bank is now forecasting 325,000 jobs will disappear this year on top of the 84,000 that were lost in the last two months of 2008 as the recession took hold.
"The point is that the economy may need more fiscal stimulus sooner rather than later and we may not want to wait until the fall economic update of November 2009," he said.
McCallum said his Liberals still did the right thing in voting for the budget because it contains many helpful measures, but he added "there's still time" to bring in additional stimulus before the summer break if necessary.
But the NDP's Thomas Mulcair said Page's assessment of the budget numbers confirms that the budget's claim the stimulus will boost economic growth by 1.9 per cent "is a pure mirage."
Page's overall analysis of the budget is that while it adequately takes into account the downside risks for the first year, it is overly rosy about the economy's ability to bounce back, government revenues and forecasts of only four years of deficits.
He notes that the budget anticipates the current slump will be milder than the recessions of the early 1980s and 1990s, when the unemployment rate was far higher than the current 6.6 per cent.
"In terms of a cumulative amount in unrealized output, (our) analysis suggests that this projected economic downturn may already by more severe than either the last two recessions," he said.
In the early '80s recession, the jobless rate hit 13 per cent, while the recession of 1991-93 saw unemployment top 11 per cent.
Page also argues that the government is unrealistically counting on revenues from corporate taxes to rebound more quickly than is likely, which would mean Ottawa may remain in deficit longer than four years.
The budget officer's analysis is in the same vein as several private sector economists in expecting the deficit to last longer. Earlier this week, IHS-Global Insight's Dale Orr said a more reasonable estimate is for six more years of red ink.
A key reason for Page's view that the stimulus is actually smaller than advertised is the fact that it carries forward $8.7 billion in projected asset sales and departmental cuts introduced in last November's failed economic update.
If carried through, says Page, they would act as a drag on growth undercutting the stimulus elements of the budget.
"Adjusting for restraint measures proposed in 2008 economic statement and contribution to stimulus associated with maintaining current (employment insurance) premium rates, the public budget office estimated that the total net stimulus could be about 20 per cent smaller, $31.8 billion, than reported in budget 2009," Page said.
The budget officer came under some stiff questioning from Conservative members of the committee, who questioned his methodology and whether his analysis can be trusted.
"When you try to forecast the comportment of humans, you can (make) mistakes," said Tory MP Maxime Bernier. "That's why these forecasts are not so accurate."
Page agreed that there is great uncertainty about what will happen to the economy.
Given the "significant uncertainty," he questioned whether Flaherty had factored in enough downside risk in the budget assumptions.
OTTAWA -- Canada's parliamentary budget officer is casting doubt on the federal government's rosy projections in the budget, saying the recession will likely be deeper than expected and Ottawa's stimulus package smaller and less effective.
Kevin Page told a parliamentary committee Thursday the government's claimed $39.9 billion stimulus package over two years is effectively about 20 per cent smaller, at $31.8 billion.
And he adds that a portion of the smaller amount may not find its way into the economy because $10 billion is contingent on shared spending by other levels of government.
The difference will mean the extra spending is unlikely to create or save the 190,000 jobs projected by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Page said, estimating the number at closer to 120,000.
Liberal finance critic John McCallum called the discrepancies and the expectations of a more severe downturn alarming, adding that the government may have to raise its stimulus spending within the next few months.
He noted that the TD Bank is now forecasting 325,000 jobs will disappear this year on top of the 84,000 that were lost in the last two months of 2008 as the recession took hold.
"The point is that the economy may need more fiscal stimulus sooner rather than later and we may not want to wait until the fall economic update of November 2009," he said.
McCallum said his Liberals still did the right thing in voting for the budget because it contains many helpful measures, but he added "there's still time" to bring in additional stimulus before the summer break if necessary.
But the NDP's Thomas Mulcair said Page's assessment of the budget numbers confirms that the budget's claim the stimulus will boost economic growth by 1.9 per cent "is a pure mirage."
Page's overall analysis of the budget is that while it adequately takes into account the downside risks for the first year, it is overly rosy about the economy's ability to bounce back, government revenues and forecasts of only four years of deficits.
He notes that the budget anticipates the current slump will be milder than the recessions of the early 1980s and 1990s, when the unemployment rate was far higher than the current 6.6 per cent.
"In terms of a cumulative amount in unrealized output, (our) analysis suggests that this projected economic downturn may already by more severe than either the last two recessions," he said.
In the early '80s recession, the jobless rate hit 13 per cent, while the recession of 1991-93 saw unemployment top 11 per cent.
Page also argues that the government is unrealistically counting on revenues from corporate taxes to rebound more quickly than is likely, which would mean Ottawa may remain in deficit longer than four years.
The budget officer's analysis is in the same vein as several private sector economists in expecting the deficit to last longer. Earlier this week, IHS-Global Insight's Dale Orr said a more reasonable estimate is for six more years of red ink.
A key reason for Page's view that the stimulus is actually smaller than advertised is the fact that it carries forward $8.7 billion in projected asset sales and departmental cuts introduced in last November's failed economic update.
If carried through, says Page, they would act as a drag on growth undercutting the stimulus elements of the budget.
"Adjusting for restraint measures proposed in 2008 economic statement and contribution to stimulus associated with maintaining current (employment insurance) premium rates, the public budget office estimated that the total net stimulus could be about 20 per cent smaller, $31.8 billion, than reported in budget 2009," Page said.
The budget officer came under some stiff questioning from Conservative members of the committee, who questioned his methodology and whether his analysis can be trusted.
"When you try to forecast the comportment of humans, you can (make) mistakes," said Tory MP Maxime Bernier. "That's why these forecasts are not so accurate."
Page agreed that there is great uncertainty about what will happen to the economy.
Given the "significant uncertainty," he questioned whether Flaherty had factored in enough downside risk in the budget assumptions.
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Good, clear drinking water prioritized by board
By Judie Steeves - Kelowna Capital News
Published: February 03, 2009 10:00 PM
Updated: February 04, 2009 11:44 AM
Published: February 03, 2009 10:00 PM
Updated: February 04, 2009 11:44 AM
A basin-wide, source water protection strategy should be a priority of the new Okanagan Basin Water Board, members resolved Tuesday, at the first meeting since last fall’s civic election.
Board members expressed concerns about protection of the watershed for domestic users when few of the activities in them can be controlled by water utilities.
Chairman Brian Given commented, “We want good, clear drinking water for all residents.”
Board member Toby Pike noted that Interior Health policy is that water utilities should filter domestic water which comes from surface sources unless a source water protection plan is in place.
That level of water treatment is very expensive.
Board member Tom Siddon said the Integrated Land Management Bureau is a big problem for the OBWB because of its mandate to sell the currently-leased Crown-owned recreational lots on reservoirs in the Okanagan’s watershed; because of its interest in permitting ‘huge marinas’ on small lakes; and floating breakwaters; floating communities of houseboats; and condos on the lakeshore.
Because a new minister of lands was appointed last week to replace Stan Hagen, who died suddenly Jan. 20, the board voted to send a letter to new minister Ron Cantelon expressing its concerns about the proposal to sell the recreation lots.
Although Hagen had written to the board prior to his death, promising a two-year moratorium on the sales until hydrology studies could be completed, board members expressed concerns that the matter has not yet been resolved.
Lake Country James Baker commented, “It’s not just the question of whether we can raise the level of our dams, it’s development on those reservoirs. If sold, they could go from rustic cabins to big developments with septic systems along the shoreline.”
Board member Tom Siddon agreed that the new minister should be reminded of the board’s concerns and that, “We’re adamantly opposed to the sale of those lots.”
He questioned why 300,000 people’s right to clean water should be compromised by the desires of a few dozen cabin owners.
The board voted to send a letter to the minister, along with a package of background information; and to send a letter to the Southern Interior Local Government Association asking for support against the sale of the provincial leases lots located on upper elevation Okanagan drinking water reservoirs.
The upper level reservoirs are required to capture melting snow for use later in the summer when the valley dries up. Instead, the board would like to see the province retain ownership and control of the lands around reservoirs, a moratorium on further leases and gradual retirement of existing leases.
Then, a land act reserve should be placed on those lands, restricting their use to protect water supplies, read a letter for SILGA members.
Board members expressed concerns about protection of the watershed for domestic users when few of the activities in them can be controlled by water utilities.
Chairman Brian Given commented, “We want good, clear drinking water for all residents.”
Board member Toby Pike noted that Interior Health policy is that water utilities should filter domestic water which comes from surface sources unless a source water protection plan is in place.
That level of water treatment is very expensive.
Board member Tom Siddon said the Integrated Land Management Bureau is a big problem for the OBWB because of its mandate to sell the currently-leased Crown-owned recreational lots on reservoirs in the Okanagan’s watershed; because of its interest in permitting ‘huge marinas’ on small lakes; and floating breakwaters; floating communities of houseboats; and condos on the lakeshore.
Because a new minister of lands was appointed last week to replace Stan Hagen, who died suddenly Jan. 20, the board voted to send a letter to new minister Ron Cantelon expressing its concerns about the proposal to sell the recreation lots.
Although Hagen had written to the board prior to his death, promising a two-year moratorium on the sales until hydrology studies could be completed, board members expressed concerns that the matter has not yet been resolved.
Lake Country James Baker commented, “It’s not just the question of whether we can raise the level of our dams, it’s development on those reservoirs. If sold, they could go from rustic cabins to big developments with septic systems along the shoreline.”
Board member Tom Siddon agreed that the new minister should be reminded of the board’s concerns and that, “We’re adamantly opposed to the sale of those lots.”
He questioned why 300,000 people’s right to clean water should be compromised by the desires of a few dozen cabin owners.
The board voted to send a letter to the minister, along with a package of background information; and to send a letter to the Southern Interior Local Government Association asking for support against the sale of the provincial leases lots located on upper elevation Okanagan drinking water reservoirs.
The upper level reservoirs are required to capture melting snow for use later in the summer when the valley dries up. Instead, the board would like to see the province retain ownership and control of the lands around reservoirs, a moratorium on further leases and gradual retirement of existing leases.
Then, a land act reserve should be placed on those lands, restricting their use to protect water supplies, read a letter for SILGA members.
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Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Different directions.
Richard is right: This Council is going in a different direction then the previous one did. For one thing, we reaffirmed our commitment to our volunteer firemen. Taxpayers of Coldstream can rest assured that our fire protection is secure.Staff members have a choice to go along or resign. Policy decisions are the prerogative of the representatives of the taxpayers and those are the elected members of Council. As one of my colleagues on Council said: "anyone can put out a sign on his/her front lawn during the campaign and ask for support."
Staff members have that same right. If elected, they can trade their wages for the wages of Council members (they don't measure up!) and can make policy decisions. Otherwise, their choices are restricted to two options. The Director of Finance made her choice and I, for one, wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
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B.C. will run deficit in 2009: finance minister
Re:B.C. will run deficit in 2009: finance minister
...... "Campbell said his government would recall the legislature early next week to table a bill that would suspend current legislation that requires the Liberal government to present a balanced budget on Feb. 17.
Maureen Bader of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation said the Liberals should have done more.
"We have a balanced budget law so that when the going gets tough, the governments — these politicians — can actually stand up and say, 'No, we need to make the tough decision to keep this budget balanced,' " Bader said. "But instead of making the tough decisions, we've got a premier and finance minister who are just rolling over."
"We have a balanced budget law so that when the going gets tough, the governments — these politicians — can actually stand up and say, 'No, we need to make the tough decision to keep this budget balanced,' " Bader said. "But instead of making the tough decisions, we've got a premier and finance minister who are just rolling over."
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Picking a nursing home? Read the fine print on profit -- (thanks for the tip).
By Tom Sandborn February 4, 2009
Nursing homes that aren’t run for profit tend to keep their residents healthier than do private outfits, says research done in the U.S. and British Columbia and presented at a recent forum sponsored by the BC Health Coalition.
Charlene Harrington, a professor of sociology and nursing at the University of California San Francisco, shared her research on nursing homes in the U.S.
There, 67 per cent of homes are operated as for-profit private businesses. Four of the top American nursing home firms are owned by private equity companies. And the Roto-Rooter Corporation, believe it or not, is now one of the largest companies in America delivering hospice care to the dying.
In Canada, 41 per cent of long term care homes are for-profit, 35 per cent are non-profit and 24 per cent are publicly operated.
Does any of this matter? Harrington’s research shows that it does. For example, a 2001 study shows that “investor-owned facilities averaged 5.89 deficiencies per home, 46.5 per cent higher than nonprofit facilities and 43.0 per cent higher than public facilities.”
Harrington and her fellow researchers concluded that “investor-owned nursing homes provide worse care and less nursing care than do not-for-profit or public homes.”
Canadian research reveals similar connections between for-profit ownership and inferior care for seniors.
Dr. Margaret McGregor combines medical practice at Vancouver’s Mid-Main Community Health clinic with research positions at UBC and Vancouver Coastal Research Institute. McGregor told the forum that in B.C. only 30 per cent of long term care homes are operated on a for-profit basis, and both for-profit, non-profit and public homes all depend on government funding, so the province presents an ideal laboratory experiment into which form of ownership delivers, on average, the best care.
McGregor’s research found that, in B.C., similar amounts of public money invested in caring for similar types of residents pay for significantly different numbers of care providers and levels of care.
For example, residents in non-profit homes in B.C. receive a mean of 20 minutes a day more personal care than residents in for-profit care homes. Those 20 minutes a day could add several assisted toileting events (eight minutes each) and prevent a resident from lying in one’s own waste.
In a 2006 study, McGregor and other researchers looked at how often residents at long-term care homes were hospitalized for anemia, pneumonia, dehydration, falls, urinary tract infection and decubitus ulcers and gangrene, all viewed as possible indicators of poor care.
For five of the six categories, for-profit facilities sent more patients to hospital than non-profits.
In the sixth category, ulcers and gangrene, the level of hospitalization was equal between the two ownership types.
Tom Sandborn is a Tyee contributing editor and a regular on The Hook. He welcomes your feedback and story tips at tos@infinet.net.
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Tuesday, February 3, 2009
B.C. will run deficit in 2009: finance minister
British Columbia will run a deficit for the next two fiscal years, Finance Minister Colin Hansen said Monday afternoon in Vancouver.
"We are continuing to see deterioration in world economies and this has eroded earlier projections for the province in 2009," said Hansen.
Hansen blamed falling prices and shrinking markets for lumber and natural gas, two of the largest exports for the province, for the decline in provincial revenues.
He also pointed to declining consumer spending and housing sales, and rising unemployment, for lowering revenue forecasts.
Just last November, Hansen had predicted that B.C. would duck the looming global recession without running a deficit, maintaining economic growth of about 0.6 per cent.
Hansen said the revised forecasts now predict no economic growth for the province in the coming year, with improvements coming in 2010 due to the economic stimulus of the Winter Olympic Games.
"The longer term outlook for 2010 continues to show strength and British Columbia is well positioned to rebound as the Canadian and world economy recovers."
Premier Gordon Campbell said the severity of the global financial crisis made it impossible to run a balanced budget without slashing important health-care and education funding.
"I've been pretty clear," Campbell said. "I hate deficits. I think they take away from future generations, but the changes we've seen have come too fast. They've been too big."
Senior executive staff to be reduced
To mitigate the deficit, Campbell said, there will be budget cuts, primarily through slashing the senior executive ranks of the civil service, which will be reduced by 20 per cent.
The president of the BC Government and Service Employees Union, however, believes the general public will feel the impact of those jobs cuts.
"So services are going to be cut," Darryl Walker said. "Still, we need more clarification. And we really need the premier and the minister of finance to come clean."
Walker said he fears social workers and those who provide services for women and children will bear the brunt of job losses.
Campbell said his government would recall the legislature early next week to table a bill that would suspend current legislation that requires the Liberal government to present a balanced budget on Feb. 17.
Maureen Bader of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation said the Liberals should have done more.
"We have a balanced budget law so that when the going gets tough, the governments — these politicians — can actually stand up and say, 'No, we need to make the tough decision to keep this budget balanced,' " Bader said. "But instead of making the tough decisions, we've got a premier and finance minister who are just rolling over."
"We are continuing to see deterioration in world economies and this has eroded earlier projections for the province in 2009," said Hansen.
Hansen blamed falling prices and shrinking markets for lumber and natural gas, two of the largest exports for the province, for the decline in provincial revenues.
He also pointed to declining consumer spending and housing sales, and rising unemployment, for lowering revenue forecasts.
Just last November, Hansen had predicted that B.C. would duck the looming global recession without running a deficit, maintaining economic growth of about 0.6 per cent.
Hansen said the revised forecasts now predict no economic growth for the province in the coming year, with improvements coming in 2010 due to the economic stimulus of the Winter Olympic Games.
"The longer term outlook for 2010 continues to show strength and British Columbia is well positioned to rebound as the Canadian and world economy recovers."
Premier Gordon Campbell said the severity of the global financial crisis made it impossible to run a balanced budget without slashing important health-care and education funding.
"I've been pretty clear," Campbell said. "I hate deficits. I think they take away from future generations, but the changes we've seen have come too fast. They've been too big."
Senior executive staff to be reduced
To mitigate the deficit, Campbell said, there will be budget cuts, primarily through slashing the senior executive ranks of the civil service, which will be reduced by 20 per cent.
The president of the BC Government and Service Employees Union, however, believes the general public will feel the impact of those jobs cuts.
"So services are going to be cut," Darryl Walker said. "Still, we need more clarification. And we really need the premier and the minister of finance to come clean."
Walker said he fears social workers and those who provide services for women and children will bear the brunt of job losses.
Campbell said his government would recall the legislature early next week to table a bill that would suspend current legislation that requires the Liberal government to present a balanced budget on Feb. 17.
Maureen Bader of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation said the Liberals should have done more.
"We have a balanced budget law so that when the going gets tough, the governments — these politicians — can actually stand up and say, 'No, we need to make the tough decision to keep this budget balanced,' " Bader said. "But instead of making the tough decisions, we've got a premier and finance minister who are just rolling over."
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Sunday, February 1, 2009
Middle ground found over committee structure.
By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star
Published: January 29, 2009 6:00 PM
Published: January 29, 2009 6:00 PM
Middle ground found over committee structure.Consensus has surfaced over how Greater Vernon’s shared services should be administered.
Details on how the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee should operate were hammered out during a joint meeting of Vernon and Coldstream councils, as well as the directors for Areas B and C Tuesday.
“It’s a move in the right direction,” said Jim Garlick, Coldstream mayor.
Coldstream had proposed that GVAC be split up into two separate entities for water and parks and recreation, and to allow more officials to sit at the table than is currently allowed.
What was decided on Tuesday, though, was that everything remain within one committee and the voting structure remain the same, except for the possible addition of the Vernon School District on some parks matters and an agricultural representative on issues dealing with water.
Coldstream would also be able to have alternate directors when their regular representatives aren’t present.
Garlick believes Coldstream’s concerns about representation have been addressed.
“Now we have two representatives on the committee. If it’s workable, let’s make it work and move ahead,” he said, adding that he doesn’t want GVAC to become bogged down in governance discussions.
The recommendations from the joint council meeting will now be passed on to the chairman of the North Okanagan Regional District, which determines committee structure.
There also appears to be some middle ground forming on trying to keep all jurisdictions involved in water distribution.
“We’ve got a good start and everyone is talking,” said Wayne Lippert, Vernon mayor. “Everyone has an open mind and wants to do what’s best for the citizens.”
Last spring, the city announced it would withdraw from regional water distribution for a number of reasons, including a lack of co-ordination on capital projects among jurisdictions and the belief that customers are confused over the governance structure.
Everyone at the table Tuesday says there is a need to work out the matter on their own and to avoid going to costly arbitration.
“A lot of this stuff can be resolved,” said Mike MacNabb, BX-Silver Star director.
Lippert believes much of the recent conflict can be linked to some former politicians.
“The personalities that were there were causing this. It’s the structure that’s been screwed up by us politicians,” he said.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Now that the GVAC structure appears to have been resolved let’s hope that we can also resolve the water devolution issue to everyone’s satisfaction.
It must be remembered that to date Coldstream was only a contributor without any tangible benefit.
At the time the Water Utility was formed Coldstream and the Regional District contributed their water licenses to the utility with significant overages for future use. The City has already exceeded its water license allocation.
The District also contributed reserve funds amounting to about $1 million. The City was in a deficiency position.
During the last seven years residents of both Coldstream and Electoral Areas B and C contributed large sums of money to the Utility through water rates with no tangible benefits. The only benefit to date accrued to the City.
These issues must be taken into consideration during a successful negotiation process.
The Eagle.
Details on how the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee should operate were hammered out during a joint meeting of Vernon and Coldstream councils, as well as the directors for Areas B and C Tuesday.
“It’s a move in the right direction,” said Jim Garlick, Coldstream mayor.
Coldstream had proposed that GVAC be split up into two separate entities for water and parks and recreation, and to allow more officials to sit at the table than is currently allowed.
What was decided on Tuesday, though, was that everything remain within one committee and the voting structure remain the same, except for the possible addition of the Vernon School District on some parks matters and an agricultural representative on issues dealing with water.
Coldstream would also be able to have alternate directors when their regular representatives aren’t present.
Garlick believes Coldstream’s concerns about representation have been addressed.
“Now we have two representatives on the committee. If it’s workable, let’s make it work and move ahead,” he said, adding that he doesn’t want GVAC to become bogged down in governance discussions.
The recommendations from the joint council meeting will now be passed on to the chairman of the North Okanagan Regional District, which determines committee structure.
There also appears to be some middle ground forming on trying to keep all jurisdictions involved in water distribution.
“We’ve got a good start and everyone is talking,” said Wayne Lippert, Vernon mayor. “Everyone has an open mind and wants to do what’s best for the citizens.”
Last spring, the city announced it would withdraw from regional water distribution for a number of reasons, including a lack of co-ordination on capital projects among jurisdictions and the belief that customers are confused over the governance structure.
Everyone at the table Tuesday says there is a need to work out the matter on their own and to avoid going to costly arbitration.
“A lot of this stuff can be resolved,” said Mike MacNabb, BX-Silver Star director.
Lippert believes much of the recent conflict can be linked to some former politicians.
“The personalities that were there were causing this. It’s the structure that’s been screwed up by us politicians,” he said.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Now that the GVAC structure appears to have been resolved let’s hope that we can also resolve the water devolution issue to everyone’s satisfaction.
It must be remembered that to date Coldstream was only a contributor without any tangible benefit.
At the time the Water Utility was formed Coldstream and the Regional District contributed their water licenses to the utility with significant overages for future use. The City has already exceeded its water license allocation.
The District also contributed reserve funds amounting to about $1 million. The City was in a deficiency position.
During the last seven years residents of both Coldstream and Electoral Areas B and C contributed large sums of money to the Utility through water rates with no tangible benefits. The only benefit to date accrued to the City.
These issues must be taken into consideration during a successful negotiation process.
The Eagle.
***************************************************************
Council meeting - February 2, 2009
SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM
TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2009
IN THE MUNICIPAL HALL CHAMBERS
9901 KALAMALKA ROAD, COLDSTREAM, BC
AT 7:30 PM
A G E N D A
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agenda Package
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Saturday, January 31, 2009
Employment opportunity -- District of Coldstream
DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM
DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
The District of Coldstream, a progressive community of 10,000 population situated in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, is seeking applicants to fill the position of Director of Financial Administration.
Reporting to the Administrator, the Director of Financial Administration is responsible for performing the statutory duties of Chief Financial Officer in accordance with the Community Charter. The Director of Financial Administration is required to attend Council meetings as well as other internal and external committee and public meetings on an ‘as required’ basis.
Key Responsibilities:
Decision Making Authority:
Responsibility:
This position offers a competitive salary as well as an extensive benefits package and compressed work schedule.
Please forward your application by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2009, to:
Administrator
District of Coldstream
9901 Kalamalka Road
Coldstream, BC V1B 1L6
Fax: 250-545-4733
Email: info@districtofcoldstream.ca
Reporting to the Administrator, the Director of Financial Administration is responsible for performing the statutory duties of Chief Financial Officer in accordance with the Community Charter. The Director of Financial Administration is required to attend Council meetings as well as other internal and external committee and public meetings on an ‘as required’ basis.
Key Responsibilities:
• Provide recommendations through the Administrator to Council, as well as other standing, steering or ad hoc committees as designed by the Administrator
• Provide professional leadership to subordinate staff as needed, with matters such as project development and management, problem-solving, establishment of systems to address routine and recurring tasks, development of terms of reference and specifications for special projects, development of long-term plans, and preparation of committee agenda reports and submissions
• Participate as a member of the senior management team in development and maintenance of strategic and corporate goals and objectives
• Responsible for the statutory powers, duties and functions of Chief Financial Officer in accordance with the Community Charter
• Provide staff leadership in preparation of budgets and financial statements and setting of tax rates and fees, and all financial matters related to District operations
• Provide varied assistance to the Administrator, such as: research to produce reports, summaries, or schedules; field enquiries of a financial nature; facilitation in the development of policy and procedure dealing with financial matters
• Maintain harmonious working relationships with staff, elected officials, members of the business community, and the general public
• Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time Typical Activities:
• Attend Council meetings and provide input as requested and as appropriate. Prepare reports and background documentation as required. Ensure that the Administrator and/or Council members are adequately briefed on all relevant matters at all times.
• Under the general direction of the Administrator, initiate actions required by Council and coordinate and monitor assigned tasks emerging from the meetings.
• Manage projects by liaising with staff, consultants and contractors, monitoring project budgets and schedules and communicating with various regulatory agencies as necessary.
• As designated by the Administrator, may represent the District at the inter-governmental level.
Decision Making Authority:
• Approval of expenditures within annual budget limitations and pursuant to expenditure authorization limits
• Appropriate delegation of responsibilities and tasks to staff
Responsibility:
• Optimum use of resourcesSalary / Benefits:
• Management of workload to meet deadlines and managing expectation of Council
• Public interface
• Dealing with politically sensitive issues
• Provide leadership, advice, and information regarding all District financial matters
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
• CA, CGA or CMA designation, together with a minimum five (5) years of related
experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible relevant experience, preferably including experience in local or regional government
• Understanding of Public Service Accounting Board Principles and Practices
• Experience in management of staff
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills (written and verbal)
• Excellent team leadership and development skills
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize
• Ability to work independently on own initiative
• Excellent computer skills (particularly spreadsheets)
This position offers a competitive salary as well as an extensive benefits package and compressed work schedule.
Please forward your application by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2009, to:
Administrator
District of Coldstream
9901 Kalamalka Road
Coldstream, BC V1B 1L6
Fax: 250-545-4733
Email: info@districtofcoldstream.ca
********************************************************************
Treasurer departs municipal office -- By Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star
Published: January 30, 2009 4:00 PM
Updated: January 30, 2009 4:26 PM
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Updated: January 30, 2009 4:26 PM
A new council with a new direction has sent another Coldstream staff member packing.
Just six weeks after Coldstream council dismissed chief administrative officer Wendy Kay, another staff member is leaving.
Catherine Lord, director of financial administration, has put in her notice effective the end of February (the last two weeks of which she’ll be on holidays).
“They (council) are going in a different direction,” said Lord of her decision.
“It’s not the direction I want to go.”
Lord, who has worked at the district for four years, adds that council’s decision to dismiss Kay definitely played a part in her decision to leave.
“We actually had a really good management team here,” said Lord, adding that she will miss the staff.
“It’s a super group of staff.”
Lord’s announcement comes as a surprise to Coun. Bill Firman.
“It came out of the blue. We never had a fight with her, there was no complaint, I don’t know why,” said Firman, who is one of the few councillors who has worked with Lord longer than a few months.
While Firman doesn’t deny that this council is heading in a new direction, he believes Lord’s decision is more of a personnel matter, which he could not discuss.
“There is a new direction, and for the better. No doubt about that,” said Firman, pointing to water distribution problems and local issues that are finally being focussed on.
“But it’s got nothing to do with her that I ever saw.”
The loss of Coldstream’s director of finance comes at a time when council is anticipated to discuss the budget, which must be finalized in May.
Firman anticipates the district will get through budget deliberations with the aid of an accountant.
After February, Lord plans on remaining in the area to pursue work.
She came to Coldstream following a lengthy 18-year career with the City of Vernon as deputy treasurer.
Last year, she was nominated for Vernon Women in Business’ Woman of the Year award.
She is currently involved with the North Okanagan Community Foundation and has previously served as treasurer at the O’Keefe Ranch, was involved with the Vernon Women’s Transition House Society, Vernon Rotary Club and was president of the Ribbons of Green Trail Society during the construction of the boardwalk.
Mayor Jim Garlick could not be reached for comment.
Just six weeks after Coldstream council dismissed chief administrative officer Wendy Kay, another staff member is leaving.
Catherine Lord, director of financial administration, has put in her notice effective the end of February (the last two weeks of which she’ll be on holidays).
“They (council) are going in a different direction,” said Lord of her decision.
“It’s not the direction I want to go.”
Lord, who has worked at the district for four years, adds that council’s decision to dismiss Kay definitely played a part in her decision to leave.
“We actually had a really good management team here,” said Lord, adding that she will miss the staff.
“It’s a super group of staff.”
Lord’s announcement comes as a surprise to Coun. Bill Firman.
“It came out of the blue. We never had a fight with her, there was no complaint, I don’t know why,” said Firman, who is one of the few councillors who has worked with Lord longer than a few months.
While Firman doesn’t deny that this council is heading in a new direction, he believes Lord’s decision is more of a personnel matter, which he could not discuss.
“There is a new direction, and for the better. No doubt about that,” said Firman, pointing to water distribution problems and local issues that are finally being focussed on.
“But it’s got nothing to do with her that I ever saw.”
The loss of Coldstream’s director of finance comes at a time when council is anticipated to discuss the budget, which must be finalized in May.
Firman anticipates the district will get through budget deliberations with the aid of an accountant.
After February, Lord plans on remaining in the area to pursue work.
She came to Coldstream following a lengthy 18-year career with the City of Vernon as deputy treasurer.
Last year, she was nominated for Vernon Women in Business’ Woman of the Year award.
She is currently involved with the North Okanagan Community Foundation and has previously served as treasurer at the O’Keefe Ranch, was involved with the Vernon Women’s Transition House Society, Vernon Rotary Club and was president of the Ribbons of Green Trail Society during the construction of the boardwalk.
Mayor Jim Garlick could not be reached for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coldstream Council has not sent another staff member packing!
It is true that this new Council has a new direction but that was anticipated by the electorate when they elected this Council. Staff's responsibilities are to carry out Council's directions. It is not staff that dictate policy directions, it is the representatives of the taxpayers who do that. A staff member who is unwilling to follow the new directions has a choice of resigning and that is what happened here.
With the comment "It’s not the direction I want to go”, the Director of Finance announced that she would have preferred to dictate policy. That was not her role, thus, she took the honourable alternative of resignation.
Obviously, Council will miss her dedicated service but in a democracy the elected representatives set policy!
It is true that this new Council has a new direction but that was anticipated by the electorate when they elected this Council. Staff's responsibilities are to carry out Council's directions. It is not staff that dictate policy directions, it is the representatives of the taxpayers who do that. A staff member who is unwilling to follow the new directions has a choice of resigning and that is what happened here.
With the comment "It’s not the direction I want to go”, the Director of Finance announced that she would have preferred to dictate policy. That was not her role, thus, she took the honourable alternative of resignation.
Obviously, Council will miss her dedicated service but in a democracy the elected representatives set policy!
***********************************************************
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Selected article, MS -- 2009-01-28
----------------------------------------------------------------
Anyone who thinks that the Block MP's are not fully legitimate representatives of their electorate should take a refreshing course in Canadian constitutional studies. Quebec is one of the ten provinces with full rights. Their elected MP's have the same rights as any other MP. The writer of the letter is correct and should be commended!
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Monday, January 26, 2009
Council meeting - Reminder
PUBLIC HEARING THE CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM
TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2009
IN THE MUNICIPAL HALL CHAMBERS 9901 KALAMALKA ROAD, COLDSTREAM, BC
AT 7:00 PM
AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM
TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2009
IN THE MUNICIPAL HALL CHAMBERS
9901 KALAMALKA ROAD, COLDSTREAM, BC
FOLLOWING THE PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR 7:00 PM
A G E N D A
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agenda package 1
------------------------------------------------------
Agenda package 2
***********************************************************************
TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2009
IN THE MUNICIPAL HALL CHAMBERS 9901 KALAMALKA ROAD, COLDSTREAM, BC
AT 7:00 PM
AGENDA
--------------------------------------------------------------------
REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM
TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2009
IN THE MUNICIPAL HALL CHAMBERS
9901 KALAMALKA ROAD, COLDSTREAM, BC
FOLLOWING THE PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR 7:00 PM
A G E N D A
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agenda package 1
------------------------------------------------------
Agenda package 2
***********************************************************************
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Selected article, MS -- 2009-01-25
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This action is similar to the action the City has taken with respect to the sewage sludge they wish to dump into the garbage dump. I don't suppose they are paying any fees for the use of the park for the snow storage. Which reminds me: they only want to pay 10% of the fees everyone else is paying for the privilege of dumping into the landfill.
There seems to be plenty of room in Polson Park, perhaps the City should consider using that for snow storage.
There seems to be plenty of room in Polson Park, perhaps the City should consider using that for snow storage.
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Saturday, January 24, 2009
Laughter is the best medicine -- with apologies to lawyers and engineers.
Three lawyers and three engineers are traveling by train to a conference. At the station, each of the three lawyers buys a ticket while the three engineers buy only one ticket.
"How can the three of you travel on one ticket?" asks a lawyer.
"Watch and you'll see," answers an engineer.
Aboard the train the lawyers take their respective seats while all three engineers cram into the restroom and squeeze the door closed behind them.
When the conductor comes around collecting tickets, he knocks on the restroom door and says, "Ticket, please." The door opens a crack and a single arm emerges with a ticket in hand. The conductor takes it and moves on.
The lawyers are impressed with this clever idea. One the way home from the conference, they decide to copy the engineers' technique. At the station, they buy a single ticket for their return trip. To their astonishment, the engineers don't buy a ticket at all!
"How in the hell are you going to pull this off?" asks a lawyer.
"Watch and you'll see," answers an engineer.
They board the train. The three lawyers cram into one restroom and the three engineers cram into the other restroom.
Shortly after the train departs, one of the engineers leaves his restroom and knocks on the other restroom door. "Ticket, please!"
********************************************************************
Canada's Harper signals permanent tax cuts in budget
By Frank McGurty
TORONTO (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper signaled on Saturday for the first time that the budget his government will introduce next week will contain permanent tax cuts, not just short-term measures to lift the sagging economy.
"I think that if we're talking about tax cuts, these measures in most cases have to be permanent to be effective," the Conservative leader said in an interview with La Presse, the French-language daily.
Harper's minority government will introduce a budget on Tuesday for the coming fiscal year that will call for Canada's first deficit in a decade.
The package is expected to feature measures to stimulate Canada's flagging economy, including spending billions of dollars to build roads, bridges and other infrastructure, and modest tax cuts for consumers and businesses.
Canada has avoided deficits since 1996-97, and Harper has vowed that his government would never allow a return to permanent or "structural" fiscal shortfalls.
To that end, most of the stimulus measures in the package for the 12 months beginning April 1 are expected to be short term in nature, such as infrastructure projects, whose funding would end with their completion.
Harper, a longtime fiscal conservative and free-market champion, said on Saturday that the global economic crisis gave the government little choice.
"I think we're in a rare time where you need a deficit," Harper said in a separate interview with the Toronto Star newspaper, pointing to a sharp decline in consumer spending and business investment.
In the campaign before the October 14 federal election, Harper insisted Canada could avoid a deficit even as the global economy deteriorated. Most economists say Canada entered a recession in the fourth quarter of 2008.
DEFICIT SPENDING
"We're only moving into deficit because of the declining revenues of the slowing economy and ... our spending initiatives," the prime minister said in an interview with Global Television aired on Saturday.
"Those spending initiatives will run out eventually ... and our revenues will recover, so we should over four or five years, if we stay on track, return to a healthy surplus," he said.
The government envisions C$64 billion ($52 billion) in deficit spending over the next two fiscal years, an aide to Harper told reporters on Thursday, revealing a long-awaited number that has the potential to hurt the Conservatives.
The Liberals, the main opposition party in Parliament, have said they may vote against the budget and bring down the minority government if they consider the package inadequate.
Opposition parties have accepted the need for short-term deficits but have criticized the government for earlier tax cuts that they say led to narrower surpluses.
Public opinion appears to be divided over the issue of deficits. A slim majority of Canadians believe deficits of the size the government is planning are necessary to pull the economy out of recession, according to a Ipsos Reid poll released on Saturday.
But 41 percent of those surveyed said the spending was a waste of money.
Michael Ignatieff, the Liberal leader, said on Friday the government was irresponsible in leaking the size of the expected deficits. Ignatieff, who has said his party will wait until Wednesday before announcing how it will vote on the budget, accused Harper of playing political games at a time of crisis.
**************************************************************************
Thank you, Ratepayers!
Friday’s potluck supper organized by the Coldstream Ratepayers Association was an unqualified success. There were about 80 people enjoying some delicious food and free beverages.
The “very special guest speaker” turned out to be Coldstream’s new Mayor Jim Garlick who emphasized that there is a need for the Association to help Council in maintaining connection with the residents of Coldstream and obtain valuable input to members of Council. In total five members of Council were present and recognized by the President of the Association, Steve Heeren.
Other distinguished guests were Leo Lecavalier, the reinstated Fire Chief and his family and Ken Henry, Assistant Fire Chief all of whom were recognized by the participants.
The event was well organized and the organizers, led by Louise Christy, deserve kudos for their excellent work. Many people expressed their belief that there should be more of these events to ensure a greater community spirit.
On behalf of Council I would like to thank the Ratepayers for the excellent event.
Gyula Kiss
****************************************************************
Friday, January 23, 2009
Readers write -- The Rambo Granny of Melbourne, Australia
Gun-toting granny Ava Estelle, 81, was so ticked-off when two thugs raped her 18-year-old granddaughter that she tracked the unsuspecting ex-cons down - and shot off their testicles.
The old lady spent a week hunting those men down - and, when she found them, she took revenge on them in her own special way, said Melbourne police investigator Evan Delp.
Then she took a taxi to the nearest police station, laid the gun on the sergeant's desk and told him as calm as could be: 'Those bastards will never rape anybody again, by God.'
Cops say convicted rapist and robber Davis Furth , 33, lost both his penis and his testicles when outraged Ava opened fire with a 9-mm pistol in the hotel room where he and former prison cell mate Stanley Thomas, 29, were holed up.
The wrinkled avenger also blew Thomas' testicles to kingdom come, but doctors managed to save his mangled penis, police said. 'The one guy, Thomas, didn't lose his manhood, 'but the doctor I talked to said he won't be using it the way he used to,'
Detective Delp told reporters. 'Both men are still in pretty bad shape, 'but I think they're just happy to be alive after what they've been through.'
The Rambo Granny swung into action August 21 after her granddaughter Debbie was carjacked and raped in broad daylight by two knife-wielding creeps in a section of town bordering on skid row.
'When I saw the look on my Debbie's face that night in the hospital, 'I decided I was going to go out and get those bastards myself ''cause I figured the Law would go easy on them,' recalled the retired library worker. 'And I wasn't scared of them, either - because I've got me a gun and I've been shootin' all my life. 'And I wasn't dumb enough to turn it in when the law changed about owning one.'
So, using a police artist's sketch of the suspects and Debbie's description of the sickos, tough-as-nails Ava spent seven days prowling the wino-infested neighborhood where the crime took place till she spotted the ill-fated rapists entering their flophouse hotel.
'I knew it was them the minute I saw 'em, but I shot a picture of 'em anyway' and took it back to Debbie and she said sure as hell, it was them,' the oldster recalled.
'So I went back to that hotel and found their room and knocked on the door, 'and the minute the big one opened the door, I shot 'em right square between the legs, 'right where it would really hurt 'em most, you know.
'Then I went in and shot the other one 'as he backed up pleading to me to spare him. 'Then I went down to the police station and turned myself in.'
Now, baffled lawmen are trying to figure out exactly how to deal with the vigilante granny. 'What she did was wrong, and she broke the law, but it is difficult to throw an 81-year-old woman in prison,' Det. Delp said, 'especially when 3 million people in the city want to nominate her for Mayor.'
DEPORT HER TO Canada - WE NEED HER
The old lady spent a week hunting those men down - and, when she found them, she took revenge on them in her own special way, said Melbourne police investigator Evan Delp.
Then she took a taxi to the nearest police station, laid the gun on the sergeant's desk and told him as calm as could be: 'Those bastards will never rape anybody again, by God.'
Cops say convicted rapist and robber Davis Furth , 33, lost both his penis and his testicles when outraged Ava opened fire with a 9-mm pistol in the hotel room where he and former prison cell mate Stanley Thomas, 29, were holed up.
The wrinkled avenger also blew Thomas' testicles to kingdom come, but doctors managed to save his mangled penis, police said. 'The one guy, Thomas, didn't lose his manhood, 'but the doctor I talked to said he won't be using it the way he used to,'
Detective Delp told reporters. 'Both men are still in pretty bad shape, 'but I think they're just happy to be alive after what they've been through.'
The Rambo Granny swung into action August 21 after her granddaughter Debbie was carjacked and raped in broad daylight by two knife-wielding creeps in a section of town bordering on skid row.
'When I saw the look on my Debbie's face that night in the hospital, 'I decided I was going to go out and get those bastards myself ''cause I figured the Law would go easy on them,' recalled the retired library worker. 'And I wasn't scared of them, either - because I've got me a gun and I've been shootin' all my life. 'And I wasn't dumb enough to turn it in when the law changed about owning one.'
So, using a police artist's sketch of the suspects and Debbie's description of the sickos, tough-as-nails Ava spent seven days prowling the wino-infested neighborhood where the crime took place till she spotted the ill-fated rapists entering their flophouse hotel.
'I knew it was them the minute I saw 'em, but I shot a picture of 'em anyway' and took it back to Debbie and she said sure as hell, it was them,' the oldster recalled.
'So I went back to that hotel and found their room and knocked on the door, 'and the minute the big one opened the door, I shot 'em right square between the legs, 'right where it would really hurt 'em most, you know.
'Then I went in and shot the other one 'as he backed up pleading to me to spare him. 'Then I went down to the police station and turned myself in.'
Now, baffled lawmen are trying to figure out exactly how to deal with the vigilante granny. 'What she did was wrong, and she broke the law, but it is difficult to throw an 81-year-old woman in prison,' Det. Delp said, 'especially when 3 million people in the city want to nominate her for Mayor.'
DEPORT HER TO Canada - WE NEED HER
*************************************************************
Economic Stimulus Presents Opportunity for Innovation -- Green Party press release
LUMBY: The Green party believes the economic crisis combined with the Climate Crisis create an opportunity to shift the economy towards a more sustainable path. Huguette Allen, Industry/Small Business Critic on the Green Party Shadow Cabinet contributed to developing the Green Stimulus Plan that shows how government spending should be an investment in the future of Canada.
"Every dollar spent must benefit Canadians today and tomorrow by creating jobs that are sustainable, increasing the health and quality of life for future generations, and help make us more resilient against sudden shocks" says Huguette Allen. "This means eliminating Corporate Welfare by cutting the billions of dollars given in subsidies to the fossil fuel, nuclear and mining sectors, while investing in a low carbon future and repairing our degraded environment so the next generation has access to the resources they will need."
The Green Economic Plan includes increasing support to local economies and agriculture, investing in value-added manufacturing, renewable energies, habitat rehabilitation, Arts and Culture, transport infrastructures - no new roads but repairing existing ones and improving rail - water and waste infrastructures, redressing the inequities faced by First nations people, and training for a new economy. It also includes extending Canada's social safety net to help those most in need and and providing tax relief.
The Green Party ascribes to the guidelines provided by the International Monetary Fund that say spending to kick-start the slowing economy should stay within 2% of GDP. The Green Stimulus Plan is available online at www.greenparty.ca. Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada, unveiled the Green Party's economic stimulus package yesterday at a press conference in Ottawa.
Contact:
Huguette Allen
250-547-0272
www.OkShuswapGreens.ca
"Every dollar spent must benefit Canadians today and tomorrow by creating jobs that are sustainable, increasing the health and quality of life for future generations, and help make us more resilient against sudden shocks" says Huguette Allen. "This means eliminating Corporate Welfare by cutting the billions of dollars given in subsidies to the fossil fuel, nuclear and mining sectors, while investing in a low carbon future and repairing our degraded environment so the next generation has access to the resources they will need."
The Green Economic Plan includes increasing support to local economies and agriculture, investing in value-added manufacturing, renewable energies, habitat rehabilitation, Arts and Culture, transport infrastructures - no new roads but repairing existing ones and improving rail - water and waste infrastructures, redressing the inequities faced by First nations people, and training for a new economy. It also includes extending Canada's social safety net to help those most in need and and providing tax relief.
The Green Party ascribes to the guidelines provided by the International Monetary Fund that say spending to kick-start the slowing economy should stay within 2% of GDP. The Green Stimulus Plan is available online at www.greenparty.ca. Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada, unveiled the Green Party's economic stimulus package yesterday at a press conference in Ottawa.
Contact:
Huguette Allen
250-547-0272
www.OkShuswapGreens.ca
***************************************************************
Public Hearing and Council meeting -- January 26, 2009.
PUBLIC HEARING THE CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM
TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2009
IN THE MUNICIPAL HALL CHAMBERS 9901 KALAMALKA ROAD, COLDSTREAM, BC
AT 7:00 PM
AGENDA
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM
TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2009
IN THE MUNICIPAL HALL CHAMBERS
9901 KALAMALKA ROAD, COLDSTREAM, BC
FOLLOWING THE PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR 7:00 PM
A G E N D A
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agenda package 1
------------------------------------------------------
Agenda package 2
*****************************************************************************
TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2009
IN THE MUNICIPAL HALL CHAMBERS 9901 KALAMALKA ROAD, COLDSTREAM, BC
AT 7:00 PM
AGENDA
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM
TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2009
IN THE MUNICIPAL HALL CHAMBERS
9901 KALAMALKA ROAD, COLDSTREAM, BC
FOLLOWING THE PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR 7:00 PM
A G E N D A
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agenda package 1
------------------------------------------------------
Agenda package 2
*****************************************************************************
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Border officer says she did her job in tearful testimony B.C. Taser inquiry
By James Keller, The Canadian Press
VANCOUVER, B.C. - The border officer who told Robert Dziekanski's mother that the man likely wasn't in Vancouver's airport says it was "unbelievably shocking" that he died, but says she did her job and wouldn't have done anything differently.
Dziekanski stayed mostly unnoticed in a secure customs area for hours on Oct. 13, 2007, before he finally cleared customs, only to encounter four RCMP officers who stunned him with a Taser.
While Dziekanski was inside the customs hall, his mother and her friend were in a public meeting area asking airport staff and an immigration officer for help in finding the man who didn't speak English
Tina Zadravec received a call from Zofia Cisowski's friend Rick Hutchinson, telling her they had been waiting for hours and wondering if Dziekanski was still in customs.
Zadravec told the inquiry into Dziekanski's death that she quickly scanned several spots in a secondary screening area.
When she saw no sign of the man, she made several suggestions to the Cisowski and Hutchinson, including heading home to Kamloops, B.C., and waiting for a phone call.
She said she didn't attempt to page Dziekanski or call other staff who would have been able to easily confirm he had arrived in the customs hall hours earlier.
And when Zadravec actually saw Dziekanski later in the evening, she alerted a co-worker that she had received a call about him earlier, but did not try contacting Cisowski or suggest it to other officers.
"I think about it a lot, but I wouldn't do anything differently," she said while wiping tears from her face.
"If I knew he was going to die, I would have done everything differently, but I did my job."
Zadravec also told the inquiry she had not been trained to react differently since the death.
It was only when her shift was winding down that another officer told her about Dziekanski's fatal encounter with police.
"It was unbelievably shocking, because the earlier interaction was just absolutely fine, it appeared pleasant, calm, relaxed," she said.
"Becoming a permanent resident is usually an absolutely joyous event, and it was just truly horrible that this person died."
Zadravec told police in a statement in December 2007 that Dziekanski appeared drunk and like he had just woken up. She assumed that explained the delay between when he landed and eventually showed up to be processed.
Lawyers for the RCMP officers focused on those statements, which prompted Dziekanski's mother sitting in the gallery to shout out, "Liar."
An autopsy found no alcohol or drugs in Dziekanski's system.
Zadravec said she was aware there were translators available, but didn't call one.
She also said even if she did find out any information about Dziekanski, the federal Privacy Act would have prevented her from telling Cisowski or her friend anyway.
That revelation prompted a question from retired judge Thomas Braidwood, who is overseeing the inquiry.
"How can someone outside (the customs area) determine whether their friend has come?" asked Braidwood.
"I'm not aware of any way they could do that," Zadravec replied.
Cisowski's lawyer, Walter Kosteckyj, said staff had numerous opportunities to help Dziekanski and his mother, but said instead their response was, at best, "benign neglect."
"This whole mess that we have going on where we hide behind the Privacy Act to claim that we can't help people, it's just a bunch of nonsense," he told reporters during a break in the hearings.
"Here was a simple situation. Had the airport authority and their employees wanted to go in and look for Mr. Dziekanski, there was nothing stopping them. ... Had they really wanted to deal with this woman's plight, after six or seven hours of begging for help, it could have been done, even then."
The airport and the Canada Border Services Agency have been criticized for how they dealt with Dziekanski, specifically for not finding a translator and for allowing him to stay in a secure customs area for hours without anyone noticing he was there or that he hadn't made it through customs.
The inquiry is scheduled to sit until the end of February, at which time Braidwood will prepare a report on what happened and make recommendations aimed at preventing a similar incident in the future.
Dziekanski stayed mostly unnoticed in a secure customs area for hours on Oct. 13, 2007, before he finally cleared customs, only to encounter four RCMP officers who stunned him with a Taser.
While Dziekanski was inside the customs hall, his mother and her friend were in a public meeting area asking airport staff and an immigration officer for help in finding the man who didn't speak English
Tina Zadravec received a call from Zofia Cisowski's friend Rick Hutchinson, telling her they had been waiting for hours and wondering if Dziekanski was still in customs.
Zadravec told the inquiry into Dziekanski's death that she quickly scanned several spots in a secondary screening area.
When she saw no sign of the man, she made several suggestions to the Cisowski and Hutchinson, including heading home to Kamloops, B.C., and waiting for a phone call.
She said she didn't attempt to page Dziekanski or call other staff who would have been able to easily confirm he had arrived in the customs hall hours earlier.
And when Zadravec actually saw Dziekanski later in the evening, she alerted a co-worker that she had received a call about him earlier, but did not try contacting Cisowski or suggest it to other officers.
"I think about it a lot, but I wouldn't do anything differently," she said while wiping tears from her face.
"If I knew he was going to die, I would have done everything differently, but I did my job."
Zadravec also told the inquiry she had not been trained to react differently since the death.
It was only when her shift was winding down that another officer told her about Dziekanski's fatal encounter with police.
"It was unbelievably shocking, because the earlier interaction was just absolutely fine, it appeared pleasant, calm, relaxed," she said.
"Becoming a permanent resident is usually an absolutely joyous event, and it was just truly horrible that this person died."
Zadravec told police in a statement in December 2007 that Dziekanski appeared drunk and like he had just woken up. She assumed that explained the delay between when he landed and eventually showed up to be processed.
Lawyers for the RCMP officers focused on those statements, which prompted Dziekanski's mother sitting in the gallery to shout out, "Liar."
An autopsy found no alcohol or drugs in Dziekanski's system.
Zadravec said she was aware there were translators available, but didn't call one.
She also said even if she did find out any information about Dziekanski, the federal Privacy Act would have prevented her from telling Cisowski or her friend anyway.
That revelation prompted a question from retired judge Thomas Braidwood, who is overseeing the inquiry.
"How can someone outside (the customs area) determine whether their friend has come?" asked Braidwood.
"I'm not aware of any way they could do that," Zadravec replied.
Cisowski's lawyer, Walter Kosteckyj, said staff had numerous opportunities to help Dziekanski and his mother, but said instead their response was, at best, "benign neglect."
"This whole mess that we have going on where we hide behind the Privacy Act to claim that we can't help people, it's just a bunch of nonsense," he told reporters during a break in the hearings.
"Here was a simple situation. Had the airport authority and their employees wanted to go in and look for Mr. Dziekanski, there was nothing stopping them. ... Had they really wanted to deal with this woman's plight, after six or seven hours of begging for help, it could have been done, even then."
The airport and the Canada Border Services Agency have been criticized for how they dealt with Dziekanski, specifically for not finding a translator and for allowing him to stay in a secure customs area for hours without anyone noticing he was there or that he hadn't made it through customs.
The inquiry is scheduled to sit until the end of February, at which time Braidwood will prepare a report on what happened and make recommendations aimed at preventing a similar incident in the future.
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Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Babies know!
. . . today's results were preordained. As witness these pictures:
|
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And then!
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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.