Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize to mixed reviews

By Wojciech Moskwa and Matt Spetalnick

OSLO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for offering the world hope and striving for nuclear disarmament in a surprise award that drew both warm praise and sharp criticism.

The bestowal of one of the world's top accolades on a president less than nine months in office, who has yet to score a major foreign policy success, was greeted with gasps of astonishment from journalists at the announcement in Oslo.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised Obama for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.

Critics -- some in parts of the Arab and Muslim world -- called the committee decision premature. (more)

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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT – Interior Health.

Use Your ER Wisely – Advice for Patients with Flu-Like Symptoms

Interior Health would like to remind everyone that hospital Emergency Departments are designed for the treatment of seriously ill patients and those requiring urgent care. If you go to the Emergency Department when your symptoms aren’t serious, this can result in high volumes and delays in treatment.

Most cases of the H1N1 flu virus in BC have been mild, with people recovering on their own, at home. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, particularly if you have a cough and a fever, it’s advised you stay home for 7-10 days or until your symptoms have resolved and you’re able to continue with daily activities. This will help prevent the spread of disease.

Anyone who has concerns about their symptoms or whose symptoms worsen, should contact HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 or log on to their website at www.healthlinkbc.ca. This line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A nurse will be available take your call and advise you of the appropriate next steps.

The “H1N1 symptom checker” has also been added to the HealthLink BC website. Based on the answers, the tool will let you know how soon to seek care by a health professional and/or provide a link on information about H1N1. The tool will not provide a diagnosis for H1N1.

While emergencies are unavoidable, there are some things people can do to avoid unnecessary visits to the hospital:

· Symptoms related to H1N1 are cough, fever, general aches, and fatigue and may last up to 10 days or longer for some people. If you, or a family member are experiencing these symptoms, stay at home until your symptoms resolve.

· Call HealthLink BC (8-1-1) or log on to their website at www.healthlinkbc.ca if you have questions– this service is available 24 hours a day seven days a week.

· If you need non-urgent care, first contact your family doctor, or the doctor on call for their clinic or practice. Advise them of your symptoms in advance by calling ahead.

For more information on how to protect yourself from influenza, and how to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu virus, visit www.interiorhealth.ca

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Letter to the Editor, Morning Star -- Coldstream Mayor responds.

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GVAC meeting -- October 8, 2009 -- Agenda.

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NORD Meeting -- October 7, 2009

REGIONAL DISTRICT OF NORTH OKANAGAN
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
3:00 p.m.

AGENDA

A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

1. Agenda – October 7, 2009

RECOMMENDATION No. 1

(Unweighted Corporate Vote – Simple Majority)

That the Agenda of the October 7, 2009 Committee of the Whole be approved as presented.

B. NEW BUSINESS

1. 2010 – 2014 Financial Plan

- Memorandum dated September 28, 2009

a. Budget Timelines
b. Current Budget Development Assumptions
c. Budget Instructions for 2010
d. Strategic Guidelines

C. ADJOURNMENT

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REGIONAL DISTRICT OF NORTH OKANAGAN
REGIONAL BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
4:00 pm
REGULAR AGENDA

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Okanagan Basin Water Board meeting at NORD, 2009-10-06.

The meeting is open to the public.

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Calgary Zoo officials can't imagine why man scaled fence at tiger exhibit -- The Canadian Press

CALGARY - Calgary Zoo officials say they don't know why a man scaled one of two fences around the Siberian tiger exhibit where he was attacked by one of the big cats and badly injured.

Zoo spokesman Grahame Newton says the incident, which happened in the dead of night, has left staff wondering what the man was thinking.

"It wouldn't be something I would try," Newton told reporters at a news conference Monday.

"I don't think any reasonable person would want to get that close to a potentially dangerous carnivore. They are behind those enclosures for good reason and most definitely I would have to wonder what was going through a person's mind to do something like that."

Newton said two men, both 27, broke into the zoo at around 1 a.m. by scaling the 2 1/2-metre-high main fence. That fence is topped with barbed wire.

They then made their way to the tiger exhibit.

Newton said one man climbed the outer safety fence around the enclosure. The tiger, a two-year-old male named Vitali, hooked the man with a claw and pulled the man's arm through the inner fence.

The second man called a security person he knew for help. His arm was also injured, but he initially refused treatment.

Newton said there were four security guards on duty, but they have several responsibilities in the course of a shift, including checking on the animals.

"We don't know what their intention was," said Newton. "I think it is fair to say that if anybody puts their mind to it, they can breach any kind of security and that certainly seems to be the case here."

Police are investigating and say they are considering charges of break and enter against the two men. They haven't determined whether alcohol was involved.

Tim Sinclair-Smith, curator of the zoo's Eurasia centre, said the tiger was acting instinctively and was to remain part of the exhibit.

Vitali was born at the zoo in July 2007 to much fanfare because there are only an estimated 450 left in the wild.

Siberian tigers are an endangered species found in the Amur Valley of northeastern Russia. They are threatened by habitat destruction and overhunting for their luxurious pelts and for body parts used in traditional medicines.

They are the largest species of cat in the world. Males weigh between 180 and 305 kilograms and can grow to be between three and 3 1/2 metres in length from their nose to the tip of their tail.

In the wild, the tigers eat mainly wild boars, deer and antelope. They ambush their target, sneaking up on it and then stopping within a few metres until ready to attack - sometimes waiting for up to two hours.

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Expected Increase in H1N1 Activity Means Residents Need to Remain Vigilant

For Immediate Release
October 5, 2009

Expected Increase in H1N1 Activity Means Residents Need to Remain Vigilant

While the majority of the cases of the H1N1 flu virus seen in the Interior Health region and across British Columbia have been mild, the public still needs to be mindful of taking action and precautions to protect themselves from the virus this fall and winter.

B.C. is seeing an increase in H1N1 flu activity earlier than what is normal for the annual flu season and Interior Health would like to remind the public – and especially pregnant women and those with underlying chronic health conditions – that now, more than ever, is the time to be vigilant about using good personal hygiene etiquette to help minimize the spread of viruses.

““For the last few months, we have been predicting an increase in flu activity. Now, some schools in the Interior are seeing increased absenteeism and physicians throughout the region are reporting more cases of influenza-like illness,” said IH Senior Medical Health Officer, Dr. Andrew Larder. ““We have been expecting and preparing for this increase and, with the lessons we have learned from the experience in the Southern Hemisphere during their flu season, we are in a very good position to manage the virus in our region throughout the fall and winter.”

Pregnant women, Aboriginal people, and adults and children with underlying health conditions are at higher risk of more serious illness and complications from the H1N1 flu. Those with chronic health conditions such as respiratory disease, asthma, heart disease, diabetes, immunosuppression, kidney or liver disease or blood disorders, should take extra precautions to protect themselves. People in these risk groups should talk to their doctor about getting a prescription for antiviral drugs in advance that they can fill if they do start to have flu-like symptoms.

““The most effective way you can protect yourself is to wash your hands often for at least 15 seconds with soap and water, or use a hand sanitizer if you aren’t near a sink,” said Larder. “Be sure to sneeze and cough into your sleeve or a tissue and, if you or your children do get sick, stay home from work or school so you don’t get others sick.”

The H1N1 vaccine is expected to arrive in B.C. in November, or possibly earlier, and the provincial government has ordered enough doses to ensure that everyone who needs and wants the vaccine will be able to receive it. It’s also expected that all British Columbians will be able to receive one dose of the vaccine by Christmas. While one dose will be sufficient for most adults, children under ten may require two doses.

Symptoms related to the H1N1 flu virus are very similar to those of seasonal flu, including cough, fever, general aches and fatigue. These symptoms may last up to 10 days or longer for some people.

Watch for information on future H1N1 flu vaccination clinics in your local media or the Interior Health website at

www.interiorhealth.ca

If you have general questions about H1N1 or related symptoms, call HealthLink BC at 811, 24 hours a day or log on to

www.healthlinkbc.ca

Media Information:
Lannea Parfitt
Public Health Communications Officer
(250) 870-5898

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The Coldstream and Monashee – The Undiscovered Country

By Don Elzer

It was surveyor and explorer Donald McIntyre who saw these parts in the mid 1800’s, he had been mired in fog and underbrush for days, trying to bushwhack from the Kootenay to the Okanagan. Then one morning after a heavy rain the clouds began to lift, exposing a high snow-covered peak, it was as though God suddenly presented the top of the world to these foreign bushwhackers. “Oh – monashied” said McIntyre in his Gaelic tongue – “this is the mountain of peace”.

Today, we know the Gaelic phrase as Monashee – and the moment expressed by McIntyre sums up the difference between the Okanagan and this place that serves as the source of the Shuswap River. Here these mountains will not feed water to the Columbia, but to the mighty Fraser, and this difference can be found as the parch dry landscape to the west turns lush and green as the rainforests emerge in the shadows of these mountains.

This journey begins in the Okanagan as the well travelled meandering highway 97 that links Kelowna and Vernon begins to overlook Kalamalka Lake. Here the landscape begins to inspire visitors and locals alike as the gateway begins to suggest a mystical power that viewers take home. The dry grasslands of the Commonage surround a viewpoint that appears to be like a centurion guarding the distant wall of the rugged Monashee mountain range. This unusual landform called the Camel’s Hump defines the gateway to this undiscovered country and in more ancient time was known as Coyote Sleeping

From the Kalamalka Lake Lookout we can see the lush valley bottom of orchards but with the growing encroachment of urban sprawl. The dry barren hills that surrounds life on the valley floor is indicative of the natural world here without water. It is a desert and water is crucial to maintain the life support system for the sun worshipers that dwell here.

Our journey departs this lookout into the Coldstream where life is defined by “rural living at its best” and sometimes used as a war cry to protect the small holdings and farms from an ever expanding suburbia that now defines the Okanagan Valley as one of the fastest growing regions in North America.

The District of Coldstream was incorporated in 1906 and has a total land area of 67.25 square km. The rural district is best known for the Coldstream Ranch, established in 1863 by Captain Charles Frederick Houghton. He transferred the ranch to Forbes G. and Charles Albert Vernon who in 1891 sold it to John Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair, future Governor General of Canada (1893-1898).

It was Lord and Lady Aberdeen who would together mastermind the means by which water would be brought to this dry landscape. They would provide the original vision of a lush Garden of Eden which came to be after they spent a fortune investing in the dream.

The ranch was purchased by its current owners in 1994 and continues to be one of the oldest continuing operating ranches in Canada, once representing the farthest edge of settlement in the western wilderness.

Today, the mix of modern rancherettes and stately old homes remain anchored by an idea that the Coldstream Ranch will be there forever. This working ranch is the largest landholder in the North Okanagan and provides a basis for the rural landscape to remain important here.

Kalamalka Lake Road meanders between the edge of thick habitation and orchards; it is the access point to Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and a ribbon of trails that defines a more natural edge between people and nature. The beaches here still speak of pleasure as the lakeside viewpoints have retained a great deal of the original Okanagan landscape, but they too are at risk as waterfront becomes the new goldrush in this valley.

Highway 6 east of Vernon serves as the route into the Monashee and the Upper Shuswap River region. This meandering highway bridges the Okanagan with the Kootenay and is one of the great drives in British Columbia.

On a knoll between Lavington and Lumby on Highway 6 in front of the Tolko White Valley Sawmill, you can get out of your car and place one foot in the Okanagan watershed and the other in the Shuswap, which means you have placed one in the Columbia system and the other in the Fraser. more...

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Read more of Don Elzer's "Stories from the Coldstream and Monashee"

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Selected articles -- Morning Star news -- October 4, 2009

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Readers write

Oct.2 2009

An article written in Vernon's Morning Star by Richard Rolke on September 23, 2009 listed concerns by Vernon's Mayor Lippert and Mike Gavinchuk, B.X -Swan Lake Director regarding water distribution between Coldstream and the Greater Vernon Area.

Mr. Lippert, Mayor of Vernon represents many people that support Agriculture. They understand the need to protect the Farmer's right to access water.

The Agricultural Advisory Committee that was organized by Coldstream in 2008 reported that 110 Farms in Coldstream Municipality are involved with Equestrian Activities.

Mr. Lippert has stated " we're not opposed to subsidizing true agriculture use, but we have an issue with people who aren't true farmers getting a lower rate".

Mr. Gavinchuk said "just because you have Horses doesn't mean you qualify. You must have a product ". Both Mr. Lippert and Mr. Gavinchuk will be relieved to note that the Water Rate Determination Policy (101W) set by the Greater Water Services clearly answers both concerns.

eg. 1. “The Property has current B.C. Farm Classification it is Automatically Eligible for the Agricultural Water Rate.”
5 b.
Property is used for Agricultural purposes.
(x) Horse Rearing
(x1) Horse Boarding

The Okanagan Valley has always been recognized for its favourable climate and habitat for raising Horses, and therefore we have one of the largest Horse populations in the Province of British Columbia.

Water Policy for agriculture (B.C. Agricultural Council) "Insists that the preservation of Farmland and maintenance of the Agricultural Land Reserve in many regions requires the provision of adequate water at a not for profit cost and security of access to produce agricultural products on that land " , ( This includes hay and grass).

Vernon has a Racetrack that has had racing almost continuously since 1885. Although it was a Gift to the City of Vernon, as was O'Keefe Ranch, the Race Track struggles to exist, and only is protected by its Trust Conditions issued with the gift of the Track, when it was given to the City. I am not aware of grants or financial assistance, like O'Keefe Ranch receives.

The Racetrack is a support for our Horse Industry. Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Alberta had between seventy and ninety thousand people attend their Horse Show each day this September.
Most people appreciate " the Horse" for their place in the development of our Country and the importance of Equestrian Sport to Canada's Economy. The World has become a fan of Horse Jumping.

The E-mail below (see previous post) was sent to me on September 29. Although addressed to Mr. Obama, readers I hope, will understand this Memo and smile with the people of Canada as well as in the United States that are involved in the Horse Industry.

We can still laugh at ourselves for the obviously unappreciated Capital Investments we contribute to our industry annually.

Sincerely
Lois E. Philp

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Readers write -- Advice to President Obama.

HELPING THE ECONOMY – "MEMO TO: President Barack Obama"

RE: Economic Recovery Stimulus Ideas

Mr. President, it has come to my attention that you're having some challenges with the economy. If I understand things correctly, we're in a recession, consumer confidence and spending is down, credit is tight, investors are spooked, we need renewable energy, and health care costs are through the roof. Trillions of dollars, not to mention our future, are at stake. Mr. President, I'm just a regular citizen. but I think I have a solution.

Give every American a horse.

My proposal may not make sense to you at first, but let me give you a little background. First of all, horses in the U.S. are a multi-billion dollar industry, and that’s just at my house. I suggest you have your economic advisers do a little research on the spending around horse ownership. You'd be surprised, Mr. President.

Start by visiting the tack and clothing retailers like State Line or Dover. Look at the variety of goods available there. Now take into account that every horse owner, especially if it's a woman, is buying not just one or two, but tons of these items. Believe me.

So my thinking is that if you give every American a horse, starting when they reach the horse-receptive age of 10, you're going to do two things: boost consumer confidence and boost spending immediately.

Horses make us feel good, and once Americans all own horses (at the government's expense, of"course), they will all logically fall into the pattern that every horse owner succumbs to: accessorizing. For starters, we need horse-care implements like buckets and muck rakes, hoof picks and curry combs. And we need at least. basic tack, halter, lead line, saddle, saddle pad, bridle and bit, But then the fun begins.

Zebra print leg wraps. Neon bright fly masks. An assortment of sheets and blankets for all seasons; you've got your cooler, your lightweight blanket, your medium blanket, your heavy blanket Then there is your stable sheet and your pasture sheet. Also your hoodie, and tail wrap items.

And that’s just the clothing for the horse. Don't get me started on the clothing for the rider, even if he or she doesn't show. Since most Americans don't have a basic riding wardrobe, the stores would be swamped for jeans. boots, breeches, T-shirts. dozens of pairs of cute boot socks, and the ubiquitous ball cap. Tell the retailers to get ready. It'll be Christmas all year long.

Now let's talk about support industries. In addition to the usual veterinarian and farrier expenditures, people also give their horses chiropractic, massage and acupuncture, not to mention buying. more beauty products for their horses than they do for themselves. All those professions and industries will benefit And of course there will be a big spike in hay and grain demand, so the farmers will be happy too.

You see, that's the secret to jump-starting consumer spending through my stimulus package. People will spend money on their horses when they won't spend money on anything else.

But, your advisers might say, there’s a catch. Aren't we paying the price, in global warming, of the large number of livestock animals we currently have? They produce all that methane!

Ah, Mr. President, here is the real beauty of this idea. When you introduce the Methane-Assisted Natural Unrefined Renewable. Energy plan (M.AN.U.R.E. ), you'll be a hero for coming up with an alternative, renewable, home-grown source of clean energy. Just challenge the energy gurus to come up with a methane gas collection system that can harness all the natural resource produced by all those horses to power our cities. Talk about shovel ready projects: M.A.N.U.R.E. fits the bill!

And you keep stressing how we need new industries for investment; well, under the M:AN.U.R.E. plan you can sell Petroleum Offset Opportunity units to investors. By buying these units, investors can help us gradually convert from a petroleum-based economy to one based on horse P.O.O.

Health care costs will go down, too, as everyone cares for their horses. You can give tax credits based on the amount of time people spend working, riding and hanging out with their horses, which will automatically make them healthier. (Don't tell the docs, but most horse owners already get their own basic health care from their vet).

One more thing: everyone is annoyed by these corporate CEOs and their big bonuses in a down economy. So give the executives, say, one horse for every $100,000 of bonus money they've received. Those bonuses will be plowed back into the economy in no time.

Finally, because you, Mrs. O, and the girls are such role models, you can encourage us all by getting a pony for Sasha and Malia. It will teach them responsibility, help the First Lady plow the garden, and as a bonus: free fertilizer-for the Rose Garden.

If you don't believe me that horse ownership stimulates spending, go ahead, Mr. President. Buy that pony for your girls ... You'll see.

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Photo gallery -- Mutant sparrow - Update. Curtesy: Debbie Gibson.

Mature photo of mutant sparrow compared to normal bird's colouration. 2009, October 2. It appears that the black pigment is lacking in the mutant bird.

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Water, water and more water.

In order to better understand the Master Water Plan of 2002 it is worth to take a look at least at the Executive Summary of the plan. Page 9 has the following statement:

9 IRRIGATION SYSTEM

The future irrigation system will function in a very similar manner to the original VID irrigation system, constructed in the 1960s. The primary difference is that surplus water will be used as a raw water supply to the new Middleton Mountain water treatment plant.

Based on the low operating cost for the system and the generally good condition of the components, the GVWU should be able to meet the goal of providing irrigation water at a competitive rate. Long term financial planning, however, needs to consider the eventual replacement of irrigation system components.

Pages 72-74 illustrate financials and timelines of the plan.

Below are scans of the PR selling us the plan in 2002. It is not easy to defend the present actions of Vernon!

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B.C.'s Liberals, federal Tories ducking accountability for HST

By Barbara Yaffe,
Vancouver Sun
August 27, 2009

Regardless of the merits of a harmonized sales tax, the process whereby it has been endorsed in B.C. is politically fraudulent.

Since the new tax was announced July 22, neither the Harper nor Campbell governments has demonstrated due accountability.

Three Conservative MPs have come forward to disavow Ottawa from any role in B.C.'s HST adoption while provincial Finance Minister Colin Hansen has played dumb.

Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, instead of visiting B.C. to sell the tax, has kept a low profile.

Let's be clear. Ottawa has been actively lobbying all provinces to adopt the HST since 1996, when New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland signed on.

Reasons exist that make the HST a beneficial policy, not the least of which is that it puts more cash in the hands of business, which in turn tends to boost private-sector investment to hike productivity. Low productivity has long been one of Canada's biggest challenges.

Like his predecessors, Flaherty has been urging provinces to harmonize, offering cash inducements.

Ontario announced a buy-in in its March 26 budget.

That "changed everything for us," Hansen writes on his Facebook page.

Two weeks after the Campbell government's re-election in mid-May, the province launched its own harmonization talks with Ottawa.

Now you'd think Hansen would have told voters about the HST during the campaign.

After all, campaigns are the venue for such policy discussions. In past elections, tax changes have played a significant role, often resulting in defeat of the politicians proposing them.

Elections thereby act as a check on politicians, preventing them from riding roughshod over voters.

Canadians defeated Brian Mulroney after he introduced the GST. They cut short Joe Clark's Conservative leadership when he proposed an 18-cent-a-gallon gas tax.

They decimated Liberal leader Stephane Dion for proposing a carbon tax in last fall's election.

But Hansen, whose nose has grown considerably of late, says he didn't mention his HST proposal during the campaign because he was unaware of the Ontario budget measure.

Through all of April presumably, and into May, he was unaware.

"After the election, I was able to 're-engage' with finance ministry staff," explains Hansen. "At that time, it became obvious that some key issues had changed dramatically [including, in this context, the HST world]."

If Hansen indeed was oblivious to Ontario's actions for more than a month, campaign or no campaign, British Columbians have good reason to question his fitness as finance minister. It's a minimum responsibility of finance ministers to be up to the minute on Canadian policies that threaten to impact their own jurisdiction's competitiveness.

Hansen's claim of ignorance is not terribly credible -- but it was politically expedient; the B.C. Liberals were loath to face an almost-certain ballot-box repudiation by voters on the issue.

But that's precisely the way our democracy is designed to work. The onus on the campaigning Liberals was either to sell the policy to voters, modify it so it became minimally palatable or drop it.

The province's actions are certain to yield a loss of trust in the Campbell government, a loss that will challenge its future legitimacy.

Ottawa has been equally coy, adopting a hear-see-and-do-no-evil posture.

In a letter to a local newspaper, the Conservative MP for Nanaimo-Alberni, James Lunney, wrote that the HST decision was entirely a provincial one and concerns should be directed to local MLA Ron Cantelon.

Similarly, Dick Harris (Cariboo-Prince George) and Ontario MP Larry Miller, two other Conservatives, have disavowed Ottawa's role in convincing Ontario and B.C. to move to a harmonized sales tax.

A B.C. HST, at 12 per cent and applying to more items than are currently taxed provincially, is -- in macro-economic terms -- a good fiscal measure. But it's a hard sell to consumers already facing the highest housing costs in Canada.

The way it is being introduced in B.C. is an absolute disgrace.

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Water devolution update.

Some of you may have read the "STATEMENT OF POSITION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM" with reference to the Arbitration procedure Vernon initiated. Those of you who did not read it and wish to read it you can find it by clicking on here.

The solicitors acting on behalf of Vernon have responded to position of both Coldstream's and Electoral Areas "B" and "C". The document, entitled CITY OF VERNON'S REPLY TO STATEMENTS OF POSITION" is public and copies could be obtained from the District of Coldstream by those interested in the Statement. Some of the items are quite startling and I wish to quote some of them.

4. Historical Rights and Practices - Vernon's right to withdraw and the terms and conditions that govern its withdrawal should not be constrained by principles that predate the creation of the utility. In particular Vernon says:

• Various statements of principles were formulated by the parties prior to the establishment of the GVWS, including a statement that the regional authority would only sell bulk water, not retain any class of customers, and that the distribution and sale of water would be the exclusive right of the local jurisdictions;

• Water allocation rights originally provided to agricultural users do not include a right to demand a subsidized rate on an ongoing basis provided by other user classes, which burden disproportionately falls on Vernon's residential and ICI customer base;

6. Asset Division — Reserves — Debt - Vernon's position is that the arbitration should proceed to examine the function division of bulk and local distribution assets in accordance with the proposal set out by Vernon in the QDS Quadra Development Solutions Technical and Financial Report. If B&C do not agree with that proposed division they are entitled to respond with their own analysis and proposal but the arbitration process should not be adjourned for an independent assessment as proposed by B&C. . Vernon's position is that there is sufficient time before any hearing on the substantive issues for B&C to respond to the Vernon/QDS proposal

10. Vernon agrees that water licences issued to Vernon have been transferred to GVS but says that no other assets of Vernon have been transferred, and that none will be in view of its intention to withdraw from the service and pending the outcome of this arbitration.

11. Vernon does not agree that it derived any benefit from Coldstream water licences, funds or infrastructure. Coldstream's infrastructure is depleted and in need of upgrading at significant cost. Vernon, in conjunction with the other participants, obtained access to additional water through licences issued to the GVS. In the case of Duteau Creek, the capacity in the water licences cannot be utilized without the new treatment plant, an undertaking funded by all participants, but with the majority of funds contributed by Vernon.

13. In reply to paragraph 15 of Coldstream's Statement Vernon says that the other participants have benefited similarly from the Water Service. Vernon denies that it has benefited from additional taxation and development cost charge revenues. In addition to the contributions referred to in paragraph 12 above, Vernon's financial contributions to the Water Service from rates paid by its residential and ICI customer base provide a significant subsidy to the agricultural user groups of Coldstream and Electoral Areas B & C.

16. There is no inherent right to equal service costs between jurisdictions. For example, Vernon's taxpayers pay a higher rate per officer than Coldstream's taxpayers for police services. Vernon would not expect that Coldstream transfer funds to achieve equalization in policing costs. Differential service costs are a basic outcome of citizens being organized into local jurisdictions with discrete geography, land uses and community profiles.

17. Decisions with respect to stabilization of irrigation costs are fundamentally a matter of political choice as to whether one customer group should be subsidized by other customer groups. Coldstream and Electoral Areas B&C must accept that the cost implications of subsidizing their large agricultural user base should be borne by their taxpayers. Neither Coldstream or B&C have a right to continue to draw on Vernon for this subsidy as a consequence of Vernon having provided the subsidy during the period of its participation in the Water Service.

20. Separation of irrigation and non-irrigation distribution requires substantial expenditures for lengthy pipe installation to benefit the agricultural customer base which is concentrated in Coldstream and B&C. The cost of doubling the distribution lines exceeded the cost of the required treatment improvements. Vernon should not be expected to subsidize the cost of separating the distribution system in Coldstream and B&C.

21. Coldstream's assertion that an equitable rate structure must be established as a condition of Vernon's withdrawal reflects a claim of an ongoing right to a subsidy provided by Vernon's larger domestic customer base. Vernon's position is that it imposing an ongoing obligation on Vernon's customers following withdrawal is not equitable to Vernon.

30. Vernon denies that it has drawn capacity from Coldstream's licence capacity. In addition to drawing from the capacity under its former licences, Vernon has utilized water from the former NOWA licences, As a participant in the former NOWA Vernon's utilization of this capacity should not give rise to any right to compensation in favour of any other participant.

It is difficult to understand how Vernon politicians could arrive to those conclusions. I could comment on a number of issues knowing full well that they are erroneous. I was involved in negotiations prior to 2000. I know that all parties agreed that the agricultural community should be provided with rates that would allow them to compete fairly within the Valley. They had the original water licences the value of which is immeasurable.

Item 20. appears to be the most ridiculous. Separation of domestic and agriculture water would benefit the domestic customers and not the agricultural users. Agriculture only needs water during the summer months (5-6 months). To say that I am disappointed in the lies and misrepresentations is an understatement.

Comments would be appreciated. I assume most Coldstream water customers would not be happy with double or triple water rates which would be the consequence if Vernon succeeds in their quest.

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Liberals to table non-confidence motion Monday -- National Post

Are you ready for another potential Federal Election?

David Akin, Canwest News Service

OTTAWA -- The federal Liberal party will release the text Monday afternoon of its non-confidence motion that MPs will be expected to vote on Thursday.

The Liberals want to bring down Prime Minister Stephen Harper's minority government and force a general election but, to do that, MPs from all three opposition parties must vote in favour of the Liberal non-confidence motion. It appears, though, that the NDPwill stand with the government Thursday.

Brad Lavigne, the NDP's national director, appeared on television shows Sunday saying his party's first priority is to see government legislation that would extend the maximum amount of time some people can receive employment insurance benefits approved by the Commons. That legislation, the government says, would help about 190,000 people who are nearing the end of their benefit period.

Ralph Goodale, the Liberal MP from Saskatchewan and his party's House leader, said the motion to be tabled Monday will be unambiguous.

"We want to play this straightforward, very straight-up," Mr. Goodale said.

The motion could be as simple as "Be it Resolved that this House has no confidence in the government."

Confidence motions, though, are typically a little longer than that, with a pre-amble that sets out the reasons why the party proposing the motion does not have confidence in the government.

"This government cannot be trusted in terms of its numbers," Liberal MP David McGuinty said Monday morning after meeting with party leader Michael Ignatieff and his closest advisers.

The Bloc Quebecois has already indicated it will vote with the Liberals and against the government on Thursday's vote.

The Liberals believe they can score some political points at the NDP's expense and the wording of their confidence motion is part of the strategy to do just that.

The preamble in the Liberal confidence motion could, for example, indict the government for failing to act on some issues that are core parts of the NDP's agenda, such as more robust employment insurance reform.

Mr. Ignatieff said last week he does not want to give the NDP anywhere to "hide."

The timing of the confidence motion is connected to the release Monday of the government's third quarterly update on its economic stimulus plan.

In exchange for Liberal support last spring of the budget, the Conservatives agreed to table quarterly updates on some of the objectives and benchmarks outlined in the budget. As part of that Liberal-Conservative agreement last spring, both sides agreed that the Liberals would have the chance to introduce this confidence motion three days after the government tables this third report.

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OKANAGAN BASIN WATER BOARD TO CREATE A WEB-BASED WATER USE REPORTING SYSTEM FOR THE VALLEY

September 25, 2009
Kelowna, BC

MEDIA RELEASE:

OKANAGAN BASIN WATER BOARD TO CREATE A WEB-BASED WATER USE REPORTING SYSTEM FOR THE VALLEY

“We can’t manage what we don’t measure.” BC’s Living Water Smart Plan

Funding Announcement: On September 24th, 2009, the Okanagan Basin Water Board received $154,000 in Canada/BC Infrastructure Funding to produce a web-based water use reporting tool for the Okanagan valley.

Background: The Okanagan has the lowest per person water availability in Canada but we don’t have a system to track how much water we use. This project will develop a streamlined web-based system for water suppliers and other large water users to record how much water they use each month, evaluate changes from year to year, and look at how their water use compares to other areas. Water planners will also use the system – the water use data will help them manage drought and water shortages, and plan for increased demand from climate change and population growth. The reporting system will give a clear picture of how much water is used in the valley as a whole.

The Okanagan Basin Water Board will create the reporting system through a partnership with water suppliers, local government planners, and BC ministries. It will be designed to bring together information from all large water users: licensed and unlicensed, public and private, surface and groundwater. With this information, the Water Board will be able to help communities match their water demands to water supplies, find funding, and identify critical areas within the valley. Although it is being developed to meet the needs of the Okanagan, this tool can be customized for specific regions or industries in other parts of British Columbia.

Project Outcomes:

1. Water security in the Okanagan: Water security means knowing how much water you have and how much water you need. The new reporting system will help track how community water needs change through time, help resolve conflicts, and help plan for the future. It will be integrated with the water supply and demand project being completed for the valley.

2. Better information for water users: Users will be able to access their own water data and reports on water trends and efficiency improvements. The system will generate summary reports, time series trend graphs, pie charts and bar graphs that can be printed and downloaded for digital or paper filing. It will also create summaries of how water is used in local regions and the watershed as a whole, allowing users to compare water trends.

3. Better management of water use information. The system will eliminate duplication of effort, systems, and costs and eliminate repetitive requests for the same information from water planners and BC ministries.

4. A modernized method to manage water records. The system will be efficient, user-friendly, fast, easy, and streamlined. It will also be able to accommodate automated updates from telemetry-based water meters and other technological advances.

5. Improve data quality. A water management and use study, completed for the Okanagan in 2008, found that out of 57 major purveyors in the valley, only 17 had reliable data for the period from 1996-2006; and extensive estimation was needed to fill information gaps. This system will create a uniform structure and standards for water use reporting;

6. Increase the reporting interval to monthly. The current system of annual reporting does not allow water users or planners to track important trends in seasonal water use, and how those trends vary with environmental conditions;

7. Include groundwater. Groundwater pumping will be reported in the same way as surface water. Where groundwater is not currently measured, irrigation calculators can be integrated into the tool to estimate groundwater use;

8. Future scalability. The architecture of the system will be designed to accommodate future needs. For example, in a small, drought-prone watershed, all individual households could be linked into the system with real-time data reporting. During droughts, users could log on and monitor community water use to track water conservation needs.

9. Future integration with water quality reporting: Water suppliers are now required to separately report water quality information to health authorities. The water use reporting system will be designed to allow development of a one-stop shop for reporting water quality and water use in the future.

Implementing this streamlined water use reporting system will help Okanagan communities build a stronger economy and sustainable environment. Individual suppliers will have more powerful tools for tracking their water trends over time. As a valley, we will be better able to prepare for drought, share water in times of shortages, and identify critical areas where supplies are not meeting demand.

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Please direct all media inquires to:
Dr. Anna Warwick Sears
Executive Director, OBWB
Tel. 250-469-6251
Email: anna.warwick.sears@obwb.ca


For more information on the Okanagan Basin Water Board, please visit www.obwb.ca.

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Selected articles -- Morning Star news -- September 27, 2009

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Jamie Kidston's reward for hard work -- Courtesy: Debbie Gibson

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Coldstream Council Meeting -- September 28, 2009 -- Agenda

REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM

TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2009
IN THE MUNICIPAL HALL CHAMBERS
9901 KALAMALKA ROAD, COLDSTREAM, BC
6:00 PM

A G E N D A

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SPKL information

The Society for the Protection of Kalamalka Lake is proud to present

Michael Sokal, PhD
Impact Assessment Biologist
Environmental Protection
Ministry of Environment
Speaking on:

An Introduction to the Okanagan Large Lakes Water Quality Monitoring Program: Successes, Discoveries & Kalamalka Lake.

It will cover some general material about the MOE large lakes monitoring program, with a focus on Kal Lake Water Quality status and trends.

and

Heather Larratt (R.P. Bio)
Larratt Aquatic Consulting (LAC)
aquatic consulting to the Greater Vernon Water Utility.

Speaking on:

The Inner Transport of Kalamalka Lake

Beneath the deceptive calm and stunning beauty of Kalamalka Lake, there is incessant motion: the summer water layers tip and twist in 20 m high waves; the inflow from Coldstream Creek moves like a river within the lake, and there is a continuous rain of algae and marl from the surface water. All thie relentless motion is subtle and silent. Water movement affects every aspect of Kalamalka Lake.

WHEN: Sunday September 27th, 2009 3:30pm - 6:30pm

WHERE: Kalamalka Women's Institute Hall ( Near the Coldstream Municipal Hall) 9909 Kalamalka Lake Rd.

Talks will be followed by a raffle draw for the beautiful Kal Quilt, followed by refreshments and a brief AGM meeting.

For more info : www.spkl.ca

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Coldstream receives Federal funds.

By Peter McIntyre
Thursday, 24 September 2009.

It took seven months, but B-C and Ottawa have finally signed a deal that will see more than 700 million dollars in stimulus spending on public works projects in the province.

Eleven million dollars worth of North Okanagan infrastructure projects have got the green light to proceed.

Vernon Monashee MLA Eric Foster made the announcements today.

The biggest project is a new $6.9 million grid road in Coldstream.

Coldstream's administrator Mike Stamhuis says the project has been on the books for about 20 years and will connect Kalamalka Road near Husband Road with the highway.

"It would go up through the area of Crown land on the east side of the seed orchard and then in between the seed orchard and the Sage Point subdivison, connecting to College Drive where the hairpin turn is, just before it goes into Kickwillie Loop. In effect it provides a much improved connection between 90 percent of Coldstream and Highway 97."

Stamhuis says as part of the grant, the project has to be finished by March 2011 with designs currently underway.

He says the District has been "squirreling" away funds for years and has its share of the project in place.

Stamhuis says a big part of the cost is for a bridge over Vernon Creek and an underpass for the railway tracks.

A separate bike and pedestrian pathway alongside will cost another $1.7.

Foster says the other projects include three million dollars worth of improvements to 34th Street in Vernon and more than $680,000 for stage three water supply in Lumby.

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Total grant is $4,614,278 ($2,307,179 from each of the senior governments). Coldstream's share is also $2,307,179 from the road DCC account.

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Rancher calls water order attack on agriculture -- Kammloops Daily News.

By CAM FORTEMS Daily News Staff Reporter

A rancher forced to shut down irrigation pumps on the Nicola River to conserve fish called the order an assault on agriculture that trumps a water licence in existence for more than a century.

Mike Rose estimated orders from Victoria and Ottawa to cease irrigation will cost the family-owned Quilchena Ranch $150,000. It will now have to purchase feed on the open market to tide over the herd for the fall and winter season once they are off range grass.

“We’re just trying to grow our third crop (of alfalfa) which is what we feed cows between now and Christmas,” said Mike Rose, part of the family that owns the historic ranch.

The order comes during a continued economic depression in the industry. The ranch’s water licence is more than 130 years old.

Rose said his operation was the only one affected by a Ministry of Environment clampdown on water use. The order comes as an attempt to save spawning kokanee salmon by increasing levels in the Nicola River upstream of Nicola Lake.

Valerie Cameron, a regional manager with the Ministry of Environment, said the run of kokanee is in critical shape. The run, which returns on three-year cycles, was decimated by the 2003 drought that produced Firestorm 2003.

“This (2003) was a year of one of the worst droughts. Fish have really reacted negatively to low flows.”

Rose said information on a provincial and federal water flow website shows the level has been lower in more than a dozen years. He walked the stream this morning and didn’t see any spawning or dead kokanee salmon, which he believes may show up later when irrigation season is over.

The ranch has made strides to conserve water, including undertaking a federally sponsored environmental farm plan that saw hundreds of irrigation nozzles replaced with smaller units.

“By doing that we got down to 65 per cent of our legal allotment. We stuck our necks out, cut our use and thought we’d be OK.”

B.C. Cattlemen’s Association spokeswoman Elaine Stovin said the move comes as a shock to those with historical water rights placing them as the No. 1 user.

“They’re not used to having those rights temporarily suspended. Because water rights are so important it will be a big concern for our members.”

The province recently adopted new legislation allowing orders to be given to save fish habitat. Environment Minister Barry Penner said the situation is a crisis because flows were below .35 metres per second.

Even with the order and voluntary release of upstream water by Douglas Lake and Upper Nicola band, Cameron levels are still below what is considered necessary for the fish to thrive.

Rose is also angry that it is his water storage dams on the plateau that cause water to flow at this time of year. The irrigation dams hold back water from spring freshet.

“If no one created the storage the creek would be dry every year. Agriculture has created the storage upstream. Now we can’t use it.”

The order represents the first time in B.C. new regulations have been enacted but it is unlikely to be the last. The stream is considered at a five- or 10-year low this season, suggesting orders may become a regular occurance.

Cameron said officials are also looking at flows in the Nicola River below the City of Merritt, an important stream for salmon.

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Photo gallery -- A night time visitors. Courtesy: Debbie Gibson.

This cub and his/her sibling came to visit us tonight. One came up on the sundeck and got scared and climbed up into the pine tree. Did not call the police or wildlife!!!

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Selected articles -- Morning Star news -- September 23, 2009

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All that smoke over the summer must have affected our judgement with regards to "fresh air".

Let me explain.

1. Eliminate GVAC, give Vernon total control over water and parks. We can trust them, they don't always vote in a block. Murphy's Law comes to mind.

"With three representatives, Vernon would have the most votes, and that has created some concern.“Based on population, Vernon would take it every time,” said Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director. Lippert disagrees with that view. “The city representatives have been known on numerous occasions not to vote together,” he said."

2. Hobby farms. How many hobby farms are there to justify Vernon's claim of over $3 million subsidy to Coldstream and the Electoral Areas? To arrive at the $3 million all agricultural use is considered hobby farm by Vernon. I have seen no attempt to explain from where that subsidy figure came. If the City truly supports "true agriculture" then the $3 million plus subsidy is a myth.

3. Facts must be the guiding light in negotiations not "entrenched views".

"I say that because some of Garlick’s councillors have entrenched views about regional issues. Animosity towards Vernon also lies just below the surface, and some of them were featured players in previous disputes between the municipalities.It will be Garlick’s job to lead his council to a position of comfort — where the interests of Coldstream and all water users are addressed."

4. In spite of the offer to negotiate the City continues with the arbitration process belying the stated "good will negotiations". As Mayor Lippert stated "to keep Electoral Areas' and Coldstream's politicians' feet to the fire". That does not generate much trust. Every note our lawyers send us, every response we make cost the taxpayers money. The same is true for the other participants. Every time the Arbitrator reads a submission and makes a determination the cash flows.

Still waiting for something less than an ultimatum!

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