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myvalleysun.com
October 17, 2013
Bullish on the real news in the Monashee
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VOTE
Casting Your Vote on November 19th
General Voting Day for the 2011 Municipal Election is Saturday, November 19, 2011. Advance Voting will take place on Wednesday, November 9, 2011. Voting hours for both dates are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Village of Lumby Election
Incumbent Mayor Kevin Acton, Councilor Janet Green and newcomer Jim McEwan will be competing to become the next mayor of Lumby. Councilor Lori Mindnich is the only incumbent seeking re-election on council. The rest of the candidates are newcomers and they include Murray August, Jo Anne Fisher, Judy Gibbs, James Harvey, Nick Hodge, Randal Ostafichuk and Elinor Turrill who served on council prior to 2008.
On General Voting Day, Saturday, November 19, 2011, voting will be in the Council Chambers located at the Municipal Office at 1775 Glencaird Street.
On Advance Voting Day, Wednesday, November 9, 2011, voting will be in the Council Chambers located at the Municipal Office at 1775 Glencaird Street.
NORD Areas D & E
Fairbairn and Foisy in by acclamation
Area D Director Rick Foisy will be in for another term as will Area E Cherryville Director Eugene Foisy.
School District 22 Election
Village of Lumby and Electoral Areas "D" and “E” Trustee Area has two trustee seats available. Incumbent trustee Paula Harned is seeking another term as is former trustee Mitzi Fortin; the third candidate is newcomer Doris Squair.
2011
forking
future
company had projected to have a Dryden manufacturing facility in place by August 2010.
“
Aspenware reinforced the
company’s interest in Northwestern Ontario. Originally, the
October 2011 - By Don Elzer
This chronology of events would be seen by most people to have no relationship, unless you live in the Lumby area. It’s then, that these events provide a telling story about how a small town can lose sight of its collective vision – which could result in the loss of certain obvious opportunities.
But first there is a stage that is set by which everything seems to unfold and it contains a prison for some, but not everyone.
Sometimes there is a very glib approach in the media to the question of the city versus country divide. For the past two years, there are, broadly, two views – the “Lumby is dying” view, and the “Lumby is doing well” view. There is often a lack of recognition of the complexity of the issues facing the community. The provincial government, of course, wants to accentuate the positive. The local government wants to capture government money, or presently, capture a provincial jail, so they say Lumby is “dying”, and the media tends to focus on “dying” rural towns everywhere.
The dying small town syndrome seems both the most intractable and the one that continues to capture the public’s imagination. Small town issues also can be seen as a surrogate for the problems of non-metropolitan BC generally.
Small towns face considerable economic development challenges. However, while there has been recent focus on the decline of small towns, there are places like Lumby that are not losing population or a great number of businesses, and that are doing well economically when compared to small towns crushed by industry closures. So there is a certain responsibility that Lumby has - to tell its success stories.
Equally, there is widespread evidence that many small towns are in trouble. There are many reasons for disparities within and between regions, for different rates of economic growth, and for regional decline. Recent trends such as globalization and centralization have strengthened the position of larger regional centres and cities in relation to smaller communities.
But fundamentally, for places like Lumby, it remains important for community leaders to build economic strategies based on reality. Given the “dying town” message Lumby has been projecting to the world in order to capture the jail – all of us should be concerned. Some observers have argued that governments can’t really do much about small town survival in view of the sheer size of the forces poised against small towns. They argue, in some cases, for “euthenasia” for small towns, for “people prosperity” over “place prosperity”.
After all why should governments attempt to save places when people are leaving them? Does it really matter if small towns vanish; particularly if nearby larger regional centres are thriving? Why not help people to leave small towns that are in decline? Many towns in decline have been that way for years. What’s new?
Lumby is not in decline. It has threats and weaknesses that it must deal with. With sound problem-solving, negative issues will be solved by local community action, even against the odds. This is the view of what might be termed the “small town optimists”. Proponents of this view focus on the need for community action, strategic planning and leadership and assumes that big governments are not going to “save” small towns like Lumby.
Within this mix of different intentions is the argument that local businesses provide the best chance to grow the economic base for a place like Lumby, and this is where our chronology begins.
Aspenware has been located in rural Lumby for a number of years, taking over the former Silver Hills Bakery manufacturing facility after that company moved operations to the Fraser Valley. Aspenware has received some notoriety from its appearance on CBC’s The Dragons Den, but for the most part it’s not much different from other manufacturing start-ups – seeking investment, struggling to brand itself and open new markets while dealing with bricks and mortar issues with very little capital.
New businesses are rich in entrepreneurial and creative energy but are often harboured with the capital intensive challenges of “starting-up” and all other things associated with the laws of unintended consequences.
Aspenware was the result of three shop teachers watching a TV report on wooden cutlery. With a healthy sense of curiosity they began wondering how to improve on that cutlery. Shortly thereafter, the three set up shop in Terry Bigsby’s kitchen and started working. A little creative thinking, plenty of hard work, and a few burnt oven mitts later, the first laminated wooden spoon popped out of a re-tooled waffle iron.
It took a few years of tinkering to arrive at the beautiful pieces of birch cutlery. Aspenware Cutlery is a compostable solution to the billions of plastic knives, forks and spoons that end up in landfill every year. It may be single use cutlery, but they say it's engineered to perform, and each completely unique piece is designed to capture one’s imagination with sustainability as a critical goal.
Aspenware located in Lumby has been struggling to jump to its next manufacturing level at the same time Lumby is seeking a jail.
While they were
chasing down
a provincial jail, politicians and some community leaders may have completely missed a tremendous opportunity to help a local business grow 100 jobs in the Lumby area.
If they...or we, lose this opportunity we most certainly will have forked over the future to those people with a different kind of community vision.
How does this happen - and why?
September 2009
Former Lumby mayor Eric Foster has just been elected as an MLA and is on record as having pushed for the jail while he was mayor, later he is on record as lobbying in favour of locating a new regional correctional facility in Lumby as an MLA. Kevin Acton visits Solicitor General Kash Heed in September of 2009, shortly after being elected mayor, and pushed him to give the prison to Lumby. During this period there is no public mention of Aspenware by Lumby Council or the MLA.
Aspenware Inc. Confirms Intentions
September 2, 2009 – The Dryden Observer
“Here’s to a bright future together.”
Aspenware Inc. president Terry Bigsby’s closing words in an Aug. 26 statement was indeed music to Dryden’s ears.
While the manufacturer of premium compostable wooden disposable cutlery’s interest in Dryden was a rather poorly-kept secret in a community hungry for new economic development news over the last seven months, the B.C.- based company had remained quiet up until last week.
Thursday’s federal funding announcements, detailing close to $3 million in government investment in the development of a North Dryden business/industrial park was enough of a motivating factor for the company to put its intentions on the record.
“Aspenware…has plans for a 50,000 sq. ft manufacturing facility on a 5.2 acre site in this new industrial park,” said Bigsby. “The state-of-the-art facility will employ in excess of 100 people right here in Dryden.”
A connection to active forestry is another element of Aspenware’s interest in an expansion into the community and the province of Ontario. The company will be able to procure hardwood fibre to make its product through a recent Ministry of Natural Resources program (Request For Expressions of Interest in Crown Wood Supply) designed to diversify the forest economy and make use of unused hardwood fibre resources that are readily available locally.
Mayor Anne Krassilowsky says Aspenware’s statement is some long overdue good news for the community and city agencies who have worked hard to create favourable conditions for investment. Securing the ‘anchor tenant’ for the new development is a difficult first step that can pave the way for more outside interest in the community.
“I say we get our shovels out and start digging,” said Krassilowsky. “We’ve all heard the ongoing rumours, now we have actual fact, we a have a location for them (Aspenware) to be. Not only do we have hope, we have direction. This is an absolutely wonderful and successful day for Dryden.”
March 2010
At a Village of Lumby Regular Council Meeting on March 1, 2010, residents Dave Otten and Doug Edwards were among a delegation delivering a petition signed by 280 residents who stated that they are opposed to a tax increase due to the difficult economic times. Otten stated that there is concern that the general public are not informed of how or what Council is doing. Doug Edwards added that one can expect costs to increase relative to the cost of living. However, he stated that the Lumby tax increases are higher than the rate of inflation, and concluded that should this keep happening, Council and Administration will not be here next time. The general public will not put up with the increases.
At this same meeting the Village Council voted unanimously to waive fifty (50%) of the Development Cost Charges on Eligible Developments (By-law 708-2010). This motion was followed by another set of motions that included all three readings that would approve the Village of Lumby Financial Plan for the period of 2010-2014. On this motion the vote was “recorded with Mayor Acton, Councillor Williamson and Councillor Winters in-favour; while Councillor Green and Councillor Mindnich were opposed. No reason was cited for the desention.
Aspenware waits to dig in to build cutlery plant in Dryden, Ontario
March 4, 2010 – Canadian Press
A manufacturing plant that should employ up to 100 people in Dryden, Ont., has one more major hurdle to clear before construction can begin.
Aspenware Inc. president Terry Bigsby says the company is waiting for (Ontario) provincial government funding approvals before it can announce a construction start.
Bigsby says the company has applied for government loan guarantees and is negotiating with First Nations in northwestern Ontario for fibre supply.
Vernon, B.C.-based Aspenware announced last fall that it would build a manufacturing plant in Dryden to produce biodegradable, durable wooden cutlery.
The plant will be at least 10 times the size of the company’s current plant in Lumby, B.C., with eight to 10 manufacturing lines producing cutlery.
Bigsby refused to speculate on a project timetable.
Sold under the name Wood Utensils Naturally, the company says the utensils are a biodegradable solution to the billions of plastic knives, forks and spoons that end up in landfills every year.
April 2010
On April 26, 2010 the BC’s Deputy Solicitor General David Morhart wrote a letter to the
B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) in which he states the provincial government admits it needs a new correctional facility in the Okanagan but it has made no plans and has not set aside any money to pay for one.
Morhart writes in the letter, "We continue to recognize the long term need for additional capacity in the Central Interior and continue to consider the general Okanagan areas as the most appropriate location to meet the growing demand.... there has been no recent planning on an Okanagan facility, nor has funding approval been secured."
Darryl Walker, BCGEU president commented on the letter by replying that, "At the very least the government should have some ongoing planning to build a facility in the Okanagan…our jails are operating at 180% above capacity and the government's own public safety ministry service plan says it has reached critical capacity. The government already owns the land in Winfield (for a new correctional facility) and needs to be more pro-active on this file."
New products from under-utilized wood species
April 2010 - Reported by the Government of Ontario
A B.C. based company with broad investment that is locating a new plant in Northern Ontario was featured on the CBC’s TV Show “The Dragon’s Den” Season 3, Episode 10. Construction of their new plant begins in Spring 2010.
60 Billion plastic knives, forks and spoons are thrown out in North America every year! Aspenware Inc. uses underutilized species like Birch and Aspen to manufacture attractive wooden, disposable cutlery which, when composted, returns to soil within 6 months. They will construct a 50,000 square foot manufacturing facility in the community of Dryden Ontario. The plant will employee in excess of 100-people to start. Amazingly, their patented process can produce 10,000 forks from only one cubic meter of birch wood, making this one of the greenest value-added products ever. In terms of employment vs. land use, this is the most efficient industrial application in all of forestry, creating 100 jobs from the same cut area that would employ only one person in the pulp and paper (and related) industries.
Today, Aspenware is expanding and building their new manufacturing facility. For Apsenware, this is just the beginning as they can see their manufacturing processes applied to other products like auto parts, computers, and essentially anything that can be made from plastics.
May 2010
On May 18th, 2010 the Vernon Morning Star reports that Lumby Village officials have been lobbying the provincial government since fall to possibly become the site of a new regional correctional facility. “We now want to find out what our residents and our neighbours think,” said Mayor Kevin Acton. “If we give the province positive feedback, it may move things ahead.” Acton says council is unanimous in considering a correctional facility as a way of promoting economic development in Lumby and neighbouring jurisdictions. “Lumby had five mills at one time and there’s nothing now. Infrastructure is failing and if we don’t get something going, residents will be hit with huge tax increases,” he said. A facility could house about 200 inmates being remanded for custody or serving sentences of two years less a day. The closest courthouses are in Vernon and Kelowna. Acton says there could be 70 direct jobs created for existing residents as well as newcomers, bolstering real estate, commercial stores and schools.
There are a couple of possible locations for a prison, including at the industrial park. Acton says that could lead to the extension of sewer and water services, helping attract other investors to the area.
Aspenware Awarded Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce
2010 Green Business of the Year
Aspenware’s environmental policy states, “Doing what’s right for customers, family, friends & forests” stands for the synergistic relationship that we believe should exist between people and nature.
At Aspenware, we make planet & people friendly products such as wooden knives, forks and spoons. Wood is renewable, recyclable and biodegradable making it the material of choice for people today and for future generations.
Aspenware does not specifically target trees for harvest. Most often we use birch and aspen that was logged as part of a commercial operation targeting softwood species. Instead of the birch or aspen tree being left to rot, piled up and burnt or being split into firewood, it is used to make unique wooden cutlery. Aspenware supports sustainable forests and good resource stewardship!
But our commitment to nature goes much deeper. We try to optimize the use of our wood and we will be developing products to make from surplus or excess materials. Our plant runs on hydro-electric power and our manufacturing processes emit minimal, if any, carbon.
We are fully aware of our surroundings and strive to improve the community and environment in which we live and work. By building strong relationships with customers family, friends and forests we intend to become a leader in the production of planet friendly products. Aspenware believes in nature’s patent, not just because our products are laminated and curved like growth rings or the roundness of a tree’s stem, but because we believe in healthy and resilient ecosystems.
May 2011
On May 13, 2011 Close to fifty Lumby and area residents protested in Penticton during the BC Liberal Party’s Convention to make it clear that the Lumby Prison Proposal does not have the support of the community. “We’re here today to let the Solicitor General and the Premier know that Lumby and area has spoken and that our words were clear: No Prison in Lumby” said spokesperson Huguette Allen “We want them to know that neither Mayor Acton nor MLA Eric Foster have a mandate to pursue the prison since 56% of residents voted No in a voters poll held by the Village of Lumby and NORD Area D. Mayor Acton is still pursuing the prison saying that Lumby Village voted 56% in favour. Yet prior to the vote, Mayor Acton was quoted in the Vernon Morning Star as saying “We consider Area D as the Lumby community. It’s one community”.
Aspenware no longer a reality says Mayor.
May 17, 2011 – Dryden Observer
The long awaited answer to the future of Aspenware in Dryden is finally here. According to City of Dryden Mayor, Craig Nuttall, Aspenware will not be building their wood cutlery facility in Dryden at this time.
“Michael Gravelle, (Ontario Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry) has announced that Aspenware is going to continue with the B.C. operation, so they have no future plans right now to do anything in Dryden,” said Nuttall.
Nuttall said the company is going to concentrate on their BC operations, and see if they can become more productive. He says the wood supply competition has nothing to do with the choice that Aspenware has made.
Nuttall says it will now be up to the economic development officer to market the property that was coined for use by Aspenware and bring new industry to the community.
“It’s disappointing but we wish them luck and hope that in a few years they will still come to Dryden,” said Nuttall. “It would have been nice to create all those jobs.
Aspenware was looking at developing a 50,000 square foot manufacturing plant on a 5-acre site in the new industrial park in Dryden.
Summer 2011
The Vernon Morning Star reported that frustration is growing as Lumby residents still don’t know if inmates will be their neighbours. It was expected the Ministry of Public Safety would announce the site of a proposed Okanagan correctional facility in June, but that didn’t occur.
“With all the community has been through, it deserves to have some answers,” said Mayor Kevin Acton who added, “People are asking me what’s going on. Everyone is walking on egg shells and wondering what’s happening.”
During an April referendum, 56 per cent of those who voted in the village said yes to a prison while 44 per cent said no. In adjacent Area D of the Regional District of North Okanagan Region, 34 per cent voted yes while 66 per cent voted no. Based on the results from village residents, council decided to apply for a correctional facility.
Also seeking a prison are Summerland, the Penticton Indian Band and the Osoyoos Indian Band.
“I can only assume it’s taking longer to go through the data provided to them,” said Acton of the ministry’s delay in making a decision.
Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA has not been given a timeline for an announcement by the ministry. “I’ve been told nothing has been decided yet,” he said. Foster, who is a Lumby resident, admits the prison issue has been controversial in the community and he hopes the ministry makes a decision soon.
“I’d like to get an answer sooner than later” he added, “I’d like to get on with this no matter how it (decision) goes.”
Ministry officials state that they hope to select a site in the near future.
“It’s important to recognize this is a historic, long-term investment for both the province and the final chosen community and we need to give all of our options careful consideration to ensure we get it right,” states a spokesperson.
Gravelle confirms Aspenware remarks following controversy
May 25, 2011 - – Dryden Observer
Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry (MNDMF), Michael Gravelle has confirmed he was the source of remarks echoed to the media by Dryden Mayor Craig Nutall on the wood cutlery manufacturer Aspenware’s prospects in Dryden. Last week the city’s economic development agency claimed that Nutall’s remarks in the previous edition of the Dryden Observer were not true.
But the minister says otherwise.
“I spoke to Mayor Nuttall about a week or so ago, and the decision was made by Aspenware that indeed they were going to focus on their facility and their operation in British Columbia,” said Gravelle. “They have been able to secure an investor to work on their Generation Two prototype and want to be able to focus on the production in BC.
And then, if things go well, although I shouldn’t speak for Aspenware, they hope to locate in Northern Ontario and specifically in Dryden.”
Nutall claims he didn’t say anything that wasn’t and still isn’t true.
“I would welcome anyone to our city, especially Aspenware,” he said. “A lot of people have been after me, asking me about what’s going on. You have to remember, I did not make the announcement — it was the Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forests Mike Gravelle that said they (Aspenware) were going to concentrate on B.C. before they come to Ontario and that it was on hold. If they still want to come, our arms are open wide.”
A subsequent press release from Aspenware reinforced the company’s interest in Dryden. It also states that the company wishes to strengthen its overall position before expansion into Northwestern Ontario. Originally, the company had projected to have a Dryden manufacturing facility in place by August 2010.
Aspenware’s president, Terry Bigsby said, “Building the first Gen-II line in Vernon has always been our go-forward strategy. It enables us to take full advantage of the expertise and experience of our local staff. Northwestern Ontario is a perfect location for our plans for future expansion as it is a region rich with wood fibre, close to important distribution channels, and has a wealth of forestry expertise across a number of locations”.
Aspenware has been in high-level discussions with MNDMF officials to secure a provincial loan guarantee and wood supply that would support Aspenware’s expansion plans once the Gen-II production process is proven at its Vernon facility.
As for Aspenware’s efforts to obtain loan guarantees from the government, Gravelle says funding discussions have wrapped up and when Aspenware is in a position to move forward with Ontario operations, he would welcome them back to discussion about what ever programs the Ministry has in place. Aspenware says it has received strong support for its future expansion plan into Northwestern Ontario.
“We have been especially pleased by the reception our development plans have received from MNDMF, and the Ministry’s willingness to assist us in securing the long-term debt we’ll need to build a production facility in Northwestern Ontario. We have a strong business plan and expanding market demand; we now need to demonstrate a proven, reliable manufacturing process in order for the provincial government to stand behind us, and we would expect this as a requirement,” said Bigsby. “Achieving commercial operation of the Gen-II line is the critical milestone for Aspenware as it will significantly de-risk any expansion and confirm that an Ontario facility will be mechanically reliable and economically sustainable for the long-term.”
Gravelle said, “They (Aspenware) recognize that in order for them to move into the Ontario market, Dryden specifically, they needed to have their product and their prototype being a productive and efficient product.”
“We had very positive discussions with them and we’re certainly pleased that they will still consider northern Ontario, and Dryden, once they’re in a position to do so, but again this is pretty much a mutually agreed on position they’re taking and we will welcome them back when they are able to return to the discussions about the province,” said Gravelle.
Which Future?
As a civic election looms large in Lumby it will appear to provide all the trappings for choosing the kind of future that residents want to construct for themselves. Embracing any solution for securing a local economic engine is a challenging one, and as demonstrated in this article, often chaotic. But there’s something to be said for a community being able to learn how to support and grow businesses that utilize the land, local skills and innovation so that the entire community can prosper.
Lumby is part of the Okanagan, employment growth has been strong and economic diversification is rising, overall, the region is not forestry dependent anymore and is experiencing strong population growth and an economic expansion in non-forestry sectors. In the Okanagan Valley, labour force trends show a decline in conventional harvesting and primary milling employment, but significant increases in engineered wood production particularly for niche markets. And like the Lower Mainland, our core of entrepreneurs is a source of management and capital for value-added manufacturing.
We have to recognize our strengths while we examine reality, but most importantly our region and our community must renew a vision for creating a sustainable local economy that considers protecting this place we call our home.
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Lumby continues to be off-course with economic development
Aspenware celebrates its new home in Vernon - not Lumby
May 18. 2012
Lumby’s loss has become Vernon’s gain as Aspenware moves from rural Lumby to Vernon.
Since 2009, Aspenware had begun to make noises that it needed to expand operations.
The business had been located in rural Lumby for a number of years, taking over the former Silver Hills Bakery manufacturing facility on Mabel Lake Road after that company moved operations to the Fraser Valley. Aspenware has received some notoriety from its appearance on CBC’s The Dragons Den, but for the most part it’s not much different from other manufacturing start-ups – seeking investment, struggling to brand itself and open new markets while dealing with bricks and mortar issues with very little capital.
Today, the Aspenware plant in rural Lumby is vacant, but company owners continue to be excited about the future – as they claim that business is booming. Last week, Aspenware unveiled its new, multi-million dollar facility in Vernon. Its utensils are biodegradable and offer an environmentally friendly alternative to disposable plastic cutlery.
Lowry Lund told CHBC, “This is a project that is going to change the way that everyone in the world thinks about disposable cutlery.” North Americans use 100 billion disposable plastic utensils every year; most of the products end up in landfills. The wooden utensils are made out of timber that forest companies reject.
“We use salvage wood, mostly aspen and birch,” said co-founder Terry Bigsby. Aspenware has been making the products for more than a decade but low production levels hampered growth. It was never able to produce more than 35,000 wooden forks, knives and spoons a day. In order to increase production, the company decided to develop its own technology, a $3 million machine that allows Aspenware to produce ten times as much cutlery as before.
“We are talking with three or four of the largest fast food chains in the world,” said Doug Frankiw of Aspenware. “We have shipped to Chile and we’re also in Europe right now. Our biggest challenge is we can’t meet the production demands.”
Aspenware’s goal is to eventually produce one billion wooden utensils a year. The company also hopes to expand its workface dramatically over the next few years.
For Lumby area residents, Aspenware’s success should serve as a constant reminder of lost opportunity, and how not to engage in economic development. During Aspenware’s transition, Lumby was trying to chase down a provincial jail, politicians and some community leaders may have completely missed a tremendous opportunity to help a local business grow 100 jobs in the Lumby area.
Last year MVS did a chronology of events linked to Aspenware and the possibility of it moving from Lumby. The warning drew no response from Lumby Mayor and Council, the RDNO Directors, the MLA, nor the Chamber of Commerce.
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The story you are about to read contains a collection of short news articles pertaining to Aspenware, a company located just north of the Village of Lumby on Mabel Lake Road. I’ve collected these articles and then placed them within a time landscape in order to demonstrate a context by which certain events unfolded in relationship to Lumby’s effort to secure a provincial jail.
over the
Aspenware has been located in rural Lumby for a number of years, it has received some notoriety from its appearance on CBC’s The Dragons Den.
Photo by Doug Jones
