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October 17, 2013
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Spray Park moving forward without council approval?
March 30, 2012
Questions have emerged with regards to provincial funding of the proposed Lumby Spray Park. This past week Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster was in Lumby to handover a giant cheque to the Village of Lumby totaling $348,258 to help pay for both a Spray Park and an Outdoor Fitness Circuit – the key question that needs to be answered is whether Lumby actually wants this particular Spray Park deal?
And futher to that question - what is the Spray Park deal?
Village council was faced with a tight application deadline and voted in favour of “applying for the provincial funds”. Because the deadline was so close, there was a concern that there was not enough time for information gathering and that there would be another vote to “accept the funds”.
Some members of council expressed concern regarding what the true costs would be for operating the spray park. At present it appears as though the operating cost for the park will add up to approximately $7000 per year, however at the last council meeting there was uncertainty regarding both construction and operating costs.
Councilor Randal Ostafichuk had reported that White Valley Parks, Recreation and Culture was looking into a water recycling possibility for the park and he added that there was also another partnership possibility with the Okanagan Science Centre which would bring into the park a “science” theme. However there were no costs outlined within his presentation to council.
While councilors seemed uncertain about the long-term costs of operating the spray park, they also had concerns about user liability issues, but were urged by Mayor Kevin Acton to move forward with the funding application in order to meet the deadline. After some discussion, councilor’s compromised with the Mayor’s request and agreed to submit an application.
But this week there was a full media announcement outlining the project as a done deal, complete with a photo op. The approved provincial funds which were partnered with local fundraising by the Lion’s Club and Teddy’s Angels and Martins Devils along with investment funds from RDNO Area’s D and E and the Village of Lumby which all totaled $87,064.54.
The project now totals $435,322.54 and is considered part of Phase 1 of the new White Valley Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
Village Council will no doubt be dealing with the “approval” question and the long-term costs of the spray park at their next meeting.
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2.82% Village of Lumby tax increase
March 21, 2012
Village of Lumby property owners will be faced with a tax increase. The village’s preliminary 2012 budget calls for a 2.82 per cent tax increase, with most of that money going towards reserves for roads and other projects. The Village estimates it needs about $100,000 annually to maintain its roads and it’s proposing to place $25,000 per year into reserves for infrastructure.
The revenue targets would have translated into a 3.3 per cent tax increase if other savings had not been found in the budget.
“We want to put money away to fix Shuswap Avenue,” said Mayor Kevin Acton.
Shuswap Avenue requires about $150,000 to resurface the road.
Mayor Keven Acton reports that, “We’re using small increases to get the big jobs done,” he said. He added that the impact of a 2.82 tax increase on a home assessed at $233,921 will be an extra $19.42 in 2012.
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Former councilors seek residency requirements
February 21, 2012
Lumby Village Council received a formal request from former Lumby councilor Elinor Turill on Monday. The request is to bring back the residency requirement for people seeking election to village council, an effort that would require a change in provincial legislation.
Turrill’s request to council was presented by Janet Green another past councilor and former Lumby mayoralty candidate.
Acting mayor Nick Hodge told KISS FM, "She asked us to take a motion to the Union of BC Municipalities to restrict people running for office by their residency, so only residents of the Village of Lumby could run in elections in the village."
The village council chambers had a large audience of people who were both village and Area D residents. Most of them voicing opposition to the proposal.
British Columbia’s municipal system differs from both Alberta and Saskatchewan. In those provinces rural areas are gathered into Rural Municipalities or Counties, each having their own Reeve and Council.
In BC, Electoral Areas such as Area D have an elected “Director” who is the local government within a Regional District. Electoral Areas then join or establish services with adjoining “Municipalities”.
Much of the municipal infrastructure in the village has investment from the Area D tax base, and the relationship between the two communities has become stressed over the past year.
Hodge says council decided to defer its decision.
"We're going to take a couple of weeks to think about that."
Hodge says he feels the motion could be divisive at a time when the community needs to pull together.
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Premier announces site for Okanagan correctional centre
February 6, 2012 - Government Press Release
OSOYOOS – The Province has selected the Osoyoos Indian Band’s proposed site, in the Senkulmen Enterprise Park on Highway 97, as the preferred location for a new Okanagan correctional centre, Premier Christy Clark announced today.
“This project has the potential to bring incredible economic benefits to the South Okanagan and greater public safety for communities, correctional staff and inmates across our province,” said Premier Clark. “We look forward to working in partnership with the Osoyoos Indian Band to complete a detailed business plan as the next step in moving this project forward.”
The project will create up to 500 direct and 500 indirect jobs. On completion, the centre will provide the equivalent of 240 new, full-time positions and will more than double corrections capacity in B.C.’s Interior.
After a thorough evaluation of sites proposed by two communities and two bands, BC Corrections selected the industrial park as the best location for the 360-cell facility. Key considerations included project costs, zoning, environmental impacts, accessibility to major transportation routes and the projected completion date.
“The high-security, state-of-the-art centre we envision continues the record investments we are making in the corrections system,” said Shirley Bond, Minister of Public Safety, Solicitor General and Attorney General. “We are currently completing the $185-million Phase 1 expansion plan and today’s announcement begins the next phase. The Okanagan correctional centre will add new cells and more corrections officers and will go a long way toward addressing capacity needs in the system.”
“Today’s welcome news reflects well on the strength of the business case we presented and the confidence we and the Province feel in each other as partners in this significant project,” said Chief Clarence Louie, Chief Executive Officer, Osoyoos Indian Band. “Our band owns the most businesses per capita of any First Nation in Canada, which makes us a major economic driver in our region. This project will only build on our history of success.”
“In my decades of working for Osoyoos – with the chamber of commerce, on council and as its MLA – I can think of few developments promising the long-term economic benefits of this new centre,” said Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater. “Many major business successes in our region have links to the Osoyoos Indian Band, and I believe the Province has made a very sound choice of partner for this project.”
The 45-acre Senkulmen Enterprise Park lies 28 kilometres south of Penticton and seven kilometres north of Oliver. The project, the first partnership of its kind between BC Corrections and a First Nation, will be a key component of Phase 2 of the Province’s historic corrections capital plan. The completed facility will contribute to an overall increase of almost 800 new cells on the Lower Mainland, in the Interior and in the North since 2008.
Quick Facts About the Jail:
In early May 2011, five local governments and First Nations – the Village of Lumby, District of Summerland, City of Penticton, Penticton Indian Band and Osoyoos Indian Band – proposed a total of 13 sites. BC Corrections staff visited all of the proposed sites and met with local government and First Nations staff.
The City of Penticton subsequently rescinded its two site proposals in June 2011.
A detailed evaluation based on the proposal information and site visits followed.
The proposed Okanagan correctional centre will consist of 360 secure cells in 10 living units at an estimated construction cost of approximately $200 million.
Construction timelines and a projected completion date will follow the development of the comprehensive business case during the ongoing planning phase. The project will be assessed for procurement as a public-private partnership.
Three other capital projects have already been completed or are currently underway as part of Phase 1 of the Province’s corrections capital plan:
- 20 new cells at Prince George Regional Correctional Centre (completed).
- 104 new cells at Alouette Correctional Centre for Women (nearing completion).
- 216 new cells at Surrey Pretrial Services Centre (site preparation began in January 2012).
The Osoyoos Indian Band has 460 members, employs approximately 700 people and already contributes $40 million to the local economy. The band also administers its own health, social and educational services.
Learn More:
Learn more about BC Corrections: www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/corrections/index.htm
Visit the Osoyoos Indian Band’s website: www.oib.ca/gateway.asp
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PRISON GOES TO OLIVER
February 5, 2012
According to a KISS FM Report, it appears a new prison in the BC Interior will be located in the South Okanagan, and on First Nations land.
The BC government has announced Premier Christy Clark will be in the South Okanagan on Monday morning.
Premier Christy Clark will be joined by Minister of Public Safety, Solicitor General and Attorney General Shirley Bond and Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band to make an announcement benefiting public safety and job creation for families in the Okanagan.
Officials are expected to announce the site of a new 360 cell, minimum security prison which Lumby, Summerland and the Penticton First Nations also submitted proposal for.
The announcement will be made at Senkulmen Enterprise Park on Hwy 97 in Oliver.
At long last, the BC government is ready to make a decision on an Okanagan prison site.
Vernon Monashee MLA Eric Foster confirms to Kiss FM, the Solicitor General's office will make the announcement on Monday, with the time and perhaps more details to be announced later today.
Foster said he could not say anything else about the announcement at this time.
Lumby, Summerland and the Penticton and Oysoyoos First Nations have submitted proposals for the 360 cell minimum security correctional centre.
Solicitor General Shirley Bond had originally set last June as when her ministry would announce its decision, but that was set back by as she said several times the complexity of the decision, and possibly cost factors with the rejection of the HST by BC residents.
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Lumby’s Historic Hotel Closes its Doors
January 31, 2012
There are reports surfacing that the Lumby Hotel has permanently closed its doors and that hotel tenants have been told to leave. MVS hopes to provide more information about this event which has been rumored for quite sometime. The Lumby Hotel is a local landmark that anchored the beginning of Lumby when Louis Morand purchased 40 acres to build the townsite in 1891.
Morand began building the hotel that he called the Ramshorn but due to a lumber shortage could not complete it until 1892; however that hotel burned down in 1893. Morand then rebuilt the hotel in 1895. The Ramshorn was sold in 1902 and then 100 years ago, in May, 1912 the Ramshorn was renamed the Lumby Hotel.
Fire again destroyed the hotel in 1932 and it was rebuilt again in 1935. In 1975 the hotel was renovated again; a lounge was added along with additional room’s on the second floor; and the pub was renamed “The Ramshorn Pub” in honour of the original hotel. In 1991 for its centennial another renovation took place which included the addition of the cold beer and wine store.
At this moment, it is uncertain what the present owners have planned for the hotel building and property – or whether there is any plan to re-open the business.
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Bovine TB issue continues in Cherryville
January 17, 2012
It began nearly eight months ago and according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency it is still investigating a case of bovine tuberculosis in the North Okanagan.
The investigation emerged in Cherryville, but CFIA believes that the Bovine TB has not spread to other farms. According to the CFIA’s Dr. Bob Cooper they've gone from having 29 quarantined farms in BC, down to two. The CFIA cannot officially state where the quarantined farms are.
The disease was discovered when the cow was slaughtered in the US. According to the CFIA the probe is limiting the spread by tracing cattle that left the farm, believed to be the source.
Dr. Cooper reported to local media that, "The other part of the process is to see if we can locate or determine a source of introduction into that herd, and that's really what we're looking at right now. Currently, we haven't detected any other disease."
Cooper has no idea how much longer the probe will take, noting they have to contact producers, and conduct testing.
"It will certainly be a while longer, but we're confident with the progress we've made so far."
The disease doesn't impact food safety, but causes a fever and cough in cattle, and can be spread to other animals and humans. It is uncertain whether there have been any efforts with regards to assessing risks to the wildlife population.
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Update: Police investigation in Cherryville
December 29, 2011
RCMP have confirmed that they were in Cherryville to investigate leads in the death of Armstrong teen Taylor Van Diest, however they said no arrest was made.
Today, Cpl. Dan Moskaluk told MVS, "The RCMP SED MCU (Southeast District Major Crimes Unit) continue their efforts in advancing the investigation into the murder of Taylor Van Diest. Officers have been present in numerous communities conducting interviews throughout BC including Cherryville. No arrests have been made in connection with Taylor's death at this time."
Anybody with any information is asked to call the random tip line set up for the Van Diest homicide at 1-888-688-4264 or, if you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
MVS will continue to watch this story closely and to report on any local discoveries that RCMP make public.
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Unconfirmed: Murder suspect arrested in Cherryville
December 28, 2011
MVS has unconfirmed reports that RCMP have arrested a suspect in Cherryville in connection with the October 31st murder of an Armstrong teen on Halloween.
The body of 18 year old Taylor Van Diest, was found within the railway right-of-way and her assailant has remained at-large.
According to locals, a police presence that included a police helicopter arrived in Cherryville on Thursday and some local residents claim that an arrest took place, however this remains unconfirmed by police at this time.
Police had been working a major lead in the Diest murder when it has discovered that DNA matched a Kelowna sexual assault in 2005. The Kelowna assault remained unsolved, though police had released a composite drawing of the suspect from the 2005 Kelowna incident.
“As a result of their efforts, the RCMP investigative team have profiled DNA evidence against the person who killed Taylor Van Diest,” said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk, RCMP spokesperson, at a press conference in Vernon in November. “This DNA is from an unknown male.”
The suspect DNA sample was not contained within the known offender DNA data bank.
Police had also said the attack on Van Diest was random.
“Investigators can confirm the match, however they do not have the outright identity of this person at this time (Nov),” said Moskaluk. “The investigators are working hard to identify this man, although they would appreciate any assistance the public can provide to help them identify this man.”
According to media reports, based on the DNA evidence, police believed the man who killed Taylor Van Diest is the same man who sexually assaulted a Kelowna woman working for an escort service in April 2005. That sexual assault occurred on April 12, 2005 and was reported to Kelowna RCMP at the time.
“We can confirm that the assault occurred inside the Garden of Eden Escort Agency which was then, and still is, located in the downtown area of Kelowna,” said Moskaluk.
“The victim was an employee of the escort agency at the time of the sexual assault.”
The suspect is described as a Caucasian man with a darker skin tone. He was described as 19-to-20-years-old at the time, making him 25-to-26 today, had dark coloured eyes, possibly brown, with short dark hair.
He was listed as between five-foot-eight and five-foot-10 with a stocky build, though not particularly fit or muscular.
The man also had large distinct side burns and noticeably thick eyebrows.
Moskaluk said it’s important for people to realize the drawing is how the suspect appeared in 2005.
Early on in the investigation RCMP believed that the suspect was a resident of the Okanagan Valley.
“He was a resident of the Okanagan in the spring of 2005, and he was still a resident on Halloween night of this year. It is possible he lived outside of the valley for a period of time from 2005 to 2011,” said Moskaluk.
While it’s unknown what lead to the unconfirmed arrest in Cherryville, police had believed that the suspect’s family, friends or associates held valuable information that would help solve the crimes.
“We ask that residents of the Okanagan think back to the days just prior to Taylor’s murder on Halloween night to see if they recall some form of conflict, or personal upset on the day or days leading up to Halloween,” said Moskaluk.
“This may include financial pressures, relationship pressures, job loss or other serious life stressor.”
The suspect may have had scratches to his face, neck or arms, may have had changes to his regular routine such as missed appointments or commitments to work or school.
Friends, family and associates may have observed noticeable changes in mood on or around Halloween night, and may have made a sudden, unplanned or unexplained departure from the area shortly after the Armstrong murder.
Police believe the individual may be financially dependent on others or collecting social assistance.
Anybody with any information is asked to call the random tip line set up for the Van Diest homicide at 1-888-688-4264 or, if you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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Tree harvesting increase?
Okanagan timber supply review
October 7, 2011
Trees and forests may emerge as front and centre issues in time for this upcoming civic election. Presently the Village of Lumby is proposing a large community forest based on licenses presently controlled by Weyerhaeuser and Tolko, however while the land area is very large the proposed Annual Allowable Cut is 20,000 cubic meters, believed to be far below the amount needed for a profitable community forest operation.
Questions remain as to whether Lumby Village Council will financially prop up its community forest corporation with local tax funds or whether it will attempt to negotiate a larger annual cut. However, with low timber prices, a large land area to manage and a tax base eager for lower taxes any solution may be challenging.
At the same time, the Ministry of Forests may be trying to increase the overall number of trees harvested in the Okanagan timber supply area. The province is asking for input on an Okanagan timber supply review. Comments are being accepted until Friday, Oct. 21, 2011, on a discussion paper released which is part of a comprehensive review of the Okanagan timber supply area.
The discussion paper describes the geography, natural resources, forest management, socio-economic profile, and allowable annual cut history of the Okanagan timber supply area, which includes Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton, Salmon Arm and many other smaller communities ranging from Osoyoos in the south to Sicamous in the north.
A summary of public input on the discussion paper will be reviewed by chief forester Jim Snetsinger before he sets a new allowable annual cut for the Okanagan timber supply area.
Copies of the discussion paper are available on the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations website or from the Okanagan-Shuswap district office in Vernon.
The chief forester's allowable annual cut determination is an independent professional judgment based on information ranging from technical forestry reports, First Nations and public input to the government's social and economic goals.
Under the timber supply review, the chief forester must determine how much wood can be harvested in each of the province's 38 timber supply areas and 34 tree farm licenses at least once every 10 years.
A new allowable annual cut may be determined earlier in response to abnormal situations, or postponed for up to five years if an allowable annual cut level is not expected to change significantly.
The Discussion Paper can be downloaded from this link
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Village says - Grant will reduce operational costs
and greenhouse gas emissions
September 21, 2011 from the Village of Lumby newsletter
The Village of Lumby partnered with the Regional District of North Okanagan to secure a $400,000 grant that will improve energy efficiency at Lumby’s outdoor pool, the Pat Duke Arena, and the Lumby Curling Club. The equipment upgrades will reduce energy costs by $6,300 annually, and lower CO2 (greenhouse gas) emissions by 60 metric tonnes a year. The money saved will be put into reserves for future recreation infrastructure upgrades.
The pool’s existing liner will be replaced with tile, and the pool building will be upgraded. The arena and curling club will receive energy upgrades, including new dehumidifiers and condensers. These improvements will make the facilities safer as well as more energy efficient, and will ensure their continued operation into future years.
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Eric Foster: Lumby Seniors Can Stay Close to Home, Family
Contributed - August 17, 2011
As most readers will know, I have been tirelessly working with the Ministry of Health on the expansion at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. While I’m still working with Minister Michael de Jong on this, it’s nice to have the opportunity to deliver some other good news in the meantime.
From now on, Lumby seniors who can no longer live on their own won’t have to look out of town to find new accommodation.
Last week, Interior Health signed a contract with inSite Housing, Hospitality & Health Services to run a 46-unit residential care centre. It will be adjacent to the Health Centre – and near both Monashee Place and Saddle Mountain Place – making for an extremely convenient location. These 46 beds are part of 527 announced by Interior Health in December 2010 – necessary additions as British Columbia’s population continues to age.
While this is by no means a solution, in the near term, this new facility will ease some of the pressure on Vernon Jubilee Hospital. Obviously there’s much more to be done – and will be done – but even the longest journey must begin with a first step.
I was careful not to influence the bidding process in any way, but as a former Mayor of Lumby, I have been keenly aware of the need for a facility like this. It’s a need that has grown with Lumby and the wider region, both in size and age. It’s extremely gratifying to see all the hard work that went into this start to come to fruition.
We anticipate work will begin by November, and take about a year – meaning Christmas 2012 might be extra special for quite a few Lumby families, as their parents and grandparents will no longer have to find care and accommodation elsewhere.
This project and the facility it will create in Lumby is exactly the kind of thing Premier Christy Clark had in mind with her “families first” philosophy. Allowing seniors who need extra care to remain in Lumby, near their loved ones, keeps families together.
I can’t think of any better way to put families first.
Visit Eric's website at www.ericfostermla.bc.ca
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Interior Health Awards Contract
for Residential Care Beds in Lumby
Friday, August 05, 2011
By Interior Health; Village of Lumby
LUMBY - The building of 46 publicly funded residential care beds in the North Okanagan moved forward on August 4th with the signing of a contract with inSite Housing, Hospitality & Health Services (inSite), Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster has announced.
“This is great news for the North Okanagan,” said MLA Foster. “This is a brand new facility that will be built in Lumby adjacent to the Health Centre, making it a very convenient location.”
In response to Interior Health’s request for proposals for the design, construction and operation of the new beds, eight proposals were submitted. After careful evaluation, inSite emerged as the successful proponent.
“Interior Health is pleased to once again be working with inSite,” said Norman Embree, IH Board Chair. “We know that this new facility will provide the appropriate level of care in the best possible setting.”
The RFP sought proposals from operators with experience in residential care project development and operation. inSite operates senior’s independent, supportive, and assisted living communities throughout the province. Interior Health has partnered with inSite in the past to operate or mentor assisted and residential care villages in Sicamous, Revelstoke, Lake Country, Kelowna, Keremeos, Golden, Barriere, Ashcroft, and Grand Forks. They were also recently announced as the successful proponent to build 71 new publicly-funded residential care beds in Salmon Arm.
“We enjoy a strong working relationship with Interior Health and we look forward to expanding this relationship to the community of Lumby,” said Carole Holmes, inSite’s Board Chair.
Work on the new facility is expected to begin in November 2011 with estimated completion in November 2012. The new facility will be built on two lots adjacent to Interior Health’s Lumby Health Centre on Norris Avenue. The land was purchased by the Village of Lumby, and rezoned accordingly. The Village will be selling the property to the developer.
The 46 beds are part of 527 residential care beds announced by Interior Health last December. The new units are needed to meet the growing needs of an aging population.
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Notice of High Speed disconnection
July 13, 2011
Supporters for high speed Internet service were dealt a blow when MP Colin Mayes informed them that Area D and E are not eligible for the Connecting Rural Canadians Program.
NORD was working with Telus to rush a proposal in so that Internet service could be completed “before the snow flies”. In an email from the Okanagan-Shuswap MP’s office they were told, “The Minister of Industry’s assistant apologizes profusely but he has learned after more follow-up under this program that they cannot accept anymore applications through their office. - I have been in touch with MLA Eric Foster’s office and would like to pass on that the Province of BC has a program called the Connecting Citizens Grant Program which could fund the same projects…of course, Colin would be more than happy to provide you with a letter of support for the projects as well”.
However, upon review of the provincial program it appears that funding has already been committed and the Lumby and Cherryville areas do not appear on the funding list. At this point it is uncertain how the news will impact the partnership required with Telus to upgrade ADSL Broadband service and make it available to the majority of rural residents in Lumby and Cherryville.
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Broadband Update: Connection!
July 7, 2011
MVS has learned that the North Okanagan Regional District and Telus have prepared a proposal for Industry Canada that would see High Speed Broadband Internet available throughout Areas D and E.
Area D Director Rick Fairbairn hopes that service will be available “by the time the snow flies”.
Supporters for the high speed service were scrambling on Tuesday when an email from MP Colin Mayes office was circulated, confirming that Minister Christian Paradis’ the minister in charge of Industry Canada said that funding through the Connecting Rural Canadians Program was still available, however all projects need to be completed by December 31, 2011.
This required that a proposal needed to be submitted immediately. By Thursday, Steve Jenkins of Telus had confirmed with NORD that Telus could in fact complete the Cherryville and rural Lumby projects by the December 31st deadline.
The MP’s office stated that “We strongly encourage Telus or the North Okanagan Regional District to access this funding opportunity and that the MP would provide a letter of support."
There is a great deal of confidence that funding will be approved because of the significant investment that Telus is contributing to the upgrade that would see ADSL Broadband service available to the majority of rural residents.
The partnership that appears to be emerging is that Telus will be paying 50 percent of the improvement costs for Cherryville and Rural Lumby, and Industry Canada would be paying 50 percent. If successful there would be no need for a local service taxation plan to complete the upgrade.
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Chemical spraying continues in public areas
June 22, 2011
For Lumby resident Jane Emlyn, Environment Week brought about a certain irony as she peered out here front window and saw village public works staff spraying pesticides and herbicides on the Lumby park oval.
“They were spraying Mecoprop, 2-4-D and Diacamba all known carcinogens and Lumby council voted that they would not use them again,” said Emlyn.
Emlyn had phoned the village office and was told that they tried other methods of weed and pest control, but were unsuccessful.
“I don’t believe they tried other methods, I live across from the park and would have seen these other methods,” she said.
Emlyn’s concerned about toxicity levels, and suggests that a handful of signs after the chemical applications aren’t enough to protect people.
“Before it was even dry, people were playing on it,” she said.
For the Maple Street resident it has been a longstanding issue and one that she entered into past civic election campaigns.
“When council was running in October 31st 2008, I met with them and I also put a letter in the paper on that date. I also met with Kevin Acton when he was running for Mayor and he assured me that there would be no spraying of any pesticides in or around the village. I had sent over 25 emails to Eric Foster when he was mayor and many phone calls asking him to ban all pesticides in and around Lumby”.
Currently, village council approved chemical applications because non-chemical methods had not worked and organic methods were not cost effective, but Emlyn questions the move and their motivation.
“They have never used other methods like aeration, fertilizer, corn gluten, or spot weed control. So if they have done nothing - which costs nothing - then they pay to have pesticides applied? That seems rather strange to me.”
“It’s dichotomy,” she says. Emlyn warns residents and particularly parents that they should be aware of the problem
“I noticed they also sprayed the Royals Ball Park, but the Legion camp ground seems to not be sprayed, yet 10 feet away the Salmon Trail sign asks people to not spray pesticides. School District 22, which we are part of, have a moratorium on pesticides in and around school playing fields, yet CBSS use the oval for classes”.
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Penticton off the prison list
June 21, 2011
The list of local governments wanting a provincial correctional centre became one less last night as Penticton City council formally withdrew its submission for a provincial prison within city limits. However they will now support any neighbouring community‘s application that has the greatest economic benefit to Penticton.
Council voted 5-1 Monday night to present the alternative proposal in the wake of last week‘s opinion poll which saw two-thirds of the voters oppose having the 720-inmate jail in the city.
The Penticton Indian Band remains in competition for the facility as does the Osoyoos Indian Band
Coun. Mike Pearce, who presented the revised motion, has been a vocal supporter of the economic benefits stemming from the prison. Pearce told local media that while he was disappointed by the opinion poll results, he had no alternative but to accept them.
Meanwhile, on Thursday the Osoyoos Indian Band voted 72.72% in favour of hosting the prison on their lands near Oliver. A total of 143 ballots were cast and the vote resulted in 104 members voting yes, 38 no and included one spoiled ballot.
According to the Band, there has been no discernible disagreement in the general community over the prison facility concept on lands to the north of Oliver at Senkulmen Enterprise Park. Minister Shirley Bond is set to make her decision soon on location proposals that includes a proposal from the Village of Lumby.
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Penticton votes 66% against the jail
June 19, 2011
Competition for the jail took another twist today as referendum results became available from Penticton.
Residents in that city voted two-to-one against locating a correctional facility in the city.
The result of a five-day opinion poll was released Saturday night with 4,302 of the 6,445 votes cast being opposed.
With 66.7 per cent of the residents opposed, Mayor Dan Ashton told media that he will take the numbers to Monday night’s city council meeting and some sort of motion is expected. The poll was non-binding meaning the ultimate decision in whether to continue pursuing the facility still remains in the hands of council.
"It’s a decisive number that’s said ’no’ and that’s what council wanted to know. Council wanted to go out and collect information," Ashton said.
Coun. Mike Pearce, who was a strong advocate for locating the prison in Penticton, said he was "extremely disappointed" with the outcome.
Tom Bijvoet, who presented the mayor with a petition opposing the prison, and Lindsey Hall, who spoke against the facility at a recent forum are expected to comment later today.
The event further complicates the Solicitor Generals efforts to locate a 700 inmate jail in the Okanagan. Currently the Penticton Indian Band may still move forward with their application to have the jail located on their land within close proximity to Penticton, while in Lumby, the Village is moving ahead with a proposal against the wishes of rural residents who voted 66 percent against the jail.
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Slide Risk: Mabel-Cotton Forest Service Road
June 12, 2011
Travellers are advised that the Mabel-Cotton Forest Service Road, at the 33.6-kilometre mark on Tsiuis Creek, is closed due to slope instability and the risk of debris sliding on to the road.
The Mabel Lake Forest Service Road from Mabel Lake (Lumby to the south) to Highway 1 (Three Valley Gap to the north) will remain open.
“The public can travel this section of road to access recreational properties - however, travellers are advised to avoid Tsiuis Creek upstream from Mabel Lake until further notice.” said Lyle Knight, Ministry of Forests engineering officer, in a press release.
Staff from the ministry will continue to monitor the instability.
“Residents and visitors to Tsiuis Creek should remain on alert for any sudden drop in creek flow and be prepared to evacuate the area on short notice,” said Knight.
To report an emergency situation, call 1-800-663-3456.
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Online Community News for Lumby, Cherryville, Rural Coldstream and Highway 6
We update this website on a regular basis. We are eager to receive your news, events, advertising and letters by email at: mediaservices@uniserve.com
Omnibus Bylaw makes it tough to know details
December 12, 2012
The Village of Lumby is following a practice that is seeing many bylaws and policies rolled up into a single omnibus bylaw.
An omnibus bill is a proposed law that covers a number of diverse or unrelated topics. It is a single document that is accepted in a single vote by a legislature but packages together several measures into one, or combines diverse subjects into a single proposal.
Municipalities are beginning to follow a trend started by the Federal government where local bylaws are bundled together in vast quantities. In Lumby, the current omnibus bylaw includes many diverse subjects and has now passed its third reading.
The bylaw includes the following diverse subjects:
- Rules and permissions for keeping hens in the village
- The construction of a retaining wall.
- Rules and permissions pertaining to legal suites.
- Rules pertaining to the placement of steel cargo containers.
- Rules and permissions pertaining to additional parking for home based businesses.
- Rules and placements for commercial drive-thru’s.
- Establishment of a minimum lot size for properties not on the village sewer system.
- Conditions where by village bylaws comply with provincial riparian zone regulations..
With all the various subjects within the bylaw only a few came under examination by the media and the public. The Vernon Morning Star reported that about nine people attended a public hearing Monday to provide input on the omnibus bylaw that would permit laying hens on any lot that contains a single-family dwelling and is zoned rural or residential (except the residential manufactured home park zone).
“An entire family showed up to support chickens,” said Mayor Kevin Acton.
“One woman was concerned about feed being stored in backyards and attracting rodents.”
According to council and supporters of henhouses, they suggested that the main goal behind urban hens is to promote food sustainability even though Roosters are still not allowed in the village because of the potential noise conflict.
The bylaw also would permit secondary suites and no one spoke about that at the hearing.
“Secondary suites are a way of providing people with affordable places to live,” said Acton.
“It also helps young families get started with a home with a mortgage helper.”
Council gave third reading to the bylaw Monday and adoption will be considered at a future date.
The most significant item within the bylaw may be the conditions where by village bylaws comply with provincial riparian regulations – at present details of riparian management within the village are unknown.
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Whitevale water advisory continues
November 22, 2012
The Regional District of North Okanagan advises customers that the Whitevale water utility is under a precautionary water quality advisory.
As a precaution, the advisory has been initiated due to emergency work that is required on the system.
“It is estimated that the water quality advisory will be in effect for about two weeks,” said Zee Marcolin, utilities engineer.
“Notification signs will be placed on the incoming roads to the Whitevale subdivision to inform residents of the status of their drinking water.”
Until the advisory is rescinded, the following customers should exercise caution when using water for consumption purposes:
- Young children
- Elderly
- People with weakened immune systems. (Customers who are unsure whether their immune system is compromised should discuss with a physician if they should always take these precautions).
For these customers, water intended for the following uses should be boiled for one minute:
- Drinking
- Washing fruits and vegetables
- Making beverages or ice
- Brushing teeth
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For Sale: Whitevale School
September 28, 2012
Whitevale School is to be sold. The Vernon School District is looking at selling off five surplus schools and properties.
The sales would cover West Vernon Elementary, which has a buyer negotiating now, along with Whitevale Elementary in Lumby, both of which closed several years ago.
The other properties, N'Kwala Park, Heritage Drive, and Lakeridge Drive are currently being used as parks by the Regional District of North Okanagan.
Board chair Bill Turanski told Glen Morrison of KISS FM that part of the reason is to cover a new school being built.
"We're financing the building of Vernon Secondary, that when those properties sell, the funds would go to the Ministry of Education to help pay for the ($38 million budgeted) cost of VSS."
Turanski says the District had expected to have to contribute to the cost of the new school.
"And since we don't have ready cash, that's one way of doing it."
The new VSS on 18th Street will open for classes on January 7th.
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A New beginning for Bee SAFE
Bee SAFE closes its doors to go mobile
September 20, 2012
The Bee SAFE office opened in March 2012 with the objective of identifying, linking and increasing the number of Monashee residents who support healthy agriculture. Six months later, they've identified over 350 supporters, sold as many signs, and helped many people in their efforts grow food organically in the Lumby, Lavington and Cherryville areas.
“We write regular columns and are invited to speak about GMO and pesticides at numerous events. We're working with landowners to restore the health of their farms after GMO and pesticides were used on it, and are helping others start food-related businesses,” said Huguette Allen.
”These projects, as well as others that are in the planning stage, require us to be out of the office rather than in. Although our downtown office has been instrumental in getting us known, it has now become redundant. Therefore the Bee SAFE office will close at the end of October so we can focus on doing more outreach. We'll keep a presence via signs in downtown Lumby so everyone will know how to reach us, and we'll have regular ads and columns in papers and on the Internet,” she said.
The Bee SAFE website and regular E-Newsletters along with regular monthly events will continue to build the Bee SAFE movement so that supporters can continue to build communities where agriculture is safe for the bees, and for people, so they can contribute to a strong local food economy.
“We invite anyone interested in working with us to contact us by email at beesafemonashees@gmail.com or by phone at 250-547-0272 and to register for our regular E-Newsletter by going to our website at www.beesafemonashees.org “
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All together: Communities can help prevent suicide
September 13, 2012
The numbers are disturbing. In Canada suicide claims the lives of more than 3,500 people each year. In 2010, over 450 deaths in B.C. were attributed to suicide. Hospitalization due to self harming and suicidal behaviours is even more common. Between 2010-2011, there were over 2,800 self-inflicted injuries that required hospitalization in B.C.; some involved children as young as 10 years old. Not only are the emotional impacts of suicide widespread affecting millions of Canadians, including family, friends and communities, the financial impact is also significant. In 2010-2011 the direct healthcare costs associated with suicide and suicide attempts in B.C. were over 20 million dollars.
“There are many things communities can do to prevent suicide. Recognizing the signs of suicide and creating suicide-safer communities are key to helping people at risk,” said Jenny Turco, Community Health Facilitator with Interior Health.
Monday September 10th was World Suicide Prevention Day and it marked the beginning of events and efforts that will take place across Canada and around the world to promote suicide awareness and prevention. This year the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) has chosen the theme “All Together – Promoting Resilience in Families and Communities.” The theme is both an invitation and a challenge for every segment of society to become involved and work together to support suicide prevention at home, in the community and in the workplace by encouraging open conversation. CASP has resources available online to support suicide prevention at www.suicideprevention.ca
“It’s important communities address the issue openly so that people at risk feel comfortable speaking up and seeking help from someone they can trust,” added Turco.
The launch of the Interior Crisis Line Network this past year means all Interior Health residents now have around-the-clock access to telephone support when they need assistance managing personal concerns. The toll free number is 1-888-353-CARE (2273).
CARE stands for:
C-Confidential telephone-based crisis line services
A-Accessible across the Southern Interior 24/7/365
R-Resources for you, in your community
E-Empowering support for all concerns
Help is also available for those who are feeling suicidal through local Mental Health and Substance Use Services, family physicians and hospitals. Many communities also offer suicide survivor support groups. Websites such as http://www.crisiscentre.bc.ca or http://youthinbc.com/ are available.
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Lumby council submitted seven prison sites
and two of them made it into the final three
FOI documents provide insight on prison decision
August 15, 2012
A news report from the Penticton Western News has revealed that Lumby Village Council submitted no less than seven sites to the provincial government in an effort to capture a jail and that two of the sites were short listed to the top three. The story also reveals that originally there would have been little chance of a jail coming to the Okanagan but that because local governments had been petitioning for the jail, a “rare opportunity” was presented. The November 2011 Briefing Note added that, “Gaining local government and community acceptance in the Lower Mainland could take years.”
Part 1 - By Joe Fries – Penticton Western News
Three sites at either end of the Okanagan Valley were short-listed as potential homes for a new jail, but the deciding factors remain locked up in secrecy.
The B.C. government eventually settled on a plot in a new business park outside Oliver that’s owned by the Osoyoos Indian Band. Premier Christy Clark made the announcement there in February, and the 360-cell provincial remand centre is expected to open in 2016.
Two of the seven sites offered by the Village of Lumby also made the top three, but pitches from the District of Summerland and the Penticton Indian Band did not, according to government documents, and it’s unclear what set those proposals apart from each other or the eventual winner.
The evaluation matrix was severed from records about the decision process obtained by the Western News through a freedom of information request. The matrix was attached to a December 2011 briefing note to the Minister of Justice and it is therefore considered a matter of cabinet confidence.
“For a government that says it’s going to be open and transparent ... it’s been like pulling teeth trying to get information,” said B.C. NDP public safety critic Kathy Corrigan.
In a statement sent by email, the provincial government’s communications branch said only that “key considerations included project costs, zoning, environmental impacts, accessibility to major transportation routes and the projected completion date.”
The short-list of potential sites was included in a package sent to the NDP in response to its own FOI request about the jail, which the party shared with the Western News.
Brian Titus, who heads the Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corporation, did not address his winning bid’s merits in an email response to a request for comment.
Summerland Mayor Janice Perrino was told by the province that the selection boiled down to infrastructure, and the unserviced plot of Crown land put forward by her community just didn’t have any.
She wasn’t surprised to learn her bid didn’t make the top three: “We knew ours was a stretch.”
The FOI documents also indicate the cost of the facility is expected to be higher than the number that was made public.
A government press release issued the day of the premier’s announcement referenced the jail’s “estimated construction cost of approximately $200 million.” However, a briefing note sent to the Treasury Board in November 2011 estimated the construction cost at $214 million, and the total capital cost, including items like furniture and equipment, at $273.5 million.
And because the B.C. government expects to spend over $50 million on the project, the note said, “a public-private partnership is being considered as the base case.” It goes on to peg the prison’s annual operating cost at $60 million.
Titus, from the OIBDC, said the project is expected to go to tender in the fall, and construction is projected to begin in 2014.
On the issue of public acceptance, the November 2011 briefing note also mentioned that local governments in the Okanagan had been petitioning for the jail, which presented a “rare opportunity.”
“Gaining local government and community acceptance in the Lower Mainland could take years,” the note continued.
Public input on the proposed jail was sought by local governments in each of the communities that put forward bids. In Penticton, a June 2011 referendum found jail opponents outnumbered supporters by a two-to-one margin, and the city then withdrew from the process.
The FOI documents also detail an alarming need for a new jail in B.C., because, at present, the “safety of public, staff and inmates is at risk.”
Capacity at new Okanagan jail worries union
Part 2 - By Joe Fries – Penticton Western News
While it’s still unknown why an industrial park near Oliver was chosen as the ideal site for a new Okanagan jail, the need for the facility is quite clear: B.C. is running out of places to park its inmates.
As of September 2011, provincial jails were operating at about 180 per cent of capacity, according to figures provided by B.C. Corrections in a briefing note sent to the Minister of Public Safety.
Provincial jails hold prisoners who are awaiting trial or serving sentences of under two years.
“Safety of public, staff and inmates is at risk,” noted another document that was among a batch of records that explain the rationale for the new jail and was sent to the B.C. NDP in response to a freedom of information request. The party provided those documents to the Western News.
B.C. Corrections estimated that its inmate population would peak around 3,000 this year, about double the 1,517 cells it had in operation, according to a November 2011 briefing note. That means most prisoners have to be double-bunked in a cell with another inmate.
“Double-bunking has become the norm now, but it causes the living units to be overcrowded,” said Dean Purdy, who looks after correctional workers for the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union, and that ultimately leads to more violence.
The documents also point out that jails are coping with an increase in prisoners who need to bunk alone, such as high-profile gangsters or the mentally ill.
“Our jails are becoming the default mental health facilities due to the lack of institutions,” Purdy said.
Even with 320 new cells expected to come online at two jails in the Lower Mainland in the next two years, about 81 per cent of provincial inmates are still forecast to be double-bunked by 2014, according to the documents. That estimate drops to 62 per cent by 2016 with the addition of 360 cells at the new Okanagan jail.
But the wild card is new tough-on-crime legislation adopted by the federal government that could result in an additional 471 new provincial inmates who would push up the double-bunking rate to 78 per cent by 2016, according to the government’s best estimate.
NDP public safety critic Kathy Corrigan said the documents show the Liberal government ignored overcrowding in jails for too long.
“So what we then have as a result is a province that is desperately playing catch-up now.”
Corrigan also said B.C. should have weighed in on the federal crime legislation, specifically provisions that impose mandatory minimum jail terms for some minor offences and remove the possibility of community sentences for others. That will push up correctional costs for the province.
“I know we would have stood up much more strongly on the issue of the federal crime bill and the impacts it’s going to have on B.C.,” said Corrigan, who added her party supports some parts of the legislation, such as provisions that get tough with sexual predators.
If the NDP forms government next spring, she said, it will carry on with construction of the Okanagan jail and assess the need for more cells once it has complete access to B.C. Corrections data.
Besides double-bunking, the other big issue for correctional officers is the staff-to-inmate ratio at B.C. jails.
The ratio had been set at 1:20 prior to 2002, when the new Liberal government began closing down jails and laying off correctional officers, according to Purdy.
Purdy said the union has been told the 360 cells at the Okanagan jail will be divided into 10 double-bunked units, each supervised by a single officer, for a staff-to-inmate ratio of 1:72.
“That’s a big concern for us,” he said, and one that he has raised with both the provincial government and WorkSafeBC.
A written statement from the government communications branch said the jail is expected to hold 500 inmates on average in a mix of segregation units, medical units and regular living units. Brent Merchant, the assistant deputy minister responsible for B.C. Corrections, said via email that inmates are placed based on risk assessments “rather than a simple staff-to-inmate formula that does not take into consideration the complex nature of the individuals being supervised, nor the physical design of the living unit.”
Merchant, who signed off on some of the FOI documents, also said double-bunking, “where risk assessments support this decision, has become commonplace to address capacity pressures in correctional centres across Canada and North America.”
Find Part 1 of this article at:
Find Part 2 of this article at:
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Lightning strikes: Fire crews alerted
July 21, 2012
Fire crews from the Kamloops Fire Centre are beginning to get busy as lightning caused fires appeared in the South Okanagan on Friday, July 20.
Monashee residents could notice lightning strikes throughout the region as the storm swept through the region Friday afternoon. Strikes appeared up and down the Okanagan Valley as well.
Fire Information Officer, Kevin Skrepnek told media that all six three-member attack crews based out of Penticton were called out to small spot fires near Oliver, Keremeos and Cawston.
"There was over a dozen fires yesterday," says Skrepnek. "But all small spot sized incidents. In a lot of cases, a single tree on fire that was struck by lightning or just a couple of metres by a couple of metres in size."
He says, just as was the case a few weeks ago, fire crews were aided by the heavy rain which accompanied the lightning storm.
At present, none of those crews are still on the scene and they will be spending today patrolling the area to catch any flare-ups.
Skrepnek adds that a lightning strike can simmer in the Earth.
“We're looking at a pretty warm day today. Once the heat of the day hits that area, sometimes as long as a week or two after the lightning has struck the Earth, we can see that fire flare up again."
"Last year up toward Cache Creek, we had three fires all flare up in a day and they all appeared to have been hold-overs from a lightning storm the week before."
If you see a wildfire, call toll free 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on most cellular networks.
If you require information on fire use restrictions and forest closures, call toll free 1-888-336-7378.
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Diamond Jubilee Medals to Lumby residents
July 10, 2012
MP Colin Mayes has given four area residents the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal and two of the residents reside in Lumby.
The medals are awarded to recognize and celebrate significant achievements and extraordinary contributions Canadians have made for the benefit of their fellow citizens and their country.
Dianne Blain of Lumby was honored for her long-term commitment to the St John's Ambulance program and the foster parent program.
Merna Alexander of Lumby for her long-term commitment to the Village of Lumby and its community-building events which include the local curling program and the annual Lumby Days event.
Also receiving a medal was Colonel Douglas Walton of Coldstream for his dedication to the Canadian Armed Forces and in retirement, to the Vernon Army Cadets Camp, the Vernon Army Cadets League of Canada, and the St John's Ambulance program.
May Correale of Coldstream received a medal for her volunteer commitment to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital, North Okanagan Hospice House, and the Lady of the Valley Church.
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Village pay figures announced
June 16, 2012
Village of Lumby remuneration figures for 2011 have been released and it shows that two village staff are earning more than $75,000 (wages and expenses). Finance director Ken Klassen earned $91,274 and public works manager Roger Huston earned $78,106 in 2011.
Mayor Kevin Acton received $18,576 in wages ($12,641) and expenses ($5,935). He told Vernon media, “That includes going to the Union of B.C. Municipalities and Southern Interior Local Government Association conferences.” According to Acton, it is important to travel to Victoria and Vancouver and meet with provincial officials so the village’s needs are addressed. “The complex care facility is moving ahead because we discussed it with the people involved,” he said.
Coun. Lori Mindnich had wages of $6,697 and expenses of $4,227 for a total of $10,924. “I attended both SILGA and UBCM,” she said. In terms of UBCM, Mindnich says it’s necessary to develop relationships with provincial cabinet ministers. “You push your case and say, ‘This is what we would like from you.’ It helps get grants into the community,” she said.
In terms of former councillors, there were total wages and expenses of $10,337 for Janet Green, $9,065 for Tracy Williamson and $7,245 for Ben Winters. For councillors elected in November, there was $386 each for Jo Anne Fisher, Nick Hodge and Randal Ostafichuk.
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RCMP are investigating Lumby hang glider accident
Pilot in critical condition
June 12, 2012
Monday afternoon just before 2:00pm Vernon North Okanagan Detachment members received a report of a hang glider accident just outside Lumby on Mabel Lake Rd. The report came in from BC Ambulance Service, they advised police they were responding by vehicle and helicopter for possible air transport. A 38 year old man with an address of Hope BC was seriously injured in the crash. He was transported by air to Kelowna Hospital where he remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit. Police were on the scene of the crash they took photographs of the hang glider and spoke to witnesses.
Early indications are the pilot was a reasonably experienced glider. Witnesses say he was approaching for a landing when he stalled the glider and hit ground with one wing which caused it to go into a cartwheel motion. He then hit ground with full force.
This accident is still under investigation. The Transportation Safety board has been advised they will not be attending.
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Saskatchewan man identified in fatal paraglide accident
June 11, 2012
The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a Prairie man who died when his powered paraglider crashed in a Spallumcheen field Thursday morning.
The man is identified as Barry Kleiter, 43, from Humboldt, Sask.
Kleiter was flying his powered paraglider solo with an instructor on the ground, in radio contact with him, when something went wrong just after 9 a.m. Thursday.
Kleiter spiralled down from a height of about 300 metres into a field in the 5600 block of Back Enderby Road in Spallumcheen.
He had been taking a course in operation of the machine for approximately one week.
The BC Coroners Service and RCMP are continuing to investigate this death.
Powered paragliders are classified by Transport Canada as a type of ultralight aircraft.
Kleiter’s family has been notified of his death and the media have been asked to respect the privacy of his family in the wake of the tragedy.
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Fatal paraglider crash in Enderby
June 7, 2012
Emergency crews on the scene of a Paraglider crash which has claimed the life of its pilot. the crash happend in Enderby and the large community of Paragliders and Hangliders in Lumby wait patiently to learn more about this tragic event.
RCMP report that at about 9:30 this morning emergency crews were called to a field in the 5600 block of Back Enderby Rd for a report of an ultra light plane crash.
Emergency crews arrived at the scene and have determined that the aircraft is a powered Paraglider, it is a non registered aircraft. It was being operated by a pilot who was on a training flight at the time.
Indications are he lost control of the craft and collided with the ground. However some media are reporting that the pilot may not have been harnessed to the craft properly and fell out, but this has yet to be confirmed by investigators. The age and where the pilot is from are not being released at this time.
The RCMP and the Coroners Dept are continuing to investigate this incident.
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Lumby Fields Store will remain open
May 21, 2012
The Fields store will remain open in Lumby thanks to the efforts of a group of businesspersons based in Vancouver who share the passion and commitment to community that established Fields beginning back in 1950. FHC Holdings Ltd. Completed a transaction with the store chains former owner the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) and purchased 57 Fields stores in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories.
“Fields has been an integral part of many communities across Western Canada for many years,” says FHC President, Jason McDougall. “Our team is very excited at the prospect of serving the 57 communities in which it has acquired stores, and will work to ensure people continue to be able to get what they need in their local communities.”
Fields, previously owned by HBC, has been part of the landscape of Western Canada for over 60 years, with the first store opened in Vancouver in 1950. A fixture in small towns for decades, Fields will continue to operate in rural Canada. FHC will work with each store to further ensure they are meeting and exceeding the needs of its customers.
FHC considered a number of factors when determining which stores to purchase from HBC. Once the remaining Fields stores operating under HBC close, FHC will look at opportunities to work directly with landlords to potentially continue the Fields operations in those communities. The company has also acquired the inventory, fixtures and the Fields brand, allowing it to continue operations under the Fields name.
The Fields store in Lumby represents a large retail presence in the downtown on Vernon Street.
“Our focus always goes back to how we can best serve the customer in these communities,” continues McDougall. “The goal is to bring in the merchandise that makes the most sense for each community we serve, and we’re looking forward to bringing in a selection of great products and merchandise to communities across the West. Our stores will be focused on more everyday low prices, providing more value through deals on a regular basis and will continue to provide an assortment of those everyday items customers have always expected as well.”
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Salmon activist returns to Lumby
Dr. Alexandra Morton and her mission to protect wild salmon
May 8, 2012
"Our government has prioritized the fish feedlot industry and foreign trade over the welfare of wild pacific salmon," says wild salmon activist and marine biologist Dr. Alexandra Morton.
Recently, Morton has had tests done on farmed salmon purchased at lower mainland supermarkets that show evidence of a virus associated with heart and skeletal muscle inflammation, another disease that afflicts fish farms in Norway. Consequently, she has put forward a request to have the Cohen Commission inquiry reopened to examine the evidence about the virus, which could be one of the key factors responsible for recent salmon run declines.
"This could well be the biggest, most ecologically and financially devastating cover-up in the history of our province, she added.
Dr. Morton is on a speaking tour of the Shuswap from May 9 to May 12 with engagements in Lumby, Enderby, Salmon Arm and the North Shuswap.
Not many people outside of Lumby know that Lumby is home to endangered Pacific Coho as well as Sockeye and Chinook runs in Bessette and Duteau Creek. The Middle Shuswap Wild Salmon Society in Lumby hopes to change that with their Annual Salmon Festival to raise awareness of wild salmon and local habitat.
In the fall of 2010, thousands of sockeye returned to the Wilsey Dam and Alexandra Morton was there. She walked the Lumby Salmon Trails and went out to view the proposed fish ladder site at Shuswap Falls.
On May 9th 2012, Alexandra Morton makes her second visit to Lumby and you are invited to join her at the Whitevalley Community Centre - 2250 Shields Ave (doors open at 6:30). Alexandra Morton offers support to Lumby's deeply committed salmon people with information on how we can preserve our heritage. This event is sponsored by the North Okanagan/Shuswap NDP - a new executive with a new vision - working together for change.
On May 10th, Morton will speak in Salmon Arm at the Senior's 5th Avenue Activity Centre at 7:30 pm for an public event sponsored by Shuswap Environmental Action Society (SEAS), Salmon Arm KAIROS, and the Adams River Salmon Society.
On May 11th, she will be at the Enderby Seniors Hall at 7pm. And on May 12th, outdoor enthusiasts can hike with Morton in Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park from 10 until noon and then share a bag lunch until 1 pm at the Interpretive Cabin.
Background information:
Alexandra Morton began her marine biology career studying captive killer whales at Marineland of the Pacific in Los Angeles and soon realized that in order to learn more about their complex language and behaviour she needed to study these whales in their natural habitat. After moving to the Broughton Archipelago in 1979 to study the orcas, she wrote numerous research papers on the topic. When fish farms began to expand into the area in the late 1980s, the local fishing community turned to her for help.
Her research then focused on the impact of these farms on wild salmon and soon her papers, published in leading journals such as Science, were warning how sea lice were spreading from farmed Atlantic salmon to wild salmon.
In 2009, Dr.Morton went to the B.C. Supreme Court to ask the federal government to uphold their constitutional obligation to manage Federal Water and regulate the fish farm industry. The Courts agreed with Morton - it was an important decision.
Last year Morton provided key testimony to the Cohen Commission, the federal inquiry into the decline of the Fraser River sockeye and her efforts resulted in the province releasing detailed fish farm disease records. Her research has found that salmon anemia, a disease associated with farmed salmon, is present on the West Coast, despite denials by the government.
"Shuswap residents are fortunate to have this opportunity to hear Dr. Morton speak about the impacts that the fish feedlot industry is having on the wild salmon that are this region's most iconic species," explained Jim Cooperman, president of SEAS.
"We are pleased to help make the tour possible by providing the financial support needed to cover the travel expenses," said Darlene McBain, president of the Adams River Salmon Society.
"Not only are fish farms likely impacting the health of B.C.'s salmon, they also are impacting those communities that depend on a viable wild salmon fishery, including First Nations," said Anne Morris, of Salmon Arm KAIROS Committee. "We look forward to learning more about the issues one of Canada's foremost experts and finding out how we can help," added Morris.
For more information about the Lumby visit, contact:
Priscilla Judd, 250-547-9475
contact@priscillajudd.ca
links:
www.salmonaresacred.org
http://alexandramorton.typepad.com/alexandra_morton/
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BREAKING NEWS
Slide forces Cherryville residents from their homes
April 24, 2012
The first reports are coming in from Cherryville, that during the early hours of Tuesday morning, a rock and mudslide poured down from the upper reaches of Cherry Ridge to the 12 km mark on Sugar Lake Road. The slide forced at least one resident out of their home and other residents are afraid that a larger piece of the hillside is about to follow.
Outraged residents believe that the slide may be the result of large scale logging from last December which has caused unnatural erosion within the area.
MVS intends to report more on this story as new information surfaces.
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Improved Lumby bus service
April 16, 2012
Lumby Village Council will ask B.C. Transit to either establish a bus stop at the library on Shields Avenue or that the stop on Glencaird Street by the pool, be moved to the library. B.C. Transit has been gathering public input regarding transit services in the North Okanagan and some members of the public had suggested the library stop.
“It’s a nice place for people to wait because the library is there and there are washrooms available,” said Coun. Nick Hodge of the proposed new location.
“They can also get out of the weather by going into the library or waiting in the foyer.”
The library has one of the few accessible “working” pay phones in the village which allows bus users to communicate with further transportation needs from family and friends
“It’s close to the arena, the community centre and the curling club,” said Hodge.
Hodge believes the new location would also provide other benefits for residents and would mark further improved service overall. Another new adjustment within the Lumby bus service provides Whitevale residents with the opportunity to take a bus to Lumby and back without traveling all the way to Vernon.
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Council rubber stamps Spray Park
April 10, 2012
Lumby Village Council has officially endorsed the receipt of funds for the Lumby Spray Park.
A question had emerged as to whether funding should have been accepted when council had only endorsed the application for funding. However, councilors in attendance seemed satisfied that the village budget would not be impacted by the building and operation of the spray park and they were assured by staff that all monies required are already accounted for in the Village budget and by the White Valley Parks Recreation and Culture budget.
The Province of BC has provided $348,258 to help pay for both a Spray Park and an Outdoor Fitness Circuit. Funds were partnered with local fundraising by the Lion’s Club and Teddy’s Angels and Martins Devils along with investment funds from RDNO Area’s D and E and the Village of Lumby which all totaled $87,064.54.
The project now totals $435,322.54 and is considered part of Phase 1 of the new White Valley Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
But this week there was a full media announcement outlining the project as a done deal, complete with a photo op. The approved provincial funds which were partnered with local fundraising by the Lion’s Club and Teddy’s Angels and Martins Devils along with investment funds from RDNO Area’s D and E and the Village of Lumby which all totaled $87,064.54.
The project now totals $435,322.54 and is considered part of Phase 1 of the new White Valley Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
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Okanagan library workers vote to strike
April 4, 2012
Library workers throughout the Okanagan have voted 96 per cent in favour of a strike.
The 150 members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees say negotiations are at a standstill and they're frustrated the employer isn't willing to negotiate issues like wage increases and benefits. CUPE local 1123 president Rose Jurkic says no immediate job action is planned and he hopes both sides can return to the table. The workers provide front-line services at 16 library branches in the Okanagan.
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OUTBOUND
Interesting external links about people and places in the Monashee.
Logging with the Kineshanko's
Despite losing its founder five years ago, this family-run logging business in Lumby has found the strength to carry on. A Late October snowfall, one of the first of the 2011 winter logging season, has left a slippery blanket of white...
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