December 31, 2013 - News Leader
STORE CLOSURES TROUBLE COUNCIL
Town Council is concerned about the number of empty storefronts in Princeton. At the December 16 Town Council meeting, Mayor Frank Armitage stated several people had expressed being troubled by the closures of local small businesses and wondered what could be done to remedy the situation. Local business people have told him it is hard to compete with Wal Mart, and some of their customers have told them a shopping trip is a 'family outing'. During question period, comments from the public ranged from expressing a concern about the impact of online shopping and the need for local merchants to become more knowledgeable about how to advertise. Councillor Kim Maynard said business owners in Princeton had not seen the advantage of buying into the Similkameen tourism initiative in which each business can set up a website. They are out of step with modern marketing techniques, Council noted. Councillor Maynard said businesses in Keremeos and Hedley had opted for the websites to a larger extent than Princeton businesses. The Chamber of Commerce is planning a workshop on advertising, which may help some businesses. There were comments about Œattitude¹, both on the part of customers and business owners and employees, and some businesses could benefit from hospitality training, also available yearly from the Chamber of Commerce.
RACING DAYS FORMS BOARD
The Princeton Racing Days Association made a second attempt at forming a Board of Directors and was successful. New members attended the meeting. Mayor Frank Armitage took out a membership, along with two men from Osoyoos, one of whom plans to move to Princeton. Karrie Crucil was elected President for another term, with June Dunte as Vice-President, Mariah Puchalski as Secretary and Della Osborne was elected Treasurer. Directors are Sue Gereau, Jennifer Bernard and Malcolm Lynn. Councillor Kim Maynard conducted the election, and when it was done, he thanked the Association "for all you do for our community". Following the formal meeting, there was informal discussion of plans for the future. The race meet dates are tentatively June 28 and August 23. Race meets in the Interior are coordinated between Vernon, Osoyoos and Princeton. The next meeting of the Racing Days Association is January 16 at 6:30 PM at the public library conference room. These meetings are open to the public and anyone may join as a member.
Town Council is concerned about the number of empty storefronts in Princeton. At the December 16 Town Council meeting, Mayor Frank Armitage stated several people had expressed being troubled by the closures of local small businesses and wondered what could be done to remedy the situation. Local business people have told him it is hard to compete with Wal Mart, and some of their customers have told them a shopping trip is a 'family outing'. During question period, comments from the public ranged from expressing a concern about the impact of online shopping and the need for local merchants to become more knowledgeable about how to advertise. Councillor Kim Maynard said business owners in Princeton had not seen the advantage of buying into the Similkameen tourism initiative in which each business can set up a website. They are out of step with modern marketing techniques, Council noted. Councillor Maynard said businesses in Keremeos and Hedley had opted for the websites to a larger extent than Princeton businesses. The Chamber of Commerce is planning a workshop on advertising, which may help some businesses. There were comments about Œattitude¹, both on the part of customers and business owners and employees, and some businesses could benefit from hospitality training, also available yearly from the Chamber of Commerce.
RACING DAYS FORMS BOARD
The Princeton Racing Days Association made a second attempt at forming a Board of Directors and was successful. New members attended the meeting. Mayor Frank Armitage took out a membership, along with two men from Osoyoos, one of whom plans to move to Princeton. Karrie Crucil was elected President for another term, with June Dunte as Vice-President, Mariah Puchalski as Secretary and Della Osborne was elected Treasurer. Directors are Sue Gereau, Jennifer Bernard and Malcolm Lynn. Councillor Kim Maynard conducted the election, and when it was done, he thanked the Association "for all you do for our community". Following the formal meeting, there was informal discussion of plans for the future. The race meet dates are tentatively June 28 and August 23. Race meets in the Interior are coordinated between Vernon, Osoyoos and Princeton. The next meeting of the Racing Days Association is January 16 at 6:30 PM at the public library conference room. These meetings are open to the public and anyone may join as a member.
Ghost Town Comes Alive!
The Granite Creek Preservation Society (GCPS) has already put new life into the famed ghost town near Coalmont. The group was formed September 3rd following a meeting of interested parties at Riverside Centre. Once the name was chosen, the group became a registered society on November 27th and most recently, on December 27th, a website was launched at www.granitecreekbc.ca. The site, designed by Coalmont's Ole Juul, outlines the history of the community of Granite Creek which existed as a mining town with an active post office from 1886 to 1918. In recent years the remains of the historic site have continued to disappear partly due to Mother Nature reclaiming the area, and partly due to souvenir hunters and other activity in the area. The history of Granite is rich and significant not only to the Similkameen Valley, but plays a larger role in the history of the province of British Columbia. The website has a number of historic documents posted telling some of the story and invites website visitors with other photos and documents to come forward so that their information can be added to the GCPS archives. The society is made up of Chairman George Elliott, Vice Chair Diane Sterne, Secretary Jon Bartlett, Treasurer Bob Sterne and Directors Ole Juul, Todd Lester and Terry Malanchuk. Memberships are available on the website for $10 per year and donations are also accepted through PalPay buttons located on the website. The goals of the Society are: - to protect the territorial integrity of the Granite Creek site - to provide an understanding of the importance of the historical, archeological and geological aspects of the Granite Creek site, and - to encourage the continued study of the significance of the Granite Creek site.
December 17, 2013 - News Leader
MAN CHANGES LIFE, GETS BREAK
Incidents that began in Hedley more than a year ago brought Darren Kenneth Mason to Provincial Court on December 12. On October 30, 2012, Mason went to Hedley fire hall during a practice and caused a disturbance. He was sent out into the street after interfering with the practice, and remained there. After practice, he followed two female volunteers to their residence. At the residence, he screamed obscenities at them, tore off the screen door, and urinated on the porch. He was subsequently charged with causing a disturbance and doing mischief. In November 2012, Mason called the police saying his girlfriend was threatening him. When police arrived, they found him drunk and his girlfriend calm. He was arrested and then began screaming. He banged his head on a partition so hard he knocked himself out. The following April, his girlfriend called police. He had been drunk and put his fist through a window and seriously cut his forearm and hand. There was blood all over him and emergency services personnel were having a hard time stopping the bleeding. He was taken to hospital. In May 2013, Mason checked himself into a program in Kelowna for those who abuse alcohol and spent three months in rehabilitation. He now lives in Kelowna where he resides in a halfway house and holds down a steady job. He no longer drinks. Crown Counsel asked for jail time, but due to his efforts to change his life for the better, Mason was given a conditional discharge with 15 months probation. He must pay the $740 cost of repairing the door he wrecked, and he must pay a $200 fine.
DISTRICT ADOPTS TWO POLICIES
A pair of policies were adopted at the December 11th regular meeting of the Board of Education for School District 58 (Nicola-Similkameen). Policy No. 502.5 is the Smoking and the Use of Smokeless Tobacco Products Policy which was amended to include smokeless tobacco products such as e-cigarettes. The policy states clearly "there is to be no smoking in school district buildings on school grounds or any other school property, including district vehicles or at school sponsored functions and/or events." Enforcement of the regulation is left up to the Principal, or designate. The second, a new policy, is No. 507.1 and is the Discrimination Policy. The purpose of the policy is to define appropriate behaviours and actions in order to prevent discrimination and harassment through greater awareness of and responsiveness to their harmful effects; to ensure all complaints are taken seriously and dealt with expeditiously and effectively through consistently applied policies and procedures; and to raise awareness and improve understanding of the lives of all people.
Incidents that began in Hedley more than a year ago brought Darren Kenneth Mason to Provincial Court on December 12. On October 30, 2012, Mason went to Hedley fire hall during a practice and caused a disturbance. He was sent out into the street after interfering with the practice, and remained there. After practice, he followed two female volunteers to their residence. At the residence, he screamed obscenities at them, tore off the screen door, and urinated on the porch. He was subsequently charged with causing a disturbance and doing mischief. In November 2012, Mason called the police saying his girlfriend was threatening him. When police arrived, they found him drunk and his girlfriend calm. He was arrested and then began screaming. He banged his head on a partition so hard he knocked himself out. The following April, his girlfriend called police. He had been drunk and put his fist through a window and seriously cut his forearm and hand. There was blood all over him and emergency services personnel were having a hard time stopping the bleeding. He was taken to hospital. In May 2013, Mason checked himself into a program in Kelowna for those who abuse alcohol and spent three months in rehabilitation. He now lives in Kelowna where he resides in a halfway house and holds down a steady job. He no longer drinks. Crown Counsel asked for jail time, but due to his efforts to change his life for the better, Mason was given a conditional discharge with 15 months probation. He must pay the $740 cost of repairing the door he wrecked, and he must pay a $200 fine.
DISTRICT ADOPTS TWO POLICIES
A pair of policies were adopted at the December 11th regular meeting of the Board of Education for School District 58 (Nicola-Similkameen). Policy No. 502.5 is the Smoking and the Use of Smokeless Tobacco Products Policy which was amended to include smokeless tobacco products such as e-cigarettes. The policy states clearly "there is to be no smoking in school district buildings on school grounds or any other school property, including district vehicles or at school sponsored functions and/or events." Enforcement of the regulation is left up to the Principal, or designate. The second, a new policy, is No. 507.1 and is the Discrimination Policy. The purpose of the policy is to define appropriate behaviours and actions in order to prevent discrimination and harassment through greater awareness of and responsiveness to their harmful effects; to ensure all complaints are taken seriously and dealt with expeditiously and effectively through consistently applied policies and procedures; and to raise awareness and improve understanding of the lives of all people.
Student Trustees Get Their Say!
Copyright 2013 Bengel Publishing Inc.
Meet Hillary Riel. She and Andrew Sibernagel are Grade 12 students attending Princeton Secondary School and they both sit on the School District 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) Board of Education as Student Trustees. There are two who sit on the Board in the Merritt area as well. The students receive all information, agendas and attachments as other Trustees do and sit at regular board meetings. The Princeton pair were asked question at the December 11th board meeting as a means of getting a student perspective on activities within the district.
Warmest November Ever?
Photo: Brenda Engel
November was such a nice month many people speculated it might have been the warmest ever. It broke no records for warmth. For the early part of the month. 1975, 1980 and 1990 set more records for warmth. In the later part of the month, 2002, 2012, 1941 and 1936 set more records for warmth. Winning hands down for setting an all-time record for cold, 1985 saw temperatures plunge day after day to -20 through -34. A close second for coldest November was in 1955. The greatest thing about November 2013 was the absence of snow. On November 1, 1971, there was 18 cm. of snow on the ground. As we look at records further into the month, 1978 saw snow build up to 19 cm. on the ground, setting a record for the first week of November. During the second week of the month, 1995 holds the records for most snowfall in one day and for most snow on the ground - 40 cm. For the third week, 2011 and 1959 broke snowfall records, but for the last week of November, it was 1990 that broke records. On November 24, 40 cm. of snow fell in one day and stayed deep on the ground. The month ended with more than 30 cm. on the ground. November 2013 ended with just a skiff of snow on the ground.
December 10, 2013 - News Leader
CMMC CLOSES BOUGHT DEAL FINANCING
Copper Mountain Mining Corporation (TSX: CUM) (the 'Company' or 'Copper Mountain') announced December 3rd that it has closed its Cdn $30 million bought deal financing (the 'Offering') announced on November 11, 2013. The syndicate of underwriters was led by National Bank Financial Inc. and includes Canaccord Genuity Corp., Scotia Capital Inc., CIBC World Markets
Inc. and Raymond James Ltd. (collectively the 'Underwriters'). The Offering consisted of the issue of 17,700,000 common shares at a price of Cdn $1.70 per share, resulting in Cdn $30,090,000 in gross proceeds to the Company. Copper Mountain plans to use the net proceeds of this financing for the construction of a secondary crusher to increase production at the Copper Mountain Mine site and for general corporate purposes. The Underwriters also have the option to increase the size of the Offering by up to an additional 2,655,000 Shares (the 'Underwriters' Option') at any time until January 2, 2014, for an additional gross proceeds of Cdn $4,513,500 if the Underwriters¹ Option is exercised in full.
MILLS WRITES PRINCETON HISTORY
Nicholas Mills, former manager of Princeton's museum, has written Once Upon A Time In Princeton, a book of Princeton's history. If you want to know accurate information about Princeton's industrial and business history, this is a good book to read. It is a fast read, too, as the language is straightforward and clear. The coal mining, copper mining, railroads, floods, mine disasters, road construction, electrical power, and the cement plant are found in this book.. Old photos add to historical data. Mills left Princeton a few years ago to live in the lower mainland area, but it is obvious much of his affection for Princeton can be found in his book about the triumphs and tragedies of local history. While most of the history is economic, he does devote a chapter each to John Fall Allison and his wife, Susan. Other historical figures are mentioned throughout, but a few have pages devoted to them - Mom and Pop Irwin and Amber Ski Club, Dr. John Goodfellow, Dave Taylor, A. Wagenhauser and Podunk Davis. Nick has written two other books, which tells us what he has been doing since he left Princeton! He has written a collection of short stories called Stories for Bedbugs! and Suzanne, a novel set in England and France. Nicholas Mills' books are self-published but can be purchased online
through his website www.nicholasmills.org.
Copper Mountain Mining Corporation (TSX: CUM) (the 'Company' or 'Copper Mountain') announced December 3rd that it has closed its Cdn $30 million bought deal financing (the 'Offering') announced on November 11, 2013. The syndicate of underwriters was led by National Bank Financial Inc. and includes Canaccord Genuity Corp., Scotia Capital Inc., CIBC World Markets
Inc. and Raymond James Ltd. (collectively the 'Underwriters'). The Offering consisted of the issue of 17,700,000 common shares at a price of Cdn $1.70 per share, resulting in Cdn $30,090,000 in gross proceeds to the Company. Copper Mountain plans to use the net proceeds of this financing for the construction of a secondary crusher to increase production at the Copper Mountain Mine site and for general corporate purposes. The Underwriters also have the option to increase the size of the Offering by up to an additional 2,655,000 Shares (the 'Underwriters' Option') at any time until January 2, 2014, for an additional gross proceeds of Cdn $4,513,500 if the Underwriters¹ Option is exercised in full.
MILLS WRITES PRINCETON HISTORY
Nicholas Mills, former manager of Princeton's museum, has written Once Upon A Time In Princeton, a book of Princeton's history. If you want to know accurate information about Princeton's industrial and business history, this is a good book to read. It is a fast read, too, as the language is straightforward and clear. The coal mining, copper mining, railroads, floods, mine disasters, road construction, electrical power, and the cement plant are found in this book.. Old photos add to historical data. Mills left Princeton a few years ago to live in the lower mainland area, but it is obvious much of his affection for Princeton can be found in his book about the triumphs and tragedies of local history. While most of the history is economic, he does devote a chapter each to John Fall Allison and his wife, Susan. Other historical figures are mentioned throughout, but a few have pages devoted to them - Mom and Pop Irwin and Amber Ski Club, Dr. John Goodfellow, Dave Taylor, A. Wagenhauser and Podunk Davis. Nick has written two other books, which tells us what he has been doing since he left Princeton! He has written a collection of short stories called Stories for Bedbugs! and Suzanne, a novel set in England and France. Nicholas Mills' books are self-published but can be purchased online
through his website www.nicholasmills.org.
Ever Ride A Pirate Ship Before?
Meet the 'Sister City' Royalty!
December 03, 2013 - News Leader
SVPS HEARS TOURISM PROGRESS
Similkameen Valley Planning Society (SVPS) is comprised of mayors of Princeton and Keremeos, all Similkameen Valley Regional District Directors, and Chiefs of both Upper and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands. SVPS works at representing the interests of all of the people of the Similkameen watershed. On November 27, SVPS met in Princeton, and the first delegation to the meeting was Thompson Okanagan Tourist Association with an overview of the new tourism promotion tools. The first tool is the website, www.similkameenvalley.com with all of its links. The second tool is a new tourist guide booklet which will be in circulation in the spring of 2014. The booklet is exceptional for its approach to marketing the valley. A
draft copy of the booklet was circulated among those attending the meeting, and everyone was impressed with the photography and design. The valley's attractions are labeled "Rugged. Rustic. Real." The photographs back up this description. For a number of reasons, including the linking of all of the communities in the Similkameen watershed, this marketing project is a case study. Using a questionnaire, the team developing the marketing tools found a way to identify what kind of travelers would be interested in the Similkameen Valley's attractions. The questionnaire identifies tourists according to Explorer Quotient. The Explorer Quotient indicates whether a tourist is
interested in the outdoors, adventurer activities, or is interested in four star hotels, spas and high-end restaurants. The marketing tools are then developed according to a framework to appeal to a certain type of tourist. In the case of the Similkameen Valley, the focus is on the landscape and outdoor activities, and on country living. At this time, advertising space is being sold for the booklet. The presenter, Simone Carlysle-Smith, said there are few events being advertised. For anyone wishing to place an advertisement of a business or an event, contact Nadine McEwen at 250-295-6067 or nmcewen@princeton.ca. The deadline is December 13. Nadine McEwen can assist you in making sure your event is on the website, too.
EXHIBITION ASSOCIATION SETS 2014 GOALS
Following the annual general meeting held November 26, Princeton Exhibition Association (PXA) held a business meeting. The primary concerns were projects that need to be completed in 2014. An ongoing concern has been repairs to the cult packer, a machine used to groom the racetrack. A plan of method of repair was reviewed and costs are yet to be determined. Chloe Littlejohn is working on this project with President Paul Bedard. President Bedard expressed thanks to Terry Wright and Ernie Willis for the work they did in grooming the new base of the indoor arena, and to Doug Bernard for building a protective trap door to cover the stairs to the roof. The Fire Marshall has specified fireproofing the storage area under the grandstand with fireproof drywall. This will be a priority project. Concern was expressed about Racing Days Association¹s lack of members and inability to recruit a President and Vice-President. The PXA wished them success at their next meeting, which is a second attempt to hold an annual general meeting. Fall Fair President Dan Kastor reported the budget for the 2014 fair will be very tight. President Paul Bedard recruited Odell Simmons and Sue Gereau to attend a free grant-writing workshop in Cawston on December 2. The PXA will pay travel expenses. Dan Kastor circulated information on noxious weeds at the Let's Talk event held in November. Members agreed there must be a knapweed control project in 2014, but noted the Town must be urged to attack knapweed on municipal land surrounding the airport, landfill and on the industrial park. Several members agreed that individual landowners within the town boundaries must be encouraged to look for knapweed, hound¹s tongue and burdock and remove the plants on their own property and along their fence lines. Part of the PXA weed control project will be leveling of the racetrack infield, seeding in appropriate grass and removing noxious weeds until the grass is established. President Paul Bedard had the last word, commending the Halloween Party crew for their hard work in producing a successful event. The next PXA meeting will be held at the library conference room at 7:00 PM January 21, 2014, when the top priority projects will be presented along with the 2014 budget.
Similkameen Valley Planning Society (SVPS) is comprised of mayors of Princeton and Keremeos, all Similkameen Valley Regional District Directors, and Chiefs of both Upper and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands. SVPS works at representing the interests of all of the people of the Similkameen watershed. On November 27, SVPS met in Princeton, and the first delegation to the meeting was Thompson Okanagan Tourist Association with an overview of the new tourism promotion tools. The first tool is the website, www.similkameenvalley.com with all of its links. The second tool is a new tourist guide booklet which will be in circulation in the spring of 2014. The booklet is exceptional for its approach to marketing the valley. A
draft copy of the booklet was circulated among those attending the meeting, and everyone was impressed with the photography and design. The valley's attractions are labeled "Rugged. Rustic. Real." The photographs back up this description. For a number of reasons, including the linking of all of the communities in the Similkameen watershed, this marketing project is a case study. Using a questionnaire, the team developing the marketing tools found a way to identify what kind of travelers would be interested in the Similkameen Valley's attractions. The questionnaire identifies tourists according to Explorer Quotient. The Explorer Quotient indicates whether a tourist is
interested in the outdoors, adventurer activities, or is interested in four star hotels, spas and high-end restaurants. The marketing tools are then developed according to a framework to appeal to a certain type of tourist. In the case of the Similkameen Valley, the focus is on the landscape and outdoor activities, and on country living. At this time, advertising space is being sold for the booklet. The presenter, Simone Carlysle-Smith, said there are few events being advertised. For anyone wishing to place an advertisement of a business or an event, contact Nadine McEwen at 250-295-6067 or nmcewen@princeton.ca. The deadline is December 13. Nadine McEwen can assist you in making sure your event is on the website, too.
EXHIBITION ASSOCIATION SETS 2014 GOALS
Following the annual general meeting held November 26, Princeton Exhibition Association (PXA) held a business meeting. The primary concerns were projects that need to be completed in 2014. An ongoing concern has been repairs to the cult packer, a machine used to groom the racetrack. A plan of method of repair was reviewed and costs are yet to be determined. Chloe Littlejohn is working on this project with President Paul Bedard. President Bedard expressed thanks to Terry Wright and Ernie Willis for the work they did in grooming the new base of the indoor arena, and to Doug Bernard for building a protective trap door to cover the stairs to the roof. The Fire Marshall has specified fireproofing the storage area under the grandstand with fireproof drywall. This will be a priority project. Concern was expressed about Racing Days Association¹s lack of members and inability to recruit a President and Vice-President. The PXA wished them success at their next meeting, which is a second attempt to hold an annual general meeting. Fall Fair President Dan Kastor reported the budget for the 2014 fair will be very tight. President Paul Bedard recruited Odell Simmons and Sue Gereau to attend a free grant-writing workshop in Cawston on December 2. The PXA will pay travel expenses. Dan Kastor circulated information on noxious weeds at the Let's Talk event held in November. Members agreed there must be a knapweed control project in 2014, but noted the Town must be urged to attack knapweed on municipal land surrounding the airport, landfill and on the industrial park. Several members agreed that individual landowners within the town boundaries must be encouraged to look for knapweed, hound¹s tongue and burdock and remove the plants on their own property and along their fence lines. Part of the PXA weed control project will be leveling of the racetrack infield, seeding in appropriate grass and removing noxious weeds until the grass is established. President Paul Bedard had the last word, commending the Halloween Party crew for their hard work in producing a successful event. The next PXA meeting will be held at the library conference room at 7:00 PM January 21, 2014, when the top priority projects will be presented along with the 2014 budget.
Could This Be A Sign?
Photo: Dawn Johnson
Ice build up along the Similkameen River at Bromley Rock, approximately 24-kilometres East of Princeton is showing signs. Those signs could point to a possible ice jam. Ice forming on the fast moving river breaks and gets pushed together. Some Winters the ice gets so thick from the breaking and pushing together that it creates an ice jam which leads to flooding.