January 01, 2008 - News Leader
WATER, SEWER RATES CLIMB
The water and sewer bills due this month will be a little higher this year. Town Council has approved a 10 percent increase in both. At the December 17 Town Council meeting, reasons for the increase were explained. In the water department, new wells must be dug to replace old wells. Although this does not have to be done perhaps for two years, there is no money in reserve. The cost of new wells is estimated at $600,000, and there has not been an increase in water rates for four years. In the case of sewer rates, there has been no increase since 1998, and there is an insufficient amount in reserve to take care of replacing sewerage equipment and pipes. Princeton water use is double that of the Canadian average. Council discussed the possibility of installing water meters in the future. Mayor Randy McLean believes most of the excess water usage stems from holes in outdated water pipes, and would like to see a program of replacement. CAO Patrick Robins had a different opinion. He pointed to the huge increase in water use in summer months, and suggested local residents use excessive amounts on irrigation.
TOWN, AREA H, USIB OPEN HOUSE
Barely a year has passed since the historic signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Princeton, Regional District Area H and the Upper Similkameen Indian Band. The three partners hosted an open house December 18th at Princeton Skills Centre to celebrate the relationship and to review progress made in the past twelve months. Mayor Randy McLean said the open house was meant to look at “all the things we are working on, looking towards and hope to achieve in the future.” USIB Chief Rick Holmes spoke about the relationship and how the USIB fits into the equation. “Working together is very important. The Band has a lot of different things to offer and a desire to be able to work with the people in our area.” Area H Director Gerri Logan pointed out the uniqueness of the partnership. “We have actually set a benchmark in the province with our MOU.” She described the working relationship as more than a casual group, but a group that is making progress. Town of Princeton CAO Patrick Robins briefly outlined the history of the partnership, which resulted from a UBCM Community to Community Forum Program, which helped establish mutual interest initiatives. This led to the MOU. There are currently five key initiatives the three parties are working on together. They include the Heritage Park, Preservation of Cultural Heritage Resources, Recreational Development, Forestry Activity and Land Use Opportunities. Although all five of these have seen varying degrees of progress, there are two initiatives that seem to be making the most progress. The China Ridge Recreation and Land Development Opportunity, as it is being called, looks very promising. A Statement of Intent with the Ministry of Agriculture & Lands was signed with the MOU partners in October 2006. Since that time a commitment has been made by the Ministry of Tourism Sports and the Arts. The goal is to enhance the recreational opportunities at China Ridge and the program is in the very early stages at this point. The other initiative making progress falls under the category of Community Forestry. The proposed Vermilion Forks Community Forest is a tenure based forestry opportunity. “With a tenure we get to say what we do on that land,” Robins explained. “This is an opportunity to go beyond logging operations.” Progress to date on the project shows a Partnership Statement of Intent is in place and an invitation by the Minister of Forest & Range on May 24, 2007 to submit an application. There have also been ongoing strategy sessions of the three MOU partners related to this opportunity. “This is an incredible opportunity for the community to manage a portion of forest,” Robins pointed out. The project would be very different from the existing Princeton & District Community Forest Corporation. In simple terms, the current community forest is a volume- based forest license. More specifically, the P&DCFC holds a non-replaceable forest licence whereas the Vermilion Forks Community Forest is applying for a new licence for an area-based tenure that, after the initial five year term, has the potential of becoming a long term licence to provide sustained revenues for the partners. Usually the long-term tenure is for twenty-five years. A Public Input Survey has been developed as part of the process in applying for the Probationary Community Forest Agreement (PCFA). The survey asks only six questions including: What do you believe are the most important benefits that might be derived from operating a Community Forest, in order of priority? What types of values should be considered in developing the Management Plan for the Community Forest licence? What are your primary concerns if any, with the manner in which forest lands of the Princeton area are managed today? Surveys are available at Princeton Town Hall, through Area H Director Gerri Logan and at any of the USIB Band offices.
The water and sewer bills due this month will be a little higher this year. Town Council has approved a 10 percent increase in both. At the December 17 Town Council meeting, reasons for the increase were explained. In the water department, new wells must be dug to replace old wells. Although this does not have to be done perhaps for two years, there is no money in reserve. The cost of new wells is estimated at $600,000, and there has not been an increase in water rates for four years. In the case of sewer rates, there has been no increase since 1998, and there is an insufficient amount in reserve to take care of replacing sewerage equipment and pipes. Princeton water use is double that of the Canadian average. Council discussed the possibility of installing water meters in the future. Mayor Randy McLean believes most of the excess water usage stems from holes in outdated water pipes, and would like to see a program of replacement. CAO Patrick Robins had a different opinion. He pointed to the huge increase in water use in summer months, and suggested local residents use excessive amounts on irrigation.
TOWN, AREA H, USIB OPEN HOUSE
Barely a year has passed since the historic signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Princeton, Regional District Area H and the Upper Similkameen Indian Band. The three partners hosted an open house December 18th at Princeton Skills Centre to celebrate the relationship and to review progress made in the past twelve months. Mayor Randy McLean said the open house was meant to look at “all the things we are working on, looking towards and hope to achieve in the future.” USIB Chief Rick Holmes spoke about the relationship and how the USIB fits into the equation. “Working together is very important. The Band has a lot of different things to offer and a desire to be able to work with the people in our area.” Area H Director Gerri Logan pointed out the uniqueness of the partnership. “We have actually set a benchmark in the province with our MOU.” She described the working relationship as more than a casual group, but a group that is making progress. Town of Princeton CAO Patrick Robins briefly outlined the history of the partnership, which resulted from a UBCM Community to Community Forum Program, which helped establish mutual interest initiatives. This led to the MOU. There are currently five key initiatives the three parties are working on together. They include the Heritage Park, Preservation of Cultural Heritage Resources, Recreational Development, Forestry Activity and Land Use Opportunities. Although all five of these have seen varying degrees of progress, there are two initiatives that seem to be making the most progress. The China Ridge Recreation and Land Development Opportunity, as it is being called, looks very promising. A Statement of Intent with the Ministry of Agriculture & Lands was signed with the MOU partners in October 2006. Since that time a commitment has been made by the Ministry of Tourism Sports and the Arts. The goal is to enhance the recreational opportunities at China Ridge and the program is in the very early stages at this point. The other initiative making progress falls under the category of Community Forestry. The proposed Vermilion Forks Community Forest is a tenure based forestry opportunity. “With a tenure we get to say what we do on that land,” Robins explained. “This is an opportunity to go beyond logging operations.” Progress to date on the project shows a Partnership Statement of Intent is in place and an invitation by the Minister of Forest & Range on May 24, 2007 to submit an application. There have also been ongoing strategy sessions of the three MOU partners related to this opportunity. “This is an incredible opportunity for the community to manage a portion of forest,” Robins pointed out. The project would be very different from the existing Princeton & District Community Forest Corporation. In simple terms, the current community forest is a volume- based forest license. More specifically, the P&DCFC holds a non-replaceable forest licence whereas the Vermilion Forks Community Forest is applying for a new licence for an area-based tenure that, after the initial five year term, has the potential of becoming a long term licence to provide sustained revenues for the partners. Usually the long-term tenure is for twenty-five years. A Public Input Survey has been developed as part of the process in applying for the Probationary Community Forest Agreement (PCFA). The survey asks only six questions including: What do you believe are the most important benefits that might be derived from operating a Community Forest, in order of priority? What types of values should be considered in developing the Management Plan for the Community Forest licence? What are your primary concerns if any, with the manner in which forest lands of the Princeton area are managed today? Surveys are available at Princeton Town Hall, through Area H Director Gerri Logan and at any of the USIB Band offices.
January 08, 2008 - News Leader
DOCTOR PLANS TO STAY PUT
A Princeton doctor says his faith in the community will keep him where he is - with no plans to retire in the near future. Dr. John Adams of Vermilion Medical Centre says he’s been asked many times about the doctor shortage. “Over the last few months I have had many concerned citizens come to the office and ask what my view is on the current medical crisis in our community.” Adams says he sees progress and prosperity in Princeton’s future. “I believe that Princeton will remain a vibrant community for many years to come and I have confidence that the tough times we have faced and will face in regards to medical staffing issues can be overcome. I am personally committed to this town, my patients and assisting in providing solutions to the current problems we all face.” Adams views Princeton as being unique in many ways. “Unlike other small communities, Princeton is a unique situation in southern British Columbia; we are isolated from major health facilities and live in the midst of some of BC’s most dangerous highways. Our community has an extremely diverse population and a higher than usual percentage of individuals who require extensive medical care.” Adams also says he won’t be slowing down or reducing his services anytime soon. “I personally have no intention of retiring at this time and work continually to assist the Town, the Interior Health Authority and the Ministry of Health in attempts to attract new physicians to our beautiful town.” He does issue a warning of sorts. “I should however state that in this, my 68th year the demands of 24-hour on-call coverage take their toll and cannot be tolerated without full Emergency Room coverage. The Interior Health Authority must act quickly to recruit physicians and I will work closely with IHA and all parties in this regard.”
RDOS INTRODUCES PLAN
Windstorms up and down the valley brought widespread damage and power outages last month. It also provides another reason to prepare for emergencies and disasters. Are you prepared for an emergency? Do you know the hazards in your community or neighbourhood? Have you prepared an emergency kit for your home, your car or your business? A kit may include:
- a wind-up radio
- 3 days supply of water
- a First Aid Kit
- a family meeting place
- sleeping bags or blankets
The RDOS is introducing a program called ‘26 Weeks To Emergency Preparedness For Your New Year’s Resolution.’ A New Year’s Resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. Check the RDOS ‘Hot Topics’ webpage at www.rdos.bc.ca weekly to aid you in putting your emergency kit together. This guide will assist you in organizing your emergency kit and other important activities over a period of time to make things easier. Let the RDOS know how you’re doing. If you would like to share photos of your emergency kit in progress (or already completed) send them in and the RDOS will send you something extra for your kit.
A Princeton doctor says his faith in the community will keep him where he is - with no plans to retire in the near future. Dr. John Adams of Vermilion Medical Centre says he’s been asked many times about the doctor shortage. “Over the last few months I have had many concerned citizens come to the office and ask what my view is on the current medical crisis in our community.” Adams says he sees progress and prosperity in Princeton’s future. “I believe that Princeton will remain a vibrant community for many years to come and I have confidence that the tough times we have faced and will face in regards to medical staffing issues can be overcome. I am personally committed to this town, my patients and assisting in providing solutions to the current problems we all face.” Adams views Princeton as being unique in many ways. “Unlike other small communities, Princeton is a unique situation in southern British Columbia; we are isolated from major health facilities and live in the midst of some of BC’s most dangerous highways. Our community has an extremely diverse population and a higher than usual percentage of individuals who require extensive medical care.” Adams also says he won’t be slowing down or reducing his services anytime soon. “I personally have no intention of retiring at this time and work continually to assist the Town, the Interior Health Authority and the Ministry of Health in attempts to attract new physicians to our beautiful town.” He does issue a warning of sorts. “I should however state that in this, my 68th year the demands of 24-hour on-call coverage take their toll and cannot be tolerated without full Emergency Room coverage. The Interior Health Authority must act quickly to recruit physicians and I will work closely with IHA and all parties in this regard.”
RDOS INTRODUCES PLAN
Windstorms up and down the valley brought widespread damage and power outages last month. It also provides another reason to prepare for emergencies and disasters. Are you prepared for an emergency? Do you know the hazards in your community or neighbourhood? Have you prepared an emergency kit for your home, your car or your business? A kit may include:
- a wind-up radio
- 3 days supply of water
- a First Aid Kit
- a family meeting place
- sleeping bags or blankets
The RDOS is introducing a program called ‘26 Weeks To Emergency Preparedness For Your New Year’s Resolution.’ A New Year’s Resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. Check the RDOS ‘Hot Topics’ webpage at www.rdos.bc.ca weekly to aid you in putting your emergency kit together. This guide will assist you in organizing your emergency kit and other important activities over a period of time to make things easier. Let the RDOS know how you’re doing. If you would like to share photos of your emergency kit in progress (or already completed) send them in and the RDOS will send you something extra for your kit.
January 15, 2008 - News Leader
WILL HOMELESSNESS HIT PRINCETON?
People need homes, but what do you do if you cannot afford to buy a home and there are no places to rent? If you have a low fixed income, as many of our seniors do, what can you do? This is a concern of a group of citizens whose residences are about to become strata titled. They have the option of purchasing their apartment, but if they cannot afford to purchase, then they must find other accommodation. Safe, affordable rental units are becoming scarce in Princeton. An appeal was made to Town Council last month, but Council has not offered any solutions to the problem. Concerned citizens are needed to show strong support for finding a solution to the problem, particularly as another landlord has petitioned Town Council to strata title Riverside Motel property. A meeting will take place this Thursday, January 17, at Riverside Centre gym at 7:00 PM to strike a committee to find a solution to the problem of lack of affordable housing in our town. Anyone unable to attend the meeting but willing to work on the problem can call Sylvia at 250-295-4464 to leave name and phone number.
LALI SAYS HEADLY SCHOOL SHOULD STAY OPEN
Yale-Lillooet MLA Harry Lali said the possible closure of the only school in the village of Hedley shows that the Campbell Liberal Government has abandoned rural communities.“The attempt to close Hedley School proves, yet again, that the B.C. Liberals don’t care about maintaining public services in rural B.C.,” said Lali. “While the Premier spends hundreds of millions of dollars in cost overruns on the Vancouver Convention Centre, he refuses to protect small-town community schools.” Lali has been lobbying School District No. 56 to keep Hedley School open. If the school is closed primary school students from Kindergarten to Grade 3 will be bussed over half an hour each way to attend classes in neighbouring Keremeos. “New Democrats are standing alongside the people of Hedley, standing up for students of rural B.C. and opposing this closure,” said Lali. “Rural students have a right to quality education in their community, and parents should not have to bus their small children over half an hour away from home to get a basic education. Since coming to power in 2001 Gordon Campbell and the B.C. Liberals have closed over 130 schools, mostly in rural B.C.,” said Lali. “The push to close the Hedley School is another example of the mean-spirited and uncaring agenda being imposed on a small, rural community by an uncaring Liberal premier and government.” Lali spoke at a public meeting in Keremeos January 9th. The district will make its final decision about the closure on January 25th.
People need homes, but what do you do if you cannot afford to buy a home and there are no places to rent? If you have a low fixed income, as many of our seniors do, what can you do? This is a concern of a group of citizens whose residences are about to become strata titled. They have the option of purchasing their apartment, but if they cannot afford to purchase, then they must find other accommodation. Safe, affordable rental units are becoming scarce in Princeton. An appeal was made to Town Council last month, but Council has not offered any solutions to the problem. Concerned citizens are needed to show strong support for finding a solution to the problem, particularly as another landlord has petitioned Town Council to strata title Riverside Motel property. A meeting will take place this Thursday, January 17, at Riverside Centre gym at 7:00 PM to strike a committee to find a solution to the problem of lack of affordable housing in our town. Anyone unable to attend the meeting but willing to work on the problem can call Sylvia at 250-295-4464 to leave name and phone number.
LALI SAYS HEADLY SCHOOL SHOULD STAY OPEN
Yale-Lillooet MLA Harry Lali said the possible closure of the only school in the village of Hedley shows that the Campbell Liberal Government has abandoned rural communities.“The attempt to close Hedley School proves, yet again, that the B.C. Liberals don’t care about maintaining public services in rural B.C.,” said Lali. “While the Premier spends hundreds of millions of dollars in cost overruns on the Vancouver Convention Centre, he refuses to protect small-town community schools.” Lali has been lobbying School District No. 56 to keep Hedley School open. If the school is closed primary school students from Kindergarten to Grade 3 will be bussed over half an hour each way to attend classes in neighbouring Keremeos. “New Democrats are standing alongside the people of Hedley, standing up for students of rural B.C. and opposing this closure,” said Lali. “Rural students have a right to quality education in their community, and parents should not have to bus their small children over half an hour away from home to get a basic education. Since coming to power in 2001 Gordon Campbell and the B.C. Liberals have closed over 130 schools, mostly in rural B.C.,” said Lali. “The push to close the Hedley School is another example of the mean-spirited and uncaring agenda being imposed on a small, rural community by an uncaring Liberal premier and government.” Lali spoke at a public meeting in Keremeos January 9th. The district will make its final decision about the closure on January 25th.
January 22, 2008 - News Leader
SCHOOL DISTRICT ‘IMAGINES’ LAPTOP PROGRAM
The January 16th Princeton meeting of School Trustees for District 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) included a comprehensive presentation on a program that would see laptop computers injected into the school system for both teachers and students. The presentation, made by Merritt teacher Steve McNiven and Computer Tech Bert Bergmann, outlined benefits, observations and provided recommendations based on the committee’s research. “We come to you as a committee as we believe a laptop program will be good for students,” McNiven said. Research showed the benefits of a school laptop program were many including: measurable improvements in writing output; in motivation; in student organization; in the writing process (form and style); in willingness to edit; for boys and First Nations students (the District First Nations population is estimated at 38%). Observations and interviews revealed: increases in task behavior; increased student/teacher communication; increased school-related student communication and increased confidence and pride in work produced. There were cautionary notes the committee stated would hamper the program which included problems if teaching staff was not supportive of the implementation; teaching staff not provided support/training before implementation; ongoing staff development opportunities not provided during implementation and daily on-site support not available during implementation. The committee recommended the School District implement a laptop initiative for teachers and students for the purpose of improving student achievement with the laptop program aligned with specific, measurable and relevant goals for improving student achievement. The program would also include long term planning and funding to allow for the time needed to implant laptops across multiple grade levels and include a comprehensive professional development component at both the classroom level for teachers and school level for students. The initiative would also have to be evaluated according to a set of targets that reflect student achievement goals, the change in teaching and learning and the costs and benefits of the technology. As for costs, the laptop program, identified by the term ‘imagine,’ a three-year proposal shows a total cost in the start-up year between $415,000 and $429,000 with costs increasing slightly each following year as more laptops, upgrades and related material get added into the program. School trustees were visibly impressed with the committee’s work and passed a motion to accept the recommendations in principle. The committee will appear before School Trustees again on February 27th with a firm timeline developed. It was not decided at the time what grade would be targeted in the first wave of the program, nor what brand or platform (PC or Mac) would be chosen, or the actual start date of the program as all those details still need to be worked out at the committee level.
MUSEUM STARTS ANNIVERSERY YEAR
2008 marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of Princeton’s museum, and this will be celebrated along with the 150th anniversary of the founding of British Columbia. Special displays are planned. The annual general meeting of the Museum Society saw the return of the previous Board of Directors. Evelyn McCallum is President, with Brenda Gould as Vice-President and Lori Thomas as Secretary-Treasurer. Directors are Kathy Clement and Jim Pincock. Nick Mills continues as Operations Manager. The annual report showed a slight decrease in the number of visitors, largely due to a late start in opening the museum last year. All in all, 2007 was a difficult year for the museum, and plans for expansion were put on hold until work is done on the building. The need for structural upgrading came to a head last fall when the basement began to show groundwater leakage. The basement of the museum is where the archives had been stored. The extensive collection of documents, newspapers and photographs can be damaged by humidity. These were moved to the Skills Centre pending repairs to the basement wall facing the Pentecostal Tabernacle. The Museum Society employed young people as visitor guides, using grant money from Weyerhaeuser and Young Canada Works, supplemented by the society’s own funds. The society will apply for more youth employment grants this year. The other major expenditure was shelving obtained at a bargain price from the University of B.C. Visitors to the museum are not charged an admission fee, but are encouraged to leave a donation. Donations were down slightly last year, totalling only $3,580, but other donations were received, adding $1,060. Persons wishing access to the archives must pay a small fee. Plans for the museum expansion are still in the works, and the work is expected to be complete in 2010. Plans can go ahead when the building is repaired and the library has moved to its new location in the former Goldion Restaurant. The Museum Society welcomed Councillor Maria Sadegur for another year as Town Council representative. February 18-24 is designated as Heritage Week in B.C., but the Princeton Museum will be closed at that time, as Heritage Week in Princeton will be celebrated in August. At that time, Princeton Traditional Music Society will host a weekend music festival. Jon Bartlett addressed the problem of the deteriorating audio tapes in the museum archives. These tapes contain interviews conducted with elders of the Princeton area, preserving their recollections. These are priceless bits of local history, but they are reaching the point where they may not be able to be reclaimed. The museum is acquiring machines that will transcribe the tapes onto CDs. Bartlett said he has hundreds of hours of taped music in his own collection and is looking for a grant to have these tapes transposed to CDs. The mechanical function is not costly, but a person must be employed to monitor each tape. This will be an ongoing project. New members of the Museum Society are always welcomed. Meetings are held in the Chamber of Commerce Boardroom at 2:30 PM the second Tuesday of the month.
The January 16th Princeton meeting of School Trustees for District 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) included a comprehensive presentation on a program that would see laptop computers injected into the school system for both teachers and students. The presentation, made by Merritt teacher Steve McNiven and Computer Tech Bert Bergmann, outlined benefits, observations and provided recommendations based on the committee’s research. “We come to you as a committee as we believe a laptop program will be good for students,” McNiven said. Research showed the benefits of a school laptop program were many including: measurable improvements in writing output; in motivation; in student organization; in the writing process (form and style); in willingness to edit; for boys and First Nations students (the District First Nations population is estimated at 38%). Observations and interviews revealed: increases in task behavior; increased student/teacher communication; increased school-related student communication and increased confidence and pride in work produced. There were cautionary notes the committee stated would hamper the program which included problems if teaching staff was not supportive of the implementation; teaching staff not provided support/training before implementation; ongoing staff development opportunities not provided during implementation and daily on-site support not available during implementation. The committee recommended the School District implement a laptop initiative for teachers and students for the purpose of improving student achievement with the laptop program aligned with specific, measurable and relevant goals for improving student achievement. The program would also include long term planning and funding to allow for the time needed to implant laptops across multiple grade levels and include a comprehensive professional development component at both the classroom level for teachers and school level for students. The initiative would also have to be evaluated according to a set of targets that reflect student achievement goals, the change in teaching and learning and the costs and benefits of the technology. As for costs, the laptop program, identified by the term ‘imagine,’ a three-year proposal shows a total cost in the start-up year between $415,000 and $429,000 with costs increasing slightly each following year as more laptops, upgrades and related material get added into the program. School trustees were visibly impressed with the committee’s work and passed a motion to accept the recommendations in principle. The committee will appear before School Trustees again on February 27th with a firm timeline developed. It was not decided at the time what grade would be targeted in the first wave of the program, nor what brand or platform (PC or Mac) would be chosen, or the actual start date of the program as all those details still need to be worked out at the committee level.
MUSEUM STARTS ANNIVERSERY YEAR
2008 marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of Princeton’s museum, and this will be celebrated along with the 150th anniversary of the founding of British Columbia. Special displays are planned. The annual general meeting of the Museum Society saw the return of the previous Board of Directors. Evelyn McCallum is President, with Brenda Gould as Vice-President and Lori Thomas as Secretary-Treasurer. Directors are Kathy Clement and Jim Pincock. Nick Mills continues as Operations Manager. The annual report showed a slight decrease in the number of visitors, largely due to a late start in opening the museum last year. All in all, 2007 was a difficult year for the museum, and plans for expansion were put on hold until work is done on the building. The need for structural upgrading came to a head last fall when the basement began to show groundwater leakage. The basement of the museum is where the archives had been stored. The extensive collection of documents, newspapers and photographs can be damaged by humidity. These were moved to the Skills Centre pending repairs to the basement wall facing the Pentecostal Tabernacle. The Museum Society employed young people as visitor guides, using grant money from Weyerhaeuser and Young Canada Works, supplemented by the society’s own funds. The society will apply for more youth employment grants this year. The other major expenditure was shelving obtained at a bargain price from the University of B.C. Visitors to the museum are not charged an admission fee, but are encouraged to leave a donation. Donations were down slightly last year, totalling only $3,580, but other donations were received, adding $1,060. Persons wishing access to the archives must pay a small fee. Plans for the museum expansion are still in the works, and the work is expected to be complete in 2010. Plans can go ahead when the building is repaired and the library has moved to its new location in the former Goldion Restaurant. The Museum Society welcomed Councillor Maria Sadegur for another year as Town Council representative. February 18-24 is designated as Heritage Week in B.C., but the Princeton Museum will be closed at that time, as Heritage Week in Princeton will be celebrated in August. At that time, Princeton Traditional Music Society will host a weekend music festival. Jon Bartlett addressed the problem of the deteriorating audio tapes in the museum archives. These tapes contain interviews conducted with elders of the Princeton area, preserving their recollections. These are priceless bits of local history, but they are reaching the point where they may not be able to be reclaimed. The museum is acquiring machines that will transcribe the tapes onto CDs. Bartlett said he has hundreds of hours of taped music in his own collection and is looking for a grant to have these tapes transposed to CDs. The mechanical function is not costly, but a person must be employed to monitor each tape. This will be an ongoing project. New members of the Museum Society are always welcomed. Meetings are held in the Chamber of Commerce Boardroom at 2:30 PM the second Tuesday of the month.
January 29, 2008 - News Leader
ER WILL CLOSE IF NO DOCTORS COME
Princeton’s health care crisis became more intense last week as hospital staff were informed that the Emergency Room (ER) would be closed April 1 if no medical staff could be recruited. This issue was brought to the attention of Town Council on January 21 during question period, when Paul Adams advised Council his father, Dr. John Adams, had received this information from a reliable source. Council did not put much strength in Adam’s information. In fact, Councillor Pam Jones had given a report on all of the efforts Interior Health was making to recruit doctors. Councillor Maria Sadegur showed Adams a bulletin from Interior Health which said every effort would be made to keep the ER open. Adams suggested to Council that they invite Interior Health to Princeton to tell the public exactly what is going on. Mayor Randy McLean did not like the confrontational approach, saying Princeton people had been angry with Interior Health before and it had not helped. Mayor McLean said there was more to be gained by working with Interior Health. Adams said there is a clause in the Canada Health Act that says there must be a staffed ER for all isolated communities in Canada, and Princeton qualifies as an isolated community. The plan for Princeton General Hospital now is to move Public Health into the basement of the hospital and use the vacated offices to house doctors. Interior Health has rented an apartment to house locum doctors. These doctors will see patients at the hospital. Dr. John Adams will keep his downtown office open, but there is some concern about transportation for people who would have to go to the hospital to see a doctor. The BC Transit bus operated by Community Services is available only three days a week, and there is no taxi service. Local ambulance personnel began upgrading their skills on January 18 and should complete the course in April. The higher level skills will free doctors from having to go with some patients while they are transferred to Penticton or Kelowna, but this is valuable to Princeton only if Princeton has an ER and doctors to staff it. There was some discussion increasing monetary incentives to attract medical staff, but these incentives must be authorized by Interior Health.
COUNCIL APPROVES STRATA TITLE PLAN
Riverside Motel owners applied to Town Council for a change in the Official Community Plan to allow for strata titling of the motel units. The subject of strata titling raised some emotions in Council at the meeting following a hearing held on January 21. The public did not appear to raise any strong objections. During the regular meeting, Town Council gave third reading to a bylaw allowing the change, but had some reservations about further strata title applications. Councillor Jim Manion told Council he has “mixed emotions” about strata titling, but as cabins at Riverside Motel are not family dwellings, he would vote in favour, as the cabins will be upgraded. Mayor Randy McLean went further, saying any future applications for strata titling of apartment buildings would not get his vote in favour. Councillor Pam Jones stated, “We should be looking at proper housing for low income people in our community. We should be working on this, we should move to the next step. It’s not up to private business, it is up to us.” Mayor McLean agreed with this point, adding, “This Council should take the initiative. We should find out how other communities have done it.” Councillor Maria Sadegur reminded Council there had been two low cost housing projects for seniors in Princeton’s past. These are the Silvercrest apartments, an initiative of the Royal Canadian Legion. Councillor Jarvis said he is opposed to any more low cost housing being strata titled. Council had received a letter asking them to stop the rezoning of 185 Luard Avenue apartment building to strata or condo. Mayor McLean said no rezoning application had been received for that property. At the end of the meeting, a man stood up and told Council he had planned to invest in a low cost housing building in Princeton, and had planned to upgrade it but keep it low cost. After hearing the remarks at the meeting, he planned to withdraw his offer to buy the property.
Princeton’s health care crisis became more intense last week as hospital staff were informed that the Emergency Room (ER) would be closed April 1 if no medical staff could be recruited. This issue was brought to the attention of Town Council on January 21 during question period, when Paul Adams advised Council his father, Dr. John Adams, had received this information from a reliable source. Council did not put much strength in Adam’s information. In fact, Councillor Pam Jones had given a report on all of the efforts Interior Health was making to recruit doctors. Councillor Maria Sadegur showed Adams a bulletin from Interior Health which said every effort would be made to keep the ER open. Adams suggested to Council that they invite Interior Health to Princeton to tell the public exactly what is going on. Mayor Randy McLean did not like the confrontational approach, saying Princeton people had been angry with Interior Health before and it had not helped. Mayor McLean said there was more to be gained by working with Interior Health. Adams said there is a clause in the Canada Health Act that says there must be a staffed ER for all isolated communities in Canada, and Princeton qualifies as an isolated community. The plan for Princeton General Hospital now is to move Public Health into the basement of the hospital and use the vacated offices to house doctors. Interior Health has rented an apartment to house locum doctors. These doctors will see patients at the hospital. Dr. John Adams will keep his downtown office open, but there is some concern about transportation for people who would have to go to the hospital to see a doctor. The BC Transit bus operated by Community Services is available only three days a week, and there is no taxi service. Local ambulance personnel began upgrading their skills on January 18 and should complete the course in April. The higher level skills will free doctors from having to go with some patients while they are transferred to Penticton or Kelowna, but this is valuable to Princeton only if Princeton has an ER and doctors to staff it. There was some discussion increasing monetary incentives to attract medical staff, but these incentives must be authorized by Interior Health.
COUNCIL APPROVES STRATA TITLE PLAN
Riverside Motel owners applied to Town Council for a change in the Official Community Plan to allow for strata titling of the motel units. The subject of strata titling raised some emotions in Council at the meeting following a hearing held on January 21. The public did not appear to raise any strong objections. During the regular meeting, Town Council gave third reading to a bylaw allowing the change, but had some reservations about further strata title applications. Councillor Jim Manion told Council he has “mixed emotions” about strata titling, but as cabins at Riverside Motel are not family dwellings, he would vote in favour, as the cabins will be upgraded. Mayor Randy McLean went further, saying any future applications for strata titling of apartment buildings would not get his vote in favour. Councillor Pam Jones stated, “We should be looking at proper housing for low income people in our community. We should be working on this, we should move to the next step. It’s not up to private business, it is up to us.” Mayor McLean agreed with this point, adding, “This Council should take the initiative. We should find out how other communities have done it.” Councillor Maria Sadegur reminded Council there had been two low cost housing projects for seniors in Princeton’s past. These are the Silvercrest apartments, an initiative of the Royal Canadian Legion. Councillor Jarvis said he is opposed to any more low cost housing being strata titled. Council had received a letter asking them to stop the rezoning of 185 Luard Avenue apartment building to strata or condo. Mayor McLean said no rezoning application had been received for that property. At the end of the meeting, a man stood up and told Council he had planned to invest in a low cost housing building in Princeton, and had planned to upgrade it but keep it low cost. After hearing the remarks at the meeting, he planned to withdraw his offer to buy the property.