November 25, 2014 - News Leader
TOWN BUILDS CRAZY TREE
Town Council was invited to enter a Crazy Christmas Tree in the contest sponsored by Princeton Community Arts Council. Mayor Frank Armitage said Council members did not take up the challenge, but the public works staff is going to enter the contest. Kevin Huey, Works Manager, stated their tree design "looks like Charlie Brown meets the Jetsons". The Crazy Christmas Trees must be constructed using only recycled materials, although it may have lights. The tree must be able to pass through a standard door opening. It will be displayed in the store at the junction of Vermilion Avenue and Bridge Street from November 28 to December 19th. The public will judge the trees and a prize will be awarded for 'Most Popular' and 'Most Original'. Trees are registered by phoning 250-295-6718, Marjorie Holland, President of the Arts Council.
HARKNESS ENDS COUNCIL TERM
Councillor Marilyn Harkness sat at the Town Council table for the last time on November 17, as her term in office ends this month. She took the opportunity to thank Council members, Town hall staff, and those who voted for her. She also thanked the press for their fair reporting. "I have enjoyed the past six years," she stated, but later said she was running out of energy. Mayor Frank Armitage said Councillor Harkness had been "a breath of fresh air" and had always represented the town well. He thanked her for her hard work, and for her thrifty recommendation not to hold an election to replace Councillor Jason Earle when he resigned. Councillor Harkness received applause from Council and those attending the meeting.
COUNCILLORS DEFEAT MEETING MOTION
Councillors Kim Maynard and Doug Pateman did not like changing the time of Council meetings and defeated a bylaw motion at the November 17 Town Council meeting. The motion was introduced to adopt a new procedural bylaw, but the only change that raised objections was changing the time of Council meetings from 7:30 PM to 7:00 PM. This matter will be re-introduced on December 15 to allow the new Council to decide. The inaugural meeting of the new Town Council will take place on December
1 at 7:30 PM. At this meeting, the mayor and councillors will be legally sworn into office. There will be a brief reception and refreshments, during which the public is invited to meet the new Council.
Town Council was invited to enter a Crazy Christmas Tree in the contest sponsored by Princeton Community Arts Council. Mayor Frank Armitage said Council members did not take up the challenge, but the public works staff is going to enter the contest. Kevin Huey, Works Manager, stated their tree design "looks like Charlie Brown meets the Jetsons". The Crazy Christmas Trees must be constructed using only recycled materials, although it may have lights. The tree must be able to pass through a standard door opening. It will be displayed in the store at the junction of Vermilion Avenue and Bridge Street from November 28 to December 19th. The public will judge the trees and a prize will be awarded for 'Most Popular' and 'Most Original'. Trees are registered by phoning 250-295-6718, Marjorie Holland, President of the Arts Council.
HARKNESS ENDS COUNCIL TERM
Councillor Marilyn Harkness sat at the Town Council table for the last time on November 17, as her term in office ends this month. She took the opportunity to thank Council members, Town hall staff, and those who voted for her. She also thanked the press for their fair reporting. "I have enjoyed the past six years," she stated, but later said she was running out of energy. Mayor Frank Armitage said Councillor Harkness had been "a breath of fresh air" and had always represented the town well. He thanked her for her hard work, and for her thrifty recommendation not to hold an election to replace Councillor Jason Earle when he resigned. Councillor Harkness received applause from Council and those attending the meeting.
COUNCILLORS DEFEAT MEETING MOTION
Councillors Kim Maynard and Doug Pateman did not like changing the time of Council meetings and defeated a bylaw motion at the November 17 Town Council meeting. The motion was introduced to adopt a new procedural bylaw, but the only change that raised objections was changing the time of Council meetings from 7:30 PM to 7:00 PM. This matter will be re-introduced on December 15 to allow the new Council to decide. The inaugural meeting of the new Town Council will take place on December
1 at 7:30 PM. At this meeting, the mayor and councillors will be legally sworn into office. There will be a brief reception and refreshments, during which the public is invited to meet the new Council.
November 18, 2014 - News Leader
COYNE CASHES IN WITH VICTORY
Before the night was over November 15th is became obvious that there were going to be some changes in the political landscape throughout the Similkameen Valley. Probably the most anticipated of the races left to be decided by vote was in the Regional District. Area H (Princeton Rural) elected Bob Coyne to represent them with a strong 354-vote count. Charles Weber ended the night with 193 with Jamie Frandsen collecting 37 votes for his effort. In Area G (Keremeos Rural/Hedley) a much closer race saw former Director Elef Christensen returned to the seat with 234 votes. He had edged past incumbent Angelique Wood who finished the night 32 votes behind at 202. In the Village Council race in Keremeos Manfred Bauer will continue as Mayor with a 304-212 victory over Martin Menzies. Elected to Council are Jason Wiebe (347), Jeremy Evans (300), Sherry Philpott-Adhikary (296) and Arlene Arlow (240). The remaining results saw Gary Johnson finish with 207 votes, Bob Thurston had 197 and Ted Douglas earned 132.
LEGION LADIES PAY LEGION
The Ladies Auxiliary to George Pearkes Branch 56 of the Royal Canadian Legion helped with the Remembrance Day luncheon. They have done so for many years. President Charlene Longdo presented Branch President Jim Turner with a cheque for $500. This gesture is a tradition with the Ladies Auxiliary. In addition, the Ladies Auxiliary raised more than $800 in their poppy sales prior to Veterans Week. Princeton's Hospital Auxiliary has booked the Ladies Auxiliary catering service for a Christmas dinner on December 8 at noon. On December 9, the Ladies Auxiliary will hold their own Christmas dinner. Eleanor Sinclair and her daughter, Barbara, are doing the planning for this dinner, as they have
done for many years. They always make the dinner very festive. The Christmas dinner is the occasion on which elections take place. Charlene Longdo has stated she will not seek office as President for 2015. Both the Ladies Auxiliary and the Legion hold a potluck dinner on the evening of the installation of new officers for each group. The officers elected in December will be installed on January 23, 2015, following the dinner.
Before the night was over November 15th is became obvious that there were going to be some changes in the political landscape throughout the Similkameen Valley. Probably the most anticipated of the races left to be decided by vote was in the Regional District. Area H (Princeton Rural) elected Bob Coyne to represent them with a strong 354-vote count. Charles Weber ended the night with 193 with Jamie Frandsen collecting 37 votes for his effort. In Area G (Keremeos Rural/Hedley) a much closer race saw former Director Elef Christensen returned to the seat with 234 votes. He had edged past incumbent Angelique Wood who finished the night 32 votes behind at 202. In the Village Council race in Keremeos Manfred Bauer will continue as Mayor with a 304-212 victory over Martin Menzies. Elected to Council are Jason Wiebe (347), Jeremy Evans (300), Sherry Philpott-Adhikary (296) and Arlene Arlow (240). The remaining results saw Gary Johnson finish with 207 votes, Bob Thurston had 197 and Ted Douglas earned 132.
LEGION LADIES PAY LEGION
The Ladies Auxiliary to George Pearkes Branch 56 of the Royal Canadian Legion helped with the Remembrance Day luncheon. They have done so for many years. President Charlene Longdo presented Branch President Jim Turner with a cheque for $500. This gesture is a tradition with the Ladies Auxiliary. In addition, the Ladies Auxiliary raised more than $800 in their poppy sales prior to Veterans Week. Princeton's Hospital Auxiliary has booked the Ladies Auxiliary catering service for a Christmas dinner on December 8 at noon. On December 9, the Ladies Auxiliary will hold their own Christmas dinner. Eleanor Sinclair and her daughter, Barbara, are doing the planning for this dinner, as they have
done for many years. They always make the dinner very festive. The Christmas dinner is the occasion on which elections take place. Charlene Longdo has stated she will not seek office as President for 2015. Both the Ladies Auxiliary and the Legion hold a potluck dinner on the evening of the installation of new officers for each group. The officers elected in December will be installed on January 23, 2015, following the dinner.
November 11, 2014 - News Leader
SOHC FINISHES EXTREMELY BUSY YEAR
Support Our Health Care (SOHC) held their Annual General Meeting last week and during it revealed their activity report for the past twelve months. It is an impressive schedule of meetings and activities the group has participated in on all our behalf. Here is the full report: Support Our Health Care The Year in Review - 2013: October 23 SOHC holds its second Annual General Meeting at Riverside - new executive comprises Ed Staples, president; Spencer Coyne, vice-president; Nienke Klaver, secretary; June Hope, treasurer; Ole Juul and Judy Short, directors, October 25 & 26 Ed Staples attends the Okanagan Similkameen Healthy Living Coalition Foresighting workshop at the Heritage Inn, Naramata, October 29 SOHC participates in teleconference meeting with Dr. Barbara Pesut and other UBCO researchers to discuss plans for a Princeton based research project on chronic illness, November 5 Ed Staples and Nienke Klaver attend Air Quality meeting with Ralph Adams, Ministry of the Environment; Brad Hope, Area H; and Glenn Smith, Eagle Valley Pellet Plant, November 19 second monthly meeting of the Princeton Health Care Steering Committee (PHCSC) - Ed Staples represents SOHC on committee, November 22 Ed Staples & Nienke Klaver meet with Walter Hogg, Seniors Representative on the PHCSC to discuss local seniors' concerns, November 28 first meeting of the Princeton-UBC-SOHC Healthcare Research team at Riverside Community Centre; chaired by Dr. Barbara Pesut, the team included researchers from UBCO, local healthcare professionals, local elected representatives, and SOHC executive members. The aim of PUSH-R is to improve care for persons living with life-limiting chronic illness in rural BC communities, December 4 Steering Committee meets with Interior Health CEO, Dr. Halpenny and IH Board Chair, Norm Embrie. Discussion centres on physician recruitment and the Steering Committee Action Plan, December 9 telephone meeting with Patricia Roe, manager of the Sherbrooke Community Centre in Saskatoon, to discuss the development of an Artists for Life program in Princeton - telephone meeting with Dr. Barbara Pesut (UBCO) and Avril Paice (United Way) to discuss United Way involvement in PUSH-R, December 17 Steering Committee meeting at PGH, December 19 teleconference meeting with PUSH-R group to discuss possible research questions and literature review 2014, January 14 teleconference meeting with Barb Pesut and June Hope to discuss the formulation of a Princeton resource list for chronic illness care, January 17 PUSH-R teleconference meeting, January 20 Steering Committee meeting at PGH, February 18 Steering Committee meeting at PGH, February 25 teleconference meeting with BC Health Coalition - Adam Lynes-Ford presents information on the legal challenge to public health care mounted by Dr. Brian Day and the Cambie Clinic, February 26 teleconference meeting with PUSH-R group to plan for next face to face meeting at UBCO in Kelowna, February 28 meeting with Adam Lynes-Ford (BC Health Coalition) to discuss threats to public health care, March 5 meeting with Anita Drees (Princeton Seniors) and Lynn Pelly (Princeton Community Services) to discuss Artists for Life initiative, March 7 meeting at RDOS to work on BC Healthy Communities grant application for Artists for Life initiative, March 10 meeting at Riverside with Avril Paice to discuss potential United Way programs for Princeton, March 14 Artists for Life grant application sent to BC Healthy Communities Society, March 18 Steering Committee meeting at PGH, March 19 Alex Atamanenko public meeting at Legion Hall - Ed Staples makes presentation on the expiry of the Public Health Accord and the legal challenge to Medicare mounted by Dr. Brian Day, March 25 BC Health Coalition teleconference meeting to discuss possible action to be taken to inform public about the Dr. Brian Day court challenge to Medicare, March 27 PUSH-R meeting at UBCO in Kelowna; group agrees to focus on the challenges of providing care to people suffering from chronic illness in rural remote communities, March 31 SOHC sponsors Public Rally in support of Medicare at Veteran¹s Square; over 100 people attend the event to hear speeches calling on the federal and provincial government to renew the Canada Health Accord that expires on April 1st, April 4 at the invitation of MLA Jackie Tegart, SOHC makes presentation to Ashcroft residents outlining the steps taken in Princeton that led to the formation of the Princeton Health Care Steering Committee, April 10 & 11 Ed Staples and Nienke Klaver attend the Rural Health Services Research Network conference held in Kelowna; presentations focused on building healthy communities in BC; partial funding was provided by RHSRNbc, April 15 Steering Committee meeting at PGH, April 22 telephone meeting with Bernie Easson (Interior Health) to discuss her involvement in the Ashcroft Community Consultation, April 29 telephone meeting with Loretta Zilm (Interior Health) to discuss ways to promote the use of telehealth services in Princeton - BC Health Coalition monthly update meeting on Cambie Clinic court challenge, May 12 Appreciation Dinner held at PGH for Princeton Health Care practitioners, nurses, paramedics and support staff; the event was organized by the Steering Committee with financial support from the Town of Princeton and RDOS-Area H, May 15 SOHC executive members attend a presentation by the GP for Me initiative, held at Riverside, May 20 Steering Committee meeting at PGH; committee learns that Dr. Eva has resigned and will be leaving Princeton at the end of July; Ed Staples volunteers to be on the newly formed Retention & Recruitment sub-committee, May 27 monthly update meeting with BC Health Coalition to discuss development in Medicare court challenge; SOHC presents plans for Public Forum on Medicare to be held in Princeton on June 4, June 4 SOHC presents Public Forum on Medicare at Riverside; speakers include Dr. Duncan Etches (Canadian Doctors for Medicare), Rick Turner (Co-chair of the BC Health Coalition), and Ed Staples (SOHC President); Brad Hope moderated the evening, June 6 Retention & Recruitment sub-committee holds first meeting; members include Brad Hope, John Akerley, Doug Pateman, and Ed Staples, June 13 Retention & Recruitment sub-committee meets; Nienke Klaver is invited to join the group as recording secretary, June 17 Steering Committee meeting at PGH; members vote to extend committee's mandate for a second year, begins review of Action Plan; IH announces that Dr. Ahmed Saif from UK is looking at Princeton as a location to begin his practice in BC, June 21 Retention & Recruitment meets with Drs. Black and Monro to discuss recruitment strategies and how they might be involved, June 27 Ashcroft Community Consultation organizational meeting (teleconference) - SOHC is invited to participate and provide advice and assistance, July 2 Dr. Ahmed Saif and his family visit Princeton; welcome reception and barbecue are held at the home of Brad and June Hope, July 7 Retention & Recruitment meeting at Town Office, July 8 Ashcroft organizational meeting by telephone, July 22 Ashcroft organizational meeting - Princeton Health Care Steering Committee monthly meeting at PGH, July 23 Dr. Eva farewell reception held at Riverside, July 28 Retention & Recruitment meet with Jane Laroque (IH Physician Recruitment) to discuss IH role and strategies in recruiting a doctor for Princeton, July 29 Ashcroft organization meeting - Steering Committee monthly meeting at PGH, August 5 Retention & Recruitment meeting at Town Office - Lori Thomas invited to attend to discuss the development of promotional materials, August 27 Princeton Business Stakeholders group meets at Weyerhaeuser to discuss ways to relieve stress on doctors; Ed Staples is invited to participate in the meeting, September 2 Ashcroft organizational meeting - Ed Staples meets with Dr. Monro to discuss the content of a recruitment brochure that she and Dr. Black will use in their recruitment efforts, September 16 Community Consultation on Health Care is held at the Ashcroft Community Centre; the event is facilitated by Dr. Barbara Pesut with Brad Hope, June Hope, Nienke Klaver, and Ed Staples working as focus group leaders and recorders, September 19 Business Stakeholders meet at Weyerhaeuser to discuss doctor recruitment & retention strategies - decision made to invite MLA Jackie Tegart to next meeting, September 30 Steering Committee monthly meeting at PGH, October 9 at the suggestion of Dr. Monro, SOHC, in cooperation with the Princeton Chamber of Commerce, initiates the Love a Locum program to provide visiting doctors with a warm welcome to our community, October 31 Business Stakeholders meet with MLA Jackie Tegart - discussion centres on doctor recruitment strategies and innovative ways to improve our health care system that will attract doctors and keep them here, November 5 SOHC holds their 3rd annual AGM. Ed Staples is elected President, Ole Juul Vice President, Nienke Klaver Secretary, June Hope Treasurer with Spencer Coyne, William Day, Judy Short and Lynn Wells Directors.
Support Our Health Care (SOHC) held their Annual General Meeting last week and during it revealed their activity report for the past twelve months. It is an impressive schedule of meetings and activities the group has participated in on all our behalf. Here is the full report: Support Our Health Care The Year in Review - 2013: October 23 SOHC holds its second Annual General Meeting at Riverside - new executive comprises Ed Staples, president; Spencer Coyne, vice-president; Nienke Klaver, secretary; June Hope, treasurer; Ole Juul and Judy Short, directors, October 25 & 26 Ed Staples attends the Okanagan Similkameen Healthy Living Coalition Foresighting workshop at the Heritage Inn, Naramata, October 29 SOHC participates in teleconference meeting with Dr. Barbara Pesut and other UBCO researchers to discuss plans for a Princeton based research project on chronic illness, November 5 Ed Staples and Nienke Klaver attend Air Quality meeting with Ralph Adams, Ministry of the Environment; Brad Hope, Area H; and Glenn Smith, Eagle Valley Pellet Plant, November 19 second monthly meeting of the Princeton Health Care Steering Committee (PHCSC) - Ed Staples represents SOHC on committee, November 22 Ed Staples & Nienke Klaver meet with Walter Hogg, Seniors Representative on the PHCSC to discuss local seniors' concerns, November 28 first meeting of the Princeton-UBC-SOHC Healthcare Research team at Riverside Community Centre; chaired by Dr. Barbara Pesut, the team included researchers from UBCO, local healthcare professionals, local elected representatives, and SOHC executive members. The aim of PUSH-R is to improve care for persons living with life-limiting chronic illness in rural BC communities, December 4 Steering Committee meets with Interior Health CEO, Dr. Halpenny and IH Board Chair, Norm Embrie. Discussion centres on physician recruitment and the Steering Committee Action Plan, December 9 telephone meeting with Patricia Roe, manager of the Sherbrooke Community Centre in Saskatoon, to discuss the development of an Artists for Life program in Princeton - telephone meeting with Dr. Barbara Pesut (UBCO) and Avril Paice (United Way) to discuss United Way involvement in PUSH-R, December 17 Steering Committee meeting at PGH, December 19 teleconference meeting with PUSH-R group to discuss possible research questions and literature review 2014, January 14 teleconference meeting with Barb Pesut and June Hope to discuss the formulation of a Princeton resource list for chronic illness care, January 17 PUSH-R teleconference meeting, January 20 Steering Committee meeting at PGH, February 18 Steering Committee meeting at PGH, February 25 teleconference meeting with BC Health Coalition - Adam Lynes-Ford presents information on the legal challenge to public health care mounted by Dr. Brian Day and the Cambie Clinic, February 26 teleconference meeting with PUSH-R group to plan for next face to face meeting at UBCO in Kelowna, February 28 meeting with Adam Lynes-Ford (BC Health Coalition) to discuss threats to public health care, March 5 meeting with Anita Drees (Princeton Seniors) and Lynn Pelly (Princeton Community Services) to discuss Artists for Life initiative, March 7 meeting at RDOS to work on BC Healthy Communities grant application for Artists for Life initiative, March 10 meeting at Riverside with Avril Paice to discuss potential United Way programs for Princeton, March 14 Artists for Life grant application sent to BC Healthy Communities Society, March 18 Steering Committee meeting at PGH, March 19 Alex Atamanenko public meeting at Legion Hall - Ed Staples makes presentation on the expiry of the Public Health Accord and the legal challenge to Medicare mounted by Dr. Brian Day, March 25 BC Health Coalition teleconference meeting to discuss possible action to be taken to inform public about the Dr. Brian Day court challenge to Medicare, March 27 PUSH-R meeting at UBCO in Kelowna; group agrees to focus on the challenges of providing care to people suffering from chronic illness in rural remote communities, March 31 SOHC sponsors Public Rally in support of Medicare at Veteran¹s Square; over 100 people attend the event to hear speeches calling on the federal and provincial government to renew the Canada Health Accord that expires on April 1st, April 4 at the invitation of MLA Jackie Tegart, SOHC makes presentation to Ashcroft residents outlining the steps taken in Princeton that led to the formation of the Princeton Health Care Steering Committee, April 10 & 11 Ed Staples and Nienke Klaver attend the Rural Health Services Research Network conference held in Kelowna; presentations focused on building healthy communities in BC; partial funding was provided by RHSRNbc, April 15 Steering Committee meeting at PGH, April 22 telephone meeting with Bernie Easson (Interior Health) to discuss her involvement in the Ashcroft Community Consultation, April 29 telephone meeting with Loretta Zilm (Interior Health) to discuss ways to promote the use of telehealth services in Princeton - BC Health Coalition monthly update meeting on Cambie Clinic court challenge, May 12 Appreciation Dinner held at PGH for Princeton Health Care practitioners, nurses, paramedics and support staff; the event was organized by the Steering Committee with financial support from the Town of Princeton and RDOS-Area H, May 15 SOHC executive members attend a presentation by the GP for Me initiative, held at Riverside, May 20 Steering Committee meeting at PGH; committee learns that Dr. Eva has resigned and will be leaving Princeton at the end of July; Ed Staples volunteers to be on the newly formed Retention & Recruitment sub-committee, May 27 monthly update meeting with BC Health Coalition to discuss development in Medicare court challenge; SOHC presents plans for Public Forum on Medicare to be held in Princeton on June 4, June 4 SOHC presents Public Forum on Medicare at Riverside; speakers include Dr. Duncan Etches (Canadian Doctors for Medicare), Rick Turner (Co-chair of the BC Health Coalition), and Ed Staples (SOHC President); Brad Hope moderated the evening, June 6 Retention & Recruitment sub-committee holds first meeting; members include Brad Hope, John Akerley, Doug Pateman, and Ed Staples, June 13 Retention & Recruitment sub-committee meets; Nienke Klaver is invited to join the group as recording secretary, June 17 Steering Committee meeting at PGH; members vote to extend committee's mandate for a second year, begins review of Action Plan; IH announces that Dr. Ahmed Saif from UK is looking at Princeton as a location to begin his practice in BC, June 21 Retention & Recruitment meets with Drs. Black and Monro to discuss recruitment strategies and how they might be involved, June 27 Ashcroft Community Consultation organizational meeting (teleconference) - SOHC is invited to participate and provide advice and assistance, July 2 Dr. Ahmed Saif and his family visit Princeton; welcome reception and barbecue are held at the home of Brad and June Hope, July 7 Retention & Recruitment meeting at Town Office, July 8 Ashcroft organizational meeting by telephone, July 22 Ashcroft organizational meeting - Princeton Health Care Steering Committee monthly meeting at PGH, July 23 Dr. Eva farewell reception held at Riverside, July 28 Retention & Recruitment meet with Jane Laroque (IH Physician Recruitment) to discuss IH role and strategies in recruiting a doctor for Princeton, July 29 Ashcroft organization meeting - Steering Committee monthly meeting at PGH, August 5 Retention & Recruitment meeting at Town Office - Lori Thomas invited to attend to discuss the development of promotional materials, August 27 Princeton Business Stakeholders group meets at Weyerhaeuser to discuss ways to relieve stress on doctors; Ed Staples is invited to participate in the meeting, September 2 Ashcroft organizational meeting - Ed Staples meets with Dr. Monro to discuss the content of a recruitment brochure that she and Dr. Black will use in their recruitment efforts, September 16 Community Consultation on Health Care is held at the Ashcroft Community Centre; the event is facilitated by Dr. Barbara Pesut with Brad Hope, June Hope, Nienke Klaver, and Ed Staples working as focus group leaders and recorders, September 19 Business Stakeholders meet at Weyerhaeuser to discuss doctor recruitment & retention strategies - decision made to invite MLA Jackie Tegart to next meeting, September 30 Steering Committee monthly meeting at PGH, October 9 at the suggestion of Dr. Monro, SOHC, in cooperation with the Princeton Chamber of Commerce, initiates the Love a Locum program to provide visiting doctors with a warm welcome to our community, October 31 Business Stakeholders meet with MLA Jackie Tegart - discussion centres on doctor recruitment strategies and innovative ways to improve our health care system that will attract doctors and keep them here, November 5 SOHC holds their 3rd annual AGM. Ed Staples is elected President, Ole Juul Vice President, Nienke Klaver Secretary, June Hope Treasurer with Spencer Coyne, William Day, Judy Short and Lynn Wells Directors.
November 04, 2014 - News Leader
CHAMBER HOSTS AREA H ALL-CANDIDATES FORUM
Around fifty people attended the Area H All-Candidates Forum hosted October 29th in Princeton Legion Hall by the Princeton & District Chamber of Commerce. The trio had gathered for another forum the previous night in Coalmont and was well prepared for the Princeton event. In their opening statements each candidate provided a brief outline of their past and their connections to the area. Jamie Frandsen has been coming to the Similkameen Valley annually since 1969 and became a full time resident at Allison Lake last year. He is the President of the Allison Lake Ratepayers Association. Frandsen says issues concerning him include the hospital and doctors as well as highway safety. He said he has an environmental background and while he supports industry, he is against fracking. Bob Coyne was born in Princeton and has worked his entire life in the area first at the mine then for the Town of Princeton. He is semi-retired and the President of the China Ridge Cross-Country Ski Association. "I do not have an agenda going into this," Coyne stated. "I just want all the communities in Area H to have fair representation at the RDOS." He is concerned about where Community Forest revenue is going and wants to see continued improvement to local health care. Charles Weber was raised in Ontario and moved to the area in 2003 from the Fraser Valley. He has a 25-year history in Education and is currently a full-time farmer. Weber is the only candidate of the three who has run in a previous election for the Area H Director's seat. "That was a humbling lesson and a valuable lesson." Weber says he wants to promote rural livability as a way to attract people to the area, as he wants to promote growth. "We need to bring an excitement back to this town." The question and answer period of the program went quickly as there weren't a flood of questions. The first one asked what the candidates thought was the most important Area H health care issue. Weber pointed to the need for health care professionals to service the community and stated, "I think retaining them is a very important part." He went on to point out that if the community grows, it should be easier to attract and keep doctors although he feels there is a need to actively advocate for the community to change the way IHA spends their funds in the region. He concluded with the statement, "Nobody should be waiting six to eight weeks for a doctor's appointment." Bob Coyne was blunt in his response. "We have to have a stable, sustainable hospital with doctors," and pointed to the need to recruit and retain all kinds of health care professional and support staff. "Health care is never going to be a simple issue," Coyne added. "We need to get doctors and keep them. We need to get nurses and keep them." Frandsen referred to the act of recruiting doctors as "a competition" with close to forty other communities doing the same thing as Princeton as they are faced with the same health care problems. He feels that the addition of helipads in various key locations within Area H will be able to assist in some way and although he feels the local hospital needs upgrades, he is happy with the facility we have. Regarding the Health Care Action Plan designed for the community, each candidate was asked which item in the document was the highest priority in their view. Coyne pointed to recruitment and retention of new health care workers but added that the recently implemented program of rotating doctors and specialists to the area is "an awesome start." Frandsen viewed mental health care issues, transportation and education for continued senior care as priorities. Weber stated, "We need some impetus. There's a framework that needs a push" and added recruitment and retention to his priority list. Cutbacks to Princeton's library was the next subject with a question suggesting that Area H could help with the situation with the addition of a Library Tax, which currently does not exist. Frandsen was in favour of Area H chipping in to the ORL cash flow. "We use it, it's only fair that we support it." Weber agreed and stated, "I think it's time to have a look at that." Coyne also agreed and said fringe residents would likely agree but did not see residents in the further parts of Area H being interested. He did suggest that Community Forest funds could possibly pick up any shortfall. On the issue of an aquatic centre Coyne admitted, "People are still very emotional about the last referendum" and stated that if a new plan were drawn up it would still need to go to referendum. Frandsen supports a pool and feels it would attract doctors and families to the area. "We need a facility that is family-friendly and top notch but not over the top."Weber responded with, "The pool is a monster," but added that an affordable concept would be easier to support. "The last pool referendum was poorly conceived." As for fracking, all three candidates were clearly against it. Advance polls will be open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, November 5 at Riverside Centre. General voting day is 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Saturday, November 15th with polling stations located at both Riverside Centre and Tulameen Community Hall.
Around fifty people attended the Area H All-Candidates Forum hosted October 29th in Princeton Legion Hall by the Princeton & District Chamber of Commerce. The trio had gathered for another forum the previous night in Coalmont and was well prepared for the Princeton event. In their opening statements each candidate provided a brief outline of their past and their connections to the area. Jamie Frandsen has been coming to the Similkameen Valley annually since 1969 and became a full time resident at Allison Lake last year. He is the President of the Allison Lake Ratepayers Association. Frandsen says issues concerning him include the hospital and doctors as well as highway safety. He said he has an environmental background and while he supports industry, he is against fracking. Bob Coyne was born in Princeton and has worked his entire life in the area first at the mine then for the Town of Princeton. He is semi-retired and the President of the China Ridge Cross-Country Ski Association. "I do not have an agenda going into this," Coyne stated. "I just want all the communities in Area H to have fair representation at the RDOS." He is concerned about where Community Forest revenue is going and wants to see continued improvement to local health care. Charles Weber was raised in Ontario and moved to the area in 2003 from the Fraser Valley. He has a 25-year history in Education and is currently a full-time farmer. Weber is the only candidate of the three who has run in a previous election for the Area H Director's seat. "That was a humbling lesson and a valuable lesson." Weber says he wants to promote rural livability as a way to attract people to the area, as he wants to promote growth. "We need to bring an excitement back to this town." The question and answer period of the program went quickly as there weren't a flood of questions. The first one asked what the candidates thought was the most important Area H health care issue. Weber pointed to the need for health care professionals to service the community and stated, "I think retaining them is a very important part." He went on to point out that if the community grows, it should be easier to attract and keep doctors although he feels there is a need to actively advocate for the community to change the way IHA spends their funds in the region. He concluded with the statement, "Nobody should be waiting six to eight weeks for a doctor's appointment." Bob Coyne was blunt in his response. "We have to have a stable, sustainable hospital with doctors," and pointed to the need to recruit and retain all kinds of health care professional and support staff. "Health care is never going to be a simple issue," Coyne added. "We need to get doctors and keep them. We need to get nurses and keep them." Frandsen referred to the act of recruiting doctors as "a competition" with close to forty other communities doing the same thing as Princeton as they are faced with the same health care problems. He feels that the addition of helipads in various key locations within Area H will be able to assist in some way and although he feels the local hospital needs upgrades, he is happy with the facility we have. Regarding the Health Care Action Plan designed for the community, each candidate was asked which item in the document was the highest priority in their view. Coyne pointed to recruitment and retention of new health care workers but added that the recently implemented program of rotating doctors and specialists to the area is "an awesome start." Frandsen viewed mental health care issues, transportation and education for continued senior care as priorities. Weber stated, "We need some impetus. There's a framework that needs a push" and added recruitment and retention to his priority list. Cutbacks to Princeton's library was the next subject with a question suggesting that Area H could help with the situation with the addition of a Library Tax, which currently does not exist. Frandsen was in favour of Area H chipping in to the ORL cash flow. "We use it, it's only fair that we support it." Weber agreed and stated, "I think it's time to have a look at that." Coyne also agreed and said fringe residents would likely agree but did not see residents in the further parts of Area H being interested. He did suggest that Community Forest funds could possibly pick up any shortfall. On the issue of an aquatic centre Coyne admitted, "People are still very emotional about the last referendum" and stated that if a new plan were drawn up it would still need to go to referendum. Frandsen supports a pool and feels it would attract doctors and families to the area. "We need a facility that is family-friendly and top notch but not over the top."Weber responded with, "The pool is a monster," but added that an affordable concept would be easier to support. "The last pool referendum was poorly conceived." As for fracking, all three candidates were clearly against it. Advance polls will be open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, November 5 at Riverside Centre. General voting day is 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Saturday, November 15th with polling stations located at both Riverside Centre and Tulameen Community Hall.