October 25, 2011 - News Leader
TOWN PLANS TO WEIGH GARBAGE
At the October 17 Town Council meeting, Council approved $27, 245.50 (plus taxes) for a scale to weigh garbage at the landfill. The purpose of weighing the garbage is to determine just how much and what kind of garbage is going into the landfill. There are no fees per kilo for garbage at this time. Councillor Frank Armitage asked whether Area H knew of the decision and whether they would share in the cost. He noted the cost of the scale is coming out of the provincial gas tax grant, and said he could think of uses for half the cost. Councillor Armitage was told the weigh scale is part of the budget and will be included in the agreement with Area H. The scale records will provide Town Council with a firmer grip on the kinds of materials going into the landfill. CAO Patrick Robins stated the landfill could last another 40 or 50 years with good management of what goes into it. Recycling helps extend the life of the landfill, and although recycling comes at a cost to local taxpayers, it postpones closing the existing landfill and opening a new landfill, which can cost millions of dollars.
LIBRARY REVEALS COSTS
Okanagan Regional Library has released its annual report for 2010. In addition to promoting its successes, the report shows a graph of where the library system gets its money and how it spends the money. Local taxation provides 88 percent of the library’s income. The provincial and federal governments provide eight percent, and four percent comes from donations, fees, grants and book sales. Many libraries have citizen groups who work on behalf of the library system, such as Westbank Friends of the Library. The 2010 budget was $15.26 million. Half of that went to wages, rent was 20 percent, 14 percent went to buying books and materials, three percent covered mortgages, with another three percent going to computers and telecommunication. Ten percent was listed as “other” expenses. During 2010, the regional library opened three new facilities: South Shuswap, Rutland and Princeton.
PXA REVIEWS PROBLEMS
Princeton Exhibition (PXA) met October 18 at the fairgrounds office. Much of the meeting dealt with problems facing the management group. The most immediate and pressing problem was that the Town crew unexpectedly blew the water out of the water lines in preparation for winter when there is still the Halloween Party scheduled for Saturday, October 29. This event, sponsored by the Fall Fair Association, has been planned by a dedicated group of volunteers from the community. The event will take place, but problems surrounding the water lines have to be resolved. Other problems involved the horse owners at the agricultural barn and pens. Paul Bedard outlined misuse of areas not intended for use by horse owners, and horse owners making alterations to the physical set-up to suit themselves. The PXA will develop a policy which will clearly state that any such activity is not to take place, and that policy will be posted in more than one location at the barn. People who are in arrears with their payments for use of the barn and pens are another problem to be dealt with. Members voted to issue warnings that legal action will take place if payments are not brought up to date.
At the October 17 Town Council meeting, Council approved $27, 245.50 (plus taxes) for a scale to weigh garbage at the landfill. The purpose of weighing the garbage is to determine just how much and what kind of garbage is going into the landfill. There are no fees per kilo for garbage at this time. Councillor Frank Armitage asked whether Area H knew of the decision and whether they would share in the cost. He noted the cost of the scale is coming out of the provincial gas tax grant, and said he could think of uses for half the cost. Councillor Armitage was told the weigh scale is part of the budget and will be included in the agreement with Area H. The scale records will provide Town Council with a firmer grip on the kinds of materials going into the landfill. CAO Patrick Robins stated the landfill could last another 40 or 50 years with good management of what goes into it. Recycling helps extend the life of the landfill, and although recycling comes at a cost to local taxpayers, it postpones closing the existing landfill and opening a new landfill, which can cost millions of dollars.
LIBRARY REVEALS COSTS
Okanagan Regional Library has released its annual report for 2010. In addition to promoting its successes, the report shows a graph of where the library system gets its money and how it spends the money. Local taxation provides 88 percent of the library’s income. The provincial and federal governments provide eight percent, and four percent comes from donations, fees, grants and book sales. Many libraries have citizen groups who work on behalf of the library system, such as Westbank Friends of the Library. The 2010 budget was $15.26 million. Half of that went to wages, rent was 20 percent, 14 percent went to buying books and materials, three percent covered mortgages, with another three percent going to computers and telecommunication. Ten percent was listed as “other” expenses. During 2010, the regional library opened three new facilities: South Shuswap, Rutland and Princeton.
PXA REVIEWS PROBLEMS
Princeton Exhibition (PXA) met October 18 at the fairgrounds office. Much of the meeting dealt with problems facing the management group. The most immediate and pressing problem was that the Town crew unexpectedly blew the water out of the water lines in preparation for winter when there is still the Halloween Party scheduled for Saturday, October 29. This event, sponsored by the Fall Fair Association, has been planned by a dedicated group of volunteers from the community. The event will take place, but problems surrounding the water lines have to be resolved. Other problems involved the horse owners at the agricultural barn and pens. Paul Bedard outlined misuse of areas not intended for use by horse owners, and horse owners making alterations to the physical set-up to suit themselves. The PXA will develop a policy which will clearly state that any such activity is not to take place, and that policy will be posted in more than one location at the barn. People who are in arrears with their payments for use of the barn and pens are another problem to be dealt with. Members voted to issue warnings that legal action will take place if payments are not brought up to date.
The Winnings Just Snowballed!
Photo: SCA Branch #30
Princeton’s Ruth Ferguson was the big winner October 10th at Branch #30 of the Senior Citizens Association. She won the Snowball Bingo prize of $1,386.18! Branch #30 hosts Bingo Monday nights at their hall located at 162 Angela Avenue in Princeton. Sales start at 4:30 PM with the first 47 'Bonanza' numbers called at 5:30 PM.
1880s Cabin Inside Princeton Museum!
October 18, 2011 - News Leader
BOARD AIMS FOR MORE GRADS
The rate of students graduating in School District #58 (Nicola-Similkameen) was 68 percent for the year 2009-2010. This is about average for British Columbia, but the Board of Education is aiming for a 75 percent graduation rate. The rate is determined by comparing the number of students enrolled in Grade 8 with the number from the same class who graduate from Grade 12. Although the majority of drop-out students in the past were males, the majority of drop-outs are now females. Most students drop out between grades 9 and 12. District Superintendent Dr. Robert Peacock told the Board, “If you can keep them to Grade 12, they graduate.” The trustees would like to know why more girls are dropping out, and Trustee Richie Gage suggested making discreet inquiries to determine the cause.
SCHOOLS CELEBRATE GARDEN
School Superintendent Dr. Robert Peacock praised the celebration held earlier this fall at the garden students tend at John Allison Elementary School. He showed the school trustees a number of photos taken on that occasion and remarked on how much fun everyone had. Students ate food prepared from garden vegetables, they harvested vegetables, and they danced to music played for them in the garden. Dr. Peacock praised Shirley Low, who spearheaded the project to make a garden to teach children about how to grow their own food. In addition to learning gardening basics, the children learn a great deal about plants, and the relationship between sun, rain and other elements on the plants.
EXTRA CASH FEEDS STUDENTS
Schools are allocated extra money for the needs of “vulnerable” students. This year, School District #58 (Nicola-Similkameen) receives $320,000. Steve McNiven reported to the Board of Education on October 12 that much of that money goes to breakfast or lunch programs for children identified as vulnerable. In addition to food programs, some money goes to counseling of vulnerable children, and some goes to after school programs.
The rate of students graduating in School District #58 (Nicola-Similkameen) was 68 percent for the year 2009-2010. This is about average for British Columbia, but the Board of Education is aiming for a 75 percent graduation rate. The rate is determined by comparing the number of students enrolled in Grade 8 with the number from the same class who graduate from Grade 12. Although the majority of drop-out students in the past were males, the majority of drop-outs are now females. Most students drop out between grades 9 and 12. District Superintendent Dr. Robert Peacock told the Board, “If you can keep them to Grade 12, they graduate.” The trustees would like to know why more girls are dropping out, and Trustee Richie Gage suggested making discreet inquiries to determine the cause.
SCHOOLS CELEBRATE GARDEN
School Superintendent Dr. Robert Peacock praised the celebration held earlier this fall at the garden students tend at John Allison Elementary School. He showed the school trustees a number of photos taken on that occasion and remarked on how much fun everyone had. Students ate food prepared from garden vegetables, they harvested vegetables, and they danced to music played for them in the garden. Dr. Peacock praised Shirley Low, who spearheaded the project to make a garden to teach children about how to grow their own food. In addition to learning gardening basics, the children learn a great deal about plants, and the relationship between sun, rain and other elements on the plants.
EXTRA CASH FEEDS STUDENTS
Schools are allocated extra money for the needs of “vulnerable” students. This year, School District #58 (Nicola-Similkameen) receives $320,000. Steve McNiven reported to the Board of Education on October 12 that much of that money goes to breakfast or lunch programs for children identified as vulnerable. In addition to food programs, some money goes to counseling of vulnerable children, and some goes to after school programs.
Grade 12 Students Tour Schools!
Photo: Adam Gullason
Princeton Secondary School Grade 12 Students Katie Lamoureux and Felicia Northway show off some of the reading material they picked up October 12th at Okanagan University College in Kelowna. The entire Grad Class visited OUC and UBC-Kelowna.
Sidewalk Ramp Project Continues!
October 11, 2011 - News Leader
BOARD AUDITS WEYERHAEUSER LICENCE
The Forest Practices Board will audit the forest practices of Weyerhaeuser Company Ltd., on Forest Licence A18698, starting October 17th. The announcement was made Friday, October 7th in Victoria. Auditors will examine all activities regulated by the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act, including planning, roads, harvesting, silviculture, fire preparedness and hazard abatement. The licence lies within the Merritt Timber Supply Area, in the Cascades District, near the communities of Princeton, Tulameen and Hedley. Once the audit work is completed, a report will be prepared, and any party that may be adversely affected by the audit findings will have a chance to respond. The board's final report and recommendations will then be released to the public and government. The Forest Practices Board is B.C.'s independent watchdog for sound forest and range practices, reporting its findings and recommendations directly to the public and government. The board audits forest and range practices on public land, as well as appropriateness of government enforcement. This is the board's 10th audit of the 2011 season. Auditors have travelled far and wide, auditing activities near communities including Squamish, Mackenzie, Fort St. James, Kamloops, the Sunshine Coast, Burns Lake, Creston, Tofino and Quesnel.
MUSEUM NEEDS VOLUNTEER WORKERS
Although Princeton Museum has been open to the public during the summer months, with 2,700 visitors enjoying the newly renovated building, the museum has been guarding a secret: the basement was not finished. Thousands of items remained in storage at the Skills Centre. Now, the basement is near completion and all of the artifacts and archives will be moved to the basement. This poses a major problem for the Museum Society. Everything is in boxes and needs to be unpacked and placed in specific locations. This is a huge job, and volunteers are needed. Members will be asked to put in a few hours in helping out, but if there are any members of the public who could spare a couple of hours to help bring order to chaos, please call Sharon Anderson at 250.293.6776 and arrange a time. Anderson is the manager and will be supervising the unpacking, sorting and placement of the items. Volunteer greeters, those who welcome the public to the museum, are also
needed. The Museum society hope to keep the museum open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM through the winter months. Anyone who can spare two hours once a week will be most appreciated. Contact Sharon at the museum if you can spare the time to greet visitors. Anderson can also be reached at princetonmuseum@gmail.com.
The Forest Practices Board will audit the forest practices of Weyerhaeuser Company Ltd., on Forest Licence A18698, starting October 17th. The announcement was made Friday, October 7th in Victoria. Auditors will examine all activities regulated by the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act, including planning, roads, harvesting, silviculture, fire preparedness and hazard abatement. The licence lies within the Merritt Timber Supply Area, in the Cascades District, near the communities of Princeton, Tulameen and Hedley. Once the audit work is completed, a report will be prepared, and any party that may be adversely affected by the audit findings will have a chance to respond. The board's final report and recommendations will then be released to the public and government. The Forest Practices Board is B.C.'s independent watchdog for sound forest and range practices, reporting its findings and recommendations directly to the public and government. The board audits forest and range practices on public land, as well as appropriateness of government enforcement. This is the board's 10th audit of the 2011 season. Auditors have travelled far and wide, auditing activities near communities including Squamish, Mackenzie, Fort St. James, Kamloops, the Sunshine Coast, Burns Lake, Creston, Tofino and Quesnel.
MUSEUM NEEDS VOLUNTEER WORKERS
Although Princeton Museum has been open to the public during the summer months, with 2,700 visitors enjoying the newly renovated building, the museum has been guarding a secret: the basement was not finished. Thousands of items remained in storage at the Skills Centre. Now, the basement is near completion and all of the artifacts and archives will be moved to the basement. This poses a major problem for the Museum Society. Everything is in boxes and needs to be unpacked and placed in specific locations. This is a huge job, and volunteers are needed. Members will be asked to put in a few hours in helping out, but if there are any members of the public who could spare a couple of hours to help bring order to chaos, please call Sharon Anderson at 250.293.6776 and arrange a time. Anderson is the manager and will be supervising the unpacking, sorting and placement of the items. Volunteer greeters, those who welcome the public to the museum, are also
needed. The Museum society hope to keep the museum open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM through the winter months. Anyone who can spare two hours once a week will be most appreciated. Contact Sharon at the museum if you can spare the time to greet visitors. Anderson can also be reached at princetonmuseum@gmail.com.
We Like To Call Him Captain K!
Copyright 2011 Bengel Publishing Inc.
Princeton Posse Team Captain Spencer Kristensen is in his third season with the Similkameen KIJHL hockey team. The Posse are off to a great start this season, thanks to the strong foundation of returning veteran players, including Kristensen.
Similkameen Corn Is Amazing!
October 04, 2011 - News Leader
ORGANIC FARMING INSTITUTE RECEIVES $30,000
At the September 19th Board Meeting, the Southern Interior Beetle Action Coalition (SIBAC) Directors voted in favour of supporting an application from the Organic Farming Institute of British Columbia (OFIBC) for $30,000.00 to develop an online organic field crop production course. SIBAC Director Randy McLean (Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen) said, “The SIBAC Board viewed this application as an opportunity to support a project that will be beneficial to not only the SimilkameenValley, but any region in the province with suitable land for growing ground crops.” The Organic Farming Institute of British Columbia is a non-profit organization that aims to increase the economic viability of regions throughout British Columbia through organic farming. The SIBAC funding will help to develop a new online educational program to educate prospective farmers in organic field crop production. Kevin Klippenstein, OFIBC Chairman said, “We look forward to being able to provide people in BC with the opportunity to broaden their knowledge, learn ways to supplement their livelihoods and most importantly grow healthy organic food. Thanks to the support of SIBAC, the resources that will allow these goals to become a reality can materialize." SIBAC is one of three Beetle Action Coalitions in BC’s Interior created in 2005-2006 to develop and implement mitigation plans in order to help affected communities endure the impacts of the mountain pine beetle epidemic. The funding is intended to support projects approved by the Beetle Action Coalitions that will create business partnerships, diversify local and regional economies, find innovative and value-added uses for forest
resources and explore new industries to assist rural interior communities through this transition.
POSSE SCALD SUMMERLAND STEAM
Hot off the heels of a 5-2 loss to Penticton Lakers the previous night, Princeton Posse hosted one of the new KIJHL teams to Princeton Arena – the Summerland Steam. The Steam contains a total of 18 rookies on their roster and four vets from other league teams, including three teammates from North Okanagan Knights. Princeton’s first goal came from team captain Spencer Kristensen who drilled a shot from along the boards just inside the blue line. Steam goalie Keifer Voshell stopped it, but the puck ended up dribbling between his legs and into the goal crease. Three Posse players raced to get to it before Voshell could react. Kristensen got credit for tipping the puck in with assists going to Kurtis Bond and Eric Kubis. The trio scored again at 10:30 and the momentum was put in place with Princeton scoring a goal every few minutes to the end of the period (7:25 – Jaden Janzen from Tanner Russell and 3:43 – Jaden Janzen from Keenan Fordy and Kevin Raimundo). The second period saw Princeton completely dominate the Steam scoring a total of five more goals (14:07 – Blake Roney from Tim Martens and Justin Moltzahn, 10:16 – a beautiful end-to-end play where Eric Schmidt took a pass from Mitchell Hewson deep in Posse territory and weaved his way to the Steam goal and zipped a wrist shot just over the goalie’s glove and into the top right corner, 9:36 – Brendan Colter from Kevin Raimundo, 1:37 – Keenan Fordy from Jaden Janzen and 1:05 – Brendan Colter) to widen their lead to 9-0. Summerland scored their only goal of the night at 9:49 of the third (Andrew Stack from Sean Leslie and Taylor Jordan) but the Posse continued to fire on all cylinders adding two more goals (6:08 – Eric Schmidt from Brendan Colter, 5:47 – Kevin Raimundo from Eric Schmidt and Brendan Colter) to finish the game 11-1. What the score doesn’t tell you is that very few penalties were called (9 in total) which equates to fewer power play opportunities. The score also doesn’t tell you that Summerland played a great game, but it just wasn’t their night. Expect the Steam to be a team to watch as the season progresses. Final score: Princeton 11, Summerland 1. Shots on goal: Princeton 37, Summerland 17. Penalties in minutes: Princeton 4 for 19-minutes, Summerland 5 for 21-minutes. A total of 13 Posse players earned points in the game with Brendan Colter collecting four, Kevin Raimundo, Eric Schmidt and Jaden Janzen each with three, Eric Kubis, Kurtis Bond, Spencer Kristensen and Keenan Fordy each had a pair with singles coming from Tim Martens, Tanner Russell, Justin Moltzahn, Blake Roney and Mitchell Hewson.
At the September 19th Board Meeting, the Southern Interior Beetle Action Coalition (SIBAC) Directors voted in favour of supporting an application from the Organic Farming Institute of British Columbia (OFIBC) for $30,000.00 to develop an online organic field crop production course. SIBAC Director Randy McLean (Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen) said, “The SIBAC Board viewed this application as an opportunity to support a project that will be beneficial to not only the SimilkameenValley, but any region in the province with suitable land for growing ground crops.” The Organic Farming Institute of British Columbia is a non-profit organization that aims to increase the economic viability of regions throughout British Columbia through organic farming. The SIBAC funding will help to develop a new online educational program to educate prospective farmers in organic field crop production. Kevin Klippenstein, OFIBC Chairman said, “We look forward to being able to provide people in BC with the opportunity to broaden their knowledge, learn ways to supplement their livelihoods and most importantly grow healthy organic food. Thanks to the support of SIBAC, the resources that will allow these goals to become a reality can materialize." SIBAC is one of three Beetle Action Coalitions in BC’s Interior created in 2005-2006 to develop and implement mitigation plans in order to help affected communities endure the impacts of the mountain pine beetle epidemic. The funding is intended to support projects approved by the Beetle Action Coalitions that will create business partnerships, diversify local and regional economies, find innovative and value-added uses for forest
resources and explore new industries to assist rural interior communities through this transition.
POSSE SCALD SUMMERLAND STEAM
Hot off the heels of a 5-2 loss to Penticton Lakers the previous night, Princeton Posse hosted one of the new KIJHL teams to Princeton Arena – the Summerland Steam. The Steam contains a total of 18 rookies on their roster and four vets from other league teams, including three teammates from North Okanagan Knights. Princeton’s first goal came from team captain Spencer Kristensen who drilled a shot from along the boards just inside the blue line. Steam goalie Keifer Voshell stopped it, but the puck ended up dribbling between his legs and into the goal crease. Three Posse players raced to get to it before Voshell could react. Kristensen got credit for tipping the puck in with assists going to Kurtis Bond and Eric Kubis. The trio scored again at 10:30 and the momentum was put in place with Princeton scoring a goal every few minutes to the end of the period (7:25 – Jaden Janzen from Tanner Russell and 3:43 – Jaden Janzen from Keenan Fordy and Kevin Raimundo). The second period saw Princeton completely dominate the Steam scoring a total of five more goals (14:07 – Blake Roney from Tim Martens and Justin Moltzahn, 10:16 – a beautiful end-to-end play where Eric Schmidt took a pass from Mitchell Hewson deep in Posse territory and weaved his way to the Steam goal and zipped a wrist shot just over the goalie’s glove and into the top right corner, 9:36 – Brendan Colter from Kevin Raimundo, 1:37 – Keenan Fordy from Jaden Janzen and 1:05 – Brendan Colter) to widen their lead to 9-0. Summerland scored their only goal of the night at 9:49 of the third (Andrew Stack from Sean Leslie and Taylor Jordan) but the Posse continued to fire on all cylinders adding two more goals (6:08 – Eric Schmidt from Brendan Colter, 5:47 – Kevin Raimundo from Eric Schmidt and Brendan Colter) to finish the game 11-1. What the score doesn’t tell you is that very few penalties were called (9 in total) which equates to fewer power play opportunities. The score also doesn’t tell you that Summerland played a great game, but it just wasn’t their night. Expect the Steam to be a team to watch as the season progresses. Final score: Princeton 11, Summerland 1. Shots on goal: Princeton 37, Summerland 17. Penalties in minutes: Princeton 4 for 19-minutes, Summerland 5 for 21-minutes. A total of 13 Posse players earned points in the game with Brendan Colter collecting four, Kevin Raimundo, Eric Schmidt and Jaden Janzen each with three, Eric Kubis, Kurtis Bond, Spencer Kristensen and Keenan Fordy each had a pair with singles coming from Tim Martens, Tanner Russell, Justin Moltzahn, Blake Roney and Mitchell Hewson.
Progress Looks Different From Here!
Photo: Brenda Engel
There's sure been a lot of talk the past few months about Princeton and what sort of changes have been taking place. Well, if you want to know the truth there has been a lot of building going on. Everything from commercial, industrial and residential including this massive multi-zoned project. Things are looking good for Princeton!
Two Favourites Leave Town!
Copyright 2011 Bengel Publishing Inc.
Two popular ‘transplants’ from the Philippines move away from Princeton this month. Marilou Torres, left, and Grace Pagulayan came to the Similkameen in 2008 to work at Dairy Queen. Torres is off to the Lower Mainland while Pagulayan is going to Alberta. Torres came to Canada from Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines and Pagulayan is from Manila. They leave behind many friends.