October 29, 2013 - News Leader
RCMP CONTINUE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
On October 25th at 5:41 AM the Princeton RCMP and RCMP South Okanagan Traffic Services attended to a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred on Highway 3 approximately 26-kilometres east of Princeton, at Bromley Rock. The collision involved a tractor trailer unit that had gone off the road with the trailer blocking both lanes of traffic. The highway remained closed to all traffic until about 5:00 PM however, a detour was available via Old Hedley Road which allowed through traffic to continue to flow. The lone male driver was pronounced dead on the scene. Road conditions and weather conditions were poor at the time of the collision with dense fog and ice covered roads. The RCMP South Okanagan Traffic Services and the BC Coroners Services are investigating the collision. Efforts are continuing to notify the 50 year old man's next of kin. The man was from the Lower Mainland with the truck being operated by a LMD transport company. Further information may be provided by the BC Coroners Service when available.
TOWN COUNCIL NEWS BRIEFS
Okanagan Regional Library spends $163,000 to operate the library in Princeton but collects only $93,000 in taxes for the library, meaning taxes from other communities in the region support Princeton's library. Councillor Marilyn Harkness advised Council on October 22 that changes will be made in the future to make the cost-revenue situation more equitable. Regional District will do a highway sign inventory and take action to remove all signs on highway property that have been put up illegally. Funding has become available for reduction of wildfire fuel in local areas. Clean-up of dry grass, pine needles and other wildfire fuels in and around town was funded in the past, then funds were cut off. The program has been restored to some extent. Complaints about urban deer should be directed to Councillor Doug Pateman. Councillor Kim Maynard heads a new Town Council committee on economic development. The committee will investigate reasons for store closures and will try to stimulate purchases at the industrial park. The regular first meeting of Town Council on January 6th has been cancelled. There will be just one Town Council meeting in January on the 20th. Town Council has granted a request to Princeton Christmas Committee to use Veterans Square for a Christmas light-up event on November 30 from 3:30 to 7:00 PM. One of the features will be the lighted Christmas trees people bring for a contest. A new feature will be Posse players playing street hockey with pool noodles. One request was denied: no burn barrels will be permitted.
On October 25th at 5:41 AM the Princeton RCMP and RCMP South Okanagan Traffic Services attended to a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred on Highway 3 approximately 26-kilometres east of Princeton, at Bromley Rock. The collision involved a tractor trailer unit that had gone off the road with the trailer blocking both lanes of traffic. The highway remained closed to all traffic until about 5:00 PM however, a detour was available via Old Hedley Road which allowed through traffic to continue to flow. The lone male driver was pronounced dead on the scene. Road conditions and weather conditions were poor at the time of the collision with dense fog and ice covered roads. The RCMP South Okanagan Traffic Services and the BC Coroners Services are investigating the collision. Efforts are continuing to notify the 50 year old man's next of kin. The man was from the Lower Mainland with the truck being operated by a LMD transport company. Further information may be provided by the BC Coroners Service when available.
TOWN COUNCIL NEWS BRIEFS
Okanagan Regional Library spends $163,000 to operate the library in Princeton but collects only $93,000 in taxes for the library, meaning taxes from other communities in the region support Princeton's library. Councillor Marilyn Harkness advised Council on October 22 that changes will be made in the future to make the cost-revenue situation more equitable. Regional District will do a highway sign inventory and take action to remove all signs on highway property that have been put up illegally. Funding has become available for reduction of wildfire fuel in local areas. Clean-up of dry grass, pine needles and other wildfire fuels in and around town was funded in the past, then funds were cut off. The program has been restored to some extent. Complaints about urban deer should be directed to Councillor Doug Pateman. Councillor Kim Maynard heads a new Town Council committee on economic development. The committee will investigate reasons for store closures and will try to stimulate purchases at the industrial park. The regular first meeting of Town Council on January 6th has been cancelled. There will be just one Town Council meeting in January on the 20th. Town Council has granted a request to Princeton Christmas Committee to use Veterans Square for a Christmas light-up event on November 30 from 3:30 to 7:00 PM. One of the features will be the lighted Christmas trees people bring for a contest. A new feature will be Posse players playing street hockey with pool noodles. One request was denied: no burn barrels will be permitted.
Legion Auxiliary Launch Poppy Tag Day!
Copyright 2013 Bengel Publishing Inc.
Princeton Legion Branch #56 Ladies Auxiliary canvassed downtown Princeton October 25th on what has traditionally been called 'Poppy Tag Day.' The event marks the official start of the annual Poppy Fund campaign leading up to Remembrance Day. The News Leader's Dawn Johnson, left, was outside Princeton Post Office bright and early serving her shift on the street with poppies.
Posse Fans Show Their Support!
Copyright 2013 Bengel Publishing Inc.
Ashley Cantelo, left, and Miranda Mcintyre, attended the October 25th Princeton Posse game against Revelstoke Grizzlies wearing jerseys of their favourite players. Cantelo has Jersey #8 which is worn by Eric Kubis while Mcintyre is wearing the Jersey #10 of Justin Moltzahn. The young ladies also happen to be dating the players of the jerseys they are wearing. The Posse ended up beating Revelstoke 6-0 and you never know, the girls may have brought the team some extra good luck!
October 22, 2013 - News Leader
STUDENTS SIT ON SCHOOL BOARD
Andrew Silbernagel and Hilary Riel were welcomed to the Board of Education on October 16. The two students from Princeton Secondary School have seats on the Board of Education in Princeton. When the Board meets in Merritt, two students from Merritt Secondary will sit on the Board there. This is a pilot project lasting through this school year, then the Board will decide whether to continue having students on the Board. Six Princeton Secondary students expressed an interest in serving on the Board. Two Grade 12 students were chosen. Silbernagel said he wanted to bring a student voice to the Board and to learn public speaking skills. Riel saw a seat on the Board as an opportunity to see how the school system works. She plans to be a teacher. The students were introduced to other Board members and District staff. As the Board works with iPads during meetings, the students will be provided with the same equipment during their term on the Board.
SCHOOLS RECEIVE GRANTS
Valley First Credit Union has awarded a $5,500 grant to John Allison Elementary School for the Young Chefs Program. This program will teach students how to cook nutritious meals. Vermilion Forks Elementary has been granted $10,000 from Royal Bank of Canada for an after school learning program. Weyerhaeuser has granted $15,000 to Vermilion Forks for an adventure playground. These grants will provide added dimensions to school experience that would not be possible within the highly controlled school district budget dictated by the provincial government.
LONGER TERMS FOR TRUSTEES?
At the Union of BC Municipalities conference held in September, members voted to have four year terms for municipal and regional district elected officials. At the October 16 Board of Education meeting, Trustees voted on whether trustees should serve four year terms in office. The Board voted in favour, although Trustee Gordon Swan pointed out the downside: more by-elections and possibly fewer people interested in running for office.
BOARD LOOKS AT COSTS
Tight money in the school district budget may become tighter next year. There will be a 1.4 percent increase in pension benefits for non-teaching staff in the district, and WorksafeBC rates will see an increase in base rate, going from 50 cents to 60 cents per $100 assessable pay. Due to an excellent safety record, the school district has a two percent discount on the rate, but there will be an increase in annual costs. The Board gave final reading to a capital spending bylaw approved by the Minister of Education for $455,215. This is not a lot of money for the repairs and updates of school district buildings and equipment, but it is all the money the district will receive this year.
Andrew Silbernagel and Hilary Riel were welcomed to the Board of Education on October 16. The two students from Princeton Secondary School have seats on the Board of Education in Princeton. When the Board meets in Merritt, two students from Merritt Secondary will sit on the Board there. This is a pilot project lasting through this school year, then the Board will decide whether to continue having students on the Board. Six Princeton Secondary students expressed an interest in serving on the Board. Two Grade 12 students were chosen. Silbernagel said he wanted to bring a student voice to the Board and to learn public speaking skills. Riel saw a seat on the Board as an opportunity to see how the school system works. She plans to be a teacher. The students were introduced to other Board members and District staff. As the Board works with iPads during meetings, the students will be provided with the same equipment during their term on the Board.
SCHOOLS RECEIVE GRANTS
Valley First Credit Union has awarded a $5,500 grant to John Allison Elementary School for the Young Chefs Program. This program will teach students how to cook nutritious meals. Vermilion Forks Elementary has been granted $10,000 from Royal Bank of Canada for an after school learning program. Weyerhaeuser has granted $15,000 to Vermilion Forks for an adventure playground. These grants will provide added dimensions to school experience that would not be possible within the highly controlled school district budget dictated by the provincial government.
LONGER TERMS FOR TRUSTEES?
At the Union of BC Municipalities conference held in September, members voted to have four year terms for municipal and regional district elected officials. At the October 16 Board of Education meeting, Trustees voted on whether trustees should serve four year terms in office. The Board voted in favour, although Trustee Gordon Swan pointed out the downside: more by-elections and possibly fewer people interested in running for office.
BOARD LOOKS AT COSTS
Tight money in the school district budget may become tighter next year. There will be a 1.4 percent increase in pension benefits for non-teaching staff in the district, and WorksafeBC rates will see an increase in base rate, going from 50 cents to 60 cents per $100 assessable pay. Due to an excellent safety record, the school district has a two percent discount on the rate, but there will be an increase in annual costs. The Board gave final reading to a capital spending bylaw approved by the Minister of Education for $455,215. This is not a lot of money for the repairs and updates of school district buildings and equipment, but it is all the money the district will receive this year.
Community Coffee House Reopens!
Copyright 2013 Bengel Publishing Inc.
The Living Water Community Coffee House reopened October 18th. It features a variety of changes to the look and schedule of programming offered from the basement location at 38 Kenley Avenue in Princeton. One big change is an emphasis on being 'kid friendly' and 'family-oriented' with an adult supervised kid's play area. Coffee House activities run Friday nights starting at 7:00 PM.
Posse Rebuilding Starts Paying Off!
Copyright 2013 Bengel Publishing Inc.
The 2013/14 KIJHL Junior B Hockey Season has been a challenging one for the Princeton Posse. With changes in leadership from the front office down to and including the coaching bench, the team has worked hard to find its footing. There is no arguing against the fact there is a lot of talent on ice. The team just needs to gel. The Posse recently took Sicamous Eagles into double OT before beating them 5-4. The gelling may just be beginning!
October 15, 2013 - News Leader
LAW CLAMPS DOWN ON BREACHES
Three men appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton on October 10 for sentencing on charges related to breach of probation. Michael William Brown, age 22, failed to report to the probation officer as required. He was placed on a 12 month probation in an attempt to get him into counseling. He was ordered to work 20 hours of community service with the provision that each hour of counseling will be regarded as community service. Shane Thomas Allison, age 19, of Hedley, entered a guilty plea to charges of breach of probation as well as assault causing bodily harm. He had attacked his father during an argument after the two had been drinking during a family celebration. He had been on probation at the time. Two other breaches of probation were related to consumption of alcohol. Allison was ordered to serve a 60 day conditional sentence with a curfew, which is similar to house arrest. This will be followed by 12 months probation with a number of conditions including no consumption of alcohol. He is to begin counseling related to alcohol abuse. He may have no firearms except when hunting with another person on traditional First Nations land. He must give a sample for DNA records. Stanley Gene Holmes entered guilty pleas to two charges of breach of probation involving alcohol consumption. The 44-year old Hedley resident is seeing a counselor for rehabilitation for his problem with alcohol abuse and is involved in the restorative justice program with Upper Similkameen Indian Band. Holmes was ordered to serve a four month conditional sentence followed by a 12 month probation during which he is to continue his counseling program. He is prohibited from possessing any weapons. As his breach charges are the result of complaints by his girlfriend, he is required to be sober at any time he contacts her and is to leave her presence at her request.
LA SETS POPPY DAY
The Legion Ladies Auxiliary met October 8 with a main topic plans for Poppy Tag Day and Remembrance Day. This year, Poppy Day will be October 25.. Ladies Auxiliary volunteers will hit the street at 10:00 AM with trays of poppies. A donation to the Poppy Fund will be rewarded with a poppy lapel pin to wear until Remembrance Day. This year, Remembrance Day (November 11) falls on a Monday. The customary service will be followed by a luncheon and ceremonies at the Legion Hall. The Auxiliary will be involved in making the luncheon food, so the next meeting of the Auxiliary will be held the Tuesday before Remembrance Day, on November 5, when plans for the luncheon work party will be finalized.
Three men appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton on October 10 for sentencing on charges related to breach of probation. Michael William Brown, age 22, failed to report to the probation officer as required. He was placed on a 12 month probation in an attempt to get him into counseling. He was ordered to work 20 hours of community service with the provision that each hour of counseling will be regarded as community service. Shane Thomas Allison, age 19, of Hedley, entered a guilty plea to charges of breach of probation as well as assault causing bodily harm. He had attacked his father during an argument after the two had been drinking during a family celebration. He had been on probation at the time. Two other breaches of probation were related to consumption of alcohol. Allison was ordered to serve a 60 day conditional sentence with a curfew, which is similar to house arrest. This will be followed by 12 months probation with a number of conditions including no consumption of alcohol. He is to begin counseling related to alcohol abuse. He may have no firearms except when hunting with another person on traditional First Nations land. He must give a sample for DNA records. Stanley Gene Holmes entered guilty pleas to two charges of breach of probation involving alcohol consumption. The 44-year old Hedley resident is seeing a counselor for rehabilitation for his problem with alcohol abuse and is involved in the restorative justice program with Upper Similkameen Indian Band. Holmes was ordered to serve a four month conditional sentence followed by a 12 month probation during which he is to continue his counseling program. He is prohibited from possessing any weapons. As his breach charges are the result of complaints by his girlfriend, he is required to be sober at any time he contacts her and is to leave her presence at her request.
LA SETS POPPY DAY
The Legion Ladies Auxiliary met October 8 with a main topic plans for Poppy Tag Day and Remembrance Day. This year, Poppy Day will be October 25.. Ladies Auxiliary volunteers will hit the street at 10:00 AM with trays of poppies. A donation to the Poppy Fund will be rewarded with a poppy lapel pin to wear until Remembrance Day. This year, Remembrance Day (November 11) falls on a Monday. The customary service will be followed by a luncheon and ceremonies at the Legion Hall. The Auxiliary will be involved in making the luncheon food, so the next meeting of the Auxiliary will be held the Tuesday before Remembrance Day, on November 5, when plans for the luncheon work party will be finalized.
Meet the New Princeton Doctor Team!
Copyright 2013 Bengel Publishing Inc.
Princeton's new medical team including, from left, Dr. Ella Munro, Dr. Devinder Sandhu, Dr. Eva Idanwekhai and Nurse Practitioner Tanya Ter keurs was introduced as part of the October 10th celebration at Riverside Theatre. Missing from the event was Dr. Colleen Black who was working a shift in the ER, which went back to 24/7 service that evening.
Taking the 'Hard' Out of Hardware!
Copyright 2013 Bengel Publishing Inc.
Princeton Home Hardware Owner/Manager Peter Rubingh was painting up a storm October 11th in the former Quick Pick Grocery location prepping for the hardware store expansion. He told the News Leader that shelving will arrive in the next couple of weeks with plans to be in the new store set for the end of November. With talk around town related to concern over empty storefronts, this is one positive business forging ahead and investing into the community.
October 08, 2013 - News Leader
RDOS REGULAR MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Here are selected highlights from the regular meeting of the Regional Board of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen held Thursday, October 3. Complete minutes of the meeting will be made available to the public following adoption at the next scheduled Board meeting October 17.
- The Regional Board gave third reading to a bylaw that would regulate the use of private residences as short-term vacation rentals.
The bylaw requires property owners to apply for a Temporary Usage Permit (TUP) in order to offer their residences as short-term vacation rentals. The property would be required to meet a set number of conditions before the TUP would be granted. The RDOS annually receives numerous complaints - generally noise-related or involving traffic and parking overflow, adverse impact on the character of the neighborhood or septic failure ‹ from neighbours of private dwellings operated as vacation rentals.
- Board Chair Mark Pendergraft, Vice Chair Manfred Bauer and a third representative from the City of Penticton will represent the Regional District on a Joint Council established as part of a Protocol Agreement with area First Nations. The Regional District's CAO and Deputy Corporate Officer were appointed to serve on a steering committee. Both bodies were established at a September 9 meeting involving the Regional District and representatives of the various First Nations committed to the Protocol Agreement.
- The Board approved a motion forwarded by Area 'G' Director Angelique Wood proposing the Regional District send a letter to the Province supporting the licensing of All Terrain Vehicles.
- Area 'H' Director Brad Hope, noting difficulties the Regional District had obtaining information in the aftermath of the Coalmont tailings spill, requested the Board forward a letter to the Provincial Government asking it consider implementing Emergency Response Management System protocols within all of its Provincial Ministries. The Board approved the motion.
- Mary Ellen Heidt, executive director of Community Futures - Okanagan-Similkameen, led a delegation before the Board reporting on success of the Economic Gardening program and making a request for continued funding. Her report was received as information and will be reviewed as part
of budget deliberations.
- The Regional Board awarded Wildstone Construction and Engineering Ltd. a $60,320 project to install a scale and do some required road realignment at the Keremeos Landfill.
- The Board gave three readings to a service establishment bylaw that would provide funding for the Similkameen Country Visitor Information Centre. The bylaw now goes to the provincial Inspector of Municipalities for consideration before returning for constituent approval.
For more information on this or previous meetings of the RDOS (Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen) visit www.rdos.bc.ca or phone the office in Penticton at 1-877-610-3737.
Here are selected highlights from the regular meeting of the Regional Board of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen held Thursday, October 3. Complete minutes of the meeting will be made available to the public following adoption at the next scheduled Board meeting October 17.
- The Regional Board gave third reading to a bylaw that would regulate the use of private residences as short-term vacation rentals.
The bylaw requires property owners to apply for a Temporary Usage Permit (TUP) in order to offer their residences as short-term vacation rentals. The property would be required to meet a set number of conditions before the TUP would be granted. The RDOS annually receives numerous complaints - generally noise-related or involving traffic and parking overflow, adverse impact on the character of the neighborhood or septic failure ‹ from neighbours of private dwellings operated as vacation rentals.
- Board Chair Mark Pendergraft, Vice Chair Manfred Bauer and a third representative from the City of Penticton will represent the Regional District on a Joint Council established as part of a Protocol Agreement with area First Nations. The Regional District's CAO and Deputy Corporate Officer were appointed to serve on a steering committee. Both bodies were established at a September 9 meeting involving the Regional District and representatives of the various First Nations committed to the Protocol Agreement.
- The Board approved a motion forwarded by Area 'G' Director Angelique Wood proposing the Regional District send a letter to the Province supporting the licensing of All Terrain Vehicles.
- Area 'H' Director Brad Hope, noting difficulties the Regional District had obtaining information in the aftermath of the Coalmont tailings spill, requested the Board forward a letter to the Provincial Government asking it consider implementing Emergency Response Management System protocols within all of its Provincial Ministries. The Board approved the motion.
- Mary Ellen Heidt, executive director of Community Futures - Okanagan-Similkameen, led a delegation before the Board reporting on success of the Economic Gardening program and making a request for continued funding. Her report was received as information and will be reviewed as part
of budget deliberations.
- The Regional Board awarded Wildstone Construction and Engineering Ltd. a $60,320 project to install a scale and do some required road realignment at the Keremeos Landfill.
- The Board gave three readings to a service establishment bylaw that would provide funding for the Similkameen Country Visitor Information Centre. The bylaw now goes to the provincial Inspector of Municipalities for consideration before returning for constituent approval.
For more information on this or previous meetings of the RDOS (Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen) visit www.rdos.bc.ca or phone the office in Penticton at 1-877-610-3737.
Giant Fun At Posse Games!
Copyright 2013 Bengel Publishing Inc.
There has been no shortage of fun and games at the hockey games hosted at Princeton Arena. In addition to Tailgate Parties in the parking lot on Friday and Saturday night matches, there are a number of crazy games played during the first intermission. The Princeton Posse have turned hockey night in Princeton into a fun, exciting event for the whole family!
Sego! Resources CEO Talks Mining!
October 01, 2013 - News Leader
FAIR GOES BACK TO FALL
Next year's agricultural fair will be held September 6 and 7. Princeton Agricultural Fair Association met September 24 for a review of the 2013 fair and decided to make a number of changes, the first of which is going back to the first weekend after Labour Day weekend. This change means the fair will not include Little Britches Rodeo. Due to a lack of interest in a Saturday evening dance, the fair will no longer offer this entertainment. Treasurer Lisa Carleton pointed out that, for the past three years, the fair has paid out a lot of money for a liquor license, security, and a band, with only a handful of people attending. Members agreed it was a waste of money that could be better spent on other forms of entertainment, such as the dinosaur kids can ride and the Monster Truck. At the request of quilters, a change in wording will be made in the rules for needlework, art and leisure craft. The rule now states the article must be made during the past 12 months, but some of these craft and art items cannot be completed in one year. The new rule will state 'must have been completed during the past 12 months.' This will allow exhibitors to show items which took more than one year to complete. Concern about the knapweed problems at the fairgrounds will be taken to the next meeting of Princeton Exhibition Association, the board of management for the grounds. Alberta has a knapweed control regulation that results in a fine for anyone bringing knapweed to any of their rodeo grounds or fairgrounds. The Princeton fairgrounds have more knapweed every year and this may discourage participants from other areas. The Fair Association is the umbrella group for the community Halloween Party which takes place on October 26 this year. The Spook House is under construction at this time, and there is some money in the account to put on this popular party. More information will be available in the near future, but fireworks are planned. This is the final event of the season for the fairgrounds. Following the Halloween Party, the events area of the grounds will be shut down for winter. Only the horse barns will continue operation during the winter months. The contributions of Sandy Gabor, a longstanding member of the Fair Association and the Exhibition Association, was remembered at the September meeting. The next meeting of the Fair Association takes place Tuesday, October 29, at the library conference room at 6:30 PM. Anyone wishing to contribute to planning the 2014 fair is more than welcome to attend.
COUNCIL HEARS KOKANEE PROGRESS
Sharon Anderson, on behalf of Kokanee Summer Swim Club, made a presentation to Town Council on September 23. She reviewed the past season of activity of the 66 member club and parents of the young people. Kokanee Swim Club is now the largest youth fitness organization in Princeton. The club has focused on training, coaching, sportsmanship, fun activities, family events, and opportunities to compete in meets. Princeton is unable to host sanctioned meets due to the inadequate length of Centennial Pool and the narrow lanes, but can host unsanctioned meets. Club members can compete in sanctioned meets in other communities, and have done very well in those meets both regionally and provincially. Anderson credited parent involvement with keeping costs low, as well as support from local businesses. As an example, she pointed out that Copper Creek Ranch sponsored team jackets. Problems the club faces include a short season, although many members did go to Merritt six times last winter, inadequate pool size, loss of grant funding, an aging facility, and the need for more early evening time. Mayor Frank Armitage told the club he had appealed to Premier Christy Clark for all available funding for a pool. He thanked the parents and coaches for doing a great job. Councillor Marilyn Harkness congratulated the executive and parents for excellent leadership. Councillors Doug Pateman and Kim Maynard added praise for the club. It was clear that Council would like to have funds for a new swimming pool, but is reluctant to go to another referendum.
Next year's agricultural fair will be held September 6 and 7. Princeton Agricultural Fair Association met September 24 for a review of the 2013 fair and decided to make a number of changes, the first of which is going back to the first weekend after Labour Day weekend. This change means the fair will not include Little Britches Rodeo. Due to a lack of interest in a Saturday evening dance, the fair will no longer offer this entertainment. Treasurer Lisa Carleton pointed out that, for the past three years, the fair has paid out a lot of money for a liquor license, security, and a band, with only a handful of people attending. Members agreed it was a waste of money that could be better spent on other forms of entertainment, such as the dinosaur kids can ride and the Monster Truck. At the request of quilters, a change in wording will be made in the rules for needlework, art and leisure craft. The rule now states the article must be made during the past 12 months, but some of these craft and art items cannot be completed in one year. The new rule will state 'must have been completed during the past 12 months.' This will allow exhibitors to show items which took more than one year to complete. Concern about the knapweed problems at the fairgrounds will be taken to the next meeting of Princeton Exhibition Association, the board of management for the grounds. Alberta has a knapweed control regulation that results in a fine for anyone bringing knapweed to any of their rodeo grounds or fairgrounds. The Princeton fairgrounds have more knapweed every year and this may discourage participants from other areas. The Fair Association is the umbrella group for the community Halloween Party which takes place on October 26 this year. The Spook House is under construction at this time, and there is some money in the account to put on this popular party. More information will be available in the near future, but fireworks are planned. This is the final event of the season for the fairgrounds. Following the Halloween Party, the events area of the grounds will be shut down for winter. Only the horse barns will continue operation during the winter months. The contributions of Sandy Gabor, a longstanding member of the Fair Association and the Exhibition Association, was remembered at the September meeting. The next meeting of the Fair Association takes place Tuesday, October 29, at the library conference room at 6:30 PM. Anyone wishing to contribute to planning the 2014 fair is more than welcome to attend.
COUNCIL HEARS KOKANEE PROGRESS
Sharon Anderson, on behalf of Kokanee Summer Swim Club, made a presentation to Town Council on September 23. She reviewed the past season of activity of the 66 member club and parents of the young people. Kokanee Swim Club is now the largest youth fitness organization in Princeton. The club has focused on training, coaching, sportsmanship, fun activities, family events, and opportunities to compete in meets. Princeton is unable to host sanctioned meets due to the inadequate length of Centennial Pool and the narrow lanes, but can host unsanctioned meets. Club members can compete in sanctioned meets in other communities, and have done very well in those meets both regionally and provincially. Anderson credited parent involvement with keeping costs low, as well as support from local businesses. As an example, she pointed out that Copper Creek Ranch sponsored team jackets. Problems the club faces include a short season, although many members did go to Merritt six times last winter, inadequate pool size, loss of grant funding, an aging facility, and the need for more early evening time. Mayor Frank Armitage told the club he had appealed to Premier Christy Clark for all available funding for a pool. He thanked the parents and coaches for doing a great job. Councillor Marilyn Harkness congratulated the executive and parents for excellent leadership. Councillors Doug Pateman and Kim Maynard added praise for the club. It was clear that Council would like to have funds for a new swimming pool, but is reluctant to go to another referendum.