September 29, 2009 - News Leader
PRINCETON
RCMP RELEASE SECOND QUARTER STATS
In his last official act as interim Detachment Commander for Princeton RCMP Sgt. Mike Savage presented Town Council with the second quarter Crime and Calls for Service report on September 21st. The report, prepared by South Okanagan Similkameen Crime Analyst J. Scott, shows that criminal code offences remain comparable to the same period in 2008 (May to July) although Princeton RCMP recorded a 3% increase in calls during the second quarter of this year. “Persons offences continue to drive up Princeton’s otherwise low crime rates,” states the report. Sgt. Savage told Town Council “the majority of our Persons Crimes are drug or alcohol related” and gave much of the credit to COPS (Citizens on Patrol) in assisting with crime figures continuing to be low in the Princeton area. “You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with and they should be commended for the job they do.” In the first half of 2009 local police responded to 83% more reports of crimes against persons than during the same period a year before. Persons crimes are defined as crimes including murder, assault, sex offences, uttering threats, robbery, criminal harassment and harassing/obscene phone calls. The increase in Princeton Detachment calls were attributed to a higher incidence of persons crimes in the utter threats and level 1 assault categories. “Property crime numbers remain noticeably lower than last year’s,” notes the report with particular emphasis on the decrease in vehicle crime (stolen vehicles and thefts from vehicles) and points out Princeton RCMP did not record its first vehicle crime report of the year until mid-April. Taking a closer look at the report Auto Theft was down 50% over the same period last year with Theft from Vehicles down 67%, Break and Enters down 40%, Other Thefts (including theft over and under $5,000, bicycle theft and shoplifting) down 17%. Drug related incidents remained unchanged with Mischief/Property Damage down 9%, Utter Threats up 140%, Assaults up 100% and Persons Crimes up 94%. Sgt. Savage also took the opportunity before Town Council to introduce the new Princeton Detachment Commander, Sgt. Dave Clare who comes to town from Quesnel. Sgt. Savage returns to Division Headquarters in Kelowna after filling in the vacancy left by the retirement of Sgt. Gary Macahonic.
POSSE DROWN PENTICTON LAKERS
Princeton Posse played host to Penticton Lakers September 25th and basically showed the South Okanagan team a thing or two about Junior B Hockey. Princeton scored first at 12:53 on the power play. Quinn Rempel got the credit with assists going to Ben Reinbolt and Ben Morgan. Then at 10:51 Princeton’s Derrick Delisser scored a shorthanded goal. Assists went to Lee Muir and Dan Hillman. Penticton managed to get on the scoreboard at 7:19. In the second period it was all Princeton scoring another three goals (9:40 – Dan Hillman from Derrick Delisser and Tim Martens, 6:56 – Ben Morgan from Brooks Christensen and Dayton Shaw and with 56-seconds left in the period – Spencer Kristensen from Alex Whitfield). The third period saw the Posse continue to dominate the scoreboard with their sixth goal of the night at 11:30 (Brooks Christensen from Jordan Perkins and Tylar Bestward). To this point only eight penalties had been assessed, four per team and just in the first period. That changed at 2:39 when Randy Finkbeiner of Penticton tangled with Princeton’s Elliott Dixon. The following face off at 2:37 saw Penticton’s Dylan Playfair challenge John Minot of the Posse. The next face off at 2:17 saw David Tooms of Penticton take on Bill Marshall of Princeton. Following a number of fighting penalties and game misconducts everyone got back to playing hockey. It was at that time when Princeton added two more power play goals within 20-seconds of each other. The first at 1:58 (Dan Hillman from Lee Muir) and the second at 1:38 (Lee Muir from Ben Morgan and Tylar Bestward). The home team added their final goal of the game with just 54-seconds left to play (Ben Morgan from Alex Whitfield and Brooks Christensen). Final score: Princeton 9, Penticton 1. The victory gave Princeton a 2-2 start to the season, an improvement compared to previous seasons. In 2008-09 the Posse were 1-3 after their first four games and ended the month of September with a 3-3 record. In the 2007-08 season Princeton was 3-4 at the end of September.
In his last official act as interim Detachment Commander for Princeton RCMP Sgt. Mike Savage presented Town Council with the second quarter Crime and Calls for Service report on September 21st. The report, prepared by South Okanagan Similkameen Crime Analyst J. Scott, shows that criminal code offences remain comparable to the same period in 2008 (May to July) although Princeton RCMP recorded a 3% increase in calls during the second quarter of this year. “Persons offences continue to drive up Princeton’s otherwise low crime rates,” states the report. Sgt. Savage told Town Council “the majority of our Persons Crimes are drug or alcohol related” and gave much of the credit to COPS (Citizens on Patrol) in assisting with crime figures continuing to be low in the Princeton area. “You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with and they should be commended for the job they do.” In the first half of 2009 local police responded to 83% more reports of crimes against persons than during the same period a year before. Persons crimes are defined as crimes including murder, assault, sex offences, uttering threats, robbery, criminal harassment and harassing/obscene phone calls. The increase in Princeton Detachment calls were attributed to a higher incidence of persons crimes in the utter threats and level 1 assault categories. “Property crime numbers remain noticeably lower than last year’s,” notes the report with particular emphasis on the decrease in vehicle crime (stolen vehicles and thefts from vehicles) and points out Princeton RCMP did not record its first vehicle crime report of the year until mid-April. Taking a closer look at the report Auto Theft was down 50% over the same period last year with Theft from Vehicles down 67%, Break and Enters down 40%, Other Thefts (including theft over and under $5,000, bicycle theft and shoplifting) down 17%. Drug related incidents remained unchanged with Mischief/Property Damage down 9%, Utter Threats up 140%, Assaults up 100% and Persons Crimes up 94%. Sgt. Savage also took the opportunity before Town Council to introduce the new Princeton Detachment Commander, Sgt. Dave Clare who comes to town from Quesnel. Sgt. Savage returns to Division Headquarters in Kelowna after filling in the vacancy left by the retirement of Sgt. Gary Macahonic.
POSSE DROWN PENTICTON LAKERS
Princeton Posse played host to Penticton Lakers September 25th and basically showed the South Okanagan team a thing or two about Junior B Hockey. Princeton scored first at 12:53 on the power play. Quinn Rempel got the credit with assists going to Ben Reinbolt and Ben Morgan. Then at 10:51 Princeton’s Derrick Delisser scored a shorthanded goal. Assists went to Lee Muir and Dan Hillman. Penticton managed to get on the scoreboard at 7:19. In the second period it was all Princeton scoring another three goals (9:40 – Dan Hillman from Derrick Delisser and Tim Martens, 6:56 – Ben Morgan from Brooks Christensen and Dayton Shaw and with 56-seconds left in the period – Spencer Kristensen from Alex Whitfield). The third period saw the Posse continue to dominate the scoreboard with their sixth goal of the night at 11:30 (Brooks Christensen from Jordan Perkins and Tylar Bestward). To this point only eight penalties had been assessed, four per team and just in the first period. That changed at 2:39 when Randy Finkbeiner of Penticton tangled with Princeton’s Elliott Dixon. The following face off at 2:37 saw Penticton’s Dylan Playfair challenge John Minot of the Posse. The next face off at 2:17 saw David Tooms of Penticton take on Bill Marshall of Princeton. Following a number of fighting penalties and game misconducts everyone got back to playing hockey. It was at that time when Princeton added two more power play goals within 20-seconds of each other. The first at 1:58 (Dan Hillman from Lee Muir) and the second at 1:38 (Lee Muir from Ben Morgan and Tylar Bestward). The home team added their final goal of the game with just 54-seconds left to play (Ben Morgan from Alex Whitfield and Brooks Christensen). Final score: Princeton 9, Penticton 1. The victory gave Princeton a 2-2 start to the season, an improvement compared to previous seasons. In 2008-09 the Posse were 1-3 after their first four games and ended the month of September with a 3-3 record. In the 2007-08 season Princeton was 3-4 at the end of September.
September 22, 2009 - News Leader
PXA
PRAISES VOLUNTEERS
John Bey, President of Princeton Exhibition Association (PXA), is preparing to shut down the fairgrounds for the winter. He has nothing but praise for the people who put on four big events at the fairgrounds this year. The PXA is a volunteer board of management for the fairgrounds, which is a year-round operation. The big events occupy the good weather months, but there is a lot more to the fairgrounds than just the big events. There are stall rentals, racetrack users, caretaker rental units, and a number of other activities, such as the ATV/BC jamboree which took place in June this year, with the assistance of the PXA and volunteers. “Every event has been successful this year,” Bey told the News Leader. “None of this would be possible without the volunteers.” The BCRA rodeo held in May began the series of big events by the three user groups who give Princeton the event drawing cards for the public to enjoy. The next event was the horse racing meet, hosted by Princeton Racing Days Association, at the end of June. The annual Fall Fair, presented by Princeton Agricultural Fall Fair Association, took place in August, followed in September by the BC Bull Riding Finals, which is hosted by Princeton Rodeo Club. Bey added a lot of praise for the bullriding event held recently. He said Ken Crompton and John Ross did a great job, along with all of the Rodeo Club members. “Even their wives volunteered to help,” Bey remarked. He said Mike Theal, who entertained in the evening, “did a tremendous job” providing quality entertainment. The PXA members and the user group members work very hard all during the good weather months. The Town of Princeton owns the property and provides money for maintenance materials, but most of the actual work is done through
volunteer labour. These groups will take a rest for the next few months, but most are already planning for next year.
COMMUNITY SERVICES MARKS 35 YEARS
From very humble beginnings, Princeton & District Community Services has grown to a multi-million
dollar enterprise. The annual general meeting was held last week, with a financial report showing an excellent level of money management. Joyce Fraser, the inspirational visionary who was instrumental in founding Community Services, attended the meeting, along with Ria Smith, one of the longstanding
employees who retired a few years ago. The new Board of Directors was elected. The Chair will be decided next month. Those serving on the Board are Torry Small, Carol Clarke, Diane Rodewoldt, Spencer Coyne, Joann Gabriel, Ken Carlson, Ray Jarvis, Janice Stevens and Rudd Pederson. Members of the Advisory Group are Jenny Reid, Pamela Ottas and Terri Commandeur. Thirty-five years ago, Community Services was a tiny group lodged in the basement of the court house in rooms formerly used as a jail. Today, Community Services occupies the entire former Public Health Unit on Lime Street. During the past 35 years, Community Services has expanded from providing limited services for seniors to an umbrella organization providing home support, programs and housing for developmentally challenged adults, supportive housing for seniors, adult day care, and a community bus service. Community Services became a model for other communities to follow. Joann Gabriel, who has been Chair for the past several years, was pleased with the excellent turnout to this year’s annual general meeting. She gives thanks to the community for the “tremendous support” during the years Community Services has been in operation. During the years, every plan or initiative of Community Services has needed public support, from donations of furniture for the first drop-in center, to manual labour to turn the center into the Mini-Chef Restaurant, to raising funds to build Vermilion Court. The people and various organizations in Princeton have always come through and been generous.
John Bey, President of Princeton Exhibition Association (PXA), is preparing to shut down the fairgrounds for the winter. He has nothing but praise for the people who put on four big events at the fairgrounds this year. The PXA is a volunteer board of management for the fairgrounds, which is a year-round operation. The big events occupy the good weather months, but there is a lot more to the fairgrounds than just the big events. There are stall rentals, racetrack users, caretaker rental units, and a number of other activities, such as the ATV/BC jamboree which took place in June this year, with the assistance of the PXA and volunteers. “Every event has been successful this year,” Bey told the News Leader. “None of this would be possible without the volunteers.” The BCRA rodeo held in May began the series of big events by the three user groups who give Princeton the event drawing cards for the public to enjoy. The next event was the horse racing meet, hosted by Princeton Racing Days Association, at the end of June. The annual Fall Fair, presented by Princeton Agricultural Fall Fair Association, took place in August, followed in September by the BC Bull Riding Finals, which is hosted by Princeton Rodeo Club. Bey added a lot of praise for the bullriding event held recently. He said Ken Crompton and John Ross did a great job, along with all of the Rodeo Club members. “Even their wives volunteered to help,” Bey remarked. He said Mike Theal, who entertained in the evening, “did a tremendous job” providing quality entertainment. The PXA members and the user group members work very hard all during the good weather months. The Town of Princeton owns the property and provides money for maintenance materials, but most of the actual work is done through
volunteer labour. These groups will take a rest for the next few months, but most are already planning for next year.
COMMUNITY SERVICES MARKS 35 YEARS
From very humble beginnings, Princeton & District Community Services has grown to a multi-million
dollar enterprise. The annual general meeting was held last week, with a financial report showing an excellent level of money management. Joyce Fraser, the inspirational visionary who was instrumental in founding Community Services, attended the meeting, along with Ria Smith, one of the longstanding
employees who retired a few years ago. The new Board of Directors was elected. The Chair will be decided next month. Those serving on the Board are Torry Small, Carol Clarke, Diane Rodewoldt, Spencer Coyne, Joann Gabriel, Ken Carlson, Ray Jarvis, Janice Stevens and Rudd Pederson. Members of the Advisory Group are Jenny Reid, Pamela Ottas and Terri Commandeur. Thirty-five years ago, Community Services was a tiny group lodged in the basement of the court house in rooms formerly used as a jail. Today, Community Services occupies the entire former Public Health Unit on Lime Street. During the past 35 years, Community Services has expanded from providing limited services for seniors to an umbrella organization providing home support, programs and housing for developmentally challenged adults, supportive housing for seniors, adult day care, and a community bus service. Community Services became a model for other communities to follow. Joann Gabriel, who has been Chair for the past several years, was pleased with the excellent turnout to this year’s annual general meeting. She gives thanks to the community for the “tremendous support” during the years Community Services has been in operation. During the years, every plan or initiative of Community Services has needed public support, from donations of furniture for the first drop-in center, to manual labour to turn the center into the Mini-Chef Restaurant, to raising funds to build Vermilion Court. The people and various organizations in Princeton have always come through and been generous.
September 15, 2009 - News Leader
HEDLEY
MAN PLEADS GUILTY
David Christopher Vandersteen, a Hedley resident, appeared in Provincial Court on September 10 to enter a guilty plea to a charge of possessing a prohibited weapon without a licence. The weapon was a .22 calibre rifle sawed off to turn it into a hand gun. Vandersteen was charged on January 12, 2009, following an altercation at his home. A person named Ottie had gone to Vandersteen’s home, where he was told he was not welcome. He entered anyway and attacked Vandersteen. Ottie was removed from the house by others visiting Vandersteen, but Ottie refused to leave the property and began trying to force open the door. At this point, Vandersteen took the .22 and fired at Ottie from a window, wounding Ottie in the arm. Judge G. Sinclair ordered Vandersteen to pay a $500 fine and prohibited Vandersteen from owning any firearms for three years.
COUNCIL AWARDS CONTRACT
Town Council, in a motion made by Councillor Ray Jarvis and seconded by Councillor Marilyn Harkness, awarded a five-year contract for garbage and recycling collection service to 582138 BC Ltd in the amount of $52.00 per year per residence for weekly garbage collection and $21.00 per residence per year for weekly recycling collection. The contract was awarded at the September 8th regular meeting of Town Council. The Town provides, on a contract basis, the collection of garbage and recycling material to residences and businesses within the town. The contract for the collection of garbage and recycling expired in 2006 and was extended on a month-to-month basis to allow for time to strategize on the town’s solid waste and recycling programs. In early 2008 the town issued a request for proposals for the provision of garbage and recycling collection services. “Two responses to the request for proposals were received,” says Town of Princeton CAO Patrick Robins. “582138 BC Ltd’s response was clearly superior.” The total cost proposed by WSI (the only other proposal) is $305,943.36 per year based on current units where 582138 BC Ltd (the contractor who has been providing the service) proposed an annual cost of $125,496.00 with the cost of recycling collection and commercial garbage pickup being the majority of the difference. The proposals factor in a total of 1,218 residential units and 201 commercial units. Current garbage and recycling costs are $97,249.00 per year and the contract awarded last week provides an increase of $25,248.00 per year to $125,496.00 based on current residential and commercial units.
David Christopher Vandersteen, a Hedley resident, appeared in Provincial Court on September 10 to enter a guilty plea to a charge of possessing a prohibited weapon without a licence. The weapon was a .22 calibre rifle sawed off to turn it into a hand gun. Vandersteen was charged on January 12, 2009, following an altercation at his home. A person named Ottie had gone to Vandersteen’s home, where he was told he was not welcome. He entered anyway and attacked Vandersteen. Ottie was removed from the house by others visiting Vandersteen, but Ottie refused to leave the property and began trying to force open the door. At this point, Vandersteen took the .22 and fired at Ottie from a window, wounding Ottie in the arm. Judge G. Sinclair ordered Vandersteen to pay a $500 fine and prohibited Vandersteen from owning any firearms for three years.
COUNCIL AWARDS CONTRACT
Town Council, in a motion made by Councillor Ray Jarvis and seconded by Councillor Marilyn Harkness, awarded a five-year contract for garbage and recycling collection service to 582138 BC Ltd in the amount of $52.00 per year per residence for weekly garbage collection and $21.00 per residence per year for weekly recycling collection. The contract was awarded at the September 8th regular meeting of Town Council. The Town provides, on a contract basis, the collection of garbage and recycling material to residences and businesses within the town. The contract for the collection of garbage and recycling expired in 2006 and was extended on a month-to-month basis to allow for time to strategize on the town’s solid waste and recycling programs. In early 2008 the town issued a request for proposals for the provision of garbage and recycling collection services. “Two responses to the request for proposals were received,” says Town of Princeton CAO Patrick Robins. “582138 BC Ltd’s response was clearly superior.” The total cost proposed by WSI (the only other proposal) is $305,943.36 per year based on current units where 582138 BC Ltd (the contractor who has been providing the service) proposed an annual cost of $125,496.00 with the cost of recycling collection and commercial garbage pickup being the majority of the difference. The proposals factor in a total of 1,218 residential units and 201 commercial units. Current garbage and recycling costs are $97,249.00 per year and the contract awarded last week provides an increase of $25,248.00 per year to $125,496.00 based on current residential and commercial units.
September 08, 2009 - News Leader
POLICING
BECOMES ISSUE IN KEREMEOS
The level of service being provided to citizens in the Keremeos/Cawston area by the RCMP will be the main topic of discussion at a meeting Tuesday, September 8th. Keremeos Village Council wrote a letter to both the Keremeos RCMP Detachment and South Okanagan District office “voicing dissatisfaction with the service being provided by the police with respect to the vandalism, overnight camping in vehicles and Bylaw enforcement.” The letter hinted at a fear of vigilante groups forming. The News Leader received a phone call last week from a concerned Keremeos area business owner confirming that a movement was starting with the goal of “taking matters in their own hands” if policing did not improve. Sgt. Greg Dickie of the Keremeos RCMP Detachment told the News Leader “There appears to be a disconnect between the expectations of some citizens as to what the Police should do and the reality of our ability to provide the expected service.” Policing in Keremeos is through a five-member provincially funded Detachment that provides service to a large area including Cawston, Olalla, Keremeos and LSIB. “We are also responsible for traffic enforcement, border integrity, a number of Provincial Acts and Federal Acts. The members of this Detachment strive to be professional, efficient and thorough in the performance of their duties but cannot be everywhere at once,” Sgt. Dickie adds. He says the community, Village Council and the citizens, need to take a pro-active approach to deal with the issues described in the letter. “Three of our members live in the area and are embedded in the community and as such share the concerns of other citizens. I will be working with the Mayor and Council and would like to see a community committee struck to address the underlying issues that are causing the problems.” District RCMP S. Sgt. Kurt Lozinski echoes the words of Sgt. Dickie. “The Detachment Commander and myself are working with the Mayor and elected officials on these issues.” Lozinski adds, “We (the RCMP) do not support anyone being a vigilante and therefore we need to work together as a community to address problems.” He says community members need to take an active role in becoming part of the solution, rather than adding to the problem. “Not all problems are the sole responsibility of the RCMP and therefore we need community people to step up and be prepared to assist the members. Developing strong communication and strategic plans is the only true effective way in which a community can work together on issues affecting their community.” Tuesday’s meeting is between RCMP officials, Village Council members and other community leaders.
RODEO CLUB HOSTS BULL RIDER FINALS
The best bull riders in the circuit will ride the best bulls available this weekend at Princeton Fairgrounds. Princeton Rodeo Club will once again host the BCPB (British Columbia Professional Bullriders Association) Bull Rider Finals. The event starts at 1:30 PM both Saturday, September 12th and Sunday, September 13th and will follow a simple format. The top 20 bull riders in the province will ride two different bulls each day for a possible total of 80 rides in total for spectators and a total of four rides each per rider. The winners of the event will be determined by the scores collected over the two days. And there won’t just be bull riding all weekend, either. The weekend will include Wild Horse Races and a Ladies Jackpot Barrel Racing event. West Coast Thunder Drill team will perform as will Rodeo Clown Dennis Halstead. Stock Contractor for the bull riding is C+ Rodeos and weekend announcer is Dave Poulsen. Tickets are $15.00 per day for adults ($25 for a 2-day pass), $10.00 per day for students/seniors ($17 for a 2-day pass) and children under 12 will be allowed into the event at no charge. On the Saturday night there will be a Barbeque ‘Wingding’ with tickets for that event going for $20.00 each. A refreshment Garden and Concession will be available. For more information about the upcoming BC Bull Rider Finals call Ken at (250) 295-4084.
The level of service being provided to citizens in the Keremeos/Cawston area by the RCMP will be the main topic of discussion at a meeting Tuesday, September 8th. Keremeos Village Council wrote a letter to both the Keremeos RCMP Detachment and South Okanagan District office “voicing dissatisfaction with the service being provided by the police with respect to the vandalism, overnight camping in vehicles and Bylaw enforcement.” The letter hinted at a fear of vigilante groups forming. The News Leader received a phone call last week from a concerned Keremeos area business owner confirming that a movement was starting with the goal of “taking matters in their own hands” if policing did not improve. Sgt. Greg Dickie of the Keremeos RCMP Detachment told the News Leader “There appears to be a disconnect between the expectations of some citizens as to what the Police should do and the reality of our ability to provide the expected service.” Policing in Keremeos is through a five-member provincially funded Detachment that provides service to a large area including Cawston, Olalla, Keremeos and LSIB. “We are also responsible for traffic enforcement, border integrity, a number of Provincial Acts and Federal Acts. The members of this Detachment strive to be professional, efficient and thorough in the performance of their duties but cannot be everywhere at once,” Sgt. Dickie adds. He says the community, Village Council and the citizens, need to take a pro-active approach to deal with the issues described in the letter. “Three of our members live in the area and are embedded in the community and as such share the concerns of other citizens. I will be working with the Mayor and Council and would like to see a community committee struck to address the underlying issues that are causing the problems.” District RCMP S. Sgt. Kurt Lozinski echoes the words of Sgt. Dickie. “The Detachment Commander and myself are working with the Mayor and elected officials on these issues.” Lozinski adds, “We (the RCMP) do not support anyone being a vigilante and therefore we need to work together as a community to address problems.” He says community members need to take an active role in becoming part of the solution, rather than adding to the problem. “Not all problems are the sole responsibility of the RCMP and therefore we need community people to step up and be prepared to assist the members. Developing strong communication and strategic plans is the only true effective way in which a community can work together on issues affecting their community.” Tuesday’s meeting is between RCMP officials, Village Council members and other community leaders.
RODEO CLUB HOSTS BULL RIDER FINALS
The best bull riders in the circuit will ride the best bulls available this weekend at Princeton Fairgrounds. Princeton Rodeo Club will once again host the BCPB (British Columbia Professional Bullriders Association) Bull Rider Finals. The event starts at 1:30 PM both Saturday, September 12th and Sunday, September 13th and will follow a simple format. The top 20 bull riders in the province will ride two different bulls each day for a possible total of 80 rides in total for spectators and a total of four rides each per rider. The winners of the event will be determined by the scores collected over the two days. And there won’t just be bull riding all weekend, either. The weekend will include Wild Horse Races and a Ladies Jackpot Barrel Racing event. West Coast Thunder Drill team will perform as will Rodeo Clown Dennis Halstead. Stock Contractor for the bull riding is C+ Rodeos and weekend announcer is Dave Poulsen. Tickets are $15.00 per day for adults ($25 for a 2-day pass), $10.00 per day for students/seniors ($17 for a 2-day pass) and children under 12 will be allowed into the event at no charge. On the Saturday night there will be a Barbeque ‘Wingding’ with tickets for that event going for $20.00 each. A refreshment Garden and Concession will be available. For more information about the upcoming BC Bull Rider Finals call Ken at (250) 295-4084.
September 01, 2009 - News Leader
SHANKER’S
BEND STUDY DRAWS SRONG OPINIONS
About 130 people crowded the museum meeting room at the Oroville Depot on Monday evening, August 24th to hear The Okanagan Public Utility District to ask questions and make comment on the Similkameen River Appraisal Level Study – The Shanker’s Bend Dam. Jeremy Pratt presented the study results for Entrix Inc., an environmental and natural resource management consulting firm. Pratt described the current study as one done “from 30,000 feet above” and as such “very preliminary”. About a dozen people drove down from Canada to listen, comment and ask questions about the proposed dam. Dixon Terbasket of Cawston spoke in fervent objection to the dam proposal. RDOS vice-chair and Area “B” Cawston representative, George Hanson, expressed official opposition from the Canadian side where Hanson noted that the high dam would flood Lower Similkameen Indian Band lands and farmlands in the Organic Growing Capital of Canada. Firm opposition was voiced by Americans upriver of Shanker’s Bend where flooding from even the lowest of the three separate dam height options would have flood effect on residences, farms and recreational business. The study estimates that a high dam at Shanker’s Bend would flood 12,000 acres of US lands and about 8,995 acres on the Canadian side. The Public Meeting on August 24 was part of a process stemming from the August 14, 2007 Notice from the United States Federal Environmental Regulatory Commission (FERC) in which it received the PUD application for a dam at Shanker’s Bend and at the same time solicited motions to intervene, protest and comment. Online comment can be directed through the internet to [email protected] and copied to Nick Christoph Environmental Coordinator [email protected]. Mail about Shanker’s Bend can go to Trish Butler, President of the Board of Commissioners for PUD at 1331 2nd Avenue N., Okanogan, Washington 98840.
B&E CAUSES $1,100 DAMAGE
Princeton RCMP report that early in the morning of Tuesday, August 18th someone broke into the property of MWP Cascade Post & Rail on Old River Road. Police say whoever broke into the property caused $1,100 damage to one of the bucking machines used on site. “At this time there are no suspects,” Princeton RCMP say in a News Release on the matter. They are looking for any information related to the incident. If you saw or heard anything early in the morning of August 18th in or around the MWP Cascade Post & Rail yard you are requested to call Princeton RCMP at (250) 295-6911 or to contact CrimeStoppers with an anonymous tip at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
About 130 people crowded the museum meeting room at the Oroville Depot on Monday evening, August 24th to hear The Okanagan Public Utility District to ask questions and make comment on the Similkameen River Appraisal Level Study – The Shanker’s Bend Dam. Jeremy Pratt presented the study results for Entrix Inc., an environmental and natural resource management consulting firm. Pratt described the current study as one done “from 30,000 feet above” and as such “very preliminary”. About a dozen people drove down from Canada to listen, comment and ask questions about the proposed dam. Dixon Terbasket of Cawston spoke in fervent objection to the dam proposal. RDOS vice-chair and Area “B” Cawston representative, George Hanson, expressed official opposition from the Canadian side where Hanson noted that the high dam would flood Lower Similkameen Indian Band lands and farmlands in the Organic Growing Capital of Canada. Firm opposition was voiced by Americans upriver of Shanker’s Bend where flooding from even the lowest of the three separate dam height options would have flood effect on residences, farms and recreational business. The study estimates that a high dam at Shanker’s Bend would flood 12,000 acres of US lands and about 8,995 acres on the Canadian side. The Public Meeting on August 24 was part of a process stemming from the August 14, 2007 Notice from the United States Federal Environmental Regulatory Commission (FERC) in which it received the PUD application for a dam at Shanker’s Bend and at the same time solicited motions to intervene, protest and comment. Online comment can be directed through the internet to [email protected] and copied to Nick Christoph Environmental Coordinator [email protected]. Mail about Shanker’s Bend can go to Trish Butler, President of the Board of Commissioners for PUD at 1331 2nd Avenue N., Okanogan, Washington 98840.
B&E CAUSES $1,100 DAMAGE
Princeton RCMP report that early in the morning of Tuesday, August 18th someone broke into the property of MWP Cascade Post & Rail on Old River Road. Police say whoever broke into the property caused $1,100 damage to one of the bucking machines used on site. “At this time there are no suspects,” Princeton RCMP say in a News Release on the matter. They are looking for any information related to the incident. If you saw or heard anything early in the morning of August 18th in or around the MWP Cascade Post & Rail yard you are requested to call Princeton RCMP at (250) 295-6911 or to contact CrimeStoppers with an anonymous tip at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).