Montana Burgess — Faith in the Paris climate summit
The world is watching to see what comes out of the Paris climate summit. Montana Burgess is the West Kootenay EcoSociety's Community Organizer. She's attending the Paris UN climate summit with the Climate Action Network delegation and is reporting back to the West Kootenays on developments at the negotiations and what they ...
Decision delayed on police budget request
Although a decision on the Nelson Police Department board budget request had been scheduled for the end of the month, the deadline has passed and no word has come from the province. And there is no hint of when that decision will come, before the end of the year or early in the new year, said Mayor Deb Kozak, also the chair...
Public input required on preserving the Pend d'Oreille
Comments and feedback are being sought on a proposed new Access Management Area in the Pend d'Oreille Valley in the Kootenay Boundary region as part of an update to the spring 2016 edition of the B.C. Hunting and Trapping Synopsis. The proposed change, under the Wildlife Act's motor vehicle prohibition regulation, would reduce...
Financial plan amendments cost city nearly $1.5 million
Several “unforseen costs" have forced the city to crack open its existing financial plan and incorporate amendments to account for the cash. Topping the list of four items that have to be added into the budget are the clean-up costs of the June 29 storm that pelted the city, racking up over $850,000 in damages to Nelson Hydro...
OPINION: ELECTORAL REFORM -- A Proposal
Editor's Note: Nick Loenen, the author of this proposal, served as an MLA in BC from 1987 to 1991, as a Social Credit member for the constituency of Richmond. He is now free of political affiliations, and enjoys sailing his beautiful Dragon-class sailboat as well as giving thought and expression to potential improvements...
OPINION: ELECTORAL REFORM -- A Response to Loenen's Proposal
Editor's Note: Andre Carrel, author of the following response to Nick Loenen's proposal on electoral reform, was born and raised in Switzerland. He immigrated to Canada in 1963 and holds dual citizenship. He is a retired municipal administrator, and has published a book on local governance: "Citizens’ Hall: Making ...
An Advisory Task Force for the Washington Street Project
Terms of Reference for Advisory Group on Washington Street Project Council has set the composition and Terms of Reference (ToRs) for an advisory task force that will assist with oversight of the Washington Street Infrastructure Renewal Project in 2016. At a Special Meeting of Council held on Friday, December 4, attended by...
Premier Christy Clark issues statement regarding one of British Columbia’s most iconic leaders
Premier Christy Clark issued the following statement on the death of former Premier William (Bill) Bennett after it was announced that the former BC Premier died Thursday night in Kelowna at age 83. Bennett had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for several years. Bennett succeeded his father, former premier W.A.C. Bennett...
Recreation master plan creates confusion
Some confusion is plaguing residents after the Castlegar and District Recreation Commission unveiled a draft master plan at two open houses on Monday. The plan (which can be viewed in its entirety online by clicking here ) is a weighty document of 212 pages, and includes the majority of the options on the Castlegar wish-list...
COLUMN: COP21: Hope for Humanity
by David Suzuki With world leaders now meeting in Paris for the UN Climate Change Conference, we’re seeing signs of hope for an agreement to limit the escalating effects of global warming. Canadians, especially, have reason to be optimistic about our country’s role. It hasn’t always been this way. Governments have been...
