BC Municipal Operating Spending Increases "Unsustainable": CFIB
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has issued a report on what it calls "unsustainable levels" of increases in BC municipal operating spending since 2003. The figures used in the studies end in 2012 and 2013, depending on the figures being cited. "Operating spending" includes the total cost of...
No Deal on Recreation
Many Rossland residents are aware that Rossland and Trail have been negotiating for some time to try to reach agreement on the use of Trail’s recreational facilities by Rossland residents. The question was: How much should the City of Rossland pay to the City of Trail each year to enable Rosslanders to use Trail facilities […]
Decision set to be made on police budget request with arrival of police audit
An unelected official is expected to make a decision by the end of November that could cost Nelson taxpayers over $300,000, a four per cent rise in property taxes. In four weeks the director of Police Services from the provincial Ministry of Justice will hand down his declaration on the minimal staffing required in Nelson […]
Council Pulls the Plug on Rapid Rate Changes
Council has decided to pull the plug on the proposed changes to its water and sewer rate structures in time for a January 1st rate change. The proposed changes to Rossland’s water and sewer rate structure, now out for consultations, had problems Council identified even before they splashed out and asked for citizen input. ...
OP/ED: Blueberry School Sale a Poor Deal for SD 20
I am Mark Wilson – School Trustee for the Trail area and after reading the Article on the Sale of Blueberry School dated October 30/15 in your paper, I would like to clarify a few items. These are my opinions backed by facts. 1. The vote to sell this school for $1 was passed by […]
Want democratic reform? Let’s start with the country’s newspapers
Observing the cathartic effect of the end the Harper regime reveals just how traumatized millions of Canadians were by nearly 10 years of rule by this vindictive prime minister. The analogies and metaphors keep coming: like getting out of jail, like waking up from a nightmare, like the end of an occupation. This election will...
Blueberry Creek Community School Society buys land/school for $1
It’s been a long time coming, but the Blueberry Creek Community School Society now owns its facility and the property on which it stands, having purchased both from School District 20 (SD 20) for one dollar. While that may sound like a poor deal for SD 20, it’s actually good news for virtually everyone involved, according to...
Washington Street Design Features; Changes in Council Meeting Schedule
Rossland City Council, October 26, 2015 All Council members were present: Mayor Kathy Moore, Councillors Lloyd McLellan, John Greene, Andrew Zwicker, Marten Kruysse, Andy Morel and Aaron Cosbey. Staff: Deputy Corporate Officer Cynthia Añonuevo, Planner Stacey Lightbourne, Manager of Public Works Darrin Albo. Absent: ...
Panhandling bylaw would further marginalize poor people in Nelson: Nelson Committee on Homelessness
The proposed panhandling bylaw does a disservice to a segment of Nelson’s society, and further marginalizes the poor in the city, said the Nelson Committee on Homelessness. Committee member Ann Harvey and two other Nelson Committee on Homelessness board members said city council’s draft legislation on panhandling will not solve the underlying problem of poverty […]
Wildlife detectors to be installed on Hwy 3 near Elko, Sparwood
The B.C. government is about to pilot two new high-tech wildlife detection systems on Highway 3, to help warn motorists when wildlife is on or near the highway. There will be two locations for the wildlife detection systems on Highway 3 - the Elko site, approximately 1 km east of Elko, and the Michel site, approximately 2 km...
