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...
New IHA CEO visits Nelson but leaves laundry services question in spring spin cycle, with social fabric softener now added in
The social equation will factor into the recommendation given to the Interior Health Authority board in March when they are called upon to decide the future of laundry services — and 17 fulltime jobs — at Nelson’s Kootenay Lake Hospital, claims the IHA’s new president and chief executive officer. Chris Mazurkewich said Monday...
A Plea on Climate Change
While large numbers of Rosslanders (and others) found comfort in the sunshine on Sunday by skiing on the Blackjack trails, and doing just about everything -- skiing, snowshoeing, hiking and fat-bike riding -- up around Nancy Greene Pass, a crowd of about 200 Rosslanders gathered downtown in the winter fog-gloom, outside the...
On Choosing a New Electoral System
Hon. Maryam Monsef, Minister of Democratic Institutions, House of Commons, OTTAWA, ON K1A 0A6 Dear Minister Monsef, RE: Electoral Reform Democracy has been my life-long passion, and I believe that one of democracy’s primary elements is the process by which citizens elect their representatives. My reason for writing...
