CBT seeking public input
Columbia Basin Trust is asking residents where it should focus its efforts to best support residents and communities in the Columbia Basin now, and into the future. The Trust is kicking off a year-long Basin-wide public engagement process starting with a series of drop-in community workshops and an interactive engagement...
A bare quorum and a lot of details...
Rossland City Council met on Monday evening, September 8. There was bare quorum, with Mayor Greg Granstrom and Council members Jody Blomme, Kathy Moore (by speakerphone), and Jill Spearn in attendance. Staff present were: Corporate Officer Tracey Butler, Executive Assistant Cynthia Anonuevo, Acting Financial Officer Lois...
RANT: On mental health, YOLO, rainbows and elections
Okay, time to stick my head in the lion’s mouth again. I posted a photo back on Aug. 26 about the city’s new banners reading , “YOLO” and “XOXO” (neither one of which is as bad – or as funny – as the ones with goofy cartoon faces that read, “A Great Place to Grow”, here in marijuana central. Those still make me giggle every...
City Councillor partners with Rossland consultation company Thoughtexchange for ground-breaking governance engagement
Rossland City Councillor Kathy Moore has partnered with Rossland's online stakeholder engagement company, Thoughtexchange, to undertake something never before attempted prior to a municipal election. Moore – using Thoughtexchange’s unique approach to engagement – is making a bold move to host an online consultation process ...
LETTER: Strike is 'nefarious' and 'manufactured' and should frighten parents
Letter to the Editor: The continuing battle between the BCTF and the Provincial Ministry of Education should be of grave concern to families across B.C., and should be incredibly frightening to parents and caregivers in the Boundary and West Kootenay Region. Most conversations are about laying blame: “It’s the teacher’s fault”;...
OPINION: The BC government's provocation of teachers could set a frightening precedent
Two members of my family are teachers; I will therefore limit my comments on the dispute between the teachers and the government to its constitutional aspect. Through the Health and Social Services Delivery Improvement Act of 2002 the government had attempted to curtail the B.C. health workers’ rights to collective bargaining....
COMMENT: As municipal elections approach, what's the cause of voter apathy?
Taken aback by complete strangers walking up to you this summer to shake hands? Well, that's because they're back. Candidates on the hustings for a city hall near you. And despite their enthusiasm, it's not a passion shared by most voters if past elections are any indication. Even though local governments in B.C. oversee more...
Councillor opposes arbitrary process in policing equipment
A city councillor is speaking out against a process that sees the city making massive expenditures without having any say in the decision-making behind those expenditures. Councillor Kevin Chernoff said he has no problem with getting closed circuit TV surveillance for the local RCMP detachment – but he’s not okay with the...
City and CUPE 2262 reach accord, but no contract yet
The City of Castlegar and its union workers from CUPE Local 2262 have not yet hammered out a contract, but have arrived at a mutual accord in terms of proceeding. Castlegar mayor Lawrence Chernoff says the two parties have agreed on a publication ban, meaning neither side will speak to the press until a settlement has been ...
OP/ED: Fassbender issues statment re: ongoing teacher strike
This week should be the first week of school. For students and their teachers, it's supposed to be a time of excitement and anticipation. But instead, it's a time of frustration and uncertainty. I am not happy about where things currently stand. Throughout this dispute, everything we've tried to do is to have schools open on...