What's up at the Emcon Lot?
There's been lots of activity in the Emcon lot on Third Avenue the last couple weeks and folks have been asking just what's going on there. The quick answer is that the lot will be the home base for the Ministry of Transportation's projects around the region over the next couple of summers. The Ministry has set up a trailer...
Locals protest G8 / G20 summit adding their voice to the rally for peace
Grand Forks residents lent their voice to the collective voices of protesters across Canada on Friday as they rallied against the G8 / G20 summit being held in Toronto. Headed by the Boundary Peace Initiative (BPI), a small but vocal group gathered after their march through town at the Source on Market Ave. to share their...
Cattle vs. conservationists: the battle for the Gilpin
In a conflict that dates back to the 1970’s, the battle over the Gilpin Grasslands near Grand Forks between cattlemen and conservationists is still unresolved. Grand Forks City Council has found themselves the go to point for both sides of the controversy to try and garner government support for their cause. This round had ...
Obama to ask for special BP claims fund over oil spill
US president Barack Obama, in response to criticism over his handling of the ongoing Gulf of Mexico oil spill, has asked the oil company BP to create a special fund with "substantial" amounts of money to pay claimants over the disaster.Obama is to make his fourth visit to the Gulf Coast tomorrow, and on Tuesday is scheduled...
DOBBIN: A response to the banker's association
When is a bank bail-out not a bailout? When the Canadian bankers’ Association President, Nancy Hughes Anthony says so. In her letter to the Vancouver Sun (which published my blog on the issue) Hughes Anthony points out that not a single bank went bankrupt and therefore did not require a bail out.But call it what you will ...
Bellingham, WA first municipality to shun tar sands oil
The city of Bellingham, Washington has resolved to avoid fuel from refineries connected to the tar sands, becoming the first city in North America to take action against the controversial fossil fuel.Bellingham’s city council unanimously passed two resolutions on Monday, Jun. 7 with the aim of eliminating tar sands in their...
No more Mr. Nice Guy...no, really: City promises yet again to enforce water meters
Eight years after bylaws were put in place requiring commercial and multi-family buildings in Rossland to install water meters, the city is done asking politely for compliance. Following council approval of the recommendation this past Tuesday night, city staff will be contacting the remaining commercial building owners without...
Columbia Avenue rebuild: What does your ideal downtown look like?
Ever walked around Rossland and thought, 'wouldn’t it be nice to have a bench here, maybe some flowers over here, a nice sidewalk cafe on this side of the street and maybe rearrange the parking on the other?' Of course you have. Well, it’s not every day that Joe and Jill Canuck get the opportunity have real input on the design...
Columbia Ave rebuild - What does your ideal downtown look like?
Ever walked around Rossland and thought, 'wouldn’t it be nice to have a bench here, maybe some flowers over here, a nice sidewalk cafe on this side of the street and maybe rearrange the parking on the other?' Of course you have. Well, it’s not every day that Joe and Jill Canuck get the opportunity have real input on the design...
Rossland property taxes: steady as she goes...downhill?
The message from City Hall on property taxes this year is one of “steady as she goes.” A recession-style taxation model was adopted by council on Monday night, with tax notices soon to follow. Five taxation models were presented to council, ranging from ones involving dramatic cuts to staff, services and taxes through to ...
