How much time do citizens need to be informed enough to vote on an issue? Discussions about electoral reform and different forms of proportional representation compared with our long-standing system called “first-past-the-post” have been going on in BC for years. During that time, we've heard many opinions, but few as...

Monday, April 23, 2018: Rossland City Council held three meetings – at 5:00 pm, a Public Consultation on the City’s five-year Financial Plan (2018 to 2022); at 6:00 pm, a Public Hearing on re-zoning the old Block Motel property at 3915 Red Mountain Road; and a regular Council meeting immediately after the Public Hearing....

The Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline has dominated news in the past few weeks.  The public is divided over whether we should build this pipeline and allow Alberta oil sands output to increase, or whether it presents too much risk to BC’s rivers and coastal environments. Many experts described the original project approval ...

The big money party is over and what a party it was. Given its well-deserved reputation in B.C. it's fitting that it went out with a bang in 2017. First, though, a walk down memory lane for an appreciation of its shock and awe legacy on B.C. politics. Between 2005 and 2017, B.C.'s political parties reported $206.9 million in...

Rossland City Council met on April 17 to discuss the applications for Community Initiatives Program (CIP) grants, and to make recommendations about which organization should get how much. All Council members were present except Marten Kruysse and Andrew Zwicker. Mayor Moore opened the meeting by expressing appreciation for ...

To The Editor: I was appalled to hear that the Prime Minister intends to provide a Texas extraction company with billions of tax dollars to foist their dirty pipeline on a reluctant province.  First of all, the Trudeau government has no such mandate.  This government pledged to be a proactive partner in the fight against...

Are you thinking about running in the next Municipal election? First and foremost, I say congratulations for wanting to put your name forward. Second, do not be naive as to what is needed from you, and Third, you can no longer say that you are not a politician. The hours vary but, as an example, I put in more than 20 hours ...

Public Hearing and Regular Council Meeting, April 9, 2018 Present: Mayor Kathy Moore, and Councillors Lloyd McLellan, Andy Morel, John Greene, Andrew Zwicker, and Aaron Cosbey. Absent: Marten Kruysse The Public Hearing was to elicit input from residents about the proposed changes in zoning for two properties. The owners of ...

Spring seems to want to take its own sweet time in coming back to the southern Interior, and with that the gray days of winter are gradually being replaced by sun.  That comes as good news for us all, including the travelers who rely on regular flights in and out of our local airports.  Winter is a time of frustrating...

Readers may have noted that the overwhelming response to the current opinion poll on the voting age in BC opined that “16-year-olds are still too immature to vote responsibly.” Given some of the electoral decisions made by adult registered voters, one may wonder if adults are also too immature to vote responsibly. No, I’m not...