Local voter turn out bests provincial and national averages in 2015 federal election
A Community Voters Challenge, created to increase voter turn out in the area during last year’s October federal election has given local communities something to crow about, with local turn outs eclipsing both provincial and federal averages. “Two of our communities had a voter turnout of over 80 per cent. Given that the national level […]
City takes action to address unsightly nuisance property on main drag
The City of Castlegar is taking steps to address an unsightly and potentially dangerous property on Columbia Avenue, after a report offered at council's regular meeting Monday night by Director of Planning and Development Phil Markiin. “The 1067 Columbia Avenue property consists as one business constructed in 1950 and formerly...
City budget presentation offers highlights of 2016 budget and five-year financial plan
In a public open house Tuesday night at the Community Forum, the city unveiled its 2016 budget and five-year financial plan. City Director of Finance Andre Buss offered a presentation describing the city's three strategic priorities: Infrastructure Management and the maintenance of municipal infrastructure; the development ...
Rossland Wins Community Voters' Challenge
Before the 2015 federal election, local communities entered into an agreement to try to improve voter participation, and called it the "Community Voters' Challenge." Whichever community most improved its percentage of eligible voters who actually voted in the election would be declared the winner. Rossland won the challenge...
Mayor urges residents to attend city budget/financial plan unveiling
The City of Castlegar is announcing a public meeting to unveil the 2016 budget and the 2016-2020 five-year financial plan - and the mayor is strongly urging residents to attend. The city’s financial plan includes decisions about general operations, water utility, sewer utility, airport operations and a new proposal to create...
MP Richard Cannings pans federal budget
Canadians had high expectations for change but instead of help, this budget is marked by the Liberals backtracking on their promises to tackle inequality. In particular, breaking promises to First Nation children, just like so many previous Liberal and Conservative governments “Residents of South Okanagan — West Kootenay were...
RDCK board adopts Financial Plan
The Regional District of Central Kootenay adopted its 2016-2020 Financial Plan today at its March board meeting Thursday in Nelson. Chief Administrative Officer Stuart Horn said the new Plan will have a minor impact on taxpayers. “The Directors were very cognizant of the tax impacts to residents throughout the budget process,” said Horn in a […]
Trail's new bridge to be named 'Columbia River Skywalk'
Columbia River Skywalk is the name that has been selected for the Pipeline/Pedestrian Bridge that is currently being constructed and will span the Columbia River from Rotary Park (west) to McQuarrie Street (east) in Trail. The name, submitted by Trail resident Glenn Schneider, was among the 80+ suggestions that were submitted...
Op/Ed: ARE WE CONDONING CORRUPTION?
Editorial Note: In the column below, Dermod Travis points out many instances of close correlation between large donations by corporations to the Liberal Party of BC and lucrative contracts awarded to those corporations. Now, as any scientist will tell us, correlation is not proof of causation -- but it's a good reason...
Council divided on ride-sharing programs like Uber
A motion put forward by councillor Florio Vassilakakis to support ride-sharing programs was tabled at council's regular meeting Monday night. Vassilakakis wanted the city to send a letter to the province indicating Castlegar's support for secondary transportation options such as Uber and Lyft. (These are smart phone apps that...
