Look what's happening in Southern Alberta
If anyone living in the Kootenays thinks the day is going bad, check out what's happening in Cowtown. Wednesday morning, Calgarians opened the blinds to see close to 10 centimetres of snow fall overnight, which just happened to knock out the power so no coffee. It's the second storm this week. An upper disturbance developed...
Strike putting financial strain on local teachers; Food Share program organized to help
While B.C. Education minister Peter Fassbender came out Monday telling reporters in Victoria he's living in the time-loop comedy Groundhog Day, members on the picket line in Nelson are dealing with the reality of not getting a pay cheque as the teachers' strike enters its second week of the new school year without classes. ...
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....
What would you do if you had a half million dollars? Survey says...
Lower Columbia (Trail, Rossland, Warfield, Montrose, Fruitvale, Area A and B) residents will be asked to participate in a regional survey to provide input regarding the priorities and specific actions to help guide the Lower Columbia Community Development Team Society (LCCDTS) in allocating $600,000 in funding, over the next...
1040 job postings...a good sign for the Lower Columbia!
The Lower Columbia Region is thriving! The most recent economic statistic in a series of published metrics highlighting our thriving economy is the number of jobs posted in the Lower Columbia Region. From January through August 2014 there has been 1,040 different employment opportunities posted at the Community Skills Centre!...
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...
LETTER: Trail pedestrian bridge has million dollar implications for Rossland
It appears that in the recent referendum about 27% of Trail’s eligible voters voted in favour of a combined pedestrian / pipe-bridge. It also appears that 64% didn’t bother to vote at all, maybe because they had been told by their Council that it would not cost them anything in additional taxes… so why bother. But what about...
Heck of a bathtub to clean — Kootenay Canal gets 'dewatered'
It’s a heck of a bathtub to clean. BC Hydro will be draining the Kootenay Canal, west of Nelson, from early September to the end of October to upgrade the canal’s lining. It’s a $10 million project that will utilize 70 workers — including engineers, safety experts, construction workers and environment workers — to complete,...
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 ...