April 07, 2015 - News Leader
THIEVES STRIKE BOWLING LANES
Sometime late on the evening of March 31st Copperhill Lanes in Princeton was broken into from both the front and back of the building. Located in a residential area on Lapworth Avenue, it’s amazing neighbours did not hear anything as evidence left behind at the scene show a considerable amount of time and effort would have went into smashing the safety glass in the front door. Whoever is responsible knew what they were doing as they cut both the phone and cablevision lines in the back of the building which disabled the alarm system. Once inside, the target was a safe with various other electronic devices left untouched. A hole was cut into the top of the safe and a ladle (left behind) was used to scoop out the contents. RCMP continues to investigate the incident and request your assistance. If you have any information regarding this break-in you are asked to contact the local Detachment at 250-295-6911 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
DEER PROBLEM TAKES CONCENSUS
The solution to the deer problem in Princeton will require consensus among Princeton residents as to what ought to be done about the problem. That was the clear message conveyed by the Urban Deer Forum held at Riverside Centre March 31. More than 50 people attended the forum and had the opportunity to both learn and ask questions or make comments. A number of people with expertise and knowledge of the problem gave their views at the forum. Speakers included Mayor Frank Armitage and Councillors Rosemary Doughty and Douglas Pateman, Wild Safe BC representatives Zoe Kirk and Frank Ritsey of Wild Safe BC, and Ministry of Environment representatives Jim Beck and Craig McLean. Councillor Doughty and Lisa Carleton had done a deer count, repeating a route around town to count every deer seen, and the average number was 31 deer. Councillor Pateman spoke of the lack of clear direction resulting from responses to a survey done last year. He spoke of his efforts to have Victoria change some of the wildlife legislation which would allow greater flexibility in municipalities. Wild Safe BC representatives talked about methods used to prevent deer coming into the municipality to feed. One of the most important methods, emphasized repeatedly, was to stop feeding deer. In fact, for those who like deer, feeding them is the worst thing they could do. By feeding deer, the potential for human-deer conflict becomes magnified as deer begin to approach people in expectation of being fed, which puts both children and adults in danger of having deer blocking a path. There was no doubt left that there is a downside to having deer within Town limits. The deer in Town attract predators such as cougar and coyote. The deer bring diseases as well, not only in the form of ticks, but there is a disease cycle between deer and domestic cats that can affect both. The problem of deer feces, consumption of garden vegetation, and increasing numbers of deer as they multiply from year to year. Methods of keeping the deer out of town were discussed. The landfill has been fenced and a cattle guard will be put in place to prevent ‘garbage deer’ from entering and feeding. People were told methods of ‘hazing,’ which means keeping deer out of the yard, but this is not a solution, as they simply go to another location. The scarecrow irrigation system was recommended. This is an automated motion-sensitive sprinkler which sends a jet of water to frighten the deer who enter the yard. A deer cull is not the whole answer, either. It merely reduces the number of deer, but does not discourage deer from entering Town. To be effective, a solution must have the full support of the community, and education as well as action is required. Councillor Jerome Tjerkstra summed it up by saying, “This is just the first step.”
Sometime late on the evening of March 31st Copperhill Lanes in Princeton was broken into from both the front and back of the building. Located in a residential area on Lapworth Avenue, it’s amazing neighbours did not hear anything as evidence left behind at the scene show a considerable amount of time and effort would have went into smashing the safety glass in the front door. Whoever is responsible knew what they were doing as they cut both the phone and cablevision lines in the back of the building which disabled the alarm system. Once inside, the target was a safe with various other electronic devices left untouched. A hole was cut into the top of the safe and a ladle (left behind) was used to scoop out the contents. RCMP continues to investigate the incident and request your assistance. If you have any information regarding this break-in you are asked to contact the local Detachment at 250-295-6911 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
DEER PROBLEM TAKES CONCENSUS
The solution to the deer problem in Princeton will require consensus among Princeton residents as to what ought to be done about the problem. That was the clear message conveyed by the Urban Deer Forum held at Riverside Centre March 31. More than 50 people attended the forum and had the opportunity to both learn and ask questions or make comments. A number of people with expertise and knowledge of the problem gave their views at the forum. Speakers included Mayor Frank Armitage and Councillors Rosemary Doughty and Douglas Pateman, Wild Safe BC representatives Zoe Kirk and Frank Ritsey of Wild Safe BC, and Ministry of Environment representatives Jim Beck and Craig McLean. Councillor Doughty and Lisa Carleton had done a deer count, repeating a route around town to count every deer seen, and the average number was 31 deer. Councillor Pateman spoke of the lack of clear direction resulting from responses to a survey done last year. He spoke of his efforts to have Victoria change some of the wildlife legislation which would allow greater flexibility in municipalities. Wild Safe BC representatives talked about methods used to prevent deer coming into the municipality to feed. One of the most important methods, emphasized repeatedly, was to stop feeding deer. In fact, for those who like deer, feeding them is the worst thing they could do. By feeding deer, the potential for human-deer conflict becomes magnified as deer begin to approach people in expectation of being fed, which puts both children and adults in danger of having deer blocking a path. There was no doubt left that there is a downside to having deer within Town limits. The deer in Town attract predators such as cougar and coyote. The deer bring diseases as well, not only in the form of ticks, but there is a disease cycle between deer and domestic cats that can affect both. The problem of deer feces, consumption of garden vegetation, and increasing numbers of deer as they multiply from year to year. Methods of keeping the deer out of town were discussed. The landfill has been fenced and a cattle guard will be put in place to prevent ‘garbage deer’ from entering and feeding. People were told methods of ‘hazing,’ which means keeping deer out of the yard, but this is not a solution, as they simply go to another location. The scarecrow irrigation system was recommended. This is an automated motion-sensitive sprinkler which sends a jet of water to frighten the deer who enter the yard. A deer cull is not the whole answer, either. It merely reduces the number of deer, but does not discourage deer from entering Town. To be effective, a solution must have the full support of the community, and education as well as action is required. Councillor Jerome Tjerkstra summed it up by saying, “This is just the first step.”
April 14, 2015 - News Leader
COUNCIL DEFERS ATV BYLAW
What was supposed to result in the first three readings of a new Town of Princeton All-Terrain Vehicle Regulation Bylaw at the April 7th Town Council meetings ended up being a deferment of the document. Mayor Frank Armitage spoke to the matter prior to a motion being made stating that some “new information regarding regulations” had come to light through conversations that included local RCMP Sgt. Barry Kennedy. Mayor Armitage announced that Councillor Doug Pateman had been given the responsibility to form a committee to further look into the ATV situation and bring his findings back to Council. Mayor Armitage suggested a time frame of six weeks for Pateman’s committee to complete its review. Councillor Jerome Tjerkstra provided the requested Motion to Defer, which was seconded by Pateman. The document, formally identified as Bylaw No. 900, 2015, clearly states in Section 4 “No person shall operate an all-terrain vehicle as defined in the Motor Vehicle (All-Terrain) Act, on any land, whether public or private, in the Town of Princeton” and spells out fines that range from $250.00 for a first offence to $500.00 for a second offence and for each offence after that.
TOWN ANNOUNCES PRIORITIES
Mayor and Council have completed their annual review and discussions on priorities for 2015. The annual process provides direction for council and staff on the issues and projects to focus on for initiation, implementation and/or completion in the current year. Progress is tracked and a progress report will be released by Council at the end of the year.
Priorities selected for 2015 are as follows:
Healthcare - Dr. Recruitment
Support for Health Care in the community remains a top priority. Council participates in the activities of the Health Care Steering Committee and the Mayor has been actively involved in the recruitment of our newest doctor. Funds are included in the budget to support the committee and recruiting activities.
Visitor Centre Relocation
By locating the Visitor Information Centre in the downtown of Princeton, Council is creating an opportunity to showcase the attractions and services offered by our local businesses. The Visitor Centre will feature things to do, places to go, food to eat and places to stay. There will be an emphasis on experiencing the local flavour of our community and leaving with the desire to return again. Special Thanks to the Princeton and District Chamber of Commerce for helping to facilitate a seamless transition.
Business Park
Economic Development
Attraction of new businesses to Princeton is important to the economic health and growth of our Town. Council has budgeted for the preparation of a community profile that will highlight our assets and feature land development opportunities. The profile will be available to view on the Town's website and be distributed to prospective trade and development organizations.
Satellite Boundary Extension
The Town continues to work with the Province to complete the Boundary Extension. Final approval is expected in 2015 for inclusion of Copper Mountain Mine on the Princeton 2016 tax role.
Urban Deer
Management Program
The Urban Deer Committee is working with UBCM and the Province on solutions to address wildlife conflicts. The Town has applied to Wildsafe BC for funding to hire a Community Wildsafe Management Coordinator to educate and develop a program to help reduce wildlife conflicts.
Infrastructure Upgrades
Water system upgrades will include the replacement of the water main located on the second bench at Billiter and Hillside Avenues. The chlorination system at the Memorial Park Well site will be converted from gas chlorine to liquid to improve the safety of the workers and park users. New blowers will be installed at the sewer lagoons as the final phase of the sewer treatment system upgrading that was commenced in 2013.
Roads:
The road improvement program will continue in 2015. The roads are selected based on the Roadworks Capital Plan that was completed by TRUE in 2011.
Town Website
Our Town website upgrade is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2015. The identified areas for improvement are the content, format, marketing and communications. Our objective is to create a dynamic user friendly experience for all visitors to our website.
What was supposed to result in the first three readings of a new Town of Princeton All-Terrain Vehicle Regulation Bylaw at the April 7th Town Council meetings ended up being a deferment of the document. Mayor Frank Armitage spoke to the matter prior to a motion being made stating that some “new information regarding regulations” had come to light through conversations that included local RCMP Sgt. Barry Kennedy. Mayor Armitage announced that Councillor Doug Pateman had been given the responsibility to form a committee to further look into the ATV situation and bring his findings back to Council. Mayor Armitage suggested a time frame of six weeks for Pateman’s committee to complete its review. Councillor Jerome Tjerkstra provided the requested Motion to Defer, which was seconded by Pateman. The document, formally identified as Bylaw No. 900, 2015, clearly states in Section 4 “No person shall operate an all-terrain vehicle as defined in the Motor Vehicle (All-Terrain) Act, on any land, whether public or private, in the Town of Princeton” and spells out fines that range from $250.00 for a first offence to $500.00 for a second offence and for each offence after that.
TOWN ANNOUNCES PRIORITIES
Mayor and Council have completed their annual review and discussions on priorities for 2015. The annual process provides direction for council and staff on the issues and projects to focus on for initiation, implementation and/or completion in the current year. Progress is tracked and a progress report will be released by Council at the end of the year.
Priorities selected for 2015 are as follows:
Healthcare - Dr. Recruitment
Support for Health Care in the community remains a top priority. Council participates in the activities of the Health Care Steering Committee and the Mayor has been actively involved in the recruitment of our newest doctor. Funds are included in the budget to support the committee and recruiting activities.
Visitor Centre Relocation
By locating the Visitor Information Centre in the downtown of Princeton, Council is creating an opportunity to showcase the attractions and services offered by our local businesses. The Visitor Centre will feature things to do, places to go, food to eat and places to stay. There will be an emphasis on experiencing the local flavour of our community and leaving with the desire to return again. Special Thanks to the Princeton and District Chamber of Commerce for helping to facilitate a seamless transition.
Business Park
Economic Development
Attraction of new businesses to Princeton is important to the economic health and growth of our Town. Council has budgeted for the preparation of a community profile that will highlight our assets and feature land development opportunities. The profile will be available to view on the Town's website and be distributed to prospective trade and development organizations.
Satellite Boundary Extension
The Town continues to work with the Province to complete the Boundary Extension. Final approval is expected in 2015 for inclusion of Copper Mountain Mine on the Princeton 2016 tax role.
Urban Deer
Management Program
The Urban Deer Committee is working with UBCM and the Province on solutions to address wildlife conflicts. The Town has applied to Wildsafe BC for funding to hire a Community Wildsafe Management Coordinator to educate and develop a program to help reduce wildlife conflicts.
Infrastructure Upgrades
Water system upgrades will include the replacement of the water main located on the second bench at Billiter and Hillside Avenues. The chlorination system at the Memorial Park Well site will be converted from gas chlorine to liquid to improve the safety of the workers and park users. New blowers will be installed at the sewer lagoons as the final phase of the sewer treatment system upgrading that was commenced in 2013.
Roads:
The road improvement program will continue in 2015. The roads are selected based on the Roadworks Capital Plan that was completed by TRUE in 2011.
Town Website
Our Town website upgrade is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2015. The identified areas for improvement are the content, format, marketing and communications. Our objective is to create a dynamic user friendly experience for all visitors to our website.
April 21, 2015 - News Leader
BOARD HAS SPIRIT LIFTED
The Board of Education of School District #58 had their spirits lifted at the April 15 meeting in Princeton. Three members of the Spirit Lifters aboriginal band attended the meeting to play hand drums and sing the Okanagan Song. They were from Central School in Merritt. The students were part of a presentation by Shelley Oppenheim-Lacerte and others on the new Aboriginal Education Agreement, which includes five Indian Bands in the Merritt area and the Upper Similkameen Indian Band. There is an aboriginal advisory board overseeing the goals of the agreement, and First Nations support workers in the schools to carry out activities to meet those goals. Renee Hartwell is the support worker at Princeton Secondary School. The goals of the agreement focus on culture and identity, health, self-worth and academic success. Activities include such things as learning drumming and songs, crafts such as making the drum, beading, and art work at the elementary school level. At the secondary school level, activities have included gathering of medicinal plants and harvesting food plants, storage of the plants, and uses of medicinal plants. The students have a Bannock Day where they make bannock for students and staff. Indian Band elders are an integral part of student cultural activities, relating history, telling stories passed down for generations, and offering encouragement to the students.
STUDENTS ENJOY LEARNING COMMONS
Teacher librarian Leanne Atkinson attended the April 15 Board of Education meeting to report on the success of the Learning Commons. The Commons is in Princeton Secondary School library and was developed as a space for students to read, study, work on research projects, use computers and engage in art or other projects. Weyerhaeuser gave a grant to provide computers for the library for student use. Atkinson told the Board the computers have been used 325 hours a month. There have been 869 hours of students visiting the Learning Commons. Students taking online courses use this facility. One of Atkinson’s concerns was there were only 83 books borrowed from the library during the same period. Atkinson intends to encourage more reading. Atkinson works with other teachers in the school who may want the space for research projects, assignments and art projects.
The Board of Education of School District #58 had their spirits lifted at the April 15 meeting in Princeton. Three members of the Spirit Lifters aboriginal band attended the meeting to play hand drums and sing the Okanagan Song. They were from Central School in Merritt. The students were part of a presentation by Shelley Oppenheim-Lacerte and others on the new Aboriginal Education Agreement, which includes five Indian Bands in the Merritt area and the Upper Similkameen Indian Band. There is an aboriginal advisory board overseeing the goals of the agreement, and First Nations support workers in the schools to carry out activities to meet those goals. Renee Hartwell is the support worker at Princeton Secondary School. The goals of the agreement focus on culture and identity, health, self-worth and academic success. Activities include such things as learning drumming and songs, crafts such as making the drum, beading, and art work at the elementary school level. At the secondary school level, activities have included gathering of medicinal plants and harvesting food plants, storage of the plants, and uses of medicinal plants. The students have a Bannock Day where they make bannock for students and staff. Indian Band elders are an integral part of student cultural activities, relating history, telling stories passed down for generations, and offering encouragement to the students.
STUDENTS ENJOY LEARNING COMMONS
Teacher librarian Leanne Atkinson attended the April 15 Board of Education meeting to report on the success of the Learning Commons. The Commons is in Princeton Secondary School library and was developed as a space for students to read, study, work on research projects, use computers and engage in art or other projects. Weyerhaeuser gave a grant to provide computers for the library for student use. Atkinson told the Board the computers have been used 325 hours a month. There have been 869 hours of students visiting the Learning Commons. Students taking online courses use this facility. One of Atkinson’s concerns was there were only 83 books borrowed from the library during the same period. Atkinson intends to encourage more reading. Atkinson works with other teachers in the school who may want the space for research projects, assignments and art projects.
April 28, 2015
COUNCIL HEARS HEALTH UPDATE
Susan Brown, Local Community Health Service Administrator for Interior Health Authority, attended the April 20 meeting of Town Council to provide Council with an overview of services offered. These include four regional hospitals, 24 health care centres, two tertiary hospitals, 16 community hospitals, and 6,584 residential care and assisted living beds. Much of her information concerned the tower to be constructed at Penticton Regional Hospital. She reviewed the goals of the Ministry of Health: staying healthy, getting better, living with disease or disability, and coping with the end of life. Brown provided some interesting statistics. The top chronic disease for the region is depression and anxiety, 10 percent higher than the average for British Columbia. The region is slightly higher than the B.C. average for other chronic diseases such as COPD, asthma, dementia, diabetes, and heart failure. Brown explained this is due to the high number of people over 65 years old. Three out of four people over age 65 have at least one chronic condition, and one out of four has three chronic conditions. In Princeton, some improvements have been made. Cascades Medical Clinic has a fifth exam room, more nursing space and a new tub room has been added to the hospital. New X-ray equipment has been installed, and there has been a successful pilot project of rapid access clinics program. Brown congratulated Princeton Health Care Steering Committee. Twenty-three specialists have signed on to come to Princeton. This allows local citizens to access specialist appointments without having to drive to Penticton or Kelowna. To date, 450 patients have seen specialists in Princeton. A further bonus will be access to medical residents (physicians in training). The second speaker on health was Betty Brown, Community Health Facilitator, who addressed the need to reduce illness by preventive action. She talked of the growing number of obese youth and said younger people will probably not live as long as the present older generation. Younger people today are fatter and do less exercise. Angelique Wood has been hired to oversee the activities of Okanagan Similkameen Healthy Living Coalition, a group working on developing healthier communities. Marilyn Harkens, a Board member of the Healthy Living Coalition, was the third speaker. She noted the focus in Princeton was to reduce tobacco use and examine food security issues. She asked Council when an anti-smoking bylaw for public places would come into effect. She was told it would come to Council in May.
PXA HOSTS VETERANS RIDE BBQ
Members of the Veterans Ride Across Canada were guests at a barbecue hosted by Princeton Exhibition Association (PXA). The Veterans Ride team were given free access to the horse facilities at the fairgrounds during their three day stopover in Princeton. They were impressed by the fairgrounds facility and by the beauty of the area. After the barbecue, PXA President Paul Bedard thanked the Veterans Ride group for coming to Princeton and added, “Thanks for serving our country.” The purpose of the ride is to raise awareness of the plight of contemporary veterans, those who have served in the many peacekeeping ventures. Paul Nichols, who is the main horseback rider, is a veteran of the conflict in Bosnia. He and his wife, Terry, with team members, are making the ride to give recognition of the fact that there are thousands of veterans whose average age is 35. The team was impressed by the cenotaph monument at Veterans Square in Princeton because it lists more than just the World wars. In closing, Bedard told them, “It’s an honour to meet you. It’s quite a journey you’re undertaking.” The PXA had allocated a sum of money to cover the purchases necessary to host the barbecue. When Jennifer Bernard went around to various merchants to buy what was needed, when they found out it was for the Veterans Ride, they donated the goods. The money allocated for the purchases was donated to the Veterans Ride on behalf of those merchants.
Susan Brown, Local Community Health Service Administrator for Interior Health Authority, attended the April 20 meeting of Town Council to provide Council with an overview of services offered. These include four regional hospitals, 24 health care centres, two tertiary hospitals, 16 community hospitals, and 6,584 residential care and assisted living beds. Much of her information concerned the tower to be constructed at Penticton Regional Hospital. She reviewed the goals of the Ministry of Health: staying healthy, getting better, living with disease or disability, and coping with the end of life. Brown provided some interesting statistics. The top chronic disease for the region is depression and anxiety, 10 percent higher than the average for British Columbia. The region is slightly higher than the B.C. average for other chronic diseases such as COPD, asthma, dementia, diabetes, and heart failure. Brown explained this is due to the high number of people over 65 years old. Three out of four people over age 65 have at least one chronic condition, and one out of four has three chronic conditions. In Princeton, some improvements have been made. Cascades Medical Clinic has a fifth exam room, more nursing space and a new tub room has been added to the hospital. New X-ray equipment has been installed, and there has been a successful pilot project of rapid access clinics program. Brown congratulated Princeton Health Care Steering Committee. Twenty-three specialists have signed on to come to Princeton. This allows local citizens to access specialist appointments without having to drive to Penticton or Kelowna. To date, 450 patients have seen specialists in Princeton. A further bonus will be access to medical residents (physicians in training). The second speaker on health was Betty Brown, Community Health Facilitator, who addressed the need to reduce illness by preventive action. She talked of the growing number of obese youth and said younger people will probably not live as long as the present older generation. Younger people today are fatter and do less exercise. Angelique Wood has been hired to oversee the activities of Okanagan Similkameen Healthy Living Coalition, a group working on developing healthier communities. Marilyn Harkens, a Board member of the Healthy Living Coalition, was the third speaker. She noted the focus in Princeton was to reduce tobacco use and examine food security issues. She asked Council when an anti-smoking bylaw for public places would come into effect. She was told it would come to Council in May.
PXA HOSTS VETERANS RIDE BBQ
Members of the Veterans Ride Across Canada were guests at a barbecue hosted by Princeton Exhibition Association (PXA). The Veterans Ride team were given free access to the horse facilities at the fairgrounds during their three day stopover in Princeton. They were impressed by the fairgrounds facility and by the beauty of the area. After the barbecue, PXA President Paul Bedard thanked the Veterans Ride group for coming to Princeton and added, “Thanks for serving our country.” The purpose of the ride is to raise awareness of the plight of contemporary veterans, those who have served in the many peacekeeping ventures. Paul Nichols, who is the main horseback rider, is a veteran of the conflict in Bosnia. He and his wife, Terry, with team members, are making the ride to give recognition of the fact that there are thousands of veterans whose average age is 35. The team was impressed by the cenotaph monument at Veterans Square in Princeton because it lists more than just the World wars. In closing, Bedard told them, “It’s an honour to meet you. It’s quite a journey you’re undertaking.” The PXA had allocated a sum of money to cover the purchases necessary to host the barbecue. When Jennifer Bernard went around to various merchants to buy what was needed, when they found out it was for the Veterans Ride, they donated the goods. The money allocated for the purchases was donated to the Veterans Ride on behalf of those merchants.