LETTER: Trail city councillor speaks to lack of Gay Pride events in city
Letter to the Editor: This week is Gay Pride Week in the Kootenays. This is a celebration of love and understanding to millions of people worldwide and, in many cases, the acknowledgment of equal rights for LGBT couples. I am afraid to say that I have been remiss in my duties as a councillor as I did not bring up the topic ...
Greens have new party leader
After former leader Jane Sterk resigned, the B.C. Green Party has appointed a new interim leader. Former Central Saanich councillor Adam Olsen, a B.C. Green Party candidate in Saanich North, is taking over the role of leader. Sterk, who announced in June she would resign at the party’s annual AGM this weekend after leading the […]
Support staff strike may disrupt back-to-school season
West Kootenay public school students may be gearing up for a new year of classes, but the support staff who work within those schools are bracing themselves for a potential strike, according to Castlegar's Cherryl MacLeod. MacLeod works as an education assistant as well as serving as president of CUPE Local 1285, representing...
City council by-election candidate Tyler Maddocks - in his own words
Live in Castlegar. Raised in Castlegar. Born in Castlegar. As the youngest candidate it's time for one seat to sit a new councillor to bring forward energy and a different perspective for the extended future of this community. I first ran in the 2011 election, which proved to be an amazing experience. Just as it was then; it...
City council by-election candidate Florio Vassilakakis - in his own words
There’s an old greek proverb that says “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” Eleven years ago, my family and I came to Castlegar with a vision. It was just months after graduating with a B.Sc from the University of British Columbia, that my father and I set in motion,...
Feds commit more than $.75 million for Castlegar infrastructure
The West Kootenay Regional Airport is set to get more than $600,000 for runway maintenance equipment and systems, the Complex gets $100,000 for a new boiler and the Doukhobor Discovery Centre will receive more than $60,000 for renovations. The federal grant funding was announced at two separate events today, one at the airport...
City council by-election candidate Antoinette Halberstadt - in her own words
Since I’m competing with a couple of Castlegar pedigrees, let me begin by confessing that my earliest engagement in Castlegar was in the ‘80s, at which time I was behind bars here. That was in an Amnesty International event with Sally Williams, Mila and George Richards, and Bud and Ann Godderis. At that time and for 22 years...
City council by-election candidate Kirk Duff - in his own words
Hi, Castlegar! For those of you who don't know me, here's a little bit about who I am and why I'd be proud to represent you again on Castlegar city council: Personal · Born in Vancouver, BC · Have lived in four different provinces · Married to my partner Myra for 32 year · We have 3 children ...
COMMENT: What government work should be done behind closed doors and what should be done openly?
What are we to do with, to, or about our Senate? Was it meant to be a chamber of sober second thought or a retirement home for political hamsters? Recent revelations about senators cashing in on the strength of what may, at best, be considered sloppy financial administration, have renewed calls to reform the Senate or to...
Castlegar mayor and councillors register for energy diet - there's still time for Kootenay residents to sign on and save
Two city councillors and the Castlegar mayor signed on to Fortis’ Kootenay Energy Diet back in May, becoming personal role models for a program the city is already officially supporting. FortisBC has subsidized the initial home energy assessment, which is valued at $400, offering it for just $60 for Diet participants, but the city further […]
