Israel: A De Facto Member of NATO
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen received Israel’s president Shimon Peres at NATO headquarters in Brussels on March 7. The order of the day: to enhance military cooperation between Israel and the Atlantic Alliance focusing on issues of counter-terrorism. “Israel will be happy to share the knowledge it has gained and its technological abilities with […]
COMMENT: From Pringles to the Royal York, Partnerships BC CEO spares no expense
At a time when public confidence in government is at historical lows, the B.C. government should follow Ontario's lead and have the expense claims of senior government employees reviewed by an independent office to ensure they meet both the government's guidelines and the public's smell test, according to IntegrityBC. IntegrityBC...
COMMENT: Blueberry Creek Community School is a great community service
From the outside Blueberry Creek Community School (BCCS) looks like any typical small older rural elementary school but BCCS is anything but typical. BCCS is a Ministry of Education designated Neighbourhood of Learning and a Ministry of Children and Family Development designated Community HUB. Both ministerial designations ...
Community foundation leaders meet with local politicians
Representatives of the Community Foundation of Castlegar recently met with Castlegar mayor Lawrence Chernoff, Area I director Andy Davidoff, and Area J director Gordon Zaitsoff to seek their support as the foundation moves towards becoming fully functional. “We were looking for letters of support,” said foundation president...
Element under fire once more after large event
A request from the Element to be allowed to stay open an extra hour for a special event this Friday sparked a great deal of controversy regarding city emergency services at city council's regular meeting Monday night. Councillor Sue Heaton-Sherstobitoff, vice chair of council's Public Safety Committee, brought up the two false...
Kootenay Boundary's big, fat, million dollar 2014 recycling bonus
Just when the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) needs a little cash to lengthen the life for the McKelvey Creek Landfill in Trail by 26 years—namely by composting organics rather than burying them—more than $1.2 million will soon be saved by the RDKB each year thanks to provincial legislation that will require industry to […]
Fireworks a 'hot' topic for RDCK director in Area E
By Suzy Hamilton, The Nelson Daily Fireworks went off at the February meeting of the Regional District of Central Kootenay. Or at least the topic did. Area E director Ramona Faust said she was getting complaints about summer fireworks even before she was elected and it was time to get some help. The topic went […]
Close budget vote allows Premier to move on
It was close, but the B.C. Liberal government survived a key budget vote Tuesday. The close vote comes on the heels of a stormy period over a leaked ethnic vote winning strategy. Premier Christy Clark took the positive road, saying the 45 to 38 budget vote in her favour is a sign for her people […]
OP/ED: BC Budget fails Kootenay women and children
The BC budget for 2013 fails women and children right here in the Kootenays, according to Castlegar and District Community Service Society’s Mary DeVan. DeVan issued the following press release panning the province’s lack of action in responding to violence against women and children: The 2013 BC budget was released yesterday, and there are no […]
UPDATE: City to pass on pigeon policing
The City of Trail Pigeon Control Program is currently on hold, according to city communications coordinator Andrea Jolly. “Trail City Council previously approved $25,000 to eliminate the ongoing pigeon problem in the downtown area and the Victoria Street Bridge. Due to miscommunications in the proposed contract with pest control service provider, Care Pest, the city […]