COMMENT: Reflections on the Israeli-Palestinian 'Peace Process'
First of all, the Israelis created Hamas. But before we explore that issue, let’s start with a more important one. Let’s be honest with ourselves. If we can look at the situation from beyond the confines of current political discourse, and look at the emperor without his “new” clothes, we all know that Israel does […]
Postal workers issue strike ultimatum
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) declared Monday that its nearly 50,000 Canada Post employees will go on strike if a deal with the crown corporation is not reached by Thursday, June 2, at 11:59 p.m. eastern time, or 8:59 local time. CUPW has presented to Canada Post what it has called its […]
Residents not too 'chicken' to offer input on Official Community Plan
More than 35 people showed up to the Community Forum yesterday to have a look at the city’s draft Official Community Plan (OCP) and offer their own suggestions as to the direction Castlegar should take as it grows in the years to come. A 98-page document detailing everything from housing specifications to air quality aims ...
Local reaction to HST reduction mixed
The B.C. government’s plan to roll back the HST to 10- per cent (from the originally-planned 12 per cent) is getting mixed reviews in Castlegar. Finance minister Kevin Falcon announced a plan yesterday that would see the HST reduced in two stages, the first one-per-cent reduction coming July 1, 2012 and the second on July ...
Government proposes cutting HST to 10 per cent, with a condition
Talk about dangling the carrot. The Province is proposing to reduce the total HST rate to 10 per cent from 12 per cent in two stages, cutting the provincial portion by one percentage point to six per cent from seven per cent on July 1, 2012, and a further one percentage point reduction would take […]
Harper’s goal: create a new irrational reality
In observing Stephen Harper for the past 20 years, I have often been reminded of the line from Shakespeare: “The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.” Replace lawyers with scientists, and you capture the role that the irrational plays in the politics of the prime minister. It shows up everywhere: Over […]
City seeks resident input on Official Community Plan
How would you like a say in shaping your community for years – perhaps even decades – to come? That’s exactly what the City of Castlegar wants, as council encourages residents to offer their suggestions and input at the final public consultation regarding the Official Community Plan (OCP). “We’re re-doing ours – it hasn’t […]
Stink spurs city to solve sewage situation
Continued complaints about odours emanating from the city’s south sewage treatment plant have Civic Works searching for solutions, council heard at its regular meeting Monday night. City councillor Kevin Chernoff said the Civic Works department has already expended a great deal of energy trying to rectify the problem – but with only varying degrees […]
Local men get police/council attention for Facebook guide on how to abuse young girls
A horrifying document posted on Facebook and penned by two local men has reached the attention of both Castlegar city council and the RCMP. Created by two young, adult Castlegar men, the page is a lengthy, step-by-step guide on how to get young girls (between the ages of 13 and 15) to have sex, […]
City pit bull licensing fee to remain $1,000
Pitbull owners in Castlegar will not enjoy a reduction in the cost of dog licensing, as council voted Monday night to maintain the status quo. This, after controversy arose surrounding the city’s $1,000 licensing fee for pit bulls and Staffordshire Terriers (as compared $15 to $45 for other breeds). Nelson and Trail both have […]
