Fowl play at council - urban chicken project takes wing
It’s official – the urban chicken pilot project in Castlegar is set to soar, after city council’s regular meeting Monday night. But it won’t be a poultry free-for-all, and not everyone with a hen yen can fly out and buy birds. A key element of the project will be a steering committee involving members from SPCA, Bear Aware,...
Arry Dhillon wins city council by-election by just 10 votes
Preliminary election results have Arry Dhillon winning the Castlegar council by-election seat by a margin of just 10 votes. Preliminary results are: Arry Dhillon, 692, Cherryl MacLeod, 682, Janna Sylvest, 398 and Tyler Maddocks 72, with 1844 voters and 134 new registrations. “That's just enough that I can feel comfortable –...
Special meeting may see city net grant for airport expansion
At a special meeting Friday at 12 p.m., city council unanimously voted in favour of applying for a grant that would help fund an expansion of the West Kootenay Regional Airport. The reason for the urgency and special meeting, according to city CAO John Malcolm, is that applications for the grant, offered by the BC Rural...
Manufacturers seek end to ban on seasonal homes
When Ross Bonner decided the old trailer on his recreational lot in Balfour was getting too small for his needs last year, he upgraded to a modern manufactured home to replace it. A few months later, he got notice that his home was illegal in the Kootenays. “I’m upset, I didn’t know if I was […]
Interior Health gets new board chair
Interior Health board member John O’Fee of Kamloops has been appointed incoming chair of the board of directors, to replace current board chair Erwin Malzer when he completes his tenure on Dec. 31, 2016. “In his 10 years as a director and two years as board chair, Malzer has served Interior Health with distinction, with a...
LETTER: Reader supports Dhillon in by-election
The by-election takes place this weekend. Elect Arry Dhillon to Castlegar City Council. His passion for this community shines through. His approach, knocking on over 1,500 doors asking people's input to their concerns and what he wants to see, is admirable. He has strong views, and is willing to work with current council...
Dramatic advanced polling numbers in Castlegar by-election
Early response to Castlegar's by-election has been outstanding, with fully 674 people taking advantage of the advanced polling on Oct. 18 and 19, as well as 48 new registrations (Castlegar currently has 5,812 registered voters), according to Chief Electoral Officer Tracey Butler. “That's very high, for Castlegar,” Butler said....
Community Consultation Via Text Message a First in Western Canada
Trail area residents are breaking new ground using mobile technology in the Trail Area Health and Environment Program’s community consultation. The community is the first in Western Canada to use text messaging to get public feedback from residents. “We chose texting because we know people have busy lives: we want to make it...
OP/ED: Bruno, this byelection now hinges on you
You have so far declined to comment – but the fact remains, if what the candidate you support, Cherryl MacLeod said was true, you have been a complicit participant in violating the Community Charter and the Local Government Act since you were sworn into council on Dec. 1, 2014. Almost two years. So either she is corrupt in ...
OP/ED: CUPE BC condemns Province's firing of Vancouver school board
Today's news that Premier Christy Clark has fired the democratically elected Vancouver School Board shows that her education agenda is more about closing schools than providing quality public education, CUPE BC President Paul Faoro said today. "The Vancouver School Board trustees who stood up to this government's efforts to...