New collective agreement for City of Trail staff
The City of Trail and CUPE Local 2087 are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached following negotiations for the renewal of the Collective Agreement. The term of the renewed agreement, retroactive to March 1, 2015, is set for five years with wage increases of two per cent annually. The new agreement also […]
LETTER: Resident less-than-pleased with city's new garbage collection
So, what is everyone's honest opinion of Castlegar's new garbage bins and method of collection? I rent, so I don't even have my bin as of yet and garbage collection is this coming Wednesday. My landlords have requested one. I don't have anywhere to keep my garbage. If I put my old garbage can on the front patio, it is available...
Andrew Weaver's 'Bye Bye Jumbo Resort' Bill?
BC's lone Green Party MLA, Andrew Weaver, has been busy lately. He has proposed Bill M214 — Local Government Amendment Act, 2016, which would amend the Local Government Act by repealing parts of Section 8. Those parts were passed by the BC Legislature in 2012, apparently for the sole purpose of creating more favourable...
Local voter turn out bests provincial and national averages in 2015 federal election
A Community Voters Challenge, created to increase voter turn out in the area during last year’s October federal election has given local communities something to crow about, with local turn outs eclipsing both provincial and federal averages. “Two of our communities had a voter turnout of over 80 per cent. Given that the national level […]
City takes action to address unsightly nuisance property on main drag
The City of Castlegar is taking steps to address an unsightly and potentially dangerous property on Columbia Avenue, after a report offered at council's regular meeting Monday night by Director of Planning and Development Phil Markiin. “The 1067 Columbia Avenue property consists as one business constructed in 1950 and formerly...
City budget presentation offers highlights of 2016 budget and five-year financial plan
In a public open house Tuesday night at the Community Forum, the city unveiled its 2016 budget and five-year financial plan. City Director of Finance Andre Buss offered a presentation describing the city's three strategic priorities: Infrastructure Management and the maintenance of municipal infrastructure; the development ...
Rossland Wins Community Voters' Challenge
Before the 2015 federal election, local communities entered into an agreement to try to improve voter participation, and called it the "Community Voters' Challenge." Whichever community most improved its percentage of eligible voters who actually voted in the election would be declared the winner. Rossland won the challenge...
Mayor urges residents to attend city budget/financial plan unveiling
The City of Castlegar is announcing a public meeting to unveil the 2016 budget and the 2016-2020 five-year financial plan - and the mayor is strongly urging residents to attend. The city’s financial plan includes decisions about general operations, water utility, sewer utility, airport operations and a new proposal to create...
Bear-proof containers to be delivered next week, new garbage collection system to start April 4
Starting April 4, the City of Castlegar will roll out changes to curbside garbage and recycling collection services. The new Solid Waste and Recycling Program has been carefully designed to help meet the City’s waste reduction goals and to reflect a commitment to environmental and economic sustainability. Curbside Garbage...
MP Richard Cannings pans federal budget
Canadians had high expectations for change but instead of help, this budget is marked by the Liberals backtracking on their promises to tackle inequality. In particular, breaking promises to First Nation children, just like so many previous Liberal and Conservative governments “Residents of South Okanagan — West Kootenay were...
