TUESDAY
S I N C E
1 8 9 5
MAY 22, 2012
McKay tops junior qualifier
Vol. 117, Issue 99
110
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Page 11
INCLUDING H.S.T.
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF
ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALM SALMO
TARTAN TUNE UP
IHA letter quells hospital concerns BY TIMOTHY SCHAFER Times Staff
Fears raised earlier this year over the possible removal of regional status from Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital have been quelled by the Interior Health Authority’s board of director’s chair. Norman Embree said in a letter to Trail city council at last week’s meeting that concerns with the hospital’s regional status — raised in March by Castlegar Mayor Lawrence Chernoff — were unfounded. He pointed to the significant investment the IHA, the community and the city (through infrastructure investments) have made in the hospital as reasons why it would remain the West Kootenay’s regional facility. “The … noted investments supported the establishment of a regional facility and will continue to support a consistent and comprehensive suite of services to the residents of the West Kootenay into the future,” he said. Embree cited over $20 million invested in capital upgrades and maintenance at the hospital since the IHA was created in 2001. In that time, the hospital has received “significant” surgical equipment upgrades, renovated the regional renal program space, and established a mobile MRI service. In the letter Embree detailed the roof, electrical system and back up generator had all been replaced, and
the authority was planning for boiler system upgrades and replacements. On March 11 Trail city council supported a motion dedicated to keeping regional status at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH). At the time, Trail councillor Kevin Jolly said he felt compelled to lead a campaign in taking a stand and protecting the Trail hospital because Castlegar council discussed the possibility of a new regional hospital with Health Minister Mike de Jong. Jolly requested all capital funding for the region be dedicated to the refurbishment, upgrade and support of existing medical facilities to deliver the highest level of patient care. “In the longer term, refurbishment and renewal of health care services and facilities in the West Kootenay will be a priority for Interior Health,” Embree replied. He said long term facility capital planning was a continuous exercise undertaken by IHA, paying attention to the demographic information of the area, including projected population aging and areas of projected population growth and decline. “We also examine our existing physical plant as, over time, continued investment in aging facilities can be more costly that investing in new facilities,” he said. A letter was sent March 28 by Trail council to Interior Health, the Health Minister and MLA Katrine Conroy.
FRUITVALE
Council sticks with old bylaw for mobile vendors BY TIMOTHY SCHAFER Times Staff
SHERI REGNIER PHOTO
Jen Glowa helps her daughters Regan and Caileigh Miller prepare for the Kate E. Shaw Highland Dance Competition Saturday at the Cominco Gym. The girls have been dancing for two years at the Kate E. Shaw School of Highland Dance. Dancers from across the region took part in the event, in memory of Shaw who taught Highland dancing to students in Trail, Castlegar, Nelson and Grand Forks for over 75 years. For more photos see Page 2.
New rules won’t be created to allow mobile vendors to set up shop in Fruitvale, after village council voted recently to retain their current business licensing bylaw. Council elected to keep the old bylaw — which gives them around $2,400 per year from inter-provin-
cial licensing — that restricts mobile vendors in the places they can set up their carts. The village had not allowed such traveling vendors in the past, said village chief administrative officer Lila Cresswell, and so they did not have a business licence category and rules for them.
7ANETA 0LAZA IS HERE FOR ALL YOUR SHOPPING NEEDS • Ardene • Athlete’s World • Bogie & Bacall Hair Salon • Bootlegger • Crockett Book Company • Dollarama • Extra Foods • Extra Foods Pharmacy
• Free parking
• Pro Vision Optical • Red Cross Loan Cupboard • Reitmans • Ricki’s • Suzanne’s • The Source • Waneta Gas Bar • Waneta Plaza Lottery Ticket Centre
• Food court
• Warehouse One The Jean Store • Your Vitamin Store • Zellers • Zellers Pharmacy Financial • Kootenay Savings Credit Union ATM • Scotiabank
Restaurants / Food Court • Clive’s Coffee Bar • Colander Express • Eastern Wok • Sushiyo • Tim Horton’s
• Free kids playroom and ball pit
2 2nd Floor Professional Offices • Dr. DeGreef, Plastic Surgeon • Dr. Le Moel, Chiropractor • Dr. Morency, Ophthalmologist • Septen Financial Ltd • Waneta Primay Care Clinic
250.368.5202
5 min. east of Trail on Highway 3B
See BYLAW, Page 3
Contact the Times: Phone: 250-368-8551 Fax: 250-368-8550 Newsroom: 250-364-1242