SUMMERLAND REVIEW THE VOICE OF OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1908
VOLUME 65 - ISSUE
WHAT’S INSIDE:
NO. 51 • S U M M E R L A N D, B.C. • T H U R S D AY,
DECEMBER
20,
2012
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20
PA G E S
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$1.15
INCLUDING
Metering plan studied Council will continue to evaluate plans for water bills
by John Arendt Summerland’s transition from a flat rate for water consumption to metering will not happen in 2013. At the Dec. 10 muni-
Skiing
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cipal council meeting, council voted to establish a water meter rate which will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2014. For 2013, municipal staff will prepare options for revised metered water rates, which will then be presented to the public for further input and feedback. Coun. Bruce Hallquist
said the conversion to metered water billing is a complex process. In other communities in the B.C. Interior, the conversion to metered water has also been a time-consuming and difficult process. “We won’t be able to please 100 per cent of the people,” he said, “but we want to try and get it as
right as possible the first time around.” M a y o r Janice Perrino said it has been difficult to find an appropriate Janice billing model. Perrino “The problem is it’s incredibly complicated,” she said.
HST
Since the municipality began the move towards water metering, council has considered numerous billing models. The present model, which has been used in mock bills sent out by the municipality, has a flat rate with various levels of surcharge for additional water use.
See CHALLENGES Page 6
A young Summerland skier is working to eventually compete in the Olympics.
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Responding to a tragedy
The company that owns Summerland Seniors Village has responded to some portions of recent news reports.
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Festive lights
A home with a colourful holiday lights display has won the Summerland Chamber of Economic Development and Tourism’s Residential Lightup Contest.
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Health funding
Medical professionals are seeking funding for a $300-million expansion to Penticton Regional Hospital which would improve outpatient services.
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YOUR SMILE I know people say it’s the thought that counts and not the gift, but couldn’t they think a little bigger?
Cutting hair
John Arendt Summerland Review
Alysha Hanley, nine years old, watches as her cousin Laura-Lynn Venables, five years old, snips off her long hair at Tones Hair Design on Saturday. Hairdresser Angela Lucier supervises. Hanley donated her hair to make wigs for cancer patients. She also raised $580 for the Canadian Cancer Society. She plans to let her hair grow long again in the future.
Ministry restructures operations Intake calls will be handled through Penticton office in 2013 by John Arendt The Ministry of Children and Family Development has plans to restructure the delivery of its
services in Penticton and Summerland, but it is not yet known how the changes will be made. On Dec. 10, council received a letter from the ministry about the changes. Beginning on Jan. 2, all intake calls will be handled through the Penticton office at 250-770-2200.
The letter states that the changes are being made to increase accountability and provide more efficient service. “We will continue to be available for consultations on situations that are being managed by our partners without requiring direct service
through an open ministry file,” the letter says. Mayor Janice Perrino said municipal council has many questions about the changes and would like to receive input from the ministry. “I don’t like the sound of the letter,” she said. “It doesn’t explain things very well.”
She said ministry staff will be invited to meet with council. The ministry’s plans for the restructuring began in 2010. Representatives from the Ministry of Children and Family Development could not be reached for comment.