SUMMERLAND REVIEW THE VOICE OF OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1908
VOLUME
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WHAT’S INSIDE:
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S U M M E R L A N D,
Performances continue for high school musical.
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Water advisory
A water advisory has been issued for residents served by the Garnett Valley water system.
• T H U R S D AY,
FEBRUARY
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2013
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$1.15
INCLUDING
HST
Uranium problem studied Regional District continues to seek solution for Faulder water
Hairspray on
B.C.
WWW.SUMMERLANDREVIEW.COM
by Black Press The deadline has been extended to Feb. 19 for a request for proposals for removing uranium from the water supply at Faulder north of Summerland. Six years after Interior
Health issued a warning over the uranium content in Faulder’s water, the regional district is still figuring out the most cost-effective solution to the problem. Last month the Regional District of OkanaganSimilkameen issued a request for proposals from companies interested in supplying the equipment necessary to remove uranium from
the water. Doug French, the RDOS public works manger, said the RFP was issued “just to see what’s on the market” and at what price. He’s also wrestling with the issue of permanent supply. The level of the Meadow Valley aquifer, from which about 80 homes in Faulder are supplied, dropped dramatically in 2010 and forced the RDOS to look at other
options. The best alternative was a $2-million pipeline that would have connected the community to the Summerland municipal supply, but it was ruled out as too costly. The Meadow Valley aquifer recharged in 2011 and removed some of the urgency from the situation, and the RDOS is still trying to decide whether it should keep its current well, drill a new one, or
buy one that’s already in production. French said he’d prefer to use the existing well, but its ongoing ability to supply the area remains “largely a great unknown.” On the other hand, “If I drop a new well into that aquifer, I’m still going to get uranium. So I’ll still have the problem of getting it out.” See WATER Page 2
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Early French immersion
District makes plans for one class at Summerland.
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Standout season
Bobsleigh driver praised by announcer.
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Donations sought
Young heart patient and family could use a hand.
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Friendship visit
Summerland brings help and friendship to African city.
Page 6 Quiz answers
See how you did on last week’s heritage quiz.
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YOUR SMILE I wondered why the Frisbee was getting bigger. And then it hit me.
Opposition to bullying
Carla McLeod Special to the Summerland Review
The Summerland Bully Free Organization held a rally on Main Street Friday morning. Students and teachers, along with Council members were filmed for an upcoming video to be posted on YouTube in time for Anti-Bullying Day on Feb. 27. The rally cry was “Summerland is Bully Free” as participants hugged and high-fived each other.
1,200 attend anti-bullying rally by Barbara Manning Grimm
Summerland is getting a reputation as a community that doesn’t stand for bullying. Friday morning’s anti-bullying rally in downtown Summerland saw more than 1,200 in attendance, most of them wearing pink t-shirts to signify opposition to bullying. The rally was organized by the Summerland
Bully Free Organization, led by Tina Martin. It was attended by students from Summerland Secondary School and Giant’s Head School as well as members of the public. The crowd gathered on Main Street between Victoria Road and Henry Avenue, an area that was closed to traffic for the event. The rally was designed
to draw attention to Anti-Bullying Day which takes place Feb. 27 and to promote anti-bullying initiatives with the goal of making Summerland a bully-free community. The rally was videotaped for a show which will make its first appearance at the Summerland municipal council meeting Feb. 25 and then be posted on YouTube and Facebook.
The committee will also be showing the documentary Bully Feb. 26 at Centre Stage Theatre at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. A question and answer period will follow the video. The events in Summerland are related to the Feb. 20 nationwide Pink Shirt Day. Martin, a mother of three small children, said she is pleased with the response to the rally.
“I think it went well. I am pleased how many people came out and supported this.” The committee plans to host more anti-bullying events this year, including workshops and presentations possibly on business-related bullying and elder abuse. More information is available at bullyfreesummerland.com and on the group’s Facebook page.