WEDNESDAY
S I N C E
APRIL 10, 2013
1 8 9 5 Rivals
team up in construction company
Vol. 118, Issue 56
105
$
Page 2
INCLUDING G.S.T.
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
BRIDGE BATH
TRAIL
Council covers hot topics BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
Whether it was park land or pigeons, the room was abuzz with discussion at the Monday night council meeting in Trail. A handful of members from the Glenmerry Citizens Group attended council to question the number of residents whose signatures were declared invalid on its petition which opposed park disposal bylaw 2750. On April 2, Joanne Crossman presented city hall with 905 signatures on a petition to oppose the bylaw which would allow disposal of park land property on Rosewood Drive in Glenmerry. Even though only 598 signatures were required to defeat the bylaw, Crossman questioned why only 798 signatures were deemed valid. “If people are passionate about this bylaw and took the time to listen to us and sign,” she said. “How do they get their voice and their vote to you.” Michelle McIsaac, corporate administrator, explained that the city used a voters list from Elections B.C., dated Jan. 13. “I can let you know that the petition was successful in achieving the number of signatures required,” said McIsaac. “So it’s not to say that this is a matter of being discounted, but anecdotally I can let you know that many of the signatures that were not counted weren’t from our area.” Crossman countered that the disqualification of so many signatures had many residents upset. “Especially new voters and those who are new to the community,” she said. “We had to tell them that we don’t know if your signature is going to count even though you are passionate enough to sign.” Later in the meeting, the park land disposal bylaw was officially abandoned due to the cost associated with taking the issue to referendum; See COUNCIL, Page 3
A pill for pigeons? BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
Forget about a pigeon cull. How about a pigeon pill? The City of Trail is now researching methods of birth control for the birds. “It seems incredible to me that we are spending this much time on pigeons,” said Coun. Robert Cacchioni. “But I want to mention that council is looking at this problem. See PILL, Page 3
CHRIS STEDILE PHOTO
Emcon worker Ian Stanchuk was busy giving the Victoria Street Bridge its annual cleaning to remove gravel and debris, which accumulated over the winter.
BEAVER VALLEY
Seniors’ program continues to flourish BY CHRIS STEDILE
“There have always been many programs for seniors but before this we had no tools to show them what was out there.”
Times Staff
Since its implementation last year, the Beaver Valley's Age-friendly Program (AFP) has been engaging seniors in numerous activities and social events with great success. Last week the Ministry of Health awarded the program Age-friendly B.C. Recognition, which included an award poster and $1,000 grant to be put towards a legacy project or celebration. The program first started gaining traction when, in 2009 through 2010, the Village of Fruitvale received its first grant to begin revising the Official Community Plan (OCP) and carry out
VICKIE FITZPATRICK
OCP consultations and focus sessions with seniors. “We wanted to ensure the aging demographics were involved in community planning,” said Lila Cresswell, Chief Administrator for the village. After gathering sufficient information
the next step was to facilitate a seniors program and hire a coordinator. A second grant was approved in March 2012, and the village was able to hire Vickie Fitzpatrick the following month. “There have always been many programs for seniors but before this we had no tools to show them what was out there,” Fitzpatrick said. “It's all about social inclusion and healthy activities for seniors,” explained Cresswell, who is heavily involved with the program as well. Activities such as bowling, yoga, balance classes and ceramics, are only a few of the ways seniors in the Beaver Valley See LUNCHEONS, Page 3
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