THURSDAY
S I N C E
JUNE 20, 2013
1 8 9 5
Vol. 118, Issue 96
Stingrays host meet
1
$
05
Page 9
INCLUDING G.S.T.
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Community school programs on the district’s cutting board BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
Child and youth at risk programs hang in the balance as School District 20 (SD20) continues to juggle its final budget allocations for the 2013-14 fiscal year. Three community schools will be feeling the squeeze after the board announced at the Monday night meeting in Trail, its decision to pull over $19,000 from the CommunityLINK budget in order to pay the cost of an elementary counsellor. “As discussed during the 2012-13 school year, a status quo CommunityLINK program will not be possible for the 2013-2014 school year,” said Kim Williams, director of student support services, in a note to the board. “This is due to reduction in available surplus from previous years.” This year, the CommunityLINK budget has been reduced to $87,000, a sum to be divvied between students from Greater Trail to Castlegar. “In the past those funds (or more) have gone to three programs known to many as commuSHERI REGNIER PHOTO
Toni Driutti unrolled the Festa Italiana banner this week in preparation for Saturday’s festivities at the Colombo Piazza on Rossland Avenue. The family event features Italian cuisine, music and entertainment for the kids from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Celebrate Italian heritage on Saturday BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
Get ready to mangia and enjoy a day of music and fun, Italian-style. The Festa Italiana committee is hosting “Una Giornata Alfresco,” which means “A Day Outdoors” from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.,Saturday, at the Columbo Piazza on Rossland Avenue in Trail. “We want to come back to our community and bring visibility to our Italian heritage and culture,” said committee member Toni Driutti. She added that all members of the family are welcome to enjoy “a culinary experience with Italian flavour.” The day will feature Nonna’s homemade spaghetti and meatballs, pizza, sausages and
baking. For those who like to tip a glass with their pasta, wine will be available along with refreshments for the kids. Entertainment includes local talent Austin Rafuse on piano; the St Michael’s School Choir; the Harmaniaks; and the Trail Pipe Band. For children, there will be face painting courtesy of Trail royalty and “Balloon Art” by Lola. The Festa committee welcomes visitors to bring a lawn chair, although tables will be set up alongside vendor booths. In case of soggy weather, the committee has arranged to have cover from the elements available. See GROUP, Page 3
nity schools,” said Greg Luterbach, SD20 superintendent. Luterbach explained that the funds can go to any services that support vulnerable students, and there are five options for the board to mull over before ultimately deciding on how to spend the money. Last year, Robson School received $50,000; Blueberry Creek Community School Hub (BCCS) and Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) were each allotted $25,000. In Greater Trail, SD20 funds were previously allocated for community literacy programs designed through CBAL to meet specific, local needs. In jeopardy at BCCS and Robson Elementary are numerous programs which support early childhood development, literacy, child care and family strengthening programs. However, before the board could vote on the proposed CommunityLINK budget cuts Monday night, trustee Jo-Ann Bursey requested the decision be postponed until after the next See BOARD, Page 3
Bottle thieves jeopardize scouts’ jamboree trip BY ART HARRISON Times Staff
The Beaver Valley Scouts have relied on bottle drives to help fund outings and projects over the years but a spate of recent thefts might leave them short of cash for an upcoming trip. In a recent incident over the May long weekend an estimated $400 worth of recyclable materials was lost to bottle thieves. Area scouts have been raising money to help pay part of
the $1,000 per person cost of attending the Canadian National Jamboree, which is being held in Sylvan Lake, Alta., the second week of July. Because these gatherings only happen every four years the anticipation for the local troops has been growing as the date grew nearer, now the kids will have to work a little harder to cover the cost. “The kids are understandably upset,” said local scout volunteer,
Something BORROWED, something true. mortgages
home reno loans
equity lines of credit
auto loans
Heather Hamer. “It’s just that much more money that they’re going to have to raise before they can go on their trip.” Hamer said that people have been dropping off bottles and cans at her property in Beaver Falls for years to support the trip and Camp Tweedsmuir, the local the scout camp in Fruitvale. The materials are stored until they can be sorted and taken in for recycling. See SCOUTS, Page 3
Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN250-368-8550 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242 Canada Post, Contract number 42068012
With a Flexible Choice Mortgage from Kootenay Savings, your home dreams can come true. Add a FlexLine LOC and it could truly be the only loan you’ll ever need. Talk to us today.
better. together.
kscu.com