WEDNESDAY
S I N C E
SEPTEMBER 11, 2013
1 8 9 5
Killjoys get the Boot
Vol. 118, Issue 143
105
$
INCLUDING G.S.T.
Page 11
Follow us online
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
CUPE still without new deal
BACK TO POOL
BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
After a second round of bargaining talks broke off with a stalemate, a local education worker is feeling frustrated and ready to strike. Cherryl MacLeod, education assistant and Local 1285 Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) president, returned to her Castlegar home Tuesday after talks broke off in Vancouver over the weekend. “It quickly became apparent that they are in a mode of wanting concessions,” said MacLeod. “I really had high hopes for an agreement this time around,” she said, adding, “but now I feel like we are being attacked.” CUPE met with the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPC), the bargaining arm for the boards of education, last week hoping to negotiate a new contract for the 27,000 education workers in the K-12 education system. CUPE is asking for “two and two,” which means a two per cent wage increase now, and to be paid retroactively to when the workers contract expired over a year ago. “The government has offered us two per cent effective July 1, 2013,” explained MacLeod. “With the second two per cent on June 30, 2014, the day before the See BARGAINING, Page 3
SHERI REGNIER PHOTO
Classes were back in session at the Trail Aquatic and Leisure Centre Tuesday. The facility closed its doors in August for annual cleaning and maintenance that included bright new paint colours, shiny new gym equipment, removal of rusty lockers and installation of additional full length lockers.
Trail council may let backyard chicken request fly BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
Shawna Erback was hoping for an egg-cellent response from Trail council that would allow her to keep a few backyard fowl. Columbia Heights resident Erback, submitted a letter to the city this summer, asking how to obtain a permit to have backyard hens. However, in keeping with the growing trend of urban agriculture across Canada, there may be a coop d’etat already happening in the Silver City.
“There are so many people who already have hens hidden in their yards in Trail,” explained Erback. “Hopefully someone can review this so that we can have our hens out in the open.” Although the city’s current animal control leaves no room for cracks in its rules, council is considering taking another look at Erback’s request. The topic was addressed at the Governance and Operations Committee (GOC) meeting Monday, and Coun. Sean Mackinlay laid down the open-
minded approach council chose to take regarding the keeping of cluckers. “This is something that last came up in 2008,” said Mackinlay. “There is a big change in the general structure of how people get food on a day-to-day basis and we recognize that it’s happening.” Council recommended staff to research what other municipalities have chosen to do and compile a report for the city to consider in the next few weeks. “The door is not shut on this,” said Mackinlay, adding, “with
micro-agriculture happening what we need to think about is how we will monitor or regulate the situation.” A well maintained coop that is properly secured will have no odour or predator issues and unlike a dog or cat, the manure can be used in composting,” explained Erback in a letter. “Usually when someone has chickens they also have beautiful gardens as they go hand in hand.” Chickens fall under the city’s animal control bylaw which has
THE
A BROKEN RADIATOR MEANS YOUR VEHICLE COULD OVERHEAT. AND THAT AIN’T COOL.
The radiator is only one of the 83 points we check during The Works.‡ It’s a top-to-bottom inspection of every hose, belt, fluid and more for only $59.99.‡
AM Ford Plus
WORKS • UP TO •
UP TO
‡
83 -POINT INSPECTION potential $385 in annual fuel savings
There’s more to it than oil* and a filter.
FOR ONLY
been in place since 1999. The bylaw replaced an earlier version that also prohibited the keep of horses, cattle, sheep, goats and swine, at least since 1998, said Michelle McIssac, Trail’s corporate administrator. “There is reference in past council meetings to the keep of chickens in the years of 1978 and 1982,” she said. “It was indicated that the bylaw prohibiting the keep of chickens be upheld, so it would seem that this dates back several decades.” See NO, Page 3
5999
$
‡
• Comprehensive vehicle report card
Every hose, belt and fluid checked
• Ford-Trained Technicians use only Motorcraft® oil filters
when performed with regularly scheduled maintenance◊
• Rotate and inspect four tires
All offers expire September 30, 2013. Offers may be cancelled at any time without notice. See Service Advisor for complete details. Applicable taxes and provincial levies not included. Dealer may sell for less. Only available at participating locations. ‡Applies to single rear wheel vehicles only. Diesel models not eligible. *Up to 5 litres of oil. Disposal fees may be extra. Does not apply to diesel engines. ◊Based on a Ford Fusion V6 automatic that has a fuel consumption rating of 10L/100 km in combined city/highway driving (properly tuned), a one-year driving distance of 20,000 km and $1.29 per litre for gasoline (based on Environment Canada averages). Improved fuel efficiency and emission reduction levels depend on model, year and condition of vehicle. ©2013 Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. All rights reserved.
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