THURSDAY
S I N C E
SEPTEMBER 26, 2013
1 8 9 5
Vol. 118, Issue 152
105
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INCLUDING G.S.T.
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TRAIL
Bridge lighting idea presented to council BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
The city had a light bulb moment this week. The Victoria Street Bridge lighting project, estimated to cost $350,000, was proposed to council at the governance meeting Monday. The unique art project would have the Trail bridge outfitted with thousands of LED lights that would reflect off the Columbia River and create a nightly wave-like design. Mike Martin, chair of the Downtown Opportunities and Action Committee (DOAC) said the bridge lighting project has reached a crucial point of inception but before the idea can proceed, an artistic rendering needs to be generated. “We have early indications of support,” explained Martin. “We are asking council to consider approving funds up to $4,000 to pursue the rendering,” he said, adding, “this will allow for input into the concept by council and we believe could lead to endorsement and part of the 2014 capital plan (budget).” Before Martin was allotted $4,000, council switched to ques-
tions about the timing of the project in terms of the downtown revitalization plan. “The plan is to finish Victoria Street and then move into the downtown area for the next phase,” said Coun. Rick Georgetti. “Do you see this lighting project as a priority over that?” he questioned. “If you had to chose, would you pick lighting or move into the downtown, because we won’t be able to do all of that next year.” Coun. Kevin Jolly countered saying the idea has merit. “I think this shows that if we get creative and think outside the box we are taking steps forward and doing something different than we’ve ever done before.” Martin said that the DOAC has early indications that a substantial portion of the $350,000 project could come from private sources, but before anything could proceed, an artist’s drawing is needed. “It’s kind of a chicken or the egg thing,” explained Martin. “Before we can go any further in the proposal and pursue funding we first need to show how it will look.” See COUNCIL, Page 3
ART HARRISON PHOTO
The United Steelworkers held a support rally, barbecue, and march through downtown Trail Wednesday in support of IBEW employees locked out by Fortis BC since June.
Citizens’ group charts Union brethren show support nurse practitioners for locked out Fortis employees BY VALERIE ROSSI Times Staff
A citizens committee exploring opportunities for nurse practitioners in the Kootenay Boundary has formed with a keen eye on coverage in rural parts. Fruitvale Coun. Larry Gray is one member sounding a voice for nurse practitioners, registered nurses with advanced training. He said the new group would like to see nurse practitioners covering for doctors in rural hospitals like Kaslo and Nakusp to help with patient care and ultimately to relieve some pres-
sure on doctors. “It would be nice to see the ability for nurse practitioners to do some of the relief for doctors in hospitals, to take on maybe some home service work, to be able to supplement the programs in a way that’s a little bit more cost effective,” he added. “A quick look at the doctor’s average salary of $350,000 and a nurse practitioner is not nearly as expensive and provides not the same quality of care, but can provide some care and do some things that doctors don’t have to do.” See FOUR, Page 2
Both sides meet with mediator but no face-to-face talks on tap BY ART HARRISON Times Staff
Area union workers gathered in downtown Trail to show their support for locked out Fortis BC workers and their families on Wednesday afternoon. The march and rally to the Fortis BC building, which attracted over 100 people, included members of Local 480 Steelworkers and other local unions for the members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 213 who have been locked out since June. However, the rally may be the last action necessary in the labour clash of management and employees.
After three months of lockout, numerous applications to the Labour Relations Board (LRB,) and one failed attempt at mediation, the company and union representatives are, once again, in Vancouver meeting with mediator Vince Ready in an attempt to resolve the dispute. While the two sides seek common ground at the table in the Lower Mainland, support is growing for the 230 employees who work in power generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in the West Kootenay and Okanagan region. “We just want to show that we’re supportive of their cause to try to bargain a fair collective agreement,” said Armindo deMedeiros, president of Local 480. See UNION, Page 3
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