SUMMERLAND REVIEW THE VOICE OF OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1908
VOLUME 66 - ISSUE
WHAT’S INSIDE:
WWW.SUMMERLANDREVIEW.COM
Metering postponed NO. 47 • S U M M E R L A N D, B.C. • T H U R S D AY,
Flat rate for water to continue for one more year by John Arendt It will be another year before Summerlanders pay metered rates for water. Municipal administra-
tor Tom Day said an open house on Thursday evening was set up to get final comments about the billing system changes. For the better part of two years, Summerland council and municipal staff have been working to set up a metering sys-
NOVEMBER
21,
2013
tem for residential water use instead of the flat rate in place at present. Numerous models have been considered and presented to the public, with changes suggested in each instance. In addition to the billing models, the munici-
•
24
PA G E S
•
$1.15
pality has sent out mock bills to show property owners how much they would pay under the various models. Now that the comments have been received from the latest open house on billing, Day said municipal staff can work
INCLUDING
GST
on a report to present to council in December. If the billing structure is approved, it will take some time to implement the metered system. “We have to change our entire billing system” Day said. See COMPLICATIONS Page 6
Bobsleigh
A national bobsleigh team with a Summerland connection won medals at recent competitions.
Page 18
Trail repair
A popular walking trail will be repaired this winter.
Page 3
Auxiliary power
The Summerland Legion Ladies Auxiliary continues a long tradition of service to the community.
Page 10
Holiday shopping
The Summerland Chamber of Commerce encourages Summerlanders to begin their shopping close to home.
Page 16
Candidates
This year, 11 candidates are taking part in the Blossom Pageant. Their first public appearance is at the Festival of Lights.
Page 23
YOUR SMILE Last winter I got a set of snow tires. In spring they melted.
Pipeline demonstration
Around 60 people gathered at Sunoka Beach and at the Summerland sign for a demonstration on Saturday in opposition to a proposed oil pipeline. Similar demonstrations were held across the province on Saturday.
Pipeline demonstration held by John Arendt
Summerlanders concerned about the risks from pipelines and oil sands expansion gathered as Sunoka Beach on Saturday. Around 60 people took part in the demonstration. Don Gayton, speaking to the participants, said he was pleased to see
people getting involved in a public issue. “I think it’s an incredibly important thing to do,” he said. “The pipeline is the biggest climate issue we will face in our lifetime.” Gayton said oil-related discussions are difficult because the entire population depends on oil. “Our petroleum drug of choice is becoming
more and more expensive,” he said. “With petroleum, we’re all junkies.” The rally at noon was part of a national event, Defend Our Climate, Defend Our Communities, to show the risk from pipelines and oil sands expansion. Rallies were also held at offices of federal politicians.
Erin Carlson, local organizer of the event, said the event was intended to show support for environmental protection. “The people of this country are paying attention,” she said “All we can do is keep trying.” While a proposed pipeline from the Alberta oil sands to the B.C. coast does not pass through Summerland, Carlson
said the pipeline still affects the community and the region. “It affects us just as much as it’s going to affect everyone else,” she said. She added that a recent poll from the University of Montreal shows a majority of Canadians want the federal government to take stronger action on climate change.