TUESDAY
S I N C E
JANUARY 21, 2014
1 8 9 5 Nitehawks land in top spot
Vol. 119, Issue 11
105
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INCLUDING G.S.T.
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PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Trail expands commercial tax incentive BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
Encouraging investment in Trail won’t be limited to downtown after council’s recent decision to expand a tax incentive program into other commercial areas in the city. Last year in a bid to entice property owners to fix up buildings in the downtown region, the city introduced the Downtown Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw. The goal of the bylaw is to offer a 10-year tax break on properties under construction or substantial renovations in downtown, the Gulch, and East Trail lots on the immediate block near Safeway. Now that incentive will be offered to all commercially-zoned properties along Columbia Avenue in East Trail, Highway Drive in Glenmerry and those in the Waneta junction area, confirmed Michelle McIsaac, Trail’s corporate administrator. “However, properties zoned for light or heavy industrial use will be excluded,” she said. Terms of the downtown bylaw require a minimum new construction value of $10,000 on mixed use, commercial and institutional properties, to be eligible for up to a 100 per cent tax freeze over a decade. Additionally, facade improvements and residential or commercial renovations topping $10,000 are eligible for a 100 per cent tax freeze for six years, followed by a sliding scale tax reduction until the 10th year. See BREAK, Page 3
FRUITVALE
SHERI REGNIER PHOTO
Lisa Frisk (right) held up her own prom dress, an aquamarine number with a beaded bodice, circa 2001, that she donated to Cinderella’s Closet. Frisk and Allison McCarthy (left) organized the one-night event so that every high school girl can afford a dream prom dress, with all proceeds donated to the Cancer Society.
Cinderella’s Closet aims to make dreams come true
Rec meeting tonight
Event set for Thursday night at Local 480 hall
Times Staff
BY SHERI REGNIER
BY SHERI REGNIER
Tonight’s the opportunity for Beaver Valley residents to voice their opinion about the end of a recreation agreement with Trail on Jan. 1. The public meeting is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Fruitvale Memorial Hall. Rather than being an open microphone, town hall style gathering, tonight’s event will be a facilitated, round-table format, where participants will be lead through a discussion process. Leading up to the community consultation, people living in Montrose, Fruitvale and Area A were asked to fill out a recreation survey intended to to determine the Beaver Valley rec services residents are using, or are interested in; and what they are willing to pay for future services and programs.
Times Staff
With the wave of a magic wand, Cinderella’s fairy godmother made her dream to attend the ball come true. For today’s girls, the prom is often the event of a lifetime, but like the fairytale princess, the problem is not having the means to buy the “dress of her dreams.” Enter two modern day “fairy godmothers”, who instead of using magic to create the perfect gown, are donating time and combining talent to present Cinderella’s Closet for one night only in Trail. Cinderella’s Closet is an event that gives every high school girl the chance to find the perfect formal dress at an affordable price.
“Not everyone has someone who can go and buy them an expensive gown.” explained Lisa Frisk, a Trail esthetician who spearheaded the social occasion. “It’s an opportunity for those who can’t afford to travel to shop at fancy boutiques or spend a lot of money on a brand new dress.” After partnering with Allison McCarthy, the annual giving coordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society, Frisk put the word out on social media that Cinderella’s Closet needed gently used formal dresses donated to the cause. “The very first day I posted on Facebook I had a call from Sears in Castlegar,” she said. “They had a box of more than 20 dresses to donate so that really started us off great.” The alternative dress shopping event also gives opportunity to sell a glamourous dress that may have hung in the closet after being worn only one or two
times. “Most people wear a prom, pageant or bridesmaid dress one or two times at the most,” said Frisk. “We’re all trying to go green right now and this is another way to recycle. So donate your dress and let’s sell it at Cinderella’s Closet.” To date, Frisk has about 70 dresses of all colours, shapes, sizes and styles to put up for auction, with prices ranging from $50 to $250. The evening begins at 6 p.m. Thursday night in the Local 480 Union Hall and includes door prizes donated by local businesses, live and silent dress auctions, closet shopping and refreshments. Tickets are $5, and available at Aria Art of Hair on Pine Avenue or the Cancer Society office on Rossland Avenue. The evening will begin with this year’s Trail ambassador program candidates and their friends modelling about See EVENT, 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
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Canada Post, Contract number 42068012
Free kids playroom and ball pit
www.wanetaplaza.com 5 min. east of Trail on Hwy 3B