Friday
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May 30, 2014
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Vol. 63, Issue 103
Proudly serving Cranbrook and area since 1951
www.dailytownsman.com
Courtesy Kate Fox
MORE THAN A HALF MILLION FOR HEALTH: Members of the Cranbrook Health Care Auxiliary and thrift store volunteers this week made a presentation of $552,790 to East Kootenay Regional Hospital. The presentation was made to Christine Shumka, Director of Health Services, Acute. Some of the equipment being purchased this year includes a multi CR reader for the Diagnostic Imaging department for $84,700, two 5mm 30 degree scopes for the operating room for $81,600, and console upgrades for the Diagnostic Imaging department for $48,500. The Cranbrook Health Care Auxiliary has contributed over $4.3 million in the past 13 years to purchase equipment for East Kootenay Regional Hospital.
Agricultural Land Reserve
Macdonald, Bennett tangle over Bill 24 C arolyn Grant
For the Townsman
Three-year-old Samboya, pictured with owner Waldy Gorka, was proud to achieve the Tracking Dog Excellent title under the Canadian Kennel Club in Calgary on Saturday, May 24. See more, Page 2
Debate on Bill 24, which alters the Agricultural Land Reserve into two separate zones — Zone 1 being the Okanagan, Vancouver Island and the South Coast; and Zone 2, the Interior, Kootenays and the North — closes Friday at 5:15 p.m. In the hours preceding closure, opponents of the Bill are arguing that its passage is an example of back-room politics at its worst. Columbia River Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald says it is motivated by vote buying, and points to a recently obtained email stream including Pat Pimm, MLA for Peace River North and former Minister of Agriculture, and Bill Bennett, MLA for Kootenay East and the chief architect of Bill 24. Macdonald says the emails lay out their displeasure at the way the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) is run. “Bill 24 is entirely about buying votes, and this email exchange proves it,” said Macdonald. “In the email, complaints are made that the ALC is not making the right decisions; is not taking the ‘opportunity to muster up some support for our team’.”
However, Bennett says the emails show simply that he has been advocating for his constituents. “To characterize MLA advocacy as ‘vote buying’ is typical of the NDP, especially MLA Macdonald who doesn’t even reside in his own riding,” Bennett said. “Walking, talking hypocrisy.” Macdonald laughed that off. “After nine years of serving in the Legislature with Mr. Bennett, I’ve gotten pretty used to his fabrications. Of course I live in my riding.” Back to the emails, Macdonald says they illustrate how the plan to change the ALC was in place from the beginning. “The email stream also laments the independence of the ALC and its chair Richard Bullock, and demands that the then Minister of Agriculture honour a caucus agreement, sanctioned by the Premier, to allow changes to the ALR specifically in Pimm and Bennett’s areas,” Macdonald said. “Former Minister McRae was clearly moving too slowly to satisfy them.
See BENNETT, Page 4