What about a Fuzzy service? Feeding of the Fuzzy dude!
Serving the Creston Valley since 1948
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Volume 66, No.41
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Valley-wide fire service
proposed BY LORNE ECKERSLEY Advance Staff
In a scene reminiscent of Groundhog Day, three local fire chiefs have proposed a move toward formation of a Creston Valley fire protection service, to be formed under the Town of Creston umbrella. “For the last five years our fire departments have been discussing a valley-wide service where rural areas would contract with the Town to fold us in with the Town of Creston Fire Department,” CanyonLister fire chief Glen Guthrie said at Tuesday’s Creston Valley Services Committee meeting. “We feel there is a disconnect with the regional district and its fire chief.” RDCK fire chief Terry Swann and Area B director John Kettle dismissed a similar proposal when Guthrie and his colleagues presented the proposal more than three years ago. Dayle MacRae, chief of the WynndelLakeview Fire Department, echoed Guthrie’s sentiments. “There is a disconnect with the fire chief (Swann) and we don’t get good value from the RDCK,” he said. “Our ‘automatic aid’ is working and provides better value for the dollar.” Kettle cautioned the meeting, saying “That laundry needs to be washed separately,” but agreed that “operational efficiency makes it better for all fire services in the Valley. Our fire protection agreement with the Town is a great deal for Erickson, and now it also works for Arrow Creek, which is also covered by the Canyon-Lister and Wynndel-Lakeview
Joanna Wilson
Trinity United Church celebrated a Clowns’ Service on Sunday, with clowns serving communion and taking up the collection. Included in the service was a Gospel reading from Mark 6:33-44, Clowns Feeding of the Multitude.
fire departments. “I don’t think you will find any of us are going to be opposed to looking at this. It increases our ability to attract volunteers and train them. This is a great request, frankly,” he said. Kettle asked RDCK’s new chief administrative officer Stuart Horn “what format is needed to enter into contract with the Town of Creston and still keep our assets (buildings, trucks and equipment) in the regional district?” Horn said the easiest path is to transfer all assets to the Town. “But that is a way down the road—it would likely have to go to referendum after a public consultation process” indicates “that they agree there are increases in efficiency.” “The big thing is public consultation up front to see if they agree with the chiefs’ proposal.” Area A director Garry Jackman commented that the change removes some
control from residents. “This is different because now if voters are dissatisfied with their service they can vote out the director in the next election,” he said. “They can’t do that with a contract. It’s a subtle difference, but it is still different.” A portion of Area C goes to referendum in November to determine if voters want to contract with the Town of Creston for fire protection services to West Creston and portions of the Creston Flats. Town manager Lou Varela said there is much work to be done, but the Town of Creston is prepared to discuss the chiefs’ proposal. “There are a lot of implications, including the transfer of assets, etc. further down the road,” she said. Mayor Ron Toyota spoke in favour of the process. “Let’s get the ball rolling,” he said. Kettle made a motion to direct RDCK and Town of Creston staff to produce a
Refugee committee busy again Page 21
DISCOVERY REAL ESTATE
report, including a time line, on how the valley-wide system can become a reality. The motion carried unanimously. Kettle also brought up the issue of the sprinkler protection unit, a piece of firefighting equipment purchased to help fight interface fires in areas where developed property abuts to forest lands. “It was bought by fundraising and contributions from the Town and Areas A, B and C. It is not an RD asset,” he said. Guthrie said the trailer, the bulk of whose cost was covered by Canyon-Lister Fire Protect Society calendar sales, is stored at his firehall. While not actually owned by the RDCK its license is registered under the regional district for insurance purposes. Kettle moved to transfer the trailer to the Town of Creston “because it has never been an RD asset.” “I don’t see a problem with this,” Horn said. The motion passed.
• Pastor publishes The Garden People /3 • Council learns about police inquiries /5 FIND US ONLINE AT
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