SUMMERLAND REVIEW THE VOICE OF OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1908
VOLUME
65
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ISSUE
NO.
13
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S U M M E R L A N D,
B.C.
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WWW.SUMMERLANDREVIEW.COM
T H U R S D AY,
MARCH
29,
2012
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20
Missing signs
Landfill contract The municipality has approved a oneyear contract for the operation of the landfill scale.
Page 7 Crokinole action Summerland crokinole players showed their skill at the provincial championships in Oliver earlier this month.
Page 14 Science progress Some of the top science fair entries from Summerland students will advance to the regional level of competition in Kelowna next month.
Page 8 Karate champs
A gossip is someone with a great sense of rumour.
INCLUDING
HST
by John Arendt
Page 6
YOUR SMILE
$1.15
Finance committee proposes increase of one per cent
The owner of a Summerland winery is offering a reward for the return of some stolen signs.
Page 17
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Tax rates to rise
WHAT’S INSIDE:
Two Summerland athletes earned medals as they competed at the national level in their sport.
PA G E S
Fun at the park
John Arendt Summerland Review
Jarrett Steeves, four years old, was one of many children who enjoyed the recent mild spring weather at the playground in Memorial Park.
Summerlanders will pay more on their tax bills this year, but the amount of the increase has not yet been finalized. The municipal finance committee has recommended a one per cent increase for this year, but Mayor Janice Perrino said such an increase does not bring in much additional money. A one per cent increase adds around $63,000 to municipal coffers. “It doesn’t do very much but it allows us to put something into reserves,” she said. The municipality collects around $5.9 million in taxes. The total budget is between $25 million and $28 million. Additional revenues come from grants and from rentals and the sale of services. Perrino and others on council have been committed to keeping taxes and tax increases as low as possible. From 2008 to 2011, the tax increases came to five per cent over the three years. From 2005 to 2008, tax increases came to 15 per cent. While the proposed tax increase is low, increases in utility rates are more significant. Summerland’s water rate increased by five per cent last January, sewer rates rose by three per cent and electrical rates rose by four per cent at the beginning of this year. Municipal treasurer Ken Ostraat said capital projects and preventative maintenance upgrades are in the works for all Summerland utilities.
Candidates spent on election Figures released by municipality by Barbara Manning Grimm Mayor Janice Perrino spent the least on her campaign for the November 2011 municipal election and Coun. Peter Waterman spent the most. Perrino was returned
by acclamation, so she spent nothing. Waterman spent $1,696.94. The figures were released this week by the District of Summerland following a deadline earlier this month for the candidates to report their election expenses. The second highest amount was reported by first-time Coun. Martin
Van Alphen, who spent $1,547.32. That was exactly the same amount spent by his wife, school trustee Linda Van Alphen, who was returned to office in the election. Coun. Orv Robson reported $1,282.92 followed by Coun. Lloyd Christopherson at $951. Next was Donna Wright, who was not elected, at
$895.86; and Coun. Bruce Hallquist, who was, at $766.99. Jim Kyliuk spent $488.32 and was not elected, and Coun. Peter Robert HackWaterman ing spent $481.48 and was elected. The two who spent the
least were not elected: Gordon Clark, $392.42; and Ken Roberge, $180. Linda Beaven, who was elected school trustee along with Van Alphen, spent $612.52. Candidates who were not elected spent as follows: Christine Petkau, $1,225.57; Terry Green, $595.44; Rob Melle, $511.32; and Dale MacDonald, $60.