BALL SEASON BEGINS
AWARDS PRESENTATION
Kobau park ball fields are busy See pages 9, 12, 13
Keremeos Volunteer Fire Department awards night See page 14
PAVING CONTRACT AWARDED Keremeos council news See page 4
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Vol.15 Number 17
Thursday, April 26, 2012
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www.keremeosreview.com
RDOS wades into national park debate Issue takes on new life with motion to request feasibility study from the province By Steve Arstad news@keremeosreview.com A much anticipated director’s motion was debated by the regional district board at their regular board meeting on April 19. The gallery was packed to hear director’s opinions regarding Osoyoos Director Stu Wells three part motion regarding the issue of a national park in the Okanagan - Similkameen. The motion’s three points requested that: 1. The Province of B.C. re-engage in formal discussions with the Government of Canada re the proposed South Okanagan Similkameen Photo by Steve Arstad National Park. 2. That the Regional District Okanagan The RDOS board room was packed to standing room only at the Thursday, April 19 regular meeting of council. Residents were Similkameen be briefed on the results of the on hand to hear what the directors had to say about the proposed national park for the South Okanangan-Similkameen. feasibility study report that was submitted to the province in December of 2010 and that the all reports and studies regarding the park issue should motion were not considered part of the motion itself, province release it to the public. although Area “F” Director Michael Brydon pointed 3.That the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen be made public. “This paints the picture of taking one side or the out that the preamble was subject to interpretation by be briefed during and at the completion of these formal other,” Patton continued, referring to the preamble of the public. talks re the national park. Keremeos Director Bauer said that the feasibility Director Wells stated that he felt that this was a the motion which outlined the reasons for the motion, “rather innocuous motion to reopen the dialogue. It was “and we want to move to go down that road, and I’m not study was relevant to his decision on the park. “Without it I would have trouble deciding whether good rationale to have First Nations involved - person- going to go down there. So, I want to amend the motion ally, and this is not the opinion of the Town of Osoyoos to add into number (2) ‘and that the province release to this is the time to continue.” the public any other relevent reports and studies related Area “D” Director Tom Siddon told the board that - I would like to see this go to referendum. he believed it “would be a terrible tragedy to turn down There are questions to be answered. I’d like to see to the park in our area.’” Discussions derailed with procedural arguments be- a national park, it’s an opportunity that won’t come the report come in from the First Nations - the history, cultural proponent of it, and the other band is looking gan after Patton’s attempt to amend the motion. Wells again.” Siddon declared that he had supported the park since at the economic and financial implications to the bands. declared it an unfriendly amendment, but after consulSo there is a lot of information out there that’s going tation it was discovered that a director could ask that day one, noting that it was a devisive issue, adding the motion be split to deal with each of the three points on, and the engagement should continue.” continued on page 3 Electoral Area “C” Director Allan Patton agreed that separately. The preamble, or “recitals” portion of the