NEWS Letters sent out about proposed pipeline Page 2
SPORTS Princeton Youth Basketball finish undefeated Page 7
FOOD & DRINK Good wine is much closer than you think Page 3
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SPOTLIGHT The Similkameen
Volume 63 Issue 25
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Proudly serving the community since 1948 • www.similkameenspotlight.com
The race is on
Coun. Frank Armitage starts the competition for Princeton’s new mayor Michaela Garstin editor@similkameenspotlight.com
Coun. Frank Armitage was the first person to announce he intends to run for mayor of Princeton, beginning the race for election on Aug 11.
Wendy Bentley/Spotlight
DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE - Grade 6 student Maddison Hassell plays the Mad Hatter in Vermilion Forks Elementary production of Alice in Wonderland. See Page 14 for more photos.
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“I feel I have the skills and ability to be a good mayor for this town,” Armitage told the Spotlight on June 8 after he submitted his papers to resign his council position. Restoring a 24/7 emergency department to Princeton is a main priority for Armitage. “The medical service crisis negatively affects the business community, and has an impact on the housing market,” he said. Armitage would also focus on recreation infrastructure to help attract young professionals, such as doctors, to Princeton. He resigned his councillor position as he is required to do under the Local Government Act. Princeton must now elect another councillor to take Armitage’s place. The deadling for councillors to announce their plan to run for mayor has passed, but other candi-
dates have from June 26 to July 6 to submit their papers. Acting Mayor Jason Earle was considering running but decided not to because he feels the projects he is working on as a councillor are too important to put on hold until after a by-election. These projects include restoring the Princeton Hospital emergency department to 24 hours a day and urban deer management. Earle also said he is busy with his full-time job with Fortis. “I understand Frank intends to run for mayor, that is great news. I have worked with him and seen what he can do,” he said. “I look forward to seeing what he would bring to the mayor’s chair.” The other members of council Marilyn Harkness and Kim Maynard - are also backing Armitage for mayor. “I am very pleased and support Frank 100 per cent. It will be good for the town,” Harkness said. Maynard agrees. “Franks passion and dedication to Princeton will be a huge asset,” he said. A by-election was called earlier this month after Princeton’s mayor Fred Thomas died of cancer in May.
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