SUMMERLAND REVIEW THE VOICE OF OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1908
VOLUME 65 - ISSUE
NO. 37 • S U M M E R L A N D, B.C. • T H U R S D AY,
WWW.SUMMERLANDREVIEW.COM
SEPTEMBER
13,
2012
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24
PA G E S
Fast car Summerland car sets speed record in Utah.
House fire Householder barely escapes as home goes up in flames.
Page 3 Fire emergency Summerland opens arms to evacuees from Peachland wildfire.
Page 9 Wines tasted Summerland wines are judged and awarded prizes at a wine fair.
Page 14 Third candidate Mayor Janice Perrino joins Connie Denesiuk and Mark Ziebarth in run for B.C. Liberal nod.
Page 7 Fall fair fun
YOUR SMILE Why is the thing you drive on a parkway and the thing you park on a driveway?
INCLUDING
HST
by John Arendt
Page 18
Page 12
$1.15
New CAO hired
WHAT’S INSIDE:
Community enjoys 103rd harvest celebration.
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Cops help kids
John Arendt Summerland Review
John Baur, an auxiliary constable with the Kelowna RCMP detachment and a participant in the 2012 Cops for Kids bike ride, chats with Isabel Porter, six years old, during a stop in Summerland. Porter, who is dealing with ongoing health problems, has benefitted from funding raised through the Cops for Kids fundraiser.
After eight months without an administrator, municipal council has selected someone for the municipality’s top job. Tom Day, who has more than 20 years of experience as a municipal administrator, was selected from a pool of 97 candidates. The position became vacant in January after the departure of Don DeGagne. Municipal financial officer Ken Ostraat has been acting administrator. In July, the municipality retained the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen to conduct the search. “Council was looking for a strong leader with proven skills in municipal management,” said Mayor Janice Perrino. “Tom also stood out for his focus on customer service and a value-set that will prove instrumental in helping Summerland achieve their community goals.” Day has held similar positions in Merritt, Sooke and Esquimalt. He has a degree in geography and political science from Simon Fraser University and a diploma in local government administration. “When the opportunity came up to live and work in Summerland, we couldn’t resist,” Day said. “I’m very excited to accept the challenge and can’t wait to get started.” He will begin his work on Oct. 15.
Funds approved for green initiatives by John Arendt The municipality has approved a climate action budgetary policy which specifically allocates funds for green initiatives in Summerland. Early this year, a climate action committee was formed with representatives from the community and municipal staff. The
committee’s mandate is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through implementing climate actions and recommending climate action account expenditures. “We are very proud of the progress made by the district in trying to reach the provincial goal of carbon neutrality,” said Mayor Janice Perrino.
For 2013, $30,000 has been set aside. The municipality has signed on to the Climate Action Charter, committing to be carbon neutral by 2012. Since 2009, Summerland has received $65,000 in funding as a result of signing the charter. To achieve carbon neutrality, the municipality must purchase car-
bon offsets from a credible provider or put the money into greenhouse gas reduction projects in their communities. The price of carbon offsets from the Pacific Carbon Trust is $25 per tonne. Coun. Martin Van Alphen said he is opposed to the purchase of carbon offsets. “It makes absolutely no sense to me,”
he said. The climate action committee cannot spend this money but can only make recommendations to council for green initiatives for the community. At the municipal level, some initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have included several projects to make existing facilities more energy efficient.