EMERGENCY RESPONSE | Armstrong and Spallumcheen agree to replace aging fire truck [A5]
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Morning gStar
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Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012
P R O U D L Y
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O U R
N O R T H
O K A N A G A N
F O R
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FOR 84 MONTHS
on 2LT or LTZ
2012 CHEVROLET
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C O M M U N I T I E S
FINANCING
BANNISTER
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4703 - 27th St. 6%2./. s
GM
DL#9133
Fire victims require help
EYE ON THE BALL
RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
LISA VANDERVELDE/ MORNING STAR
Dawson Harrison, five, returns his dad’s serve as he plays tennis at Vernon’s Polson Park.
Landing decision challenged RICHARD ROLKE
legislation) and agreements and the proper process has been followed,” said Mayor Rob Sawatzky. A former mayor suggests the terms of Okanagan Landing “I am confident this council made the right decision.” annexation may be contravened. The city has had five service contracts with the Landing fireWayne McGrath, who was mayor when the Landing fighters association since 1993. joined Vernon in 1993, is not pleased with the current “All of them have a term and termination clause in city council’s decision to end the Okanagan Landing them,” said Keith Green, fire chief. fire hall’s autonomy and bring it under a single opera“The letters patent alludes to the city taking over the tions model based at the downtown fire hall. service.” “The intent was for them to remain the same and McGrath says the city in 1993 had no concerns about have their own fire department,” he said. the Landing fire hall acting separately from the Vernon “Up until now, that commitment has been honhall, and it actually made other political changes more oured. With this (decision), there’s been no consultapalatable for Landing residents. Wayne McGrath tion with the community.” “They wanted their independence (with fire services). Prior to the annexation vote in May 1993, McGrath It would have been a disincentive to annexation prowrote a letter to the Okanagan Landing/Bella Vista ceeding if that didn’t occur,” he said. Citizens Group outlining the city’s actions if the jurisdictions “There is a tradition and spirit of firefighting in the merged. Landing.” The letter stated, “The present volunteer fire department will Some current members of city council have stated that the be maintained. Any possible future changes would only be con- new operations model will provide consistent training for all sidered if requested by the Landing community.” firefighters in Vernon. But McGrath says that was never an issue However, current city officials categorically deny McGrath’s during his tenure. claims that the firefighters’ decision has breached annexation “Everyone was very happy with the level of training,” he said. terms. “I have never had reason to believe that Landing firefighters “We’ve gone through the original letters patent (provincial are any less capable than other firefighters.” Morning Star Staff
Residents are being urged to rally behind tenants forced out of their homes by fire. Five units sustained damage during the blaze at Kikanee Estates on Heritage Drive Thursday. “There is either an adult or a child in a wheelchair living in each of these units,” said Karen Gerein, with the Vernon Native Housing Society, which owns the complex. Some of the units will be unavailable to the tenants for the short-term while others will require significant reconstruction. Alternate accommodations must be found as soon as possible. “We have great tenants and they desperately need these units,” said Gerein. Anyone with available ground-floor, one-level units Helen Sinclair is asked to call 250-550-5833. A mix of one, two and threebedroom units is required. Provincial assistance only offers emergency assistance for 72 hours but that would have officially ended today. An extension until Monday was granted. “There’s not a lot of help you can get on Sundays so we broke our own rules,” said Helen Sinclair, Vernon’s deputy emergency social services coordinator. “With ESS, we err on the side of humanity.” Donations of furniture, clothing and other household items are also being sought and they can be dropped off at the Upper Room Mission, 3403 27th Ave. “It’s hard to see the tenants distressed like this,” said Herein, adding that there was overwhelming support from the community while the fire was burning. “Neighbours opened their yards and homes to us and that was really wonderful.” Assistance has also come from the Interior Health Authority and the Salvation Army. The fire began outside one of the units but the cause has not been determined. “We haven’t found the source of ignition,” said Lawrie Skolrood, Vernon deputy fire chief. “There was no barbecue but there is some wiring there. We’re not sure if there was a dried plant where a cigarette may have been left.” The investigation will continue early this week as an electrical inspector will be required to visit the site.
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