COMMUNITY Spook house returning to Princeton? Page 2
SPORTS
NEWS Princeton wins community recognition award Page 3
Junior Volleyball begins at PSS Page 11 $1.10 Includes TAX
SPOTLIGHT The Similkameen
Volume 64 Issue 40
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Proudly serving the community since 1948 • www.similkameenspotlight.com We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.
Resolution at UBCM Lisa Carleton
lisa@similkameenspotlight.com
A delegation of citizens from Princeton attended the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention in Victoria last week. Outside of the anticipated attendance of mayor and council from Princeton, this particular delegation attended UBCM to assist in sharing the communities’ concern with the ongoing lack of Princeton General Hospital Emergency Room Services. During the resolutions session on Thursday, Sept. 27, resolution B93, “Declining Health Services”, was endorsed as amended by the UBCM membership. “This certainly goes to speak to the needs of rural BC,” said Solana Allison, president of Save Our Similkameen, “there was not a single vote of opposition.” The resolution reads as follows, B93 DECLINING HEALTH SERVICES Sponsor: District of Stewart WHEREAS the medical services in small communities have been gradually eroding to a level that is dangerous to the public health and safety of our residents; AND WHEREAS local governments have a legitimate concern about the public health and safety of their citizens; AND WHEREAS local governments in small communities have neither the mandate nor the tools to rectify the situation: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Ministry of Health take steps to ensure that the quality of medical services in small communities is returned to, and maintained, at a level that will ensure the public health and safety of our citizens is not at risk; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that UBCM support a moratorium on unilateral changes being made by a regional health authority to any health centre or hospital, so that negotiations can find a way to preserve these communities’ access to 24/7 emergency services;
See RESOLUTION- Page 8
Weather Watch
Lisa Carleton/Spotlight
Back row: Linda Leibel-259 sponsor committee chair, Don Doern (LCol Ret) National Governor, Air Cadet League of Canada, Captain Karen Hellyer 259 Squadron, Captain Richard Hellyer 259 Squadron, Major David Kerr, Air Cadet League Rep - Penticton and AC Hayden Davies. Front row: Penny Doern, Air Cadet League of Canada, Director BC Committee-Okanagan Wing Chairperson, Corporal Nick Cherot, AC Kendra Hill, AC Destiny Earle and Mayor Frank Armitage.
Cadets could ‘fly’ again in Princeton Lisa Carleton lisa@similkameenspotlight.com
Major David Kerr, Air Cadet League Rep - Penticton, along with delegates from Squadron 259 Penticton Air Cadets and representatives from Air Cadet League of Canada traveled to Princeton to promote Air Cadets and to discuss the possibilities of having a squadron return to Princeton. “Princeton once had a proud squadron—Squadron 217,” said Major Kerr to the people present at the information session held at the Legion hall. He said that the lack of personnel and resources was the reason Squadron 217 had discontinued years ago. Currently Cadets from Princeton are part of the 259 Penticton Panther Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron and travel to
Princeton
Penticton weekly to participate in the program. Although it is thought to be, Air Cadets is not a recruiting tool for the Canadian forces. It is a program that promotes community volunteerism, citizenship, leadership and physical fitness. It enhances loyalty, professionalism, mutual respect, integrity and effective speaking skills. “The advantages gained from this program are limitless,” said Major Kerr. There are numerous training programs available in Cadets, including for those adults interested in becoming leaders/instructors. In order for Princeton to have it’s own Cadet Squadron once again, cadets and adult leaders/instructors are needed. A squad requires a minimum of 30 Cadets and a minimum of four adult
See CADETS- Page 8
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