WEDNESDAY
S I N C E
NOVEMBER 21, 2012
Dressing up
1 8 9 5 downtown Page 2
Vol. 117, Issue 218
110
$
INCLUDING H.S.T.
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
City seeking help in covering costs of water damage conclusion could change once an investigation is complete. Although the city has nearly “We want to be assured that it is completely recovered from two sound,” Hawes said. costly water-related events from The bill for the high water the summer, recovery costs in recovery plan is only for investigaexcess of $325,000 are now being tion, said Hawes, meaning the costs sought from the province. could run higher. City of Trail engineering tech“We have to investigate the Old nician John Hawes said that two Trail Bridge and things like that,” recovery plans—for a June intense he said. “Once the results of that rainfall event and high water on the investigation come, we’ll know if Columbia River—have more repairs are needbeen submitted and ed.” “It needed are awaiting approval Larry Abenante, to get done, for funding under the city manager of Public regardless, so Provincial Emergency Works, said work has Program (PEP). been completed on the we had to do The two recovery S Hill drainage, the the work. So plans identify all of city wharf was repaired, the projects the city after this we’re a retaining wall on needs to do to repair Warren Street is almost now looking the damage from the finished, and the city is for financial two events, said Hawes, clearing off a bluff on support.” and details the costs to Binns Street. complete them. Project The major project will JOHN HAWES costs are at $250,000 be repairing footings on for the intense rainfall, the Columbia River wall and around $75,000 for the high later in the winter months. water. But the city’s maintenance and But nearly 75 per cent of the Public Works departments are not work has already been done, said overloaded. A lot of the projects Hawes. go out to contract, said Abenante, “It needed to get done, regard- because that way the city can bill less, so we had to do the work,” he PEP to get 80 per cent of its costs said. “So after this we’re now look- back. ing for financial support.” Although PEP had not replied PEP does not provide assistance with approval for the two plans, for rehabilitating eroded earth. Hawes said, based on discussions Instead, project approval hinges on with the ministry, the projects were whether the event affected infra- “all very likely to get approved for structure or an access road. the repairs.” The intense rainfall caused sevHowever, the city will still be eral washouts, ripped up asphalt paying around $65,000 for its share and washed out catchment basins, of the bill. creating around 15 different proA near record river level in July jects throughout the city, ranging put the city on the hook for over in cost from $5,000 to $50,000. $35,000 in repairs to the regional The major project will be sewage treatment facility. High rebuilding the shoulder of the road water levels on the Columbia River on the S Hill in East Trail, Hawes have billed the city 70 per cent noted. of the local costs to repair the A geo-technical survey of the Columbia Pollution Control Centre S Hill wall was done last year, (CPCC) and its Glenmerry Lift and although it looked intact, that Station. BY TIMOTHY SCHAFER Times Staff
SHERI REGNIER PHOTO
Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy bestowed the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal on Ray Furlotte in a ceremony at the Trail Middle School on Tuesday.
Jubilee medal presented to Trail resident BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
Thirty-five years of volunteering and a commitment to education by a Trail resident were recognized on Tuesday. It began last week, with a call from Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy’s office alerting Ray Furlotte that he was to receive a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. “I was shocked, it was so out of the blue,” said Furlotte. It came to a climax Tuesday at the Trail Middle School (TMS) when Conroy pinned the medal to Furlotte’s lapel, while a large crowd of family, friends and former students, gave him a hearty round of applause. “It was important to award
the medal to a person in our community, who has really made a significant difference in a lot of people’s lives,” said Conroy. Following the ceremony Conroy said the accolades for Furlotte continued to roll in. “One young man just came up to me to tell me what a positive change Ray has made to his life.” Furlotte, a retired teacher and administrator from TMS, is recognized for his role in developing and introducing online learning at the high school level. “The way TMS is now, is something I started, that type of educational system where we could house all kids that
required extra help and special needs together,” said Furlotte. “We could deliver a service that was not available in the regular high school.” Furlotte is past president of both the Trail and District Arts Council and Phoenix Theatre, and actively involved in local sports groups. The contribution he is most proud of is founding and leading the popular Rossland Gold Fever Follies, which is still performing after 26 years. But his favorite volunteering activity has been serving as a billet to the Smoke Eater players for the past five years. “It is beyond enjoyment,” he said. See MEDAL, Page 3
Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN250-368-8550 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242
Ron & Darlene
Your Local Home Team Move in ready! Covered parking
Kootenay Homes Inc.
3 bedroom • 2 bathroom • nice kitchen 1327 Third Ave
Ron 250.368.1162 Darlene 250.231.0527
Close proximity to: High School, Elementary School, Hospital, Gyro Park
Great Price
209,500
$
Contact us today! We can sell your home!
See more great homes at
www.hometeam.ca hometeam@hometeam.ca
Canada Post, Contract number 42068012