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Friday, January 18, 2013 - The Morning Star A3
Court case ends before it begins
SoupS And StorieS
ROGER KNOX Morning Star Staff
LISA VANDERVELDE/MORNING STAR
Kevin Aschenmeier (from left), of the Okanagan Science Centre, Judy Bartosh, of Okanagan Regional Library, Gabe Newman and the Cat In the Hat, also known as Doris Bensmiller, will be enchanting children with stories at the Junction Literacy Centre’s Soups and Stories Jan. 26 at the Okanagan Science Centre. The free event, sponsored by VantageOne Credit Union, celebrates Family Literacy Week.
A trial for a Cherryville logging truck driver involved in a 2009 fatal accident on Highway 6 ended quickly. Stay of proceedings were issued on two counts against Vernon Dale Tilbert, 58, at what was to be the beginning of his Supreme Court trial Monday in Vernon. Crown counsel issued the stays. Tilbert had been facing charges of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm in connection with an accident near Keefer Lake at the Monashee Summit east of Cherryville at around 2:15 p.m. on Nov. 23, 2009. “I can’t tell specifics of a case for reasons for Crown’s decision (to stay charges),” said Crown lawyer Shirley Meldrum. “Crown has an ongoing responsibility to make sure a case we bring before the court is a strong solid case and that it continues throughout the case.” Tilbert’s lawyer, Paul Danyliu,
said the reason for the charges being stayed was due to a miscalculation of the speed Tilbert was alleged to be travelling at the time of the accident. Police reported in November 2009 that a Ford five-ton truck travelling west with two occupants was involved in a sideswipe collision with an eastbound loaded logging truck, driven by Tilbert. The Ford was then rear-ended by a Toyota SUV with four occupants. The driver of the Ford, Lee Gord Pasemko, 37, of Kamloops, was pronounced dead at the scene. Six people – Tilbert, a passenger in the Pasemko vehicle and the four occupants of the Toyota – were taken to hospital. Road and weather conditions were listed as poor at the time. The crash closed the highway for more than four hours. Danyliu was pleased with the result for his client. “This man (Tilbert) has suffered from anxiety, had the fear of prison and, more importantly, losing his livelihood,” said Danyliu. “Had he been convicted, he would have lost his licence for at least two years.”
Fee hikes and service cuts on budget agenda charging more at the parkade and at outdoor lots. Parking fines could Vernon residents could dig climb from $5 to $10 within 14 deeper for parking while fall leaves days. may be left sitting on the Free car seat instalcurb. lation checks at the fire Beyond a potential 4.8 hall could be replaced by per cent tax hike, city a $25 fee, while the city council is considering a could recommend to the number of fee increases regional district that the and service cuts as part loonie swim be bumped of the 2013 budget. up to a toonie, generat“They (staff) have ing $10,000 a year. given us a shopping cart. Catherine Lord Along with revenue We can pick and choose,” sources, council has been said Coun. Catherine presented with possible Lord. areas to save money. Among the possible fee hikes Among the potential cuts are are increasing parking meters from cancelling leaf pickup and spring 50 cents to $1 an hour, while also yard waste chipping. Other items RICHARD ROLKE
Morning Star Staff
mentioned for possible elimination are the Communities in Bloom program, heritage grants and the Social Planning Council contract. Another prospect is scrapping $150,000 in support for O’Keefe Ranch but Lord is opposed. “They are in an upwards movement out there and doing different marketing. I want to give them a chance,” said Lord, a former ranch manager. Possible reductions in service could include summer road sweeping and clearing sidewalks of snow in excess of 50 millimetres. City staff is seeking $1.1 million in new revenue or service cuts to handle financial challenges. “Our reserves are too low and
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we’re not in a position to deal with circumstances we can’t plan for,” said Will Pearce, chief administrative officer. “If we saw a road slippage, that could be about $500,000.” In terms of a tax hike, staff has asked council to consider a 1.9 per cent or three per cent hike to bolster infrastructure reserves. If other spending is included, there could be a 4.8 per cent hike or an extra $55 for the average home. “We’ve inherited a mismanaged asset and we need to put the wheels back on the wagon of aging infrastructure,” said Coun. Brian Quiring. “We need to increase taxes to build up funds to move the city
eek W l a n i F
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forward.” Coun. Bob Spiers won’t speculate on taxes. “I don’t even want to think about it until we go through the entire budget process,” he said.
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