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RYAN OLSEN is proving to be a nice fit for the Kelowna Rockets since being acquired in a trade last year from the Saskatoon Blades
THE CAPITAL NEWS looks back at the colourful life of Graham Takoff during his reign as the publisher of this newspaper for more than than 30 years.
WEST KELOWNA council signs off on dispersal of cash grants to local community groups—and very few received what they were asking for.
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THURSDAY January 24, 2013 The Central Okanagan’s Best-Read Newspaper www.kelownacapnews.com
▼ POLITICS
Trudeau name still gets local Liberals excited Alistair Waters ASSISTANT EDITOR
It may not the Trudeau-mania his father inspired in the late 1960s, but Justin Trudeau, considered the frontrunner in the current race for leader of the federal Liberal Party, proved he can also draw a crowd—even in a staunchly conservative area like Kelowna. About 300 people packed the ballroom at UBC Okanagan Tuesday night— many standing to hear the Papineau, Que., MP and son of the late former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Others, who could not get in, watched on television monitors outside the room. And many came away liking what they heard. “He has that same communicative style,” said Tim Krupa, president THERE’S NO of the UBCO Young Liberals of Canada. “That sort DOUBT HE’S THE of charisma hasn’t been FRONT RUNNER IN seen in Canadian politics THE LEADERSHIP since his father.” RACE. BUT… THIS Krupa said the younger Trudeau’s popularity RACE IS ABOUT does not just stem from IDEAS. his famous last name, Tim Krupa, good looks or age, but bepresident of UBCO cause he is talking about issues other politicians in Young Liberals of this country are not talkCanada ing about, issues such as ideals in politics, the erosion of democracy and removing political labels such as right and left. And, said Krupa, Trudeau is motivating young people to sit up and take notice. “There’s no doubt he’s the front runner in the leadership race. But anyone who thinks this is a coronation is not watching. This race is about ideas.” Krupa said both Prime Minister Stephen Harper and NDP Opposition leader Thomas Mulcair should be taking notice or they may pay a heavy price at the polls in 2015 federal next election.
‘‘
ON STRIKE…Professionals at Central Okanagan Child Development Centre went on strike Wednesday as part of rotating job
action in the community social services sector. Health Sciences Association president Reid Johnson says the government “has consistently undervalued the skilled workers who provide these services.” Community social workers say they’re the lowest paid group in the public sector, as many are forced to leave their professions or take on a second job to make ends meet.
▼ WILDLIFE
Cougars are showing up across the valley says they’ve had a lot of cougar complaints, particularly from further north in the valley, where dogs and a mini-horse have also been taken by the big cats. But it’s not abnormal, he says. After the snowfall,
the
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there was a thaw and when it froze again, that formed a crust on top of the snow, hard enough that the big paws of cougars allow them to walk on top of the snow, even if it’s four feet deep. Deer, on the other hand, have trouble walk-
IN THE OKANAGAN VALLEY SINCE 1977
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ing on it, so they head for the valley bottoms where the snow isn’t as deep, and survival is more likely. Cougars follow the deer, because deer are their main diet.
See Valley A11
N 7N
With perfect snow conditions, cats and dogs can run on top but deer crash right through. It’s a dangerous combination of conditions for ungulates, when their
sharp hooves are not helpful to basic survival. Conservation officers are speculating that’s what’s causing the sudden flurry of sightings of big wild cats like cougars down in the valley bottom. CO Terry Myroniuk
McCurdy Rd.
Y9
Judie Steeves STAFF REPORTER
HW
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