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Vol. 8 • Issue 5
jodie@mountaintownproperties.ca
Thursday, January 31 • 2013
Two perspectives on Rossland’s New exhibit speaks with legendary figure community voice See Page 5 See Page 8
LOG HOME 23 Acres
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City seeks deal with SD20
Jodie O.
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ARNE PETRYSHEN
Mountain Town Properties.ca
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Rossland News Editor
Last week, School District 20 and City of Rossland administration met to discuss the possibility of a partnership to save K-12 education in Rossland. With the district set for its first reading of a bylaw regarding possible school closures on Monday, Rossland council wasted no time in pushing forward a motion to show the district it is serious. The motion, brought forward by Coun. Jill Spearn, asks city staff to examine the tax implications of four possible options to help pay the district’s shortfall and save K-12. The four options given were: 1. $300,000/year to be paid annually for a period of The yellow of Neighbourhood of Learning stood out in the Rossland Winter Carnival parade on Friday. Story on three years. page 3. Photos on page 6. Arne Petryshen photo See School on P. 3
Rossland moves for inquiry on past dealings
ARNE PETRYSHEN Rossland News Editor
A large group of concerned citizens showed up at Rossland council Monday to see if would pass motion to have YouritHoroscope For thea Week withan Michael O’Connor inside inquiry requested on the Horoscope thecity’s West Kootenay Advertiser conduct with regards to For the Week the arena affair. RosslandNews_2013_Jan13-27.pdf 12/17/2012 2:41:55 PM with Michael O’Connor Coun. Kathy Moore put
Your
inside the West Kootenay Advertiser
bank shop local local nelsoncu.com/banklocal
forward the motion, which included a long list of stipulations on what should be looked into by the Auditor General of Local Governments. These included things like a review of internal controls, a review of contractual relationships and a review of employees in positions responsible for informing council on issues. “For me, there are a lot of issues here that need to be
delved into, the auditor general is one step,” Moore said, adding that there is no guarantee that the auditor general would look at the city’s request. “But they also said they were interested, and had seen the media.” She said council needs to get some outside help. Coun. Jill Spearn said that this whole issue has led her into waters that she hasn’t treaded in before in her seven
years on council. “It has been disturbing,” Spearn said. “I realize that this has become a huge issue in the community. As a representative, I take that very seriously.” Spearn wondered why Moore had asked for the inquiry to look all the way back to Jan. 1, 2007 and look at how council at that time may have limited the present council in decision making.
By banking locally with our credit union, and shopping locallly with our local businesses, you ensure a vibrant community and a dynamic local economy, since decisions are kept close to home. We all share a common bond with a commitment to keeping interest local.
Moore answered that it will allow the inspector to get a good idea of the history of Rossland council and the way it has delegated decisions to the CAO and city administrators. Moore said part of the audit would look at past and present city managers in a position to report information to council. “If there is a structure in place for them to do that and See City on P. 3