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Vol. 90 Issue 06 • Wednesday, February 6, 2013 • www.arrowlakesnews.com • 250-265-3823 • $1.25 •
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Commission proposes Nakusp joins South Okanagan-West Kootenay riding alex cooper Black Press
Nelson, Salmo and Kaslo could join the Kootenay—Columbia riding, at the expense of Nakusp, if the recommendations made by the BC Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission pass the House of Commons. The commission tabled its report with the House of Commons on Monday, Jan. 28. The report modifies the boundary of the Kootenay—Columbia riding to include the Nelson, Salmo, Kaslo and the surrounding area. It also lops off Nakusp from the riding and joins it with the new riding of South Okanagan—West Kootenay. The proposal is sure to be controversial in the West Kootenay, where local politicians have argued against the move that would split Nelson from its neighbouring cities of Castlegar and Trail. At hearing in the fall, residents in the West Kootenay argued strongly against the changes, however the commission has left Nelson in Kootenay—Columbia in its final report. The new boundaries will be studied this spring by a House of Commons committee that will accept MPs’
written objections, which will then be sent back to the commission for consideration. The final realignment will be submitted to Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer in September. Kootenay—Columbia MP David Wilks said he supported the changes, though he expected his BC Southern Interior counterpart Alex Atamanenko to oppose them. “I expected most of it to happen,” he said. “I’m not opposed to any of it. The commission had a tough job to do. They had to try and get every riding up, and that’s what they had to do.” He did note that expanding the riding would create additional challenges due to the fact he would have to represent more communities (should he win re-election). “Having said that, I’ve made a promise all along that if I am re-elected in 2015 – and I do plan to run – that I would have an office in Nelson as well as Cranbrook, and that would assist the riding immensely,” he said. David Raven, the Mayor of Revelstoke, said the changes would likely mean the community sees less of their MP. “Right now he’s been very accommodating and he’s spent more time
A map of the proposed electoral boundary changes. in Revelstoke than most of the MPs in the past little while,” said Raven. “We’ve appreciated to have that contact and it would be a shame to lose that.” The new Kootenay—Columbia riding would have a population of 107,589 people, 2.7 per cent above British Columbia’s
electoral district quota. According to the commission’s report, they looked at keeping the riding as is, but it would have had a population 16 per cent below the quota without the changes. “Submissions encouraged the Commission to keep Nel-
Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission
son, Castlegar and Trail in one electoral district,” the report states. “However, such a combination would have resulted in an electoral district with numbers well above the electoral
See Elections page 3
Librarian and chair shuffle takes place at Nakusp Public Library Claire paradis Arrow Lakes News
New Chair Barb MacPherson kisses the hand of now former Chair Paula Rogers. Photo courtesy Barb MacPherson
There are changes afoot at the Centennial Building, and not just the renovations that will join the archives to the historical edifice. The Nakusp Public Library is undergoing changes in both the boardroom and library staff. Much-loved librarian Sabina IseliOtto will be leaving the library to pursue her interests and loves elsewhere in the community. “I’ve been offered an opportunity to work for friends in the private sector, which I can do online from anywhere – an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up,” she told the Arrow Lakes News. “I’m planning to run the bike shop in the meantime, though as more of a meeting and activity space for adults and kids
than for bicycles (at least at this time of year).” Events are already happening at Black Bear Bike Repair, including the robot club and an upcoming spinning (fibres, not bikes) workshop on Feb. 10. Her departure came as a bit of a shock to board members, said former library board Chair Paula Rogers. “We kind of were surprised because we’d heard it right from her mouth she was going to stay,” admitted Rogers, although she believes the move is ultimately the right one. “Sabina has fantastic energy and vision for youth in the community. I think her real heart is helping youth,” she mused. “Being librarian was too restricted for her. Her ideas of community were larger than the library.” The long-serving chair is leaving the library now that she has reached
her maximum time of eight years on the library board (according to library legislation, board members can only serve a maximum of eight consecutive years). Vice-chair and long-time friend Barbara MacPherson will be taking up the reins now, the decision having been made official during the Nakusp Public Library’s recent AGM held on Jan. 31. “It’s sad to go, you get used to the job,” said P. Rogers about leaving the board. New Chair MacPherson is no stranger to the Nakusp Public Library herself, and is the person behind the popular Poetry Night and Books That Make A Difference annual events. Both women are familiar with the library and its many incarnations.
See Library page 7
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