FRIDAY
S I N C E
FEBRUARY 15, 2013
1 8 9 5
Vol. 118, Issue 27
110
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Rinks push for playoff spots Page 13
INCLUDING H.S.T.
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Airport talks ready for takeoff
PUPPY LOVE FOR SENIORS
Regional district sets out conditions BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
SHERI REGNIER PHOTO
Sally, a 15-year-old border collie-cross, has been making daily rounds with the residents of Columbia View Lodge for six years. She is a therapy dog, and provides affection and comfort to the seniors. Her owner, April Ling, is the receptionist at the home’s front desk. “If I am on vacation or off for the day, nobody notices that I am gone. All they want to know is, ‘Where is Sally?’” Ling said that when new residents arrive, their faces light up, because they are happy and comforted to see Sally lying on her mat in the lobby. Studies show that a pet can ward off depression, lower blood pressure, and boost immunity.
Bridge plan left hanging after grant refused
BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
The vision of a pedestrian crossing over the Columbia River, for now, remains a pipe dream. At Tuesday night’s meeting, Trail council announced that the city has been denied funding for a new pipe bridge, at the old Trail bridge location. In March 2012, the City of Trail, supported by the East End Service (EES), submitted applications to the Canada-B.C. Gas Tax strategic priorities and innova-
tions fund program. The first application requested funds relating to the proposed Columbia River pedestrian/pipe bridge crossing project. “The city will follow up with provincial authorities and express its concern and try to determine why this grant application was not supported,” said David Perehudoff, chief administrative officer and financial administrator for the city. “There is obvious disappointment given the broad regional
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There is wind beneath the wings of an offer to purchase the regional airport. The City of Trail has conditions that must be met as it moves ahead with its proposal to purchase the regional airport from the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB). What may be the most problematic stipulation, is the dissolution of services upon sale. “This is an important issue,” said Larry Gray, RDKB board chair. He explained that in the event that the airport is sold, services that include fire and waste management would be dissolved. That means, if the operating costs exceed what the city can maintain, then the only way the RDKB would consider taking the airport under its wing again, is through a referendum. “We (RDKB) would put a vote to the people before accepting it back.” Councillor Robert Cacchioni countered that the airport would run exactly as it is now. “Regarding the dissolution of services, all that means is that it will be run under the auspices of the City of Trail,” he said. City of Trail residents currently foot 44 per cent of the taxes for the airport. In the event of the purchase, the East End Services (EES), a subcommittee of the RDKB including Rossland, Warfield, Montrose, Fruitvale, Area A and B) would no longer be responsible to pay the balance. “The only difference upon sale would be that they (EES) would not longer be paying taxes to support the service,” said Cacchioni. See STAFF, Page 3
benefit that the bridge provides,” said Perehudoff. However, Perehudoff said that the city hopes to proceed with a detailed design this year, and move forward with tender in early 2014. At this time, the financing plan is still subject to council approval, and includes borrowing for the city’s share of the capital cost and using the annual gas tax payments to offset the debt payments, he explained. “This way, there will be no
direct property tax increase to proceed with the construction.” Perehudoff said that the regional district would contribute its share directly, which is estimated to be $3 million of the $6.5 million dollar cost. “The regional sewer line serves Trail, Rossland, Warfield and part of Area B,” he explained. “The bridge would also allow a walking deck, and opportunity to add a second water crossing over the Columbia River.” See SEWER, Page 3
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