Wednesday February 20, 2013 www.saobserver.net $1.25 GST Included
Funding for literacy group cut Shuswap: Despite provincial accolades, organization will likely have to shut down services. By Barb Brouwer OBSeRVeR STAFF
One month ago, the literacy Alliance of the Shuswap Society (lASS) was singled out by the premier with a council of the Federation literacy Award for outstanding achievement, innovative practice and excellence in literacy – now, without warning, it is without funding and may have to shut down. When Shuswap MlA George Abbott presented the award to lASS co-ordinator Jennifer Findlay Jan. 21, he credited the society for its “life-changing work” in the community. He told those in attendance at the ceremony that helping people improve their literacy has a lasting legacy. “not only does it give them more opportunity, it also allows them to pass the gift along to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren,” he said. With those encouraging words still ringing in their ears, society board members were shocked to receive, without warning or consultation, a cancellation letter from decoda literacy Solutions, the agency that receives funding from the Ministry of education and distributes it to literacy groups across the province. In a Feb. 12 letter to board member leslie Kiehlbauch, decoda expressed deep regret that the organization is no longer able to provide funding to lASS. “The funding for the co-ordination of community literacy task groups was $2.5
million province-wide for the first three years, but last year, the Ministry of education only provided $1 million,”said the letter, noting decoda added $1 million from its reserves to address the shortfall. “unfortunately, this year the ministry is again only providing $1 million and decoda cannot make up the difference this time.” decoda has dropped funding to 55 community groups including lASS, and continued to fund others based on “an objective criteria.” That criteria includes communities where business and industry have offered to step up with some funding and where decoda believes the literacy programs are sustainable over the long term. “Your area’s doing an amazing job and Jennifer Findlay is doing tremendous work,” said decoda ceO Brenda le clair, noting that choosing who to fund based on merit would be impossible because everyone is doing good work. “I have been trying very hard to get funding restored, but no matter how you look at it, you can’t carve $2.5 million in need up with $1 million.” But a Ministry of education spokesperson takes issues with decoda’s stand and the funding numbers. “decoda is actually receiving $2.3 million this year when you include additional funding from the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills development ($665,642) and
JAmeS murrAy/OBSeRVeR
Axe follows honour: Literacy Outreach co-ordinator Jennifer Findlay,
with notification of funding cuts, and Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap Society president René Dahms with the award the group recently received from See Popular on page A2 the government recognizing their outstanding contribution to literacy.
Adams Lake gaming centre moves ahead By martha Wickett OBSeRVeR STAFF
construction of a gaming centre in Salmon Arm is expected to begin this summer. The Adams lake Indian Band has received the approvals it needs to proceed with the centre, says band manager Albert Quinn. “It’s moving along very well,” he told the Observer. “We’re in
the final stages of getting the documents between the developer and the band in place.” construction at the former GM site at 10th Street SW and the Trans-canada Highway is then expected to take 10 to 12 months. “I believe Bclc (the Bc lottery commission) has been satisfied on all points, I believe the city of Salmon Arm has been satisfied on all points… I don’t think
there’s anything standing in the way at this point.” The centre is not called a casino by the lottery commission because it does not have card games like poker and blackjack – no table games. Instead, it features online bingo and slot machines. The first phase of the project involves the gaming centre, while a four-storey, 103-room hotel is planned for a second phase of de-
This week The Summer Stomp plans a move out of Silver Creek. To find out where, see A5. The Shuswap International Film Festival rolls out on Salmon Arm’s silver screens. See A25.
velopment, he said. The gaming centre will be built with the ability to connect to the proposed hotel. “There’ll be a side entrance as it (the hotel) is to the side. I’m going to suggest access to the hotel will be on the Shell side of the road. The gaming facility will be to the far end, backing up to the Garage Furniture company.” Quinn said the gaming centre
alone is expected to provide about 100 jobs. Regarding the potential for addictions and accompanying social problems, he said: “That’s there and it’s happening anyways. We’re analyzing patrons from Kamloops and Vernon; over 30 per cent are coming from Salmon Arm. We know the See Band on page A2
Index Opinion ....................... A6 View Point .................. A7 Life & Times ............... A8 Time Out................... A14 Sports............... A20-A24 Arts & Events ... A25-A28 Vol. 106, No. 8, 48 pages