TUESDAY
S I N C E
MARCH 26, 2013
1 8 9 5 Patterson paces Red Racers
Vol. 118, Issue 48
110
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Page 13
INCLUDING H.S.T.
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Budget does little for rural regions, says MP BY TIMOTHY SCHAFER Times Staff
The new federal budget has failed people and the ailing economies in rural B.C., says the Member of Parliament representing the Greater Trail region. Alex Atamanenko, said that with the exception of a small business tax credit, the Conservative budget falls short of delivering results for people in the rural parts of the province. The federal government promised a focus on jobs but has not introduced any new measures to create meaningful employment, he said in a release, nor has there been any new money for skills training. In fact, there will be a clawback of $300 million from the $500 million the federal government had provided provinces to promote training. The money will be put into a Canada Jobs Grant by 201415. “Some years ago, this government devolved job training to the provinces,” he said. “Now, without consultation, it is taking back part of the training money for the Canada Job Grant program. This could cause some confusion as to who is responsible for what.” Atamanenko said B.C. Southern Interior constituents told him they wanted investments in front
BUNNY BUDDIES
line public services, a job creation strategy, a better transit system, improved home care for seniors and a national housing strategy. Trail native Ken Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, said the federal government has failed to provide a culture of good skills training and, as a result, has not caught on with business and governments in Canada. He said it was disappointing only 16 per cent of federal investments for skills and jobs is new money, with the rest an extension or reallocation of existing funds. “Money has been taken out of the hands of provinces and lowskilled workers, and put into the hands of employers to do what they should have been doing already,” he said. “Money is being channelled to specific employers with no guarantee that training will meet broader labour market needs.” Atamanenko also denounced a $36 billion reduction in healthcare transfers. “It is also disappointing to see the Conservatives pushing ahead with unpopular cuts to EI that will force workers to take a 30 per cent pay cut,” he noted. “And, while the government is taking skills training away from the provinces it is providing no new money for education and training.”
TRAIL
River wall project taking shape BY CHRIS STEDILE Times Staff
The City of Trail’s River Wall Restoration project is well underway to improve the river’s shoreline. The $140,000 project includes improved viewing of the river, easier access to maintenance and cleaning of the river wall. City of Trail Public Works manager, Larry Abenante says through the use of riprap rock – large rocks, the result of demolition – donated from the Waneta Dam project, the city is reinforcing the base of the river wall.
The riprap will absorb the force of the water surging towards the wall and slow the water’s flow up the shore, reducing erosion. Hopes are to have the rocks laid before the water levels rise once again. Not only will the city be adding to the area surrounding the wall but also removing various aspects. “Part of the restoration is also to get rid of a bunch of the trees that are down there, mostly cottonwoods and poplars,” Abenante says. See ROAD, Page 2
SHERI REGNIER PHOTO
The Easter Bunny made a visit to Warfield on Saturday and drew many fans including some curious kids eager for a treat and close up look at the guest of honour. See more photos on Page 11.
Study proposed for regional fire service BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
A hot topic at local council meetings this month has been the issue of a 2013 regional fire service study. The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) is set to adopt its 2013 budget on Wednesday, which will include $40,000 for the proposed study. “The City of Rossland requested that we take a look
at the service to confirm or define ways that we might be able to be more efficient or cost effective,” said John McLean, chief administrative officer for the RDKB. The proposed 2013 annual operating budget for the regional fire service has increased by almost $300,000 since last year. In 2012, the budget was $3.6 million and this year will engulf over $3.9 million.
McLean said that although the main impetus for the study is to look at the rising costs over the last few years, the study would also examine all aspects of the fire service, including first responders and the relationship between volunteers and career staff. “We need to determine if we are doing good service to the community,” said McLean. See STUDY, Page 3
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