SUMMERLAND REVIEW THE VOICE OF OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1908
VOLUME
66
-
ISSUE
WHAT’S INSIDE:
NO.
13
•
S U M M E R L A N D,
by John Arendt
A new art exhibit is on display at the Summerland Art Gallery.
Page 14
•
T H U R S D AY,
MARCH
28,
2013
•
24
PA G E S
•
$1.15
INCLUDING
HST
Expansion supported Development in Deer Ridge would extend sewer
Art exhibit
B.C.
WWW.SUMMERLANDREVIEW.COM
A proposed development in the Deer Ridge area, which would result in extending the sewer to the hillside neighbourhood, received council support on Monday
evening. At a public hearing, residents raised their concerns about the impact of the development on traffic, the environment and water runoff. The Official Community Plan and zoning amendments would allow for smaller minimum lot sizes. A portion of land on McLarty Place
will also be set aside for parkland. Anita Perry, a Deer Ridge resident, said the development would affect the natural area and increase the population density in the area. “Our issue is with the density and the number of people,” she said. She also raised concerns about the traffic
volume which would result from additional development in the area. Ray Kolbus, who lives on Denike Street below the Deer Ridge area, said the area below the development has been plagued with water problems for many years. “I am concerned with future groundwater in this development,” he said.
Some of the residents downhill from Deer Ridge have had ongoing problems with excess water on their properties. He added that the intersection at Morrow Avenue and Prairie Valley Road, which provides access to Deer Ridge, is a tight corner which needs to be examined. See SUPPORT Page 9
Bus routes
Several options for transit routes are now being considered as the community works to set up a bus service.
Page 3
Tax changes
On Monday, the province replaces the Harmonized Sales Tax with the Provincial Sales Tax and the federal Goods and Services Tax.
Page 8
Picking up
Dog owners gathered to clean up after pets at one local beach.
Page 10
Watching power
Summerland residents turned off the lights and powered down electronics for Earth Hour on Saturday evening.
Page 16
Crokinole action
Summerland players excelled at a recent crokinole tournament.
Page 18
YOUR SMILE Honk if you love peace and quiet.
In the pool
Carla McLeod Special to the Summerland Review
Swimming instructor Dana Hare, left, works with a class at the Summerland Aquatic Centre. Clockwise are Xavier Smits, four years old, Helena Smits, five, Kadence Sedawie, seven and Ashlin Sedawie, four.
Budget focuses on employment by John Arendt
The federal government is focussing on providing more skilled workers to fill a growing number of job vacancies. MP Dan Albas, speaking after the federal budget was presented on March 21, said the efforts to promote skilled trades are a result of an ongoing problem attracting workers. “Far too many employ-
ers cannot get the skilled workers they need,” he said, “and there are a lot of students graduating with credentials they cannot use to find a job.” The funding for the Canada Jobs program is an attempt to address the shortage. Albas said a survey conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses showed that of more than
218,000 members, more than one in three said a lack of skilled workers was a problem they face. He added that skilled trades training can help those who want to work in the region. “There are a lot of great jobs that pay well right here in the Okanagan,” he said. “We have so many labour shortages and that impedes business.” In addition to the chal-
lenges in finding skilled labourers, Albas said the budget addresses infrastructure concerns through an indexed system of providing communities with gas tax funds. The federal government is also working to lower overall spending. “Lower spending with reduced operating expenses mean a lower debt to GDP ratio,” he
said. The Gross Domestic Product is the value of all goods and services produced within a country. It is often considered an indicator of a country’s standard of living. The debt to GDP ratio is used to determine the health of an economy. “This is the right budget at the right time for Canadians,” Albas said of the 2013 federal budget.