Review
THE www.keremeosreview.com PM Agreement #40012521
Vol.15 Number 18
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Serving the communities of Keremeos, Cawston, Okanagan Falls and Kaleden
GRIST MILL CLEAN UP
$1.15 including GST
Reservoir referendum fails to pass Vote for reservoir borrowing fails by a narrow margin
Dedicated volunteers ready historic site for May opening See page 5
POST OFFICE FACING CHALLENGING TIMES
Traditional mail services face internet challenge See page 17
ART IN THE VILLAGE
Similkameen art group display their craft at Gibson House See page 4
By Steve Arstad news@keremeosreview.com A crucial vote by Keremeos taxpayers over funding for a proposed reservoir for the village was undertaken on Saturday, April 27 at the village office. Village residents turned down the proposal by an unofficial count of 156 for versus 174 against, pending a recount Monday. Keremeos taxpayers were Photo contributed being asked for permission from the village to borrow Dave Arbogast from Winfield and Area “G” Director, Angelique Wood team up to repair approximately $950,000 over the rail fence at the Keremeos Grist Mill and Gardens during last weekend’s volunteer 30 years to finance the conspring clean up effort. The mill is scheduled to open on the May long weekend. struction of a water storage reservoir for the village. The funding opportunities for the projoptions might be available. Regional District Okanagan ect, and through the municipality “It’s unfortunate that we were Similkameen had already agreed they were able to apply for a gas tax unable to take advantage of the to help finance the project with grant for the project. The village, $300,000 grant,” Bauer said, adda $300,000 federal gas tax grant, armed with funding assistance ing that the village was committed but the proposal had been subject through the regional district, then to assuring residents of an available to some controversy over the past went to the taxpayer once more in water supply in the future. three years, and it appears that the Saturday referendum. Unfortunately, insurance undercontroversy was enough to sway Several residents in the comwriters and Interior Health may the vote on Saturday. munity have disagreed with the ultimately have more to say about The Keremeos Irrigation Disproposal from the outset, claiming the issue in the future. Should the trict put forward an Alternative that there were viable, more cost village ultimately be forced to build Approval Process request for the effective options available to the a reservoir somewhere down the funding three years ago, but there Keremeos Irrigation District. road, residents will be on the hook were sufficient taxpayers to deny On Monday, April 29, Keremeos for the total amount, minus the the AAP when 10 per cent of the Mayor Manfred Bauer said that vil$300,000 grant and no doubt at residents signed a petition. lage council and the K.I. D. would a higher cost than what was proThe K.I.D. then began discusbe discussing next steps and what posed in Saturday’s vote. sions with the village regarding