MONDAY
< The rigours of Wasa
JUNE 10, 2013
20th triathlon puts athletes to the test | Page 8
DeCroo, Nix team up >
Two shows in one at Lotus concert | Page 7
1
$ 10 INCLUDES G.S.T.
Proudly serving Cranbrook and area since 1951
Vol. 61, Issue 110
www.dailytownsman.com
CHRISTY CLARK’S CABINET
Bill Bennett gets Energy and Mines Kootenay East MLA also made the Minister Responsible for the Core Review process
SALLY MACDONALD Townsman Staff
COURTESY HELEN DUCKWORTH
Local artist Val MacPhee caught the eye of the people with her piece “Winter Color,” and went on the win the People’s Choice Award at the Cranbrook and District Arts Council’s VisArts2013 show. See an interview with the artist on Page 7.
UNDER PRESSURE: PART ONE
How water gets from the reservoir to our taps
This 4-part feature series explains the problems with Cranbrook’s pipes. In the first article, we learn how Cranbrook’s water is moved from Phillips Reservoir to each home in the city SALLY MACDONALD Townsman Staff
W
e all know Cranbrook is built on a hill. Drive south from Baker Street towards the edge of town and you’ll be driving uphill the whole way. This situation is both a blessing and a curse for Cran-
brook’s pipes — the way we get our water, the city’s water distribution system. It’s a blessing because the water naturally flows down through the pipes from the reservoir, outside Cranbrook in the southern Gold Creek area. We don’t need to pump water through the pipes; we don’t
need to use energy to improve water pressure. It’s a curse because we actually need to reduce the water pressure in much of Cranbrook, and quite drastically at that. At Cranbrook’s lowest point, where Sandor Rentals is
located, if the pressure wasn’t reduced, you’d turn on the shower and the water would blow a hole through your chest. What’s more, the water pressure means our pipes wear a lot faster. And that’s expensive.
See FROM RESERVOIR TO TAP , Page 4
Kootenay East’s newly re-elected MLA Bill Bennett has been given dual responsibilities in the new cabinet of Premier Christy Clark, announced on Friday, June 7. After winning the May 14 provincial election, the B.C. Liberals will return to the legislature with a majority government this summer. When they do, Bill Bennett will be there as the head of the new Ministry of Energy and Mines, as well as being the chair of a new Core Review committee. “I will be busy, but it gives my constituents a tremendous opportunity for influence in government,” MLA Bennett told the Townsman on Friday. “It’s really good for the people that I represent to have me in a position where I have that kind of influence within government. And it shows the Premier has confidence in me.” As Minister of Energy and Mines, Bennett will be in familiar territory. Since he was first elected to represent Kootenay East in 2001, Bennett has served as Minister of Energy from June to October 2010, and Minister
Bill Bennett
of State for Mining from 2005 to 2007. Before last month’s election, Bennett was Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, a position he had held since September 2012. He was Minister of Community and Rural Development from June 2009 to June 2010; and Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts from June 2008 to June 2009. Now, Bennett will be responsible for a significant portfolio. The Ministry of Energy and Mines oversees several important agencies, including BC Hydro, Clean Energy B.C. and the Columbia Power Corporation, as well as B.C.’s prosperous mining industry, including Teck’s Elk Valley operations.
See BENNETT , Page 3
Caldwell Agencies
290 Wallinger Avenue, Kimberley ❘ 250-427-2221 ❘ www.caldwellagencies.com
The Hometown Experts with a World of Experience®