PROBLEM WILDLIFE| Public reports of bears remain steady throughout the North Okanagan [A5]
Morning gStar
The
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
P R O U D L Y
S E R V I N G
O U R
N O R T H
O K A N A G A N
All round saw for those who value professional quality in a saw.
Blow Out Price…
45000
$
450E
Regular $559.99. Smart Start, self tightening chain
w w w. v e r n o n m o r n i n g s t a r. c o m
C O M M U N I T I E S
F O R
O V E R
2 0
Y E A R S
3202 29TH Street, Vernon • 250-545-0627
New home takes flight for legion RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
A growing friendship has provided Vernon’s Royal Canadian Legion with a new lease on life. Just weeks after closing its lounge, the legion branch kicks off its first meat draw Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Fraternal Order of Eagles hall on 25th Avenue. “It’s kind of exciting because we’re being reborn,” said Al Berg, a legion member. An office will be rented in the basement and meat draws will be in the Eagles’ lounge Saturdays. Special events, like dances, can be held in the building’s hall. The legion was forced to restructure because it was completely reliant on revenue from the 29th Street lounge to cover utility bills, rent and wages. However, fewer people were walking through the door and that impacted the bottom line. “They were in danger of losing their charter and that would have been horrible for the community,” said John Mayrhofer, Eagles president. Legion gaming activities, such as the meat draw, raised more than $31,050 last year for community charities. It cannot go towards operating expenses. The legion’s poppy campaign raised $32,435 in 2012 for veterans and their families. John Miller, legion president, has been
thrilled with the support shown by Eagles’ members. “Everyone here has been very responsive,” he said. While there has been some speculation that one group may want to take the other over, those views are quickly dismissed by Mayrhofer and Miller. “I don’t know where people get the idea of competition because we are in the same business of helping people in the community,” said Mayrhofer. “Don’t use the amalgamating word because what we’re doing is working together.” The legion has 840 members and the Eagles have about 300. “We will prove that this works,” said Miller, adding that the arrangement could serve as a template for other groups to remain active while reducing overhead costs. Eagles’ activities will continue as they always have, including the Friday dinner and meat draw. As part of restructuring, the legion has received help from the City of Vernon and Bruce Blankley, with Marjack Leasing, the owner of the former legion lounge on 29th Street. ROGER KNOX/MORNING STAR “He was more than helpful during the John Miller (left), Royal Canadian Legion president, shakes hands with John Mayrhofer, Fraternal transition. I can’t say enough about the Order of Eagles president, on a deal that will see the legion use space in the Eagles hall on 25th man,” said Miller of Blankley.
Avenue.
Railway closure drives economic uncertainty There are concerns that a failed rail venture could throw economic development off the tracks. Kelowna Pacific Railway has filed for bankruptcy and that means train travel between Vernon and Kamloops and Vernon to Lumby has ceased. Lumby Mayor Kevin Acton said the move is another setback in trying to attract new business to the village. “Any industry that’s been looked at wants viable rail access,” said Acton. Also considering the potential impact is Kevin Poole, Vernon’s economic development manager. “We are well aware of the situation and are discussing it with industry,” he said. Canadian National Railway, which owns most of the
track, isn’t speculating on whether another company may take over or if rail service will end permanently. “We are working with the receiver on the process going on,” said Emily Hemer, CN’s regional manager of public affairs. Hemer added that Kelowna Pacific still has a lease to the track. Vancouver-based Boale, Wood and Company, which is overseeing bankruptcy, also wouldn’t say if rail cargo will resume. “We hope to come up with a game plan in a week or so,” said John McEown, a trustee with Boale, Wood. A number of businesses are being impacted by the lack of rail service including Tolko Industries. “We have a contingency plan for transportation interruption,” said Janice Lockyer, Tolko’s communications advisor.
All product from the mills in Lumby, Lavington and Spallumcheen is now being transported by truck. “We are reaching out to our customers and informing them on how we will get their shipments to them on time,” said Lockyer. KPR had been operating the short-line since 2000 and it had between 40 and 50 employees mostly based in Vernon. “We are very concerned about the situation with Kelowna Pacific Railway. They are a vital part of the transportation infrastructure in the region and the cessation of service is having an immediate impact on the shipment of goods to export markets,” said George Duffy, Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce general manager. “We have contacted both the B.C. and Canadian chambers of commerce to seek assistance in finding solutions as quickly as possible.”
EMPLOYEE PRICING IS BACK Hurry in for BEST SELECTION!!!
WATKIN MOTORS
DLR. #6076
RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
4602 - 27 ST, VERNON | SALES • LEASING • PARTS • SERVICE 250-545-0611 • 1-800-736-1944 • WATKINMOTORS.COM