STRONG DEMAND| Reduced fees are proving popular at Lumby’s swimming pool [A12]
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Private security eyed for BX road
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RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
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Cadet Shevon Monias, of Cross Lake, Man., gets a helping hand from Corp. Derek Drydak, as she shoulders her supply of summer training gear at the Vernon Cadet Summer Training Centre. Monias is enrolled in a three-week basic leadership course.
Venture scrambling for site RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
A group that supports the developmentally disabled is scrambling after a land deal collapsed. The Vernon and District Association for Community Living has learned the Vernon School District will no longer sell the Dorothy Alexander Centre, which is part of the West Vernon school site. “It really was a surprise,” said Eileen Howells, Eileen Howells VDACL executive director. “We thought we had an agreement and out of the blue it’s all gone.” VDACL and the school district reached an agreement in 2009 over the 8,500-square-foot building and the
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Ministry of Education approved selling the property to VDACL in 2010. School district officials, however, insist they have been open with VDACL about needing the Dorothy Alexander Centre for the alternate learning program, which assists teens and adults. “We have told them for the last couple of years that we needed space and we weren’t going to renew their lease,” said Bev Rundell, superintendent. VDACL, also known as Venture Training, has leased the building since 1961 and once purchased, the plan was to expand the programs available. “It made sense because of the programs we have in close vicinity there,” said Howells, adding that the focus was going to be on fitness and theatre. “Our goal is all about inclusion in the community. We wanted an art studio there so we could bring people in so our clients could have opportunities.” VDACL has three months to move
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existing programs out of the centre. “We need to do plan B but we’re not sure what buildings in the community are out there,” said Howells. Rundell says the district considered other options for alternate learning but the Dorothy Alexander Centre made the most sense. “To build a space or find a space to lease, we don’t have the financial resources to do that,” she said. “We have to do what is best for our students.” Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA, had helped convince the Ministry of Education to approve the purchase to VDACL. He was unaware of the district’s decision until he was contacted by The Morning Star. “My understanding was the process (purchase) was moving along. This is new to me,” he said, adding that he will pursue further information from the school district.
A politician may hire security guards because he claims the RCMP is ignoring residents’ concerns. Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director, is investigating the cost of private security because of ongoing problems with parties, fires, illegal dumping and unlicensed vehicles at the end of Hartnell Road. “We’ve asked the RCMP for increased patrols and they are reluctant to do that,” said Macnabb. “I’m totally frustrated. Local folks have taken photos and been threatened (by offenders) so what’s the next step? The RCMP are unwilling to do it.” Macnabb says he has been left with no choice but to consider financing security. Mike Macnabb “I can’t afford to do it on a regular basis but it would show that we care. Residents are beside themselves,” he said. The most significant concern among residents is parties on adjacent Crown land and bonfires, which could spread during dry conditions. “If there was a fire lower down, the people up top could be trapped,” said Macnabb, adding that there is only one road out of the area. In June, BX-Swan Lake firefighters responded to a fire and a firefighter was struck by a vehicle fleeing the scene. Other complaints from residents revolve around illegal dumping of waste, including animal carcasses, mudbogging and unlicensed vehicles roaring along the road. “This isn’t a new problem. The RCMP have known about this for some time,” said Macnabb. Beyond the RCMP, Macnabb has been lobbying the provincial government to take action on Crown land but he says no department wants to take responsibility. Macnabb is also pushing the Regional District of North Okanagan to get involved because it has rights-of-way across private property leading to Crown land. “We have an obligation to keep up easements but we have dropped the ball. If we are obligated to do something, we could put up a gate to restrict access,” he said. Vernon RCMP officials are defending their actions on Hartnell Road. “We have done road checks and recorded a number of incidents,” said Supt. Reg Burgess, the officer in charge of the detachment. “We continue to respond to calls there. The big thing is we need to be alerted by residents about incidents when they are occurring.” Burgess admits that while Hartnell Road is a priority, the detachment faces similar pressures throughout the community. “We can’t afford to place officers up there in one area. We only have so many resources,” he said.
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