Wednesday December 4, 2013 www.saobserver.net $1.25 GST IncluDeD
Recycling decision reversed mmBC: Council opts to join program. By Lachlan Labere OBSeRVeR STAFF
Salmon Arm will be participating in a province-wide recycling program after municipal council learned the cost of not joining could be greater than anticipated. At a special, down-to-the-wire meeting held Friday, nov. 29, council reversed its decision to not sign a five-year contract with Multi Material Bc (MMBc). The city will now join the columbia Shuswap Regional District in taking part in a provincially mandated program for the collection of recyclable paper and packaging. council had until the end of november to commit to the program, which will commence on May 19. The decision to sign with MMBc was made after council received new information Friday in a presentation by the cSRD’s environment and engineering services deputy manager, Darcy Mooney, and waste management co-ordinator, Ben Van nostrand. Their appearance was prompted by council’s vote on Monday, nov. 25 against signing. At that regular Monday meeting, council was told participation in the program would have provided the city with an annual financial incentive of $37.25 per participating household (approximately 6,000), $34 of which would have been credited back to the public through their annual recycling bill. city engineering and public works director Rob niewenhuizen said that overall, staff thought they could work with the proposed program, but recommended against signing the contract. In particular, staff were concerned the contract does not respect prior verbal and written agreements with MMBc, and contains an indemnity clause that would open the city to liability beyond its control. At Friday’s meeting, niewenhuizen said those “grey areas” of concern remain. He said staff contacted the cSRD after MonSee Costs on page A2
James murray/OBSeRVeR
Winter conditions add risks to roads
Paramedics attend to one of the people involved in a motor vehicle accident Monday, Dec. 2 at 1:15 p.m. on Highway 97B near Black Road. A northbound vehicle veered out-of-control on the road and entered the southbound lane, causing a near head-on collision. All vehicle occupants reported injuries and were taken to hospital. Police say the vehicle that was out-of-control was equipped with summer tires with poor tread depth. The driver was charged for operating an improperly equipped vehicle.
Deal averts strike at schools
Dispute: Membership vote pending, no further job action planned.
By Tracy Hughes & richard rolke BlAcK PReSS
Job action has been avoided at north Okanagan-Shuswap schools this week. cuPe local 523 workers, who represent 1,150 custodians, bus drivers and other education support workers, were in a legal position to walk off the job Tuesday but a tentative contract was hammered out Monday.
This week A Salmon Arm expert on Christmas trees shares his views and advice. See A8. Karate students put their skills up against the boards at a weekend event. See A21.
“I think all sides are pleased we have reached an agreement and can avoid a disruption to students,” said Superintendent Glenn Borthistle following the announcement of the tentative deal. The school district had issued a notice to parents Monday advising them of the possibility of strike action on Tuesday and suggesting parents may need to make alternate child-care arrangements.
A strike action would have disrupted classes, as the union representing B.c. Teachers would not have crossed picket lines. news of the agreement was released Monday evening, so schools operated as normal Tuesday. cuPe local 523 said the sticking points in negotiating revolved around clawbacks to long-term disability benefits, although the school district dis-
puted this point. “It was a hard day for everyone but everyone put their heads together and found compromises that work for everyone,” said Rob Hewitt, cuPe local 523 bargaining committee spokesperson. But a level of uncertainty remains. north Okanagan-Shuswap cuPe members will vote on See agreement on page A2
Index Opinion ....................... A6 View Point .................. A7 Life & Times ............... A8 Time Out................... A10 Sports................A21-A24 Arts & Events ... A25-A28 Vol. 106, No. 49, 48 pages