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Cemetery costs climb in Vernon RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
JENNIFER SMITH/MORNING STAR
A city worker wades through a river of water to check on drains along 39th Street, downstream from a water main break near Okanagan Avenue Tuesday. Visit www.vernonmorningstar.com for a video of the break.
Water main breaks create ‘chaos’ Torrents of water are leaving residents high and dry. Water was cut off to about 40 homes in South Vernon after an underground pipe broke Tuesday, while a water main break last week has forced the Vernon Public Art Gallery to relocate its operations. “All through the year we can get breaks but they happen more often when the ground is thawing or freezing,” said Zee Marcolin, Greater Vernon Water manager. Tuesday’s break occurred at 39th Street and 22nd Avenue and besides leaving some homes without water, Okanagan Avenue at 39th Street had to be closed during repairs. “It’s not that big of a break,” said Marcolin of the six-inch pipe.
It was anticipated that repairs would be completed by the end of Tuesday and the cause of the pipe failure was not known at press time. A massive water main break Dec. 5 forced the Vernon Public Art Gallery to move its gift shop and office to the vacant flower shop building on 31st Avenue Tuesday. Walls damaged by water and mud are being repaired at the gallery in the parkade. “It’s too hard to get in and work around the restoration staff,” said Dauna Kennedy Grant, executive director, of the need to move the gallery. A key factor on the relocation was the fact that the gift shop generates muchneeded revenue for gallery operations. “Christmas is a big season and we
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bring in extra items from artisans,” said Kennedy Grant. The gift shop will be open at the old flower shop until 5 p.m. Dec. 24. But anyone wanting to take in an art class or view an exhibit will have to wait until the new year when the gallery reopens. Not being able to meet the cultural needs of the community is less than ideal. “It’s complete chaos right now but our staff is resilient through these situations,” said Kennedy Grant. The former flower shop is the proposed site of a new art gallery, which could possibly go to referendum next year. “We hope residents will come in, give us feedback about the site and we will pass those comments on to the politicians,” said Kennedy Grant.
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RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
Your final resting place is going to cost more. Vernon council has increased the fees related to the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. “Our fees are low, even with the increase,” said Coun. Catherine Lord. The current fee for a cemetery plot for a resident adult is $725. That will climb to $970 in 2014, $1,067 in 2015 and $1,174 in 2016. For cremated Kevin Bertles remains, the plot cost goes from $216 to $290 in 2014, $319 in 2015 and $351 in 2016. Internment for an adult will climb from $540 to $730 next year, $803 in 2015 and $883 in 2016 (cremated remains will also rise). The last rate hike was five years ago and there is currently a $40,000 to $50,000 shortfall between revenues and expenses. The maintenance/interment contract recently jumped 20 per cent. The bottom line has also been impacted by societal views about death. “Traditional burials have declined significantly,” said Kevin Bertles, director of financial services. “People have gone to the internment of cremation remains.” As a result of fewer plot sales, the city is considering other options for the public, including possibly a columbarium, which can hold numerous cremation urns but doesn’t take up as much room as a traditional grave. “We want to provide more contemporary services,” said Will Pearce, chief administrative officer. Coun. Patrick Nicol wants assurances that increased funds will go towards maintenance of the cemetery. “Hopefully we can maintain the service people expect when they go to see their loved ones,” he said.
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