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Wednesday, January 1, 2014 Eagle Valley News
YEAR IN REVIEW
Candidates share platforms in bid for Shuswap riding Continued from page 7
dates forum in Sicamous seemed united in their appreciation for the calibre of the event. About 50 people attended, and offered an intriguing array of questions that touched on a range of issues, including national foreign trade to transportation, funding for private schools and bringing industry to the Shuswap. • On April 29th, four local citizens’ groups sponsored a special all-candidates forum on the environment at the Fifth Avenue Senior’s Centre in Salmon Arm. Greg Kyllo did not respond to the invitation. Kyllo told the News that he’s already committed to six all-candidates meetings, and that each takes a lot of time to prepare for.
May • During a visit by B.C. Premier Christy Clark, Shuswap MLA candidate Greg Kyllo’s spoke briefly to a 2010 court decision against developers of Old Town Bay for the alteration of fish habitat used recently by the candidate’s critics, and opponents, as ammunition against him. “There was a misunderstanding with respect to the regulations that were in place…,” said Kyllo. “What’s really important is we’ve done full restoration of the area and we’re moving forward. I’ve certainly learned from that and I think that’s made me an even stronger candidate in moving forward.” • The applicant behind a contentious quarry proposal along Old Town Road aims to clear the air with the public. Murray Hillson, a Salmon Arm logger, hopes to one day transform the lot into a residence. Building on this mountainside, however, will require the removal of rock, and plenty of it. Which is why he currently has before the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Resources an application to operate a gravel pit over a 20-year period. The Twin Anchors Peewee Stingers girls softball team was off to a hot start in Okanagan Girls softball league play. The Sicamous girls played Vernon in their first league game in Vernon. Final score: Sicamous 18, Vernon 3. The Stingers travelled to Vernon, this time to play Kelowna. Final score: Sicamous 15, Kelowna 4. • Malakwa’s Lake Country Log Homes completed its part of a 26,000 square-foot log home, that is expected for further the reputation of the family-owned and operated business stateside. • Two Sicamous men suffered serious but non-life threatening
Forum: Shuswap Liberal candidate Greg Kyllo takes a turn at the mic as Steve Gunner (NDP), Chris George (Green) and Tom Birch (Conservative) listen on at the Sicamous all-candidates forum. injuries in a single-vehicle accident on a forest serviced road. Both occupants were taken to hospital, one by ground and the other by air. One remained in hospital following surgery for internal injuries and the other was mobile soon after. • The Sicamous Lions Club held its annual Winterfest, a fundraiser for children with disabilities, in January. The awards dinner was held March 26, and 11 riders were recognized for raising $8,445. • Sicamous and Salmon Arm Provincial Martial Arts karate students travelled to Kelowna to compete in the Tae Kwon Do International Open Canadian Championships. Mother/son team, Cynthia and Nicolas Michaud of Sicamous, participated in the competition. Cynthia brought home a well-deserved bronze medal in her sparring division. Nicolas did not place this time, but says that he is eager to compete again. • In the unofficial count, with 165 of 166 polls reporting, Greg Kyllo received 11,342 votes, followed by NDP Steve Gunner, with 6, 972 votes, Conservative Tom Birch with 3,045 Green candidate Chris George had 2,186 and Johanna Zalcik of the Advocational Party took 62. • On May 9, Sicamous RCMP executed a search warrant at a Mizon Road residence. Sicamous Sgt. Dave Dubnyk says the warrant was obtained for theft of electricity. Upon entering the residence, investigating officers found two large marijuana grow operations, and multiple firearms including two shotguns and three rifles. Also on May 9, Sicamous
RCMP executed a second warrant on Cambie-Solsqua Road. Investigating officers found and seized a Caterpillar skid steer and a flat deck trailer. • Conservation Officer Mike Richardson confirmed that complaints were received through the Ministry of Environment’s RAPP (Report All Poachers and Polluters) line relating to truckloads of material being deposited on a property along Cambie-Solsqua Rd., near the Eagle Valley and District Cemetery. • North Okanagan Shuswap MP Colin Mayes is among those MPs who have captured the attention of the prime minister. Mayes told the News he is aware the Prime Minister’s Office does some monitoring because there have been a few instances in the past seven years when he has been contacted regarding different articles in the newspaper. • Students at Eagle River Secondary and Salmon Arm Secondary cast their votes in a mock provincial election on May 13 for Student Vote BC 2013. Eagle River Students would have elected Liberal candidate Greg Kyllo. • After 22 years in School District #83 Joan Chafe is saying goodbye. Chafe retired from Parkview Elementary at the end of the school year. • The Sicamous Twin Anchors U14 Stingers girls fastball team continues to look impressive in league play, running their record to six wins, zero losses. • The Sicamous and District Chamber of Commerce and the Stomp committee heard positive feedback at their public forum held May 13. About 30 people attended the town hall meeting to
update themselves on the events slated for July 18 to 21. • Columbia Shuswap Regional District directors supported recommendations to move forward with the process of acquiring the Malakwa school facility and develop a draft Community Property Acquisition Policy. The facility currently houses the Malakwa Learning Academy, Eagle Valley Community Resource Centre, post office, and pottery classes, and they just started having dropin floor hockey for the kids. • Reports of a structural fire on Ward Road started coming in around 10:30 Monday morning, and when the Malakwa firefighters arrived on the scene, the twostory building was fully engulfed. The blaze is being considered suspicious. • Columbia Shuswap Regional District directors approved $17,000 to install a Radio Over Internet Protocol (ROIP) system to replace a problematic 911 fire dispatch system. • After being advised by the province that Victoria is not planning to install a new bridge or culvert at Hummingbird Creek members of the Swansea Point Community Association appealed to the CSRD directors to write a letter to Transportation Minister Mary Polak on their behalf. Directors agreed unanimously to send a letter to the minister of transportation. • The Sicamous Firemen’s Club wants a place to display a piece of Canadian history. The club owns a 1928 Gotfredson fire truck that is currently being housed in an old building that will soon be demolished. • Canada Day in Sicamous
may not be the same now that district council has decided to move the annual fireworks display to the August long weekend. • A million dollars may not have been enough to tame Sicamous Creek. Excavators could be seen strategically stacking large rocks in specific areas along the creek, further enhancing previous restoration work done by the province following the June 23 debris flow. • A Sicamous man is facing several charges including sexual assault, unlawful confinement, as well as weapons-related charges following a recent police search of a Martin Street residence. Quincy Jerrod Kazakoff, 40, is currently in police custody as a result of an RCMP investigation. • Sicamous’ West Martin-Patterson and Vernon’s Jeremy Bell were the team to beat at Kelowna’s Lakeview Heights Tennis Club Tournament. The two were this year’s reigning team in men’s open doubles, making it five years in a row they’ve taken the top spot at this annual tournament.
June • Sicamous’ sewer extension projects are expected to be completed within the district’s $10 million budget, which includes a contingency worth close to $1 million. The district was able to borrow the funds in February, 2010, after receiving public consent through an alternate approval process. • In a sight Sicamous residents may have never before witnessed, a large crowd of people, representing all ages in the community, appeared in front of the municipal civic centre to protest council’s decision to move the Canada Day fireworks display to the B.C. Day long weekend. The vote has sparked criticism and dissent in the community, and through social media and email list servers. • Psychic abilities may give an edge to prospective candidates seeking to take over the role of district deputy corporate officer from soon-to-be-retiring Mary Geall. The ad was written by district chief administrative officer, Heidi Frank, who had taken a somewhat unconventional approach to attracting the right candidate. While Geall may not claim to have psychic abilities, Frank is hoping to hold on to her at least until the byelection to replace outgoing councillor Greg Kyllo. • A new program offered by the district may appeal to parents stuck for a child-care option after school hours. The Active After See Council on page 9