COMMUNITY Valley First helps Rotary with kitchen project Page 2
OUR TOWN Local author wants to share his stories with you Page 6
SPORTS
Urgent need for volunteers Special Olympics Page 11
SPOTLIGHT Princeton, BC
$1.10 Includes TAX
The Similkameen
Volume 65 Issue 4
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Proudly serving the community since 1948 • www.similkameenspotlight.com We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.
Town hosts Let’s talk business forum Suggestions to attract businesses and increase population a priority for prosperity in Princeton. Lisa Carleton lisa@similkameenspotlight.com
Owners, operators and employees of local businesses attended a meeting with Mayor and Council on Wednesday, Jan 15 at the Riverside Centre. The topic of discussion for the evening was Supporting our Downtown. Mayor Frank Armitage opened the discussion by stating that, “Suggestions and solutions that we could implement collectively are welcomed.” He added that, “We have seen with the hospital closure, how hard work and working together equaled good results.” It was stated that 17 out of the 75 business buildings in the downtown core were empty. Suggestions for reasons why and solutions to the issues were then discussed among the group; Rental/lease pricing is stated to be high for many of the buildings. The Business Park: the lots have not been selling. - It was suggested that Council consider a tax holiday or sell the land at cost in order to get businesses up there. Zoning and bylaws: it is felt that some of the bylaws (ie; parking, lighting, signage) cause roadblocks for businesses and should be reviewed to make Princeton more ‘business friendly.’ It is suggested that Zoning bylaws should protect the investors.
See PEEWEES - Page 11
Lisa Carleton/Spotlight
Peewee Posse player Curtis Gould takes a ‘flying shot on goal’ during the Princeton Posse vs Abbotsford Nighthawks tournament game on Saturday afternoon. The Posse Pewwees won all the tournament games and went on to be tournament champs.
Posse Peewees win tournament Lisa Carleton lisa@similkameenspotlight.com
The Princeton Posse Peewee team take top spot in the Peewee House Tournament hosted by the Princeton and District Minor Hockey Association at the Princeton Arena this past weekend. Eight teams participated in the three day tournament which began on Friday afternoon. The Princeton Posse, Kelowna Stingrays, Abbotsford Nighthawks, Aldergrove Bears, Kelowna Predators, Kamloops Predators, Grand Forks Bruins and the Chilliwack Blades all played hard over the weekend vying for the top spot and the House Tournament Cup.
The Princeton Posse Peewee’s however, played top notch all weekend long, winning all three of their tournament games; Posse Peewee 7 vs Aldergrove Bears 0, Posse Peewee 8 vs Kelowna Stingrays 4 and Posse Peewee 9 vs Abbotsford Nighthawks 1—then on Sunday, Posse Peewee’s win the tournament against finalist team Grand Forks Bruins. But, that’s not all...This team has won every game they have played this year. As of Friday, Jan 17 they have won 16 games, have no losses and no ties. Next up for the team are the playoffs and then possibly on to the provincials. Good luck Princeton Posse Peewee’s. The Spotlight will provide playoff dates as they are announced.
Weather Watch Wednesday
High 3/Low -2
Thursday
High 2/Low -3
Friday
High 2/Low -5
Saturday
High 4/Low -4
Sunday
High 3/Low -1
See PEEWEES - Page 11 Join the Spotlight in our Salute to Minor Hockey Week! Deadline: Jan. 23/14 at 5:00 pm For more information contact Sandi at
250-295-3535.
Celebrating Minor Hockey Week ~ Week of January 29th
SPOTLIGHT The Similkameen
Proudly serving the community since 1948 • www.similkameenspotlight.com