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February 26, 2014
KEVIN PARNELL
During a visit
to George Elliot secondary school in Lake Country, the Lieutenant Governor of B.C. emphasized the importance of the three R’s: Respect, relationships and responsibility. ...............................
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Clear the beaches March 1 is the deadline to clear any boats or shore-side personal property from the Okanagan Linear Park, before the district does it for you. ...............................
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Youth looks at bigger issues beyond high school
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Saturday night wasn’t any normal evening in the life of 17-year Lake Country student Quinn Middleton. Middleton, a Grade 12 student at George Elliot secondary school, joined with thousands of others across the country to take part in the Coldest Night of the Year, a nation-wide walka-thon in support of homeless ministries and to raise awareness and funds for the plight of homeless people across Canada. “I think for me the big thing is seeing all of the people that are going to be out there supporting the homeless,” said Middleton last week, a day before taking part in the walk-athon Saturday evening at the Kelowna Gospel Mission. “Seeing how many people take on the challenge and step out into the cold and experi-
ence what the homeless people experience will be good. It’s not going to be the same but it will give us a taste of what it’s like. I couldn’t really imagine doing what they have to do every day.” So while many people were curled up cozy and warm in the safety of home, Middleton, along with friend Wynden Danylowich, were out taking part in a national movement aimed at helping a problem that affects people right across the country and is a big issue in the Okanagan. Middleton says it’s important for people to take part in community initiatives as opposed to ignoring social problems. “I think it’s really important to get out into the community and show your support and show you care. They are having these walks all around Canada,” he said. “Taking part in something like this definite-
ly opens your eyes and shows what can happen if you don’t stay on the right path.” Middleton is no stranger to being part of the community. During his final year in high school he has been spending one night a month at Lake Country council representing area students as a youth councillor. Middleton and Danylowich share the duties as the pair have learned about how local government works and how decisions are made in a community. A lifelong resident of Lake Country, Middleton says he hopes to attend UBC in Vancouver and study for a business degree next year and says his time as a youth councillor has been a great educational tool. “I think it’s been a really nice experience for me as a student, to get to know what’s going on outside of the high school,” he said. “It’s nice
CONTRIBUTED
QUINN Middleton shakes hands with B.C.’s Lieutenant Governor Judith
Guichon. The George Elliot secondary school Grade 12 student and his friend Wynden Danylowich (centre) took part in the Coldest Night of the Year, a nation-wide walk-a-thon. to know how the community runs. It helps me prepare for life outside of high school when I move on.” Middleton didn’t rule out a life in local pol-
itics and said he would enjoy the challenges that come with being a decision-maker in a community. And he said he also plans to take part in other forms of activism
such as Saturday’s Coldest Night of the Year. “I’m interested in just helping out wherever I can,” he said. newsroom @lakecountrynews.net
▼ 10-MINUTE RESPONSE
Costly to comply with new building code fire regulations Lake Country officials are alarmed that new provincial rules could drive up firefighting costs. The revised B.C. Building Code calls for firefighters to respond to a blaze at newly creat-
ed lots in 10 minutes instead of the standard 15 minutes. “It’s a significant concern for communities that rely on volunteer departments,” said Coun. Lisa Cameron. “This (15-minute re-
sponse time) does not threaten anyone’s safety. There was less loss of structures and damage due to fire last year.” A 10-minute response time could lead to communities, such as Lake Country, having to hire
full-time firefighters. “It comes at a significant cost every time you add bodies,” said Cameron. “Our firefighters do an amazing job and this (new code) somehow suggests they’re not as
DARLA
good.” In a letter to Energy Minister Bill Bennett, Mayor James Baker said the new code could also drive up housing costs because it calls for fire sprinklers. “Most importantly,
a new public safety risk could result if much larger water connections required for sprinklering fail,” said Baker. “We are concerned about the very real land-
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