Sunday, March 9, 2014 - The Morning Star A11
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Spall buying into carbon offsets ROGER KNOX Morning Star Staff
The Township of Spallumcheen has entered into a memorandum of understanding with a local company to purchase carbon offsets. A one-year deal has been reached with Passive Remediation Systems Inc. Carbon offsets includes things like planting trees to replace ones chopped down. The chopped trees are taken to a plant and converted into wood chips. “We will purchase offsets from Passive Remediation Systems as long as the offsets offered are accepted by the Green Communities committee and an agreement to finalize and purchase and sale agreement for the offsets is reached,” said township chief financial officer Brian Freeman-Marsh. The Green Communities committee reviews and determines if the offsets offered in the market meet the province’s requirements. The committee won’t do such work unless a provider has an MOU with local
government to purchase offsets. The final Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program report, which looks at municipalities’ carbon neutrality in 2013, had to be submitted by Friday to be eligible for a carbon tax rebate. In 2013, Spallumcheen emitted 315.8 tonnes of carbon, down from the previous year. Freeman-Marsh anticipated the township will receive about $12,000 for its rebate. Master plan The township hopes to get togethGreg Betts er with the City of Armstrong to discuss master sewer plan opportunities, similar to the deal the neighbours reached over water. Council is currently reviewing the city’s master sewer plan. “The potential is there for the township to do as much as we did with water
initiatives by discussing this matter,” said Spallumcheen administrator Greg Betts. “The ponds and many of the works are already in Spallumcheen. There is a need for more effluent and there’s probably a demand in the township.” Council voted unanimously to direct staff to start discussions with Armstrong staff. Bylaw complete The first two readings of a proposed noise prevention bylaw in Spallumcheen were read on June 2, 2008. Nearly six years later, the bylaw has now been adopted. It took a lot of time, research and tweaking before council was able to give final reading of the bylaw which, except for construction emergencies and some exemptions like emergency services, prohibits residents from making loud noises or causes any noise that disturbs the peace before 7 a.m. and after 10 p.m. No construction shall start before 7 a.m. or after 8 p.m. unless there’s an absolute emergency threatening life or safety.
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Students earn spot in national event Morning Star Staff
Okanagan College will be sending a team of its best and brightest students to compete in the Enactus national exhibition in Calgary next month after earning top honours in two categories at last weekend’s regional competition, also held in Calgary. The student-run organization finished first in the Capital One Financial Literacy Education Challenge and the Scotiabank EcoLiving Green Challenge. A third
team from the college was named first runner-up in the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge. “We are extremely proud in the way in which our Enactus students continue to excel, not just in their business competitions, but also through the great work they are engaged in within our communities,” said president Jim Hamilton. The teams that competed at the regional challenge were comprised of a range of
Investigation ongoing RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
An accident on Vernon’s Hospital Hill continues to be the focus of a police investigation. On Thursday, a 14-year-old girl was struck by a vehicle on 32nd Street at about 2:30 p.m. “She did suffer some head and ankle injuries and is still in hospital,” said Gord Molendyk, RCMP spokesperson, Friday. According to RCMP, the teenager ran out on to 32nd Street in front of a vehicle, and while the driver attempted to avoid the girl, she was apparently struck by a side mirror. The driver of the vehicle was cooperating with the police investigation.
first- to fourth-year students who take classes at the college in Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton. The competitions offer Enactus students the opportunity to present the outcomes of a series of real-world educational initiatives and projects, each of which are student-led and impact members of the community. Members of the gold medal Capital One
Financial Education Challenge team were all from Kelowna and included: Karen Vandergaag, Jen Crookes, Kyle Aboott, Ivan Gonzales, and Scott Harvey. The gold medalists on the Scotiabank EcoLiving Green Challenge team included: Cassandra Lum (Penticton), Evan Dizak, Rob Larkin, Darren Gillespie and Minami Endo (all from
Kelowna). The TD Entrepreneurship Challenge team that won silver included: Nikki Wiebe and Morgan Lackhart (both from Vernon) and Kelowna students Michelle Johnson, Tom Arrowsmith, and Ben Heggie. The national Enactus exhibition takes place in Calgary at the end of April.
Be a CANDIDATE With ELIZABETH MAY & the Green Party ! Do you believe the truth about environment, economic & social issues needs a higher profile in today’s political debate? The Okanagan Shuswap Green Party Electoral District Association is looking for a candidate to run in the 2015 federal election. We have a strong, well funded support team dedicated to sending you to Parliament ! Our ideal candidate will be a confident speaker with a strong community profile, who has the energy and conviction to present the Green Party Vision (www.greenparty.ca). Candidates are welcome from across our riding; stretching from north Shuswap through Vernon to Cherryville.
Tax News
from Dean Chapple at H&R Block This column is directed to young people and their parents. Two good reasons to file a tax return for the 2013 year: GST credits and BC Sales Tax Credit. GST credits are paid quarterly - July, October, January and April, following the end of the current taxation year. Anyone turning 19 years of age will start receiving their GST cheque the first quarter after their 19th birthday but only if they filed a tax return when they were 18. For example, if you turn 19 in August 2014 you will start to receive GST credits in October 2014 if you filed a 2013 tax return. The BC Tax Credit of $75 for 2013 tax year, will be back on the clients tax return and not included with the GST payment. If you have a T4 from employment, as a student, you stand a good chance of getting a refund of taxes paid. Don’t disregard your T4 – if you are in doubt as to whether you should file or not come in and talk to one of our tax specialists free of charge and you might be pleasantly surprised. Vernon • #100, 2901 32nd Street • 250-549-3332 Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-5 Vernon • Village Green Centre (Beside Starbucks) #119, 4900 27th Street, Vernon • 250-545-4333 Armstrong • #2, 3305 Smith Drive • 250-546-2854 Hours: Mon. - Sat. 9-5
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