TUESDAY
S I N C E
MARCH 25, 2014
1 8 9 5
Vol. 119, Issue 47
105
$
INCLUDING G.S.T.
Follow us online
Matteucci wins NCAA Frozen Four Page 11
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Trail group reacts to B.C.’s new seniors’ advocate
CRAFTY CREATIONS
BY VALERIE ROSSI Times Staff
Appointing a provincial seniors’ advocate is a step in the right direction, according to a local group advocating for seniors health care. But the president of Trail’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Seniors (SPCS) is disappointed to learn that the new position will report directly to the Minister of Health. “(This) presents almost a conflict of interest situation as many seniors’ concerns are about how health care services are presently delivered,” said SPCS president Candy Parrilla. “I would see her primary focus as looking firstly at the Ombudsperson’s report and the very limited movement by the government in acting on the recommendations in the report.” Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy couldn’t agree more. SHERI REGNIER PHOTO
Camp Chaos kids didn’t have to fish for ideas to keep busy Monday in the Trail Memorial Centre gym because the spring break program leaders had a full day of activities planned, including an arts and crafts table. Seven-year-old Lucas Young (left) took charge of the glue bottle to add some glitz to his “CD fish” while eight-year-old Natalee Barbe took notes.
Skate park project a no go this year CAO says funding the project would be difficult with the city’s financial rec challenges BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
When was the last time a volunteer group was asked to raise 50 per cent of the costs for a children’s park in Trail? That’s the question skate park enthusiasts are asking. Park fundraiser Scott Daniels is shaking his head and questioning how to roll forward with the long awaited but nowhere in sight allwheel Silver City skate park, following a recent decision by Trail council.
Two years ago, council committed to fund 50 per cent of the $550,000 skate park capital project once the skate park fundraising committee reached its $275,000 goal. To date, the committee has raised in excess of $61,000 in cash commitments from the community, but in these less than stellar economic times, a more realistic goal is needed to push the project forward, according Daniels. He approached the city in December with a request to reduce the committee’s goal to a more achievable $100,000, and after a three month wait, was disappointed to learn that Trail council turned down that appeal earlier this month.
“We were very disappointed to receive notice that the skate park is not included in the 2014 budget,” said Daniels. “The committee needs a realistic and achievable goal.” Given the extensive list of capital projects planned this year, the absence of the committee’s portion of funding meant the inclusion of the project would result in the deferral of another priority project. “Given that the park would not be constructed this year, allocating funding to this project is not the preferred approach,” explained David Perehudoff, Trail’s chief administrative officer. “As noted, council did not agree to reduce the funding
goal given that the project will not proceed in 2014.” The city will consider revisiting the skate park plan for 2015 but with Trail’s overall financial challenges with respect to recreation, funding the major project would be difficult, the CAO added. The skate park project gained momentum last fall after the Trail Parks and Recreation Master Plan recommended the initiative as a priority for youth in Trail, citing a near 50 per cent response rate to 1,000 mail-out surveys, with 23 respondents and six agencies providing written and verbal comments in support of prioritizing the skate park project. See COMMITTEE, Page 3
“I would see her primary focus as looking firstly at the Ombudsperson’s report and the very limited movement by the government in acting on the recommendations in the report.” CANDY PARRILLA
The New Democrat health critic said she supports the creation of the position, but the post requires more teeth to allow the advocate to work more independently of government. An independent person would be able to investigate the individual and systemic needs of B.C.’s seniors, Conroy said in a statement to the Canadian Press. “There is a very real need for this position, as seniors across the province face both individual and systemic problems and struggle to get the care they need and deserve,” she said. “We also have called for a strong and independent advocate that would be able to stand up for seniors without being encumbered by the reality of being employed by the people whose decisions she is evaluating.” Isobel Mackenzie was appointed Wednesday by Health Minister Terry Lake to head the Office of the Seniors Advocate, fulfilling a government promise to ensure a strong voice for the province’s 700,000 elderly residents. See LIBERALS, Page 2
Columbia Power has been named one of BC’s Top Employers for 2014. Visit columbiapower.org to learn why Columbia Power is one of the best places to work in BC.
Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN250-368-8550 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242 Canada Post, Contract number 42068012