NEWS Fire chief recieves long service awards Page 1 & 3
COMMUNITY Dr. Kent Mullinix speaks on food sustainability Page 9
EVENTS
Organizer Johanna Nott happy with clean up day Page 10
SPOTLIGHT $1.10 Includes TAX
The Similkameen
Volume 65 Issue 18
Wednesday, April 30, 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 of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Fire Chief Eric Gregson honoured Local volunteer Fire Chief Eric Gregson is presented with long service and exemplary service awards. Lisa Carleton lisa@similkameenspotlight.com
Dressed in his Red Serge, Sgt. Barry Kennedy of the Princeton RCMP assisted Mayor Frank Armitage in presenting four awards to volunteer Fire Chief of Princeton, Robert Eric Gregson during the regular meeting of council on April 22. Mayor Armitage introduced Chief Gregson by stating, “He has absolute exemplary commitment to serve his community, great resolve at his department to do things well and properly. He is dedicated and leads by example.” The four awards presented to Chief Gregson include; Ministry of Justice - Office of the Fire Commissioner a 25-year Long Service Award (medal, bar and certificate); Chancellery of Honours - Governor General 20 years of Loyal and Exemplary Service (certificate) and 30 years of Loyal and Exemplary Service (certificate and medal) and from the Town of Princeton, a certificate honouring 30 years of dedication and commitment. “It is my honour and privilege to present this on behalf of our community,” said the mayor. “Eric is actually serving his 32nd year in our community as he originally joined our fire department in 1982 and has served as chief since 1997.” After receiving a rousing round of applause from his crew and those present at council, congratulations from the mayor and Sgt. Kennedy,
See COUNCIL - Page 3
Lisa Carleton/Spotlight
Students from John Allison and Vermilion Forks Elementary schools work hard at cleaning up Cormack Marsh during the Earth Day celebration on April 22. They also participated in bird watching and helped the Sierra Fire Crew put up bird and bat houses.
Community Earth Day celebration Lisa Carleton lisa@similkameenspotlight.com
The wetland area in the Tunnel Area of Princeton known as Cormack Marsh was named in honour of Robert Bremner Cormack, a dedicated member of the community who passed away in 2013. Again this year, to help preserve the area, local Kelley Cook organized an Earth Day celebration. Joining Cook on April 22, (Earth Day) are; Natasha Lukey, Hilary Sampson and Alyson Skinner of the Okanagan-Similkameen Stewardship Society, members of the Vermilion Forks Field Naturalists, students from John Allison and Vermilion Forks schools, members of the Princeton Arts Council, Princeton Sierra’s Fire Crew and the Princeton Rotary Club.
Weather Watch Wednesday
High 22/Low 3
Thursday
High 25/Low 7
Friday
High 23/Low 10
Saturday
High 13/Low 6
Sunday
High 11/Low 5
In the late afternoon, Princeton Girl Guides, Sparks and Brownies, along with their Ambassador Buddies, joined the celebration at Cormack Marsh. Beginning at 10 a.m., participants engaged in six rotating stations throughout the day. Garbage pick up, noxious weed pulling, wetland planting and the installation of wire protection around the trees. The students were treated to bird-watching via the Naturalists and to assisting with the installation of bird and bat houses courtesy of Smokey the Bear and Princeton’s Sierra Fire Crew. (the crew made the bird and bat houses) Nick Matheson of the Sierra Fire Crew says that the crew enjoys their community engagement.
See CORMACK MARSH - Page 11
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