Wednesday June 25, 2014 www.saobserver.net $1.25 GST INCLUDED
Trustees vote for status quo School district: Board to stick with nine trustees. By Chelsea Grainger OBSERVER STAFF
JAMES MURRAY/OBSERVER
Pushing their paddles
Outrigger canoe paddlers head out at the start of the annual Survive The Triangle race, hosted by the Shuswap Association of Rowers and Paddlers, held Sunday at Marine Park. For more images from the event and the Shuswap Dragon Boat Festival, see page A15.
Woman shot on Mt. Ida
Accidental: Incident occurs Saturday night during camping trip. By Tracy Hughes OBSERVER STAFF
A 20-year-old Salmon Arm woman remains in hospital in stable condition after being injured in what RCMP report as an accidental shooting while camping on Mt. Ida on Saturday night. At approximately 9:10 p.m., RCMP responded to a call for assistance regarding the injured woman, who was camping in a remote area of the mountain with a group of
people. While BC Ambulance was the first to get the 911 call, the RCMP are immediately alerted when a firearm is involved and took charge of the situation. The terrain was extremely difficult to access and the woman could only be reached by 4x4 or ATV. Shuswap Search and Rescue was called in, along with BC Ambulance to assist with the situation. When police arrived at the scene, they found the woman
had been shot in the back, and they immediately assisted with transporting her down the mountain to a waiting ambulance. Sgt. Carlos Tettolowski, of the Salmon Arm RCMP says officers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the discharge of the firearm. The people involved in the incident were all known to each other and were camping together at the time of the shooting.
This week Tiny creatures make lab tests much more palatable for children. See more on A12. Pioneer women who broke barriers given unique tribute. See A20.
Tettolowski told the Observer alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the incident. “We are still speaking with those involved and may be looking at charges depending on the outcome of our investigation,” he said. Tettolowski said the young woman underwent surgery in Kelowna General Hospital to remove the bullet and is currently in stable condition. “We do not believe that her injuries are life threatening. She is very lucky.”
School District #83 trustees have voted to keep all nine trustees on the board of education. The board made its unanimous decision at a special public meeting held on Monday night, June 23. They looked at trustee reductions in response to budget cuts the district is facing; however, the board concluded there wasn’t enough time for consultation on the proposal to reduce the number of trustees from nine to seven, and job action was adding to the difficulty in communicating. “I think we’re just rushing it a little bit,” said Bob Fowler, Armstrong/Spallumcheen trustee. “If we do the right thing then we should take the time to do it right.” Enderby trustee Chris Coers said there hasn’t been enough consultation with the public. “Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer have had no opportunity to tell us what they think,” said Coers. The board sent out packages seeking input from municipal councils, regional boards, First Nations bands, district parent advisory councils and other groups, but received responses from only about half. The board presented two options for an overall reduction of two trustees. One was to combine the Enderby and Sicamous regions (one less trustee), as well as the Carlin/ Sorrento area with the North Shuswap (one less trustee). Then Armstrong/Spallumcheen would be combined with Falkland/Deep Creek/Ranchero (one less trustee) and Salmon Arm would get three trustees instead of two. The second option was to combine Carlin/Sorrento with North Shuswap (one less trustee) and remove one trustee from the Armstrong/Spallumcheen area (which now has two). By cutting two trustees the district would save approximately $25,000 a year, but trustees discussed whether the saving would be worth it. Rhona Martin, Columbia Shuswap Regional District director, expressed her concerns. “I know you are undergoing pressures, but I See Worth on page A2
Index Opinion ....................... A6 View Point .................. A7 Time Out................... A10 Life & Times ............. A12 Sports................A15-A19 Arts & Events ... A20-A23 Vol. 107, No. 26, 40 pages