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July 2, 2014
Inside November is a long way off but candidates are starting to line up to run for Lake Country district council. ...............................
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NEW RESCUE BOAT…
Lake Country fire chief Steve Windsor takes the helm of the new Regional District of Central Okanagan rescue boat that will be stationed in Oyama. From left, Lake Country Mayor James Baker, RDCO’s Bruce Smith and deputy fire chief Brent Penner along for the ride.
Noxious weeds Some of them may look pretty but don’t be fooled. Invasive plants crowd out native species, may harm agricultural crops and dominate grazing pastures. Learn what they are and help eradicate them. ...............................
For the full story see page A3.
CONTRIBUTED
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Flyers ■ Budget Blinds ■ Bulk Barn ■ Home Depot ■ Jysk ■ Rona ■ Save On Foods ■ Shoppers Drug Mart ■ YMCA of Okanagan
▼ MUNICIPAL HALL
Lake Country CEO defends staff restructuring KEVIN PARNELL The chief administrative officer at the District of Lake Country says he has had the support of the past two councils in Lake Country to move forward with a restructuring plan that, when finished, will see the district cut back 9.5 staff positions since 2012.
Alberto De Feo
Alberto De Feo says not only have the moves been approved by a majority of council, they have been designed to make the district a more streamlined operation and put more money towards infrastructure in the growing community. De Feo was reacting to criticism of the district’s restructuring plan,
a three-phase plan that began in 2012 and is in its final phase currently, with the last of the staff cuts underway. “This may be new to Lake Country but restructuring and change have become part of local government in B.C. and Canada,” said De Feo. “Times are changing. We cannot do business
like we did 20 years ago. It is not by adding staff when needed but by being strategic about it. The district is now equipped to deal with the serious challenges we are facing in the community.” Among those challenges are an infrastructure shortfall in the community that has long term planning underway to
improve roads and water systems while dealing with a shortfall in tax income due to a lack of commercial taxpayers, according to De Feo. Last month the district came under fire when former administrator Randall Rose appeared before coun-
SEE RESTRUCTURING A3