Wednesday, July 30, 2014 The Valley Echo
www.invermerevalleyecho.com A15
B.C. from A12
But the biggest fabrication of last year’s election was the “debt free B.C.” slogan emblazoned on the side of Premier Christy Clark’s campaign bus. The public accounts confirm that the province’s total debt rose to just over $60 billion, the latest of a series of increases since 2008. The much-touted balanced budget is on the operating side, while the province continues to pile up debt to pay for the Port Mann mega-project, hospitals, schools and other big infrastructure. Finance Minister Mike de Jong emphasized the difference between capital and operating expenditures. “We’re borrowing to build as opposed to paying for the groceries,” he said. “Debt free B.C.” was not an outright misrepresentation, merely one of the most far-fetched promises ever delivered in the history of B.C. politics.The legislature is to convene in October so the B.C. Liberals can pass a taxation framework for the nascent liquefied natural gas industry, which the government hopes will generate the revenues to ultimately pay off the province’s $60-billion mortgage. Meanwhile there is more capital debt ahead.The cabinet is expected to green-light the Site C dam on the Peace River this fall, a decade-long project estimated to cost $8 billion. Along with the public accounts, the finance ministry released a list of surplus land sales. The sale of 50-odd properties, some of them closed schools, netted the provincial treasury about $310 million, which accounts for most of the surplus. Was this “selling off the family silverware to try and balance the books,” as now-NDP leader John Horgan termed it before the election? It’s certainly not a revenue source to be matched next year.
GOLF NEWS
WINDERMERE LADIES' GOLF CLUB: •
The July 9th game was Low Net Pin Round. On a hot, hot day, winners were Gail Cole, Michelle Bech, Nora Efford. Putting Pot winner was Susan Wilfley. Deuce Pot was shared by Michelle Bech and Gail Cole. • On July 16th, the game was 666 (count one player score on first six holes, two on the second six, and three on the last six). Winning team was Pat Andruschuk, Gail Cole, Nora Efford and Helga Boker. Putting Pot was won by Helga Boker. Deuce pot was won by Gail Cole. • On July 23rd, the game was NOSE (scores on holes starting with those letters only). Winning team was Michelle Bech, Coreen Ruault and Pat Andruschuk. Putting Pot was shared by Barb Journault and Coreen Ruault with 26. Deuce Pot was shared by five — Barb Journault with two, Dawn McKinnon, Michelle Bech and Mary Jean Anakin. It was a perfect golf weather day. SUBMITTED BY HELGA BOKER
EMEMBER WHEN? R A look back through The Valley Echo's archives over the last 50 years
2010 — Karen Cote accepted a cheque from The Valley Echo’s Sheila Tutty on behalf of the Columbia Valley Chapter of the B.C. Special Olympics from the annual Giving Back Golf Tournament. ECHO FILE PHOTO
50
years ago (1964): “Echoes from the Valley” is the name of the sound-colour movie which was shown July 30 & 31st by Mr. Penguin (Joe Hughes) of Portland, Ore., in Toby Theatre. “The name was chosen” Mr Hughes says, “because of the assistance the Lake Windermere Valley Echo had in the making of the film.”
45
years ago (1969): Several groups were unhappy with the development of Canterbury Point now (Fort Point in Invermere). The Rod and Gun Club was concerned about possible pollution of the lake because it would cause interference with fish and Calgary summer homeowners were annoyed with the dust it had created in their homes.
40
years ago (1974): Fire ravaged the Alpen Deli in Invermere on June 14, 1974, threatening businesses and homes in the adjacent Toby Block. The blaze started in the smoke
room of the butcher shop and was discovered by owner-operator Hans Mattman.
30
years ago (1984): Calvin Hastings of Columbia Texaco in Canal Flats brought service to a new height. Norma Harmsworth and daughter Katherine stopped at his service station when she realized she’d forgotten her purse. Not only did Hastings trust her to pay him back for the gas but he lent her $20 so she and her daughter would not have to go without lunch in Cranbrook.
20
years ago (1994): After nearly two years of work, costing about $34,000 the Lake Windermere Restructure Study was terminated. Donna Tunnacliffe, chair of the restructure committee, said there wasn’t enough interest shown at the public meetings to hold a referendum on the issue of amalgamating the District of Invermere and the east side of Lake Windermere.
15
years ago (1999): Several sheep died and dozens more were injured after a dog entered a pen on on a Juniper Heights farm, cornered and attacked them. Of 55 sheep, only about five were not chewed on, according to Susan Halverson. While most of the wounds and punctures were to the neck, one animal had to have its eye cut off as it was hanging out of its head.
10
years ago (2004): The Columbia Valley Arts Council sponsored its annual benefit evening featuring Greek cuisine and rousing music. The Greek Taverna setting for the unique evening was the Windermere Community Hall, with all proceeds going toward the ongoing support of CV Arts programs.
5
years ago (2009): Boxes full of books arrived daily at the Invermere Public Library. Columbia Valley residents responded to a call from Friends of the Library to donate books.