THE www.keremeosreview.com PM Agreement #40012521
Review Vol.16 Number 35
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Serving the communities of Keremeos, Cawston, Okanagan Falls and Kaleden
$1.15 including GST
Start to school year still in doubt
SUMMER READING PROGRAM ENDS
By Steve Arstad news@keremeosreview.com
Fun clowning around See page 15
COMMUNITY PICNIC
Photo by Steve Arstad
Ardith Garner shows some of her handmade jewellery to Stan, who was visiting Keremeos from Dawson Creek on August 22. Members of the South Similkameen Art Society displayed their work and offered it for sale in the downtown green space over the weekend.
Providing a welcome to new residents See page 11
GOOD YEAR FOR GROWING
Grape growers happy with weather See page 3
Electoral area packages now available Municpal elections take place November 15 RDOS press release
Preparations are underway at the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen for the November 15 local government elections. For those interested in running for office as an electoral area director, nomination packages are now available at the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) office. “Anyone interested in running for office in any of the eight Electoral Areas is invited to come and pick up a nomination package,” says Christy Malden, RDOS Chief Election Officer. “The packages include necessary forms for nominations and information which will assist potential candidates, such as important dates, regional board processes, and the RDOS
Strategic Plan.” A nomination deposit is not required in order to run for an electoral area director position however candidates are required to have two qualified nominators sign their nomination. The nomination package along with additional information will also be available on the RDOS website at www.rdso.bc.ca. The nomination period begins 9 a.m. Tuesday, September 30 and ends Friday, October 10 at 4 p.m., and nomination forms can be returned during that time. Eligible voters will go to the polls in the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen on November 15 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For further information, please contact Christy Malden, RDOS Chief Election Officer or Gillian Cramm, RDOS Deputy Chief Election Officer, at (250) 492-0237 or info@rdos.bc.ca
Parents and students of School District 53 face increasing uncertainty the school year will begin on time this year as silence continues to surround teacher’s negotiations with the province. School District 53 Superintendent Bev Young issued the following press release Monday, August 25: “Unfortunately, the BC Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) and the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) have not been able to make significant progress over the summer months and as a result, the possibility of school opening as usual following the Labour Day weekend is uncertain. While we wish to be hopeful that the two parties will reach a negotiated settlement before schools are due to open on September 2, a decision on school opening will likely not be made until Friday, August 29. This will allow both parties the maximum amount of time to reach a settlement. We encourage all parents to consult our website at www.sd53.bc.ca for further updates and to keep up to date through local media, especially over the long weekend. It is unfortunate that the normally exciting beginning to a new school year has been reduced to this level of uncertainty. This is a frustrating, disappointing and worrisome time for everyone. I am most concerned about the effect that this continued labour dispute has on our students and hope that the impasse between the parties is resolved quickly at the bargaining table and that our schools can return to normal operation and begin the school year on a positive note. Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time.” On Monday, August 25, teachers were reported to be back on the picket line on the Lower Mainland and in Penticton, but here in Keremeos the only activity at Similkameen Elementary Secondary School appeared to be contractors completing work on the institution’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.