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Morning gStar Friday, September 19, 2014
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due to the fact that the site is within 300 metres of an elemenJim Garlick never imagined tary school. himself as a politician, let alone “It’s really poorly underthe mayor of his community. stood,” said Garlick, not just of But six years at the helm, plus the plant, but council’s role in another three the process. on council, and Council approved the Garlick is still zoning (in a close vote) but raring to go. has put conditions in that The twothe air quality be monitime Coldstream tored and that it will not be mayor is seeksupported if provincial air ing a third term quality targets aren’t met. (with this one “We have put these Jim Garlick being four years) safeguards in place,” he with the gavel. said adding that moving “You have to the process along allows be in it for the long haul if you the Ministry of Environment really want to make a differ- experts to properly investigate ence,” said Garlick, a husband, the concerns raised. father of two and Clarence If constructed, the plant Fulton teacher, who has a back- would generate approximately ground in forestry engineering 20 full-time positions, plus addiand geophysics. tional jobs through construction “I thought I’d never be a and spinoffs and benefits for the teacher, and I thought I’d never adjacent Tolko planer mill. be a mayor. I liked Jacques “What people have to realize Cousteau when I was a kid.” is we’re not going to get another Like Cousteau’s depth of glass plant dropped on our laps,” knowledge of the deep sea, said Garlick, who says the disGarlick says he is a good can- trict needs to look at bringing didate for the position due to in smaller numbers of jobs at his own knowledge of the inner a time. workings of municipal governThe plant would also clean ment (he has nine years of expe- up the current sawdust stockrience). pile, which has its own PM con“Our council has a good cerns, and would offer potential understanding and I’m encour- for additional improvements. aging my councillors to run Although emotional for again.” many, the pellet plant debate Garlick would like to contin- has sparked a wider concern for ue with the progress made so far regional air quality and efforts in areas such as parks manage- for improvement are being ment, the sports facility which looked at. is expected to be completed in “It’s important to see the posspring, water, OCP housekeep- itives,” said Garlick, who sees ing, some regional land acquisi- himself as a pragmatic socialist. tions and a contentious issue Garlick says he is also the in Lavington, which has raised type of person who takes pride some additional concerns to be in completing tasks, no matter addressed. how big or small. The proposed wood pellet “I like to do things myself. I plant in Lavington has left some don’t take my car to a mechanic, area residents fuming about I built my own house and I perceived health impacts from didn’t hire a carpenter. There’s a particulate matter, especially satisfaction in it.” JENNIFER SMITH
Morning Star Staff
KATHERINE MORTIMER Morning Star Staff
LISA VANDERVELDE/MORNING STAR
W.L. Seaton Secondary teacher Craig Leverman casts his vote Thursday at the Vernon Teachers’ Association office. “If the agreement is ratified, we will be very happy and relieved, to welcome our students and staff back to school,” said district superintendent Glenn Borthistle. “We would like to acknowledge that this has been a very difficult time for all our teachers, students and families.” The district also indicates that, at this time, the Ministry of Education does not have plans to adjust the school calendar by adding time to each school day, extending the year or shortening winter or spring breaks. At the secondary level, school districts will have the option of balancing the two semesters so that each section will have equal instructional
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Schools ready Area schools are ready to open the doors to students. After studying the tentative deal reached this week between the B.C. Teachers’ Federation and provincial negotiators, teachers voted across the province Thursday. BC Teachers’ Federation president Jim Iker released the results of the vote Thursday night (after press time) in a webcast from the union headquarters. The six-year agreement is the longest term ever negotiated for a union that has worked under imposed terms for much of the past 30 years. “I want to thank the members of the Vernon Teachers’ Association for their courageous stand and the huge sacrifices they’ve made on the picket lines,” said Heather Malcolm, VTA president. “While the deal isn’t perfect, teachers were able to get new money invested in schools and reach a mutually agreed-to process to deal with any future court decision on class size, class composition, and staffing levels.” Picket lines remained up until the teachers voted on ratification. “We haven’t been in the schools for 15 weeks. It takes time for teachers and other staff to prepare properly for classes to start. This would have normally been done during unpaid time in the summer,” said Malcolm. Barring a no vote by teachers, School District 83 will be opening the doors to students for a half-day on Monday. The district has released more details of return-to-school plans, which mimic the usual routine of students going back for a half-day before returning the next day for a complete school day. Monday will have students end school three hours earlier than usual, with regular schedules beginning on Tuesday. Gradual entry programs for kindergarten students will also continue as laid out by each elementary school.
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time. This option has not yet been determined in District 83. Borthistle says schools are currently ready for the students. “Our school facilities are in good condition. Our operations crew worked over the summer to prepare our buildings for the new school year – floors are polished, equipment is upgraded and classrooms have been cleaned.” Bus transportation will also resume as usual, however, if parents have questions, they can contact the transportation department at 250832-9415.
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