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New hunting restrictions on deer
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The Blues Brothers Too (pictured is Grant Eisworth as Elwood) were the next best thing to Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi at the 25th annual Columbia Classics Autumn Show & Shine this past weekend, nearly convincing classic car enthusiasts they were the real thing. For more photos from the event, turn to page 10.
BERNIE RAVEN CHRIS RAVEN 1-866-598-7415 TEAMRAVEN.CA Offices in Panorama, Invermere & Fairmont
the Rockies’ 11 ‘Meet pre-season rundown
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Maxwell Realty Invermere
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Contentious report criticizes municipal wages STEVE HUBRECHT steve@invermerevalleyecho.com A provincial government report released more than a week ago that criticizes municipal employee wages across B.C. as being too high has created a stir with the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and had a couple of local chief administrative officers commenting that municipal wages in the valley represent good value for the taxpayer dollar. The report, by accounting company Ernst & Young, was made public on Monday, September 15th and describes unregulated wage policies for B.C. municipalities leading to municipal employee wage increases of 38 per cent, which the report points out is about double the increase for wages for some parts of the provincial public sector. The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) — the umbrella orga-
nization that represents all local gov- inherent data limitations, that a comernments in the province — was quick prehensive review has not been conto point out what it says are many flaws ducted and that further investigation in the report, particularly the report’s is required. In light of these limitations, lack of consultation with municipal and others, we believe it is premature governments. to contemplate the conclusions and UBCM president Rhona Martin told recommendations in the (report). We provincial media that the UBCM had anticipate significant challenges for the contacted provincial province should the The province’s Community, Sports (report) be tabled, and Cultural Developgiven the far-reaching report takes a ment Minister Coralee implications for local narrow look at one Oakes asking if mugovernments,” Ms. nicipal governments aspect of the issue. Martin wrote in a letPAUL TAYLOR would be included in ter to Ms. Oakes. UBCM COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR the review when the “A year ago we review was announced, and were told raised this issue and said it’s time to by Ms. Oakes not to worry. Ms. Martin take a look at the whole system — local added that although the report looks at government’s expenditures and the sermunicipal employee compensation, no vices they provide as well as the wages local governments in B.C. were actually and compensation,” UBCM communicacontacted for the review. tion director Paul Taylor told The Valley “We (the UBCM) concur with the re- Echo. “The province’s report takes a port’s acknowledgment that there are narrow look at one aspect of the issue
VJ (Butch) Bishop Owner/Operator 4846 Holland Creek Ridge Rd. Invermere, BC V0A 1K0
(compensation). We’re saying let’s look at the whole thing.” Here in the valley, the three local municipal chief administrative officers all said they didn’t want to wade into the discussion too much, but most of them said municipal taxpayers in the valley are getting a good deal for their money. “Village (of Canal Flats) council is astute on wages and has been since incorporation,” said Canal Flats chief administrative officer Brian Woodward. “Speaking from personal experience, provincial and federal public sector employees are paid on the basis of unified pay schedule grids and collective bargaining agreements whereas employees of municipalities have their wage levels decided by each individual municipal council. As such, there is a wide spectrum of pay levels between individual municipalities,” said Radium Hot Springs chief administrative officer Mark Read. See A3
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