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OCTOBER 21, 2014
Eagle’s Brandon Luke returns to the ring | Page 7
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McPhee seeks seat on School Board | Page 3
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City receives permit to cull 50 deer ARNE PETRYSHEN
COURTESY BRENDA TRUSCOTT
The Parkland Middle School Raiders brought home another first place finish, this time from a tournament held in Creston this past weekend. Pictured from front to back: Morgan Mitchell, Kira Thompson, Danya Truscott-Plitt, Chayne Plaza, Jayden White, Raven Fisher, Katie Anderson, Michaela Eckersley and Sam Lautrup. Missing from picture, coaches Jeff Plitt and Shelley Simon.
The Ministry of Forests, Land and Natural Resource Operations has granted the city a permit that allows for a population reduction of the urban deer herd anytime between Dec. 1, 2014 to March 15, 2015. “That permit allows us to reduce the population by 50 animals,” noted CAO Wayne Staudt at last night’s city council meeting. Staudt pointed out that the permit is just one part of the process, and a move for a cull would still have to come from council decision. That process would also include a deer population count by the Urban Deer Management Committee. The count is planned for this fall though no date has been
set as of yet. Coun. Denise Pallesen asked whether the city had a contractor lined up for a cull. Staudt said the city did not. “Council hasn’t even decided whether we would proceed with any reduction of the herd using this permit or not,” Staudt said. “So we have not contracted this out or request for proposal at this time.” Coun. Angus Davis noted jokingly that from his count, the deer population is thriving. “Just as an item of information I want you to know that the 11th Avenue herd — all five generations of it — are doing well,” Davis said.
See CRANBROOK, Page 3
John York returns for election number three BARRY COULTER
A familiar face on the Cranbrook electoral scene is back for his third election. John York is again campaigning to be elected Mayor of Cranbrook in the upcoming Nov. 15 municipal election. York is running on a platform of economic and political accountability and transparency, starting with ballot box security during elections themselves. York says the security was slack during the last election.
“I’ve been writing letters to all levels of government for three years,” York said. “And security has been tightened in most areas. But sadly, what goes on behind closed doors could be improved.” York is currently creating a website which will lay out the details of these concerns and others. It’s due to go live on Oct. 31 — york.shawwebspace.ca. York is also taking on the costs incrued by the Rec Plex. “Three years ago I was the only mayoral candidate who dared
challenge this money pit,” he says. “I’ve figured out that every day City Hall is burning $9,431 in tax dollars to keep the Rec Plex afloat.” York added that those figures are taken from the City’s financial projections. If elected, he will try to either get the Rec Plex to pay for itself, or sell it. York includes among his previous accomplishments getting the City to rescind fees to use Cranbrook playing fields fo a casual game, such as soccer. “Now we can use any unoccu-
pied field for school yard for a pick-up game, without fear of penalty.” York feels that activities of City Council must be more open and transparent. “I found out that City Hall has no policy to disclose how the mayor or councillors voted, nor must they list what they accomplished while in office. Without accountibility, how do we know who to re-elect, or who to boot out of office?”
JOHN YORK
See YORK, Page 3
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