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RDKB did not block candidate’s return, says CAO
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014
VOL 117 NO. 46
Buggy restored Page 15
CRAIG LINDSAY
Grand Forks Gazette
ELECT
FRANK
KONRAD MAYOR Strong, Honest & Democratic Leadership with Vision for a stronger, re-vitalized Grand Forks. I will be REPRESENTING YOU, The Citizens of Grand Forks. Authorized by: Frank Konrad, Financial Agent, (250) 443-2370
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The question of Irene Perepolkin’s return to the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has again raised controversy in the community. In a letter to the Grand Forks Gazette from RDKB Chief Administrative Officer, John MacLean refuted Area D candidate (and incumbent) Irene Perepolkin’s contention that he blocked her return to duties. “I wish to categorically, and for the record, state that at no time did I prevent director Perepolkin from returning to her duties,” he wrote in the letter. “I deeply regret having to write this letter but felt that the residents of Electoral Area D (Rural Grand Forks) were entitled to be fully informed that neither I, nor the RDKB board of directors, prevented director Perepolkin from returning to her duties.” Perepolkin was elected Area D representative in 2011 but suffered a stroke about a year later. Her appointed alternate, Roly Russell, took over and has held the job since. Russell is running against Perepolkin (and Bob Kendel) in this year’s election. At a recent all candidates forum (see also page 7), Irene’s daughter Nancy Perepolkin was on stage alongside her mother to assist with questions. It was at that meeting where the notion that she was prevented from returning to her duties was raised. In a separate interview at the Grand Forks Gazette offices on Nov 10, Irene reiterated she
Fire razes shed Last Wednesday morning, Nov. 5, at about 10:30 a.m., fire razed a shed in the rear of a residence locate at 671 Central Ave. The shed burned to the ground but the residence only received damage to the siding and a window on one corner of the house; there was also some damage to the neighbouring fence, confirmed Fire Chief Dale Heriot. The crew did an outstanding job of protecting the residence and keeping the fire contained to the shed only; three engines and 15 firefighters were on scene, a great turnout for a day call, Heriot added. Staff Sgt. Jim Harrison of the Grand Forks RCMP reported that the fire does appear suspicious in nature: “We are working with the fire chief in regard to the investigation.” Della Mallette photo
Konrad’s company bid on project CRAIG LINDSAY
Grand Forks Gazette
A local mayoral candidate doesn’t see a problem that his company was one of three companies to bid on the water meter project. The City of Grand Forks released information citing three bidders on the project, one of which Konrad Mechanical Inc. The winning bidder was Neptune Technology Group out of Mississauga, Ontario. Also bidding unsuccessfully was Corix Utilities. At the all candidate forum Nov. 5, Mayoralty Candidate Frank Konrad called for an “immediate moratorium” on the water meter project “until we have further discussion with the citizens.” Konrad told the Gazette he is not
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preferences will not run the city, it will be based on council and the citizens who I hold in the utmost respect,” he said. “It was a straight business decision. It had nothing to do with whether or not I believed in water meters or not—Frank Konrad and Konrad Mechanical are two separate entities. Business is business. If anyone is going to make the money it might as well be Konrad Mechanical.” Konrad confirmed he is against the water meter project. In fact, he was part of the group that went around town acquiring names for the petition against water meters. “Once I realized that the public were against water meters, everything changed,” he said. “I was no longer interested in installing water meters.”
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contradicting himself by speaking out against water meters after bidding unsuccessfully for the contract to install them. He says what he does with his business is separate from his personal life. “For the installation purposes of my company (Konrad Mechanical) … , it was a straight business venture,” he said. “It had nothing to do with anything regarding the campaign because at that time I wasn’t running for office. As a straight business venture - being successful in business, business is business and who else better to get it than a local company which I would still recommend if elected.” Konrad also said he didn’t have a personal opinion when he made the bid. “Even if elected, my personal
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