Calendar
Direct 250-575-2468
Lake Country
Mortgage Broker
Proudly Serving
www.lakecountrycalendar.com
Winfield, Oyama, Okanagan Centre and Carrs Landing since 1951
2013 & 2014
NATIONAL BROKER NETWORK OF THE YEAR
David Docksteader, AMP
January 28, 2015
▼ SCHOOL DISTRICT 23
Inside
Rail/Trail There was a good turn out for two open house gatherings where residents looked at what they would be buying if the plan to purchase part of a CN Rail line goes through. ...............................
2
Water politics UBCO prof John Janmaat will give a public lecture about water rights globally and discuss the Water Sustainability Act. ...............................
3
Flyers ■ Chopsticks ■ Save On Foods ■ Shoppers Drug Mart ■ Staples
Parents opposed to proposed catchment changes KEVIN PARNELL The Central Okanagan school board is moving forward with a recommendation to change the catchment area for the three elementary schools in Lake Country, despite some strong words from the school board chair and two other school trustees who say the public consultation process has failed. Close to 80 people packed into a school board committee meeting on Wednesday in Kelowna, where the district’s planning and facilities committee voted to send a recommenda-
tion for changing Lake Country catchment areas to the regular school board meeting Feb. 11 for a decision. The committee voted 2-1 to send the recommendation to the board meeting despite the objections of school board chair Moyra Baxter. “I think we made a mistake,” said Baxter. “We have used a process that is flawed. I think what we should have done is hold one of these meetings where everyone gets up and says what they think and listen to other people. Lake Country is a great comSEE PARENTS A2
KEVIN PARNELL/LAKE COUNTRY CALENDAR
PARENT David Grabavac and many others filled a School District 23 meeting room in Rutland last week and
revealed their concern about proposed changes to school catchment areas in Lake Country.
Lake Country school trustee takes brunt of the heat KEVIN PARNELL Lake Country school trustee Deb Butler has decided she will not take part in the final vote on a change to Lake Country’s elementary school catchment areas after a tumultuous backlash from one Lake Country neighbourhood. Butler has decided to recuse herself from a
Deb Butler final vote on a change to
Aly
the boundaries after she was attacked for a perceived conflict of interest on the issue of proposed changes to the catchment areas for Davidson Road, Oyama Traditional and Peter Greer elementary schools. “I’ve made the decision because I don’t want the community to keep fighting for the next two weeks,” said But-
ler on Friday. “I just think to keep attacking your neighbour is not the way to go about this. “The community needs to work together on this. At the end of the day this isn’t about me, it’s about what’s best for the community,” Butler said, “and if I need to step away to let the community have its say then I will. It’s tough when
Naturally
No Nonsense Action & Results
13222 Oyama Road
Inspirational lake views! 6.55 irrigated acres, rancher with basement , over 4000 sq ft., geothermal heating and cooling. MLS® 10088828 $1,175,000
anyone questions your integrity but this has to be about the bigger picture.” Butler came under fire after defending Oyama Traditional School, arguing that long-term the school could be in danger of closure if a better solution isn’t found than what is being recommended by school district staff. She hasn’t
wavered from her thoughts on the issue but admits she made a mistake in the way she raised the alarm in the community. “I am fighting for the whole community but optics are everything,” she said. “I threw myself under the yellow school
D L O
S
SEE TRUSTEE A3
11121 Deldor Road Exclusive Listing SOLD in 1 Day!
250.808.2573 • www.AlyRealty.com