Wednesday January 28, 2015 www.saobserver.net $1.25 GST Included
Banks kept out of malls By Martha Wickett
obServer STAFF
Salmon Arm council has said no – for now – to locating financial institutions at Piccadilly or centenoka Park malls. The no vote came in response to an application from the owner of the Mall at Piccadilly, Standard life Assurance company of canada, to add financial institution to the list of permitted uses in the c-7 shopping centre commercial zone. c-7 is the zone governing both malls. At the city’s Jan. 5 planning meeting, council requested input from the Salmon Arm chamber of commerce, the Salmon Arm economic development Society and downtown Salmon Arm. The ensuing opinions were discussed at the Monday, Jan. 26 council meeting. Two out of three of the organizations were opposed. The chamber was in support of the plan, stating its board believes a precedent was set in 2010 when the council of the day approved the rezoning of the uptown Askew’s property to allow for an additional branch of the Salmon Arm Savings and credit union. downtown Salmon Arm expressed opposition, stating the loss of one financial institution would have a long-term ripple effect in terms of foot traffic and the potential for an empty building. economic development was also against, stating now is a pivotal point for the economy, and the banks, as “anchor tenants” that generate significant traffic, should be retained. “With changing factors such as population growth and online banking trends, there will likely be a time in our future when the proposed zoning amendment will fit well with our economy and community vision…,” added the society. council discussed the application at length. In the end, the wish to preserve the viability of the downtown at what may be a vulnerable time was the overriding sentiment. coun. Ken Jamieson was alone in voting for the amendment, stating he’d like to see it receive first and second reading, then a public hearing, and then be held at final reading until a specific financial institution comes forward. Mayor nancy cooper excused herself from discussions as she is a member of the SAScu board.
Evan BuhlEr/obServer
Snowshoes and snow forts
Will Lourens, left, and siblings Jute and Aila Norlin climb on top of a fort they built during Under the Lights Family Snowshoe Night at SASCU Sports Complex at Little Mountain on Monday, Jan. 26. The event was part of Unplug and Play Week, which runs until Jan. 31. For more, see page A14.
Board wants wage freeze lifted Education: Trustees lobby province for executive salary increases. By Tracy hughes obServer STAFF
School district #83 trustees have petitioned the b.c. government to remove a wage freeze and provide salary increases for their non-unionized administration employees. In an oct. 20, 2014 letter provided anonymously to the Observer, the board expresses concern to both the b.c. education and Finance ministers about the compensation freeze for management and executive staff. The freeze applies to executives like upper management of the school district, as well as principals and vice-principals. When questioned about the school
This week Noah Paterson claims title at the Junior Canadian Amateur Boxing Championships. See A15. Thursday’s the last chance to see the Salmon Arm Secondary dance recital. See page A22.
board’s position on the lifting of the freeze, bobbi Johnson, school board chairperson, said it is an issue of fairness. “As with the other groups, cuPe and the teachers, we have advocated for a fair wage for them. We did that for the others and we feel a responsibility to advocate for this group as well. We recognize that they deserve a raise like everyone else.” The highest-paid school district employee is superintendent Glenn borthistle who, in the past fiscal year, earned $143,766. other upper-management staff have salaries around the $120,000 mark, while principals’ salaries hover around $100,000. vice-principal salaries are generally set in the $80,000 to $95,000 range.
In compliance with legislation, reports on all staff salaries greater than $75,000 are publicly available on the School district #83 website under the finance tab. In response to the Observer’s questions about the freeze, the Ministry of education emailed a statement saying, “controlling compensation in this way has been an important step in achieving and maintaining a balanced budget.” It goes on to say, “While b.c’s fiscal situation has improved since 2012, it’s not yet at a point where the freeze can be lifted.” The ministry statement also notes that nearly 60 per cent of the province’s budSee Wages on page A2
Index Opinion ....................... A6 View Point .................. A7 Life & Times ............... A8 Time Out..................... A9 Sports................A15-A19 Arts & Events ... A20-A22 Vol. 108, No. 4, 44 pages