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Vol. 64, Issue 31
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Diamond Forever
Arts council fire hall plans still up in the air Council wants more info before deciding whether or not to sign Memorandum of Understanding with CDAC ARNE P E TRYS HEN
After last week’s budget meeting, the Cranbrook and District Arts Council’s proposal to take up residence in the Fire Hall No. 1 — the old fire hall — is still up in the air. Council elected to not make any decisions on the matter until it hears from city staff on the feasibility of the proposal. At the Feb. 11 meeting, Council received correspondence from Sioban Staplin, president of the Cranbrook and District Arts Council regarding Fire Hall No. 1. The correspondence included a draft business plan to turn the old fire hall into a centre for arts, education and culture. Coun. Norma Blissett said, through discussions with those on the arts council, one of the biggest things that could help them is for council to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) so they can move forward in applying for grants in the next few weeks. “It doesn’t mean that we’re committing to them being in the fire hall, or
what’s going to happen in the fire hall, but it allows them to possibly leverage a lot more money to fix it up,” Blissett said. “I don’t think there’s a downside with that.” Blissett asked to put forward a motion that council move to immediately sign the Memorandum of Understanding. The memorandum had been in place up until the end of December 2014 under the previous council. CAO Wayne Staudt noted that to put forward the motion, Coun. Blissett would need a notice of motion. “And since that issue that you’re talking about is really probably not budget related, it probably would be a regular council meeting,” Staudt said. “And because it is an MOU, which is more of a legal document, quite often we deal with those in closed (in-camera meetings).” Staudt said city staff would likely be finished most of the research and could bring the items back to council at the Feb. 23 meeting.
See FIRE HALL, Page 3
BARRY COULTER PHOTO
Jason Scott, aka Diamond Forever, put on his signature Neil Diamond tribute performance for 300 patrons at a Valentine’s Day dinner and show at the Colombo Lodge Saturday, Feb. 14, in Cranbrook. The event was being filmed for a documentary on Neil Diamond tribute artists called “Play On,” featuring tribute artists from around the world, and in which Scott figures as the only Canadian. See later this week in the Townsman for an interview with the director of “Play On,” Steve Tatone.
Leslie Molnar named Cranbrook’s Woman of the Year C AT H RYN H E N L E Y For the Townsman
Hear Ye, Hear Ye! CFUW Cranbrook Club Woman of the Year 2015 has been selected! The recipient is Leslie Molnar, Mathematics Instructor at College of the Rockies and President of
the College of the Rockies Faculty Association. Leslie was nominated with eight worthy letters of support demonstrating how she is known for and dedicated to education; the advancements of women; inspiring and enriching the lives of those around her,
advocating for opportunities for healthier work opportunities, creating a respectful and pleasant workplace; balancing her work, volunteer endeavours and family with grace. With International Women’s Day falling on a Sunday, CFUW Cranbrook
Club, along with Leslie, will select a day close to that event. It will take place at the Manual Training School in Cranbrook and will commence at 4 pm. Stay tuned to the Townsman for more information about Leslie and when the celebration will take place.
All friends, family and former CFUW Woman of the Year recipients are cordially invited to this celebration of the Woman of the Year 2015: Leslie Molnar. The Cranbrook Club has 12 members locally and is a member of CFUW National, a non-political, voluntary,
self-funded, bilingual and non-governmental organization of women university graduates in 110 clubs across Canada that works to improve the status of women and girls, education, peace, justice and human rights.