Wednesday February 25, 2015 www.saobserver.net $1.25 GST INCLUDED
Pushing for TCH upgrades CSRD: Politicians ramp up lobby for highway. By Barb Brouwer OBSERVER STAFF
Not only are local government officials keeping the pressure on, they’re ratcheting it up several notches. Columbia Shuswap Regional District directors are committed to lobbying federal and provincial governments for the funding to improve the TransCanada Highway. In an unusual move, directors crafted and gave unanimous support to a resolution asking the Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) to lobby both governments on their behalf. The resolution came about following a presentation by Revelstoke Mayor Mark McKee to directors at last week’s board meeting in Salmon Arm. Earlier in the week McKee took a list of requests and recommendations to Victoria where he met with Transportation Minister Todd Stone, Attorney General Susan Anton, Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett and Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo. Back on the CSRD board after a two-term hiatus, McKee has previously lobbied hard for improvement to the highway. With the number of deaths and road closures this winter, he is ramping up efforts to get senior governments to improve safety on the corridor. McKee’s list addressed the impact of road closures due to fatal accidents, actions to improve road safety and prevent accidents, accident management and highway rescue services. He pointed out road closures have a major impact on tourism, transportation of goods, on travellers and on communities along the highway. He said he recently read that the cost to the economy is $3 million every hour the road is closed. Acknowledging that four-laning the highway is a long-term project, McKee recommended a number of interim measures. McKee also asked that a coroner and accident analyst be stationed in Revelstoke. At the moment, getting either of these two ofSee Driver on page A2
EVAN BUHLER/OBSERVER
All that glitters...
Dallas and Keira Rooy search intently for flecks of gold while Kelly Luchtmeijer, the Mall at Piccadilly’s promotions assistant, provides a little assistance during Heritage Week at the mall, an event put on in partnership with Haney Heritage Museum.
Council holds back support Performing arts: Society requests staff help or study funding.
By Barb Brouwer SALMON ARM OBSERVER
It was not what they wanted to hear. Not only did the Shuswap Society for Arts & Culture not get the support they were looking for, they fielded some tough questions when they appeared at Salmon Arm council on Monday. Speaking for the group, Doug Leatherdale sought help in finding $35,000 for a feasibility study for a multi-purpose performing arts centre. He explained the society has contacted 10 other communities who have similar facilities. “They had two pieces of advice,” he said, noting the first order of business is
This week More than 200 people take to the streets Saturday to help support others. See page A8. Sigurd Larsen is one of two veterans honoured by the French government. See A9.
getting a suitable site, something that was previously discussed at council. “Number two was, you have to have some credible organization other than the small group, so we need to get someone to partner with or endorse us, such as the city, school district or college.” Leatherdale said the group has been working on a business plan in co-operation with the Economic Development Society and now needs to have a feasibility study completed. “The next logical step, in our opinion, is to ask for your help in this regard,” he said. “We are asking either for the money straight up, or to have staff work with us to find the money elsewhere.”
Leatherdale was quick to note the society was not asking the city to make a commitment to build the facility, just support for a feasibility study. He told councillors there seems to be a perception of a growing imbalance between sports and arts funding. He said in terms of the recently announced $500,000 improvement for Blackburn Park, the Shuswap Society For Arts & Culture is asking for what is essentially the PST on the project. Coun. Kevin Flynn asked if the society had kept information it received from other communities as to type and operation of each facility and possible deficits. See Arts on page A3
Index Opinion ....................... A6 View Point .................. A7 Life & Times ............... A8 Sports................A15-A18 Arts & Events ... A19-A21 Time Out................... A22 Vol. 108, No. 8, 44 pages