EAGLE VALLEY
NEWS
Park bridge a problem for property owners Page 3
Local veteran honoured for selfless service Page 6
Wednesday, March 18, 2015 PM40008236
Vol. 60 No. 11 Sicamous, B.C., • 1.25 (GST included) • www.eaglevalleynews.com
Residents may get break on doctor search
Rhona Martin: Area E director suggests district apply for funding. By Lachlan Labere Eagle Valley News
Sicamous residents may get a break cost-wise in the hunt for doctors. Last week, municipal council approved a motion to enter into an agreement with Global Medics Ltd., “to conduct a global search for recruitment of doctors” for Sicamous. In addition, council agreed to a memorandum of understanding with the Sicamous Medical Clinic for the “recruitment and retention” of doctors.” Council recently budgeted $30,000 to cover costs for the recruitment of two doctors. Prior to approving the agreement, however, council received a brief presentation by Columbia Shuswap Regional District Electoral Area E director Rhona Martin, who offered an alternative means of covering recruitment costs: the CSRD’s Economic Opportunity Fund. “I’m asking that you would give consideration to take that $30,000 out of the Economic Opportunity Fund. I would definitely support that, because it is a benefit to Area E,” said Martin “Then you would be able to reduce the taxation to the District of Sicamous residents and property owners by $30,000.” This received a round of applause by council, though that discussion would occur later. The recruitment contract requires the district to pay Global Medics $15,000, plus taxes, per doctor – half when one is found and the other half when they start work. Despite budgeting for two doctors, Coun. Malcolm Makayev explained if only one is initially found, that doctor would be mentored at the clinic by Dr. Jack Beech. “Then Dr. Beech can retire, and then we’ll still have one doctor and recruit a second doctor, so they’ll have that two or three years to have that overlap,” said Makayev. To improve Sicamous’ odds of attracting doctors, the memorandum with the clinic includes a series of “physician recruitment lifestyle incentives.” If a doctor is found and begins work in Sicamous, the district has agreed to provide up to $18,000 in See Agreement on page 2
Reach: Parkview Elementary teacher Crystal Truscott attempts to stop an interception by student Conner Schmitz during a staff versus students basketball game held Friday morning, March 13, at the school’s gym. Youth trumped experience in the contest, with the students coming out on top with a 12-8 win. Photo by Lachlan Labere
Proposed school closures concerning By Lachlan Labere Eagle Valley News
The long-term vision for Sicamous schools has local politicians concerned for the future of their children and their communities. Sicamous Mayor Terry Rysz, Columbia Shuswap Regional District Electoral Area E director Rhona Martin, and others in attendance at Wednesday’s municipal council meeting took time to express their concerns over School District #83’s longterm facilities plan, and the ramifications it could have. That plan, discussed the previ-
ous night at a school commented Rysz. board meeting in “At the same time, Salmon Arm, calls we have to underfor a reconfigurastand what the board Don’t waste your money tion of Parkview is going through berecruiting a doctor because Elementary, makcause they’re dealing nobody is going to want to ing it a kindergarten with a $1.8 million come if elementary school to Grade 5, with a shortfall.” students are having to go in “significant portion” The mayor noted between two highways.” of the school being that Sicamous is not Rhona Martin closed, and the crealone and that rural CSRD Area E director ation of a Grade 6 communities within to 8 “middle school School District #83, within a school” proThe only closure proposed and throughout the gram using existing space at for the 2015/16 school year is province, are dealing with a Eagle River Secondary. The Silver Creek Elementary. similar situation. 10-year plan suggests clos“It was concerning, a bit “Half of our schools are ing Parkview and converting disturbing – as we all know, empty,” said Rysz. “We’ve Eagle River into a K to 12 the loss of the school here gone from 8,000 students (over school. will not help this community,” See Public meeting on page 2