Wednesday March 25, 2015 www.saobserver.net $1.25 GST INCLUDED
Underpass design proceeds By Martha Wickett OBSERVER STAFF
City council gave the green light Monday to a detailed design for the Ross Street Underpass estimated to cost $433,050 plus tax. The design was awarded to RF Binnie & Associates Ltd., the same company working with the Ministry of Transportation on the preliminary design for the four-laning of the Trans-Canada Highway at the west end of town. Rob Niewenhuizen, the city’s director of engineering, said the engineering services contract means the city will have a shelf-ready project with an accurate cost estimate when the underpass goes to tender. He also emphasized safety. “Ultimately there will come a time when that crossing is deemed unsafe or closed. We will do our best to keep it open until we move forward with the underpass.” Council voted unanimously to award the contract. Coun. Alan Harrison was absent. Carl Bannister, the city’s chief administrative officer, reported that the city’s financial plan, in concert with the strategic plan, envisions construction in 2019 at a cost of $9 million. Along with grants and reserves, it would mean about $3 million in long-term debt, a figure that would not result in a tax increase if council doesn’t deviate from the financial plan and project costs don’t increase. Coun. Chad Eliason termed the contract an important first step. “It clears up a lot of the misconceptions put forward to the public.” Coun. Louise Wallace Richmond said she supports the contract, but emphasized this is not the beginning of the conversation. “This is where the rubber hits the road.” Coun. Kevin Flynn said he is impressed with having no tax increase and supports the contract award. “I think we have to do this to be ready for grants funding, and to move forward with this whenever the community decides.” Coun. Ken Jamieson agreed it is unfortunately necessary for the city to spend money to get more money in the form of grants. Coun. Tim Lavery stressed that any large project like this should trigger a referendum, not just be subject to an alternative approval process where 10 per cent of the population may petition against it.
EVAN BUHLER/OBSERVER
Good grip
Haney Birkett climbs on the uneven bars on Monday, March 23 during a spring break camp at Momentum Gymnastics.
Abbott denied appointment
BC Treaty Commission: Sudden cabinet reversal turfs former MLA. By Barb Brouwer OBSERVER STAFF
An 11th-hour decision by the province to veto George Abbott’s appointment as chief commissioner has clouded the BC Treaty Commission with controversy. Six months ago, former Shuswap MLA and cabinet minister George Abbott was invited by John Rustad, minister for aboriginal relations, to take on the role of chief commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission upon the retirement of Sophie Pierre. Abbott had accepted the request and began preparing for the job which was to have begun April 1 by putting his business affairs on hold. He had First Nations and federal support and believed BC Cabinet approval
This week Bear sightings have started in Salmon Arm and conservation officers issue a warning. See A11. Kevin Cheveldave, a Salmon Arm hockey mainstay, gets ready to move on. See A17.
was forthcoming, albeit in a government was ready to add much slower fashion than antheir approval, pending a nod ticipated. from the province. “I checked But last Wednesday and with the minister (Rustad) on already in transition talks a number of occasions, obwith the commission, Abbott viously concerned when I received a call from Rustad didn’t hear anything after a informing him he had been couple of months.” unable to secure cabinet apBut Abbott, who ran George proval. against Premier Christy Clark Abbot A former member of the in the 2013 election, says he BC Liberal cabinet, Abbott was continually reassured his FORMER MLA twice held aboriginal portfoappointment was in process lios. and the delay was not about He says he was shocked and disap- him personally. pointed by cabinet’s last-minute refusal. “Now I think it probably was about me; “It’s not what I expected to hear,” he that would be my best guess,” he says. said, explaining First Nations ratified his appointment in October and the federal See Decision on page A2
Index Opinion ....................... A6 View Point .................. A7 Life & Times ............... A8 Sports................A15-A17 Arts & Events ... A19-A21 Time Out................... A22 Vol. 108, No. 12, 44 pages