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Vol. 64, Issue 108
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Unblock Cam!
Local youth in Twitter dispute with MP C AROLYN GR ANT
Twitter, like it or not, is where a lot of conversations pertaining to every part of our lives are taking place. Youth especially use Twitter as a news source, and for the politically minded youth, as a way to engage with Members of Parliament or the Legislature. Which is why a local youth, Cam Lomon, has begun a campaign to get himself unblocked on the Twitter feed of Kootenay Columbia MP David Wilks. Lomon is now attending the University of Lethbridge and he is active in politics. His Twitter handle is @Act3Politics, and he does not necessarily agree with MP Wilks on political matters. But Lomon’s point is, Mr. Wilks should be en-
gaging with his constituents, not blocking them because they don’t agree. “I was on Facebook and noticed that one of my friends, Joy Orr, made a status saying that our MP David Wilks had blocked her on Twitter from seeing his tweets or tweeting at him,” Lomon told the Bulletin. Joy Orr is NDP MLA Norm Macdonald’s constituency assistant, and is assisting federal NDP candidate Wayne Stetski in his bid for the Kootenay Columbia seat. To Lomon, that shouldn’t matter. “I saw this as a rather unfair way to treat a constituent who simply disagrees with you on a matter and asks questions.
See YOUTH, Page 4
City makes salaries public A R N E PE TRYSHEN
The City of Cranbrook spent $10.35 million in 2014 on employee remuneration and expenses for staff. Of that, there are 36 positions on the city’s payroll whose gross earnings are over $75,000, accounting for $3.45 million. The other $6.90 million is made up of employees grossing $75,000 or less. Among the top city earners are the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Director of Fire and Emergency Services, and the Director of Corporate Services. CAO Wayne Staudt tops the list at $164,028 with $3,419 in expenses. Wayne Price, the Director of Fire and Emergency Services, made $115,320 with 2,034 in expenses. Roy Hales, Director Corporate Services came in third at $109,259 and $3,874 in expenses.
There is a total of 13 staff members who grossed more than $100,000. Those include Kevin Weaver, Economic Development Officer, at $108,830 and $5,678 in expenses; T. Kennelly, Fire Fighter at $107,872 and $458 in expenses; Charlotte Osborne, Director Financial and Computer Services $106,859 and $3,757 in expenses; Joe McGowan, Director of Public Works, at $106,859 and $2,781 in expenses; D. Kennedy, Fire Fighter at $103,879 and $2,723 in expenses; C. Murrell, Fire Fighter at $103,225 and $383 in expenses; S. Driver, Deputy Director Fire and Emergency Services, at $102,549 and $4,656 in expenses; D. Mackinnon, Fire Fighter, at $101,045 and $458 in expenses.
See CITY, Page 4
BARRY COULTER PHOTO
Saturday, June 6, was the day of the Cranbrook/Kimberley Relay for Life, held for the first time in Rotary Park in Cranbrook. See more, Page 2. The Canadian Cancer Society’s top fundraising event of the year kicked off Saturday with a special tattoo fundraiser, courtesy Sink n’ Ink Tattoos in Cranbrook. Patrons lined up down 11th Street to take part in the special tattoo offer, which raised more than $2,000. Above: Kya Dubois, one of three artists on the job Saturday, tattoos the ankle of Lori Stevenson, Canadian Cancer Society’s Team Lead-Community Giving in Cranbrook.
BARRY COULTER PHOTO
Katie Norton (right) was this year’s Honorary Chair of the Cranbrook/Kimberley Relay for Life, held for the first time in Rotary Park (see more, Page 2). To kick off events, Norton and her grandmother Colleen Smith prepare to lead the Survivors Lap.