Rossland News, June 11, 2015

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THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

VOL. 10 • ISSUE 23

Six, Seven Summits grads

See page 7

DIGGING

11th Annual Trail Day

See page 11

The new outdoor classroom for RSS

BE SEEN BE HEARD BE REMEMBERED This could be you!

COMPETITION CALL CHRISTINE 250-365-6397

The new outdoor classroom slated for Rossland Summit School has begun. Several community initiatives, including an upcoming community build day will help make this possible. The classroom is expected to boost creativity, energy and allow greater knowledge of the outdoors, especially once the Jubilee Park Wetlands project is finished later this year. Photo by Chris Stedile

REDUCED 800 SMITH CRES.

$210,000

ONE PERCENT REALTY 368-1817 | 362-9094 nancykaiser.ca nnckaiser@gmail.com

Rossland lone dissenting voice on EES decision SHERI REGNIER Rossland News

Trail Mayor Mike Martin called it a million-dollar decision. The city and five regional participants recently agreed to a three-term contract for a full time training officer in Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue. The seventh vote and lone hold out was Coun. Lloyd McLellan from Rossland. With the fire service eating up $511,000 or half the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary’s (RDKB) tax requisition this year, Alternate Director McLellan opposed the motion during the May 19 East End Services (EES) meeting. The issue has a long and interesting history, says Rossland Mayor Kathy Moore.

“And this is not about the service itself, it’s about trying to be creative to meet our region’s needs without breaking the bank.” She recalled the fire service review that Alpine City council initiated in 2013, in an effort to find cost savings and efficiencies in the regional department. “The report came back recommending a number of expensive additions to our service,” she said. “I do not recall that there was even one cost saving idea. “This to me, was preposterous. We have a terrific fire service, but the costs are getting unaffordable.” Moore was referring to a report by David Mitchell and Associates, a B.C. company specializing in fire service analysis, released in 2014. After spending 17 days with the fire department the previous

summer, the group outlined 39 final recommendations to the RDKB, including the hiring of a full time training officer. “The position was recommended and that horse was out of the barn,” said Moore. “For the amount of money we are now spending on a training officer, a fair number of people could have attended courses at the Justice Institute or a trainer could have been brought out,” she added. “I realize this isn’t ideal, and maybe not feasible, but I don’t believe other alternatives were properly explored.” She acknowledged the rationale brought forth to EES directors prior to the decision, but maintains the matter merited further scrutiny and discussion.

full service = convenience more time in your day to do what you like

rossland’s community branch

why bank local?

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