TOAD IN TOWN| Theory of a Deadman announces Vernon stop on 15th anniversary tour [A12]
Wednesday, October 7, 2015 P R O U D L Y
S E R V I N G
O U R
N O R T H
O K A N A G A N
w w w. v e r n o n m o r n i n g s t a r. c o m
C O M M U N I T I E S
F O R
2 7
Y E A R S
VERNON DODGE
#
1
Vernon
Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Matt Somerset
250-545-2261
DLR #5204
Morning gStar
The
It’s Our People who Make
4607 27 ST, VERNON • VERNONDODGE.COM
No injuries in firearm incident
COLLEGE FLYING HIGH
ROGER KNOX
Morning Star Staff
JENNIFER SMITH/MORNING STAR
Okanagan College president Jim Hamilton accepts the keys to a Jetstream 31 from Loran Swanberg, Tuesday, whose family donated the plane to the Vernon Aerospace campus, one of four colleges who received planes from the family in memory of Sylvan and Dorothy Swanberg. For full story see page A10 and visit www.vernonmorningstar.com, where there is a video of the presentation.
Joint referendum urged RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
Cultural advocates want to put a doubleheader before Greater Vernon residents. The Vernon Public Art Gallery will ask the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee Thursday to add a borrowing referendum for a new gallery on to an anticipated vote to twin Kal Tire Place. “By combining the vote for a second ice sheet at Kal Tire Place and a new facility for the VPAG, GVAC would be following the precedent set by the successful vote for Kal Tire Place and the Performing Arts Centre in 1999 when the economy was also in a downturn,” said Andrew Powell, VPAG president, in a letter. “In our view, it would be short sighted and irresponsible not to at least consider holding a joint referendum even if that consideration results in a further month or two of delay before a decision is made.” Powell suggests that having individual referendums could lead to voter fatigue and less support.
GVAC’s chairperson isn’t speculating on what may be done with the art gallery’s request. “It will be discussed,” said Juliette Cunningham. Staff is recommending that the referendum request be added to the agenda of GVAC’s upcoming workshop on cultural facilities. “We will learn a lot from our facilities discussion,” said Cunningham. “We have to discuss what we are spending per capita (on culture) and how we compare to other communities.” While VPAG advocates a single referendum for multiple items, Cunningham believes combined construction dollars could scare voters off. “The risk is taxpayers are facing lots of demands.” It’s also not known when a referendum on a new ice sheet may occur because the provincial government has not signed off on the process yet. In his letter, Powell states that the region has outgrown the art gallery in the parkade.
“We are limited by inadequate space to safely house, exhibit and provide programming for our expanding community,” he said. “The space is simply not up to the task and our region requires a class A space worthy of our vibrant and growing community. A new class A facility, built with cultural conservation and exhibition in mind, will increase the gallery’s revenues by opening doors to new funding streams such as Canada Council grants, acquisition grants and rental income from event space.” Powell added that class A galleries can issue tax receipts for donated artwork. “Just recently, the gallery lost the opportunity to add to the assets of the community’s permanent collection a Rita Letendre original work worth $75,000 because, as a class B facility, we were unable to issue the appropriate tax receipted for donated work. Rita Letendre is a prominent Canadian artist, an officer of the Order of Canada and a recipient of the Governor General’s Award. This loss is a tragedy and is an embarrassment to our community.”
Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP are investigating another shots fired case. Police were called to a property in the 6400 block of Highway 6 in Coldstream shortly after 1:30 a.m. Saturday after receiving numerous reports of shots fired. “The RCMP conducted an initial investigation at the location and determined that there was a confrontation in the front yard area, in front of a large barn on the property, which resulted in shots being fired,” said Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy, who said “multiple shots” were fired but was not releasing the exact number or the firearm calibre. Police did not locate anybody injured from gunshot wounds. Two adult men were arrested in relation to the matter but were later released from custody without charges. Noseworthy said it appears two groups were involved but were not believed to know each other. A firearm and drugs were seized in conjunction with this investigation. “No further information is being released at this time,” said Noseworthy. The incident is similar to one that happened at a Vernon townhouse complex Sept. 23. Two groups confronted each other in the parking lot of the complex and there were reports of shots fired. Police have spoken to a large number of witnesses from the Coldstream incident. Unlike the Vernon townhouse shooting, witnesses in the latest case have been very cooperative. “We’ll certainly investigate to see if the two incidents are possibly connected, but there is no evidence at this point to suggest that,” said Noseworthy, adding that police are taking the Coldstream incident – and any case involving the discharge of a firearm – seriously. “There is concern for public safety,” she said. “Bullets keep going until something stops it.” If you have any information that has not already been provided to investigators, please contact the Vernon RCMP at 250-545-7171, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
BANNISTER HONDA “A Family Business, with Family Values ”
6425 Hwy 97 N, Vernon BC • bannisterhonda.com 250-545-0531 • 888-545-0531 DL# 8718 †$2,500 Honda cash purchase incentive is available on select 2015 Civic models (2D LX, 2D EX, 2D EX-L Navi, 2D Si, 4D DX, 4D LX, 4D EX, 4D Touring). Honda cash purchase incentive will be deducted from the negotiated price after taxes and cannot be combined with special lease or finance offers. **MSRP is $17,245 based on a new 2015 Civic DX FB2E2FEX including $1,495 freight and PDI. Prices and/or payments shown do not include a PPSA lien registration fee of $30.31 and lien registering agent’s fee of $5.25, which are both due at time of delivery and covered by the dealer on behalf of the customer. Offers valid from September 1st through 30th, 2015 at participating Honda retailers. Dealer may sell/lease for less. Dealer trade may be necessary on certain vehicles. Offers valid only for British Columbia residents at BC Honda Dealers locations. Offers subject to change or cancellation without notice. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.bchonda.com or see your Honda retailer for full details.