D A Y L I G H T S A V I N G S E N D S N O V. I - S E T Y O U R C L O C K S B A C K
Journal ASHCROFT t CACHE CREEK
Volume 120 No 44 PM # 400121123
The
Thursday, October 29, 2015
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Borrowing for new fire truck passes
Last splash of colour for the year Patsy Gessey discusses all of the wonderful ways to cook aubergines - aka eggplants - with Georgia Lesley at the last Farmers Market of the year in Lytton. Patsy raises fresh, organic produce, herbs and beautiful cut flowers in her garden plot along the Fraser River near Lytton. Photo: Bernie Fandrich
Medical bussing to Lillooet begins today by Wendy Coomber Ashcroft Mayor Jack Jeyes was pleased to announce to Council that Interior Health had agreed to fund the community bus for a one a week trip to Lillooet so that local patients without a doctor could see one. “The beauty of this,” he said, “is that patients will be seeing one of two doctors who will presumably be coming here in February, so they will be establishing a relationship with their new doctor.” He said he also liked the fact that
it was putting their community bus to good use. The bus only operates three days weekly, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Trips to Lillooet are scheduled every Thursday from now until Jan. 21, except for Dec. 24 and 31. “It’s a partial solution,” said Coun. Barbara Roden. “It’s not perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction.” She said their quick meeting with Ministry of Health officials at the Union of BC Municipalities convention turned out beneficial, and having
MLA Jackie Tegart there with them was very helpful.
Cache Creek Council agreed to set up a bus stop of sorts for Cache Creek and area residents to catch the bus at the Community Hall before it heads to Ashcroft. “There may be a need at some point in the future for a room to be open in the hall for people who are waiting,” said Mayor John Ranta. See story on p. 3 for more information about appointments.
by Wendy Coomber The Village of Ashcroft is going ahead with borrowing nearly half a million dollars to buy a new fire truck after the Alternative Approval Process (AAP) failed to gather enough signatures by Oct. 13. Only 47 response forms were filled out: 148 were required to defeat the proposal. “I’m very happy we got that result,” said Coun. Barb Roden. “I think there’s a number of people happy,” added Mayor Jack Jeyes. “That would be a big hit to the whole Village if we do not keep up our fire trucks,” said Counc. Alf Trill. “It would double the insurance rates.” “I agree completely,” said Coun. Al Mertens. “Some people feel it’s a waste of taxpayer’s money. I tell them it’s the cost of doing business. Every municipality knows there’s a 20 year life on fire trucks. Keeping them up to date is the cheapest form of insurance anyone could have.” Mayor Jeyes alluded to the fact that municipalities are governed by rules to provide adequate services to taxpayers when he said, “It’s a decision that was out of our hands.” He added, “But with better equipment, we can be assured that our firefighters are going to come home.” The job ws awarded to HUB Fire Engines and Equipment Ltd. of Abbotsford. “The cost of the Fire Truck, including additional fire hoses, comes to $393,979,” said Village treasurer Yogi Bhalla. “HUB has agreed to waive a downpayment and our payment will occur in two installments.” The first installment will be when the chassis and pump are delivered in approximately five months, and the balance will be paid upon delivery of the completed truck in about 11 months. He said the method of payment “significantly reduces our interest expenses in the first year.” With taxes, the cost of the truck is $421,558. HUB was one of three companies who quoted on the truck. “I’m glad we’re able to go with HUB,” said Roden. Even though the chassis is being built in the US, HUB is based in Abbotsford, “So we’re providing jobs in BC,” she said, “even if they are in the Lower Mainland.”
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