THE www.keremeosreview.com PM Agreement #40012521
Review Vol.18
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage
Number 05
Thursday, February 4, 2016
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Serving the communities of Keremeos, Cawston, Okanagan Falls and Kaleden
Fruit Growers’ slice into Arctic Apple issue Black Press
Members of the BC Fruit Growers’ Association sunk their teeth into the issue of the genetically-modified Arctic Apple at the annual convention in Kelowna last weekend. One of the resolutions up for debate over the weekend was to call on government to de-register the Arctic apple immediately. In addition to deregistering, the association wants to have a moratorium placed on all future GMO tree fruits pending more research, studies into trade and impact on the consumer. On the opening day of the 127th annual convention, BCFGA delegate Amarjit Lalli told fellow members he believed trying to have the Acrtic de-registered was a battle “we’re not going to win.” “But we will win the public perception battle,” said Lalli. He added while it generally takes about five years to get production of a new apple up and running, the association has lost its chance of getting ahead of the issue by not doing anything in 2015. “We now have four years to get our act together,” he said.
BCFGA general manger Glen Lucas revealed the association did talk to a lawyer last year before the Arctic was registered, wanting an injunction to stop that from happening but was unsuccessful. He said the lawyer told association representatives that such a move would fail because harm had to be shown to have taken place as a result of the registering and, as the Acrtic Apple was not on the market yet, that could not be shown. Lalli said he supports the association’s desire to see proper labelling identifying genetically-modified fruit. The issue of GMO fruit was just one of many up for discussion at the convention this year. Other issues included a change to the insurance program that covers cherries damages as a result of weather, deer fencing to protect orchards and the new provincial replant program. On Friday delegates were told about the replant program, which went into effect in 2015.It’s a $8.4 million plan over seven years to help growers plant new varieties. Delegates were told there were
127 applications last year 94 of the 97 eligible submissions were funded. The new plantings account for 200 acres of orchard. But some delegates raised concerns that not all farmers who replant will be funded under the program and it may need more money. President Fred Steele said the BCFGA was successful in moving money around in the first year and hoped to see that continue to make sure all eligible applicants would be funded. In welcoming the delegates, Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran praised the tree fruit industry, saying it was both very important and extremely relevant to his city. Basran noted that 43 per cent of the city’s land is currently in the provincial Agricultural Land Reserve, meaning it is protected from development. Much of that land is still orchard. The BCFGA represents 800 growers from up and down the valley and while the tree fruit industry here accounts for $130 million in wholesale sales, it also generates The BCFGA has called on the government to de-register the Arctic apple $900 million in economic activity. immediately.
Facade grant offers business community chance for facelift Review Staff
Tara Bowie The Village is offering a new facade improvement grant. The grant provides a 50 per cent reimubursement up to $2,000 for qualified applicants.
Giving the Keremeos business community a facelift is the goal of the village’s newest grant initiative. The Village of Keremeos recently announced the launch of a Business Facade Improvement Program. The pilot initiative allows businesses and owners of property in the village zoned as C1 (general commercial) and C2 (tourist commercial) to apply for grant funding to help offset the cost to renovate, restore or redesign their business storefront facades. The grant provides a 50 per cent reimbursement up to a maximum of $2,000 per building project to improve the storefront facades of commercial buildings.
Eligible improvements may consist of – but are not limited to – new exterior lighting, exterior architectural features, signage, awnings, new siding and facade painting. Projects must have a minimum total cost of $500 in order to qualify. The program is open to all businesses and commercial property owners whose property taxes are currently paid in full and who hold a current, valid business licence with the Village of Kermeos. To be eligible a property must not have any outstanding building permits, stop work orders or development permit condition requirements attached to the building or property at time of application. Applicants will be evaluated based on the pro-
posed improvements’ demonstrated benefit to the business, whether the project will provide a noticeable improvement on the street scape and whether the project will meet the applicable design guidelines. Approved projects must be completed by November 30 and funding cannot carry over from one calendar year to the next. Further information with respect this this program – including aplication forms, building design guidelines and colour design guidelines – can be located by visiting the village office or website at www.keremeos. ca/content/business-facade-improvements-program. A Design Review Committee will look at all applications