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FEBRUARY 23, 2016 Vol. 121, $ 05 Issue 29
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PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
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Local search and rescue services get lifeline from gaming grants
801 Farwell St, Trail 250.364.3380 www.elevate-sport.ca
ANNUAL VIGIL AT KBRH
SHERI REGNIER Trail Times
B.C. community gaming grants keep the lights on and the doors open for local search and rescue (SAR) services. The province announced $5.7 million in public safety grants this week, which included $65,000 for South Columbia SAR, $13,000 for Rossland SAR, $40,000 for the Nelson group, $54,000 Castlegar SAR and $3,400 for the Slocan District Technical Rescue Society. Relying on annual grants to pay rent, buy insurance, provide ongoing training, and fix equipment is a tough business, because other non-profits such as volunteer fire departments and crime stoppers also depend on gaming money for public safety services and educational programs. “All the different groups can apply for a gaming grant, which is our main source of income to operate,” says Mike Hudson, president of the South Columbia service. “Each group is allowed to apply for up to $100,000 per year and sometimes we get what we are asking for, sometimes half, depending on the priorities (of everyone who applies.)” As more and more nonprofits pop up and competition for public safety grants tighten, Hudson is hoping the province will alter the way search and rescue groups are funded year-to-year and in turn, take grant writing pressure off those who voluntarily provide emergency medical services 24/7. “We’ve been working the last two years on what’s called an alternative funding model,” he explained. “Right now, what happens is about 80 SAR groups across the province apply for gaming money, so essentially, we are in competition with each other to provide the same services.” While some SAR teams are successful in grant writing, others are not. CONTINUED ON A2
Guy Bertrand photo
Approximately 20 people were outside the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital on Friday for the annual vigil by the Society for the Protection and Care of Seniors. The event highlights the on-going need for improved senior care as well as a remembrance of Fanny Albo who passed away in 2006 at 91 years old after being separated from her husband and family when she was moved from the Trail hospital to a facility in Grand Forks.
Deteriorating road poses safety concern for Oasis SHERI REGNIER Trail Times
A crumbling Oasis road is sounding alarm bells for residents and the regional director of the small bedroom community. The only marker for the dangerous section of Hillcrest Drive, located in the upper bench, are a half dozen traffic cones the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure recently laid down. Located in Area B of the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB), responsibility for the primary access to homes in Upper Oasis, falls squarely on the shoulders
of the province. Regional district authority begins and ends at private property lines, explains Linda Worley, Area B’s longtime director. But year after year, she has alerted the ministry about the worrisome situation although to date, repairs have only provided a temporary fix. “I just spoke about this during our Area B town hall meeting last week (Feb. 17),” Worley told the Trail Times Monday. “I was made aware of the situation again this year when a resident of the upper bench phoned me on behalf of the neighbours.” Her annual courtesy call to Emcon and
report via telephone to the ministry has been made, and Worley expresses frustration with the latter’s reply. “Every year we end up phoning, speaking with someone, and getting the same response,” she said, mentioning sloughing occurs when winter precipitation saturates the earth beneath the road. “I don’t think that’s enough and I’d rather they be proactive rather than reactive.” Worley is concerned a large vehicle could trigger a potentially lethal slide. “Being reactive is a little too late if something awful happens,” she said. “ CONTINUED ON A2 Contact the Times:
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