EAGLE VALLEY
NEWS
Mobile stage an alternative to park pavilion Page 3
Atom Eagles rise to take league finals Page 7
Wednesday, March 9, 2016 PM40008236
Vol. 62 No. 10 Sicamous, B.C., • 1.25 (GST included) • www.eaglevalleynews.com
Events a big draw for legion Reaching out: New president breaking down old walls. By Lachlan Labere Eagle Valley News
If it’s happening in Sicamous, there’s a good chance it will be happening at the legion. Royal Canadian Legion Branch #99 has long been a hub of social activity in the community, but its new president, Chris Wilson says the legion is working with the district and other groups to play a bigger role in annual community events returning this year. “We’re going to join in and help the District of Sicamous celebrate Canada Day this year by putting on some major events,” said Wilson “We’re going to basically go handin-hand with the recreation centre with the car show, the hockey event I guess they have here, we’re going to bring in a big band later in the evening and put on a really big show – try to make us memorable and inviting to the community.” This year’s Summer Stomp is also on the legion’s radar, and Wilson says the legion is working with the district’s recreation programmer Jamie Sherlock on the role it will play. “And, to kind of push off into the fall, we’re looking at Lobsterfest,” adds Wilson.
Fresh perspective: Sicamous legion president Chris Wilson looks to making the local branch a bigger partner in community events. Photo by Lachlan Labere “We’re just basically going to have a lot of good times and have people want to be here a lot more and understand what the legion’s all about.” A firefighter of 21 years, 15 of those with the Sicamous department, as well as a member of the Eagle Valley Rescue Society, Wilson was sworn in as legion president in January. The 38-year-old fire captain sus-
pects he may be one of the youngest legion presidents in the province. “I have no idea but I have a pretty good feeling I’m one of the youngest legion presidents there is – but I’m sure if somebody dug around they could probably find somebody else as well,” laughs Wilson, whose presidency reflects a fairly recent transition with the legion, opening up to RCMP, firefigth-
ers and other emergency services personnel. This extends to Remembrance Day services, which for the past two years have included Sicamous emergency responders. “The past president, Murray Williams, asked us to come and stand at the cenotaph just to show unity with all the groups that are See Legion traditions on page 2
Property owners face 1.15 per cent municipal tax hike By Lachlan Labere Eagle Valley News
Sicamous residential property owners can expect to pay another 1.15 per cent in municipal property taxes for 2016. A “budget highlights” document released by the District of Sicamous shows the 1.15 per cent, when applied to properties assessed at $244,000, amounts to about a
$14 increase. The same document shows there are no increases to be anticipated in the water an sewer rates, though it does show the metered rates are, on average, substantially less than the flat rates ($725 for water, $457 for sewer). Mayor Terry Rysz said he and council tried to get that 1.15 increase down to zero, but adds he’s still very pleased with the outcome. It’s kind of like almost a cost-
of-living budget type thing with that two per cent a year…,” said Rysz “There were a lot of wish lists out for this year, and I think this council did a masterful job of juggling in order to get it to where it is.” The mayor went on to contrast the relatively nominal tax increase with the numerous projects the district will be working on this year. These include updates to the of-
ficial community plan and related bylaws, the wastewater treatment plant upgrade, $1.78 million investment in roads and sidewalks and more. “This year, we’re going to accomplish a lot in that community. We’re going to do the infrastructure on Shuswap, we’re going to build a boat launch out at Old Town, we’re working towards getting the federal boat launch done up this
year, we’re going to be paving quite a few streets and that sort of thing…,” said Rysz, agreeing residents will be sure to see where their tax dollars are being spent. “That’s the cool thing about this year because I think we’re actually going to get something done.” A budget presentation will be made at tonight’s council meeting (March 9), which begins at 6 p.m. in council chambers.