No Saturday market for plaza
$1.10 Includes TAX
page 3
SPOTLIGHT The Similkameen
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Volume 65 Issue 12
Proudly serving the community since 1948 • www.similkameenspotlight.com
Night at the Museum Andrea DeMeer Spotlight Staff
The waves created recently by the municipality’s bid to take over the Princeton and District Museum and Archives were stilled considerably at the museum’s annual general meeting Thursday night. About 70 people turned out for the event – compared to the 13 people who attended last year – and learned upon arrival that town bosses and museum executive members had sat down earlier in the day and agreed to a process to negotiate the transition of some operational matters. “Nothing was decided at this meeting,” said society president Rika Ruebsaat. “We parted agreeing to meet again and I look forward to an open and collaborative relationship with town council.” Following the regular business of the society, including elections that were officiated by Mayor Frank Armitage, the question of the museum’s future was put to the floor. “There is a sense that people need to be heard,” said Ruebsaat. “People are not feeling heard.” More than a dozen members spoke in favor of the society retaining control over the museum and its assets. “The reason I came out tonight was to totally support the people who run this museum,” said Barry Ovington. Craig Stout, whose family helped found the museum 65 years ago, said “you have something that’s working well and seems to be functioning on a good scale. Why change it?” That sentiment was echoed by others, including Ernie Lawrence. “It’s working very well now. It’s
hard to justify change unless it’s an improvement,” he said. “It’s not broken so we don’t need a huge fix. We could always use more money, though.” Four members of council and the town’s CAO were present at the meeting. Councillor Rosemary Doughty handled most of the crowd’s questions and fielded complaints. She said she was disheartened that some board members have characterized the municipality’s proposal as aggressive. “You look like you are being victimized and bullied here by the town,” she said. “Hostile takeover? That did not happen and it is not happening.” Doughty said the town needs greater control over the museum as it is receiving requests for increased funding and support. “We want to have a bigger say in how that money is being spent. That’s our responsibility as members of council.” Currently the municipality owns the museum buildings and property. It pays an annual grant in aid of $26,000 to fund the society’s part time manager, and also pays operating costs like utilities and supplies. A document presented to the museum management team claims the town annually contributes a total of approximately $56,000 to the museum’s budget. A second document lists the municipality’s concerns with best practices including controlling security and access for the collection. It also lays out the town’s intent to spend an estimated $120,000 over a period of time, to digitize the museum’s archival collections. Continued on page 11
Thursday
High7/Low1
Friday
High9/Low-2
Saturday
High11/Low0
Sunday
High9/Low-2
10% OFF BROWN PRESSURE TREATED WOOD In-stock only. March 1-31, 2016. Must present this ad.
FLETCHER Building Supplies
✃
High9/Low3
✃
CASH AND CARRY!
Weather Watch Wednesday
Andrea DeMeer
A private meeting held prior to Thursday night’s AGM resulted in the municipality and museum society agreeing to work together to determine the best model for future operations. Rika Ruebsaat, society president, asked for help from Mayor Frank Armitage to conduct the annual elections.
222 Burton Ave.,Princeton
Open @ 8am Mon-Fri, 8:30am Sat, 9am Sun
250-295-6938
email: info@fletcherace.com