TUESDAY, March 31, 2015
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A7
LOCAL NEWS
Bad news expected for transit ANDREA KLASSEN
STAFF REPORTER
andrea@kamloopsthisweek.com
Bad news may be on the way for those who ride the bus in Kamloops. BC Transit’s senior regional transit manager Erin Felker is due to speak during today’s (March 31) regular council meeting and, according to Coun. Donovan Cavers, word around City Hall is “don’t expect good news.� While delegations are often accompanied by a report, or at least a cursory description of the presentation topic, Felker’s appearance is only listed as “presentation of the BC Transit service discussion.� Her presentation comes as the Crown corporation’s transfers from the provincial government have flatlined. According to last year’s provincial budget, BC Transit was due to receive $109 million in provincial transfers in 2015 — now it’s looking at just under $104 million in funding for the year. The apparent bud-
get freeze becomes more dramatic in 2016. Where BC Transit expected $111 million, it will make do with just over $104 million, and the same amount again in 2017. Transportation Minister Todd Stone said that may mean the funding isn’t there for a 6,000-hour expansion of transit in Kamloops, which was supposed to kick in this year, unless other communities using BC Transit service want to cut some of their hours. Stone said the province is asking BC Transit to meet with its local government partners over the next three to four months to look for cost savings and to see what those communities want bus service to look like going forward. “Do they want status quo, do they want additional hours? Some communities have already said they may be wanting to reduce their hours a bit,� he said. The province is also about to launch a Crown review of BC Transit, which will run until 2016, also with an eye to finding
cost-savings. Though transit costs have typically risen significantly from year-toyear — in Kamloops, the transit budget has gone up about $1 million per year since 2012 — Stone said he doesn’t think the flat budget will lead to cuts to existing bus service in the Tournament Capital. “Until BC Transit’s had their conversations and until that Crown review is done, it’s far too premature to determine at this point whether there will be service reductions, whether existing baseline service hours will go down and whether requests for additional hours will be able to be met,� he said. The city’s planned transit expansion was supposed to roll out in September. Besides 6,000 hours of regular bus service, the city’s HandyDART service was supposed to increase by 2,500. In Kamloops, the new hours would cost the city $110,000 in 2015, rising to $465,000
for 2016. BC Transit, which pays 47 per cent of transit costs in each community it works with, would pay a similar amount. HandyDart would have cost $22,000 in 2015 and $87,000 in the years after. BC Transit pays about 67 per cent of the costs for special transit. Mayor Peter Milobar said he won’t be surprised if the increase doesn’t go ahead, but if it is off the table, it may give the city a chance to better assess how well its service is performing. “It’s always hard to gauge if your ridership’s really going up or not because you add hours or you change a fare,� he said. “So, if everything stays frozen for a year or two, we might get a real sense of what’s really going on within transit — if ridership’s going up or if it’s flatlining.� Cavers, who is among council’s most vocal transit advocates,
said he’ll be disappointed if the increase isn’t going forward, or if transit’s flatlining budget requires the city to scale back its current service at some point in the future. “I know the government is all about averages right now and we are above average for spending on transit,� he said. “But, that doesn’t mean you cut spending. That means we’re the shining star.� A freeze on hours may cut short a debate on wether to raise transit fares as well. Council is due to debate changing the cost of a bus ride at a workshop in late April. Raising fares, or offering some amount of free transit, have both been raised as options. The Ministry of Finance is also beginning a Crown review of BC Transit, which will run until 2016, which also has an eye to finding savings. BC Transit did not respond to KTW’s request for comment.
City of Kamloops
City of Kamloops healthy landscapes, healthy living Spring Cleaning Street Sweeping Notice Weather permitting, City crews will begin spring sweeping of streets in the valley bottom and working into the higher elevations throughout the City. The Spring Sweeping program on average requires 6 to 8 weeks to complete. In an effort to reduce sweeping time and costs, signs will be posted in the areas that are being swept advising the public not to park on the street. Some high density areas will have parking restrictions posted and/or notices delivered in advance of sweeping, for example, downtown east. Residents who wish to sweep the area in front of their property are advised to remove the pile of sand accumulated as these piles can damage a sweeper, and operators are instructed to swerve around such piles. Your co-operation is appreciated. Inquiries can be made by calling 250-828-3461.
www.kamloops.ca
Pesticide Use Control - By-law 26-2 The pesticide use control by-law is in effect. The by-law regulates the cosmetic use of pesticides on ornamental trees, shrubs, flowers, and turf on residential properties. Some exceptions the by-law does NOT apply to: • Fruit trees & vegetable gardens; • Agricultural land & farms; • Greenhouses; • Noxious weeds & insects (as defined in the by-law); • Excluded pesticides (products that may be used); • Hard landscapes (ie. brick-pavers); • Mosquito control and other pests that transmit human disease; • Pests that impact commercial forestry. Exemptions: Only an approved applicator may apply non-excluded pesticides. To apply for an exemption and become an approved applicator a person must have a valid Pesticide Applicator Certificate. NOTE: Applications for exemption must be renewed annually. Notification: In order to accommodate those with concerns regarding pesticide applications, it is mandatory that signage be posted. This notification allows individuals to take necessary precautions to minimize their exposure (e.g. closing windows during application). Learn more about plant health and pest management at an education workshop offered by the City. Visit www.kamloops.ca/ipm for more information. To review or obtain a copy of the complete by-law contact: Integrated Pest Management Coordinator 250-828-3888 healthylandscapes@kamloops.ca
www.kamloops.ca/ipm
ANSWERS TO THE CROSSWORD ON PAGE A27
City of Kamloops Activity Programs
For registration please call (250) 828-3500 and please quote City of Kamloops program number provided. For online registration please visit 50 0 7 0 0 0 0 6 050/ 1 20 6 9 69 .0 https://ezregsvr.kamloops.ca/ezreg 0 6 0 Programs are cancelled if the minimum numbers are not met. Modern Contemporary Ballet Adapted Zumba
$75 $50 0 Learn easy-to-follow moves set to Latin and international music +2 7 1 20 / 6 0/ / 6 0 , 4 6 0 26 890 7 0 to improve muscle tone and coordination. The Zumba formula 6/ <0; . 5 50 0 7 0 0 0 0 6 050/ 1 20 6 9 69 .0 will be modified to 6 0 : 55 : 4 6 20 .
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0 < fit your needs and abilities in a fun supportive space. Caregivers are required to support participants when 0 6 0 needed. $95 9 0 7 Yacht ClubContemporary Modern Ballet $7 Apr 9 10:30-11:30 AM 6 0 ) 6. : * 2 5 1 0 Thu #239894 +2 7 1 20 / 6 0/ / 6 0 , 4 6 0 26 890 7 0 Fairy Tales and Musicals $175 6/ <0; . 5 6 0 : 55 : 4 6 20 .
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0 < Adapted $48 0 Yoga 2 5/ 06 : 55 : 4 6 .9 5/ 6 4 55 :2 50 6 6 6 6/ Enjoy basic yoga exercises in a safe and supported environment. $95 9 0 Move at your own pace and learn the joys of mindful exercise. / 6 6 * 0 1 0 5 7
1 2 7 $ 6 20 6 7 Caregivers are required to support participants when needed. ) 6. : 1 196 1 0 6 6 2 9 0 ) 6. : * 2 5 1 6 0 Yacht Club Apr 7 12:00-1:00 PM (Physical Disabilities) $95 9 0 Tue #239882 Fairy Tales and Musicals $175 7 0 Apr 7 1:30-2:30 PM (Developmental ) 6. : * 2 5 1 6 0 City of Kamloops Disabilities) 2 5/ 06 : 55 : 4 6 .9 5/ 6 4 55 :2 50 6 6 6 6/ Tue #239883 / 6 6 * 0 1 0 5 7
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Orongeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Girls Only Skate Clinic $20 ) 6. : 1 196 1 0 6 6 2 9 0 ' . 55 :0/ # / 0 6
0 1 9 2 0 60 0 0770/ 6 Create a Cultural Landscape $10 4 0. / 2 0 .006 4 6 1 0 ,0 : 55 2057 55 4 55 50 05 Earth Pigment Paints & Crayons 7-12 yrs $95 9 0 50 0 7 0 0 0 0 6 050/ 1 20 6 9 0
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4 6 Using rocks and sand from BC soil, much like the indigenous 0 6 0 7 9 205 0 4 0. / : 0 .
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9/0 peoples might have, make your own paint and crayons and then 6 0 6 9 6 55 20 196 "!%&!+* )! & ' create a masterpiece. ) 6. : * 2 5 1 Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget wear play clothes! ModerntoContemporary Ballet +()- Kamloops Museum & Archives 0 +2 7 1 20 / 6 0/ / 6 0 , 4 6 0 26 89 Orongeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Girls Only Skate Clinic $20 Apr 18 1:30-3:30 PM $95 9 0 6/ <0; . 5 6 0 : 55 : 4 6 20 .
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4 6 ) 6. : * 2 5 1 $36 6 0 Pro-D Day Art Camps (7-12 yrs) 9 9 0 9 205 0 4 0. / : 0 .
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29 # 5 6/ 4 Professional Development Day Art Camps engage children ages 7-12 in 2 5/ 06 : 55 : 4 6 .9 5/ 6 4 55 :2 50 6 6 6 fun and educational activities that / 6 6 * 0 1 0 5 7
1 2 7 $ 6 20 $95 9 0 integrate BC Curriculum outcomes with key themes from the ) 6. : 1 196 1 0 6 6 2 9 0 current exhibitions. Using artist-grade materials, children will create experimental and traditional art projects that encourage Sunshine Kids $30 $95 9 0 &
29 # 5 6/ 4 7 creation, expression, and discovery. Extended care is available 0 ) 6. : * 2 5 1 6 0 for more information, contact the Kamloops Art Gallery. +2 966 0;70 06 0 6 59/0 6 6 7 6 6 75 6 0 6 9 9 0 Kamloops Art Gallery Orongeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Girls Only Skate Clinic 6/ 7 0 06/ 6 !63 :004 1 6 2 40 .9..50 : 0 75 6/ Apr 20 9:00 AM-3:00 PM ' . 55 :0/ # / 0 6
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50 6 4 6/ 7 $95 9 0 6 9 6 55 20 196 "!%&!+* )! & ' +()- Eastern European 7 Cooking $45 Sunshine $30 Learn how Kids to cook " 5 ) 0 06
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29 # 5 6/ 4 +2 966 0;70 06 0 6 59/0 6 6 7 6 6 75 6 0 6 Sahali Secondary School 6/ 7 0 06/ 6 !63 :004 1 6 2 40 .9..50 : 0 75 6 Apr 9 6:30-9:30 PM 9 9 0 $95 9 0 Thu #239163 0 6 6 4 1 9 7 6 7 &
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9 %0 66 * 0 6 Dog Obedience Training $45 Sunshine Kids This class provides dog 7 owners with basic training techniques to 0 " 5 ) 0 06
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0 6 6 4 1 9 7 6 months old to attend. Aberdeen Dog Park $95 9 0 $95 9 0 7 Apr 13 6:00-7:00 PM 7 " 5 ) 0 06
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9 %0 66 * 0 6 $95 9 0 + 0 0 55 www.kamloops.ca/ezreg Landscape Design and Sustainability 7 $15
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9 %0 66 * 0 6 the environment. Learn about garden styles, design principles, sustainable choices, and how to put it all together. McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre Apr 29 6:00-9:00 PM Wed #238391
+ 0 0 55 www.kamloops.ca/ezreg + 0 0 55 www.kamloops.ca/ezreg