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TUESDAY, August 25, 2015

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Q: When is the right time? A) Perhaps these questions will help you decide. Y N • Am I bored or lonely at times? Y N • Does my social life revolve around the TV?

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LOCAL NEWS

Space kids share with man-on-moon generation ADAM WILLIAMS

STAFF REPORTER

adam@kamloopsthisweek.com

Hunter Galbraith and Jordan Brown may have been the only people gathered at Ridgeview Lodge in Brocklehurst on Thursday to have missed the iconic words of Neil Armstrong: “One small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” But, the Sa-Hali secondary students had a space-exploration first of their own to share with the captive audience at the seniors’ residence — as the first Kamloops students to grow crystals on the International Space Station (ISS).

“It has been a long experience, but it has definitely been a surreal experience,” Hunter said. He and Jordan, along with group members Kieren O’Neil and Ryan Watson (who were unable to attend the Ridgeview presentation) were students at McGowan Park elementary when they first set out to understand how crystals would grow in space. “When I started this, I’m sure for any kid, space exploration and science grabs you,” Hunter said. “Getting to actually do this was beyond imagination — it was amazing. I’m so lucky that I got this experi-

The men’s club at Ridgeview Lodge gathered to hear science students Hunter Galbraith (left) and Jordan Brown explain their space experiment, which visited the International Space Station. DAVE EAGLES/KTW

ence, but I’m also very proud I was up to the task. Hunter and Jordan presented the results of their experiment — the only Canadian study selected for the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) — to about 15 people at Ridgeview. Using a variety of

Y N • Is my circle of friends shrinking? Y N • Would I enjoy more exercise? Y N • Is home maintenance, meals and housekeeping becoming a burden? Y N • Do I avoid driving at night or have I given up driving recently? Y N • Am I caring for a spouse or loved one and it is wearing me out? Y N • Am I eating poorly? Y N • Am I eating alone?

NORTH SHORE REVITALIZATION TAX EXEMPTION AMENDMENT BYLAW NO. 22-4-9

technology to study the results, the boys found crystals on the ISS grew two-and-a-half times larger and fuller than their counterparts grown on Earth under the force of gravity. The group’s findings were nearly two years in the making, delayed by repeated technical problems, including an incident in which the rocket carrying their experiment exploded shortly after liftoff in Virginia. Presenting the

results has added a new level of excitement to the project for Jordan. The group recently presented at the SSEP national conference at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. “I wouldn’t think that I would be able to go all the way to Washington, D.C., to share my findings with other student scientists,” Jordan said. “I think it’s fun to trade off knowledge with other people. I really like being here [Ridgeview] — some of these people may have watched the first people land on the moon.” Eighty-year-old Aki Ruyjin remembered Armstrong’s fabled first

steps in 1969, but he was no less impressed by the kids’ presentation. “I’ve been through high school, but no project like this,” he said. “That was something. They have things that are so advanced, we don’t even know. It was very interesting.” The project is now winding to a close for the students, but they won’t forget what their project’s time in space taught them. “It’s saying, it doesn’t matter who you are or your expertise in something, you can do anything,” Hunter said. “You can push yourself and you can accomplish amazing things.”

The Council of the City of Kamloops hereby gives notice of a proposed amendment to the North Shore Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw. It is recognized that promoting revitalization in specified areas of the City is an essential component to the overall economic prosperity of Kamloops and the objectives of this designation are: a)

To strengthen the viability of existing businesses; stimulate and encourage new private investment; encourage higher-density, residential development; improve the image and attractiveness of the tax revitalization area; and better utilize City infrastructure; and

Encourage sustainable development and green building techniques throughout the North Shore; encourage mixed-use development in core areas of the North Shore, defined by Development Permit areas; encourage construction of non-market housing units; and encourage development throughout the whole of the North Shore.

The North Shore Revitalization Tax Exemption Program accomplishes these objectives by granting municipal tax relief for projects, within a specified area of the North Shore that meet the minimum requirements set forth in the development checklist and incentive matrix of the North Shore Neighbourhood Plan, and that foster the principles set out in KAMPLAN: City of Kamloops Official Community Plan. Property owners within the specified area may apply for exemptions from municipal property taxes for new construction or alterations to existing buildings. The process and criteria to qualify for this program are set out in the consolidated City of Kamloops North Shore Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 22-4-2. The proposed amendment is to add brownfield (or contaminated) sites to the eligibility criteria and to alter the wording in the bylaw to provide clarity and contain language consistent with current best practices. The amount of the tax exemption shall range between 20% to 100% of the increased assessed value of improvements and the maximum term of exemption that may be provided under the proposed bylaw is ten years. The designated area of the North Shore Revitalization Tax Exemption is as follows:

Y N • Do I worry about needing help and not getting assistance?

CITY CENTRE REVITALIZATION TAX EXEMPTION AMENDMENT BYLAW NO. 22-4-8 The Council of the City of Kamloops hereby gives notice of a proposed amendment to the City of Kamloops City Centre Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw. It is recognized that promoting revitalization in specified areas of the City of Kamloops' City Centre is an essential component to the overall economic prosperity of Kamloops and the objectives of this designation are to strengthen the viability of existing businesses; stimulate and encourage new private investment; encourage higher-density, rental, residential development; encourage public parking in new parking structures; improve the image and attractiveness of a specified area of the City Centre; and better utilize City infrastructure. The City Centre Revitalization Tax Exemption Program accomplishes these objectives by granting municipal tax relief for projects that meet the criteria for new construction or improvements within a specified area of the City Centre. The City recognizes that tax relief could encourage new projects, which are constructed, maintained, operated, and used in a fashion that is consistent with and will foster the principles set out in KAMPLAN: City of Kamloops Official Community Plan. Property owners within the specified area may apply for exemptions from municipal property taxes for new construction or alterations to their buildings. The process and criteria to qualify for this program are set out in the City of Kamloops City Centre Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 22-4-5. The proposed amendment is to be able to provide a 100% municipal tax exemption for a ten-year term on new multiple-family residential improvements, to add brownfield (or contaminated) sites to the eligibility criteria of the bylaw, and to alter the wording in the bylaw to provide clarity and contain language consistent with current best practices. The amount of the tax exemption shall be 100% of the increased assessed value of improvements, and the maximum term of exemption that may be provided under the proposed bylaw is ten years. The designated area of the City Centre Revitalization Tax Exemption is as follows:

Y N • Am I relying on friends and family to do things for me? If you answered yes to any of the above, perhaps it’s time to research the benefits of retirement community living. Have a question? Email or mail me.

Erin Currie is your local Kamloops Senior Living Expert. If you have any questions, or would like to chat, please contact Erin at Berwick on the Park, (250) 377.7275 or email her at berwickonthepark@berwickrc.com

Council will be considering the City of Kamloops North Shore Revitalization Tax Exemption Amendment Bylaw No. 22-4-9 on September 15, 2015, and the public will be given the opportunity to register their opinion on the proposed amendments by:

Council will be considering the City of Kamloops City Centre Revitalization Tax Exemption Amendment Bylaw No. 22-4-8 on September 15, 2015, and the public will be given the opportunity to register their opinion on the proposed amendment by:

Appearing before City Council on September 15, 2015, at 1:30 pm in Council Chambers at City Hall (7 Victoria Street West); and/or

Making a written submission to City Council for consideration on September 15, 2015, by written correspondence, fax message, or email to the attention of the Legislative Services Division, City of Kamloops, 7 Victoria Street West, Kamloops, BC, V2C 1A2, phone number 250-828-3483, fax number 250-828-3578, email legislate@kamloops.ca. Written, faxed, or emailed submissions must be received by the Legislative Services Division no later than 4:00 pm on September 14, 2015.

Making a written submission to City Council for consideration on September 15, 2015, by written correspondence, fax message, or email to the attention of the Legislative Services Division, City of Kamloops, 7 Victoria Street West, Kamloops, BC, V2C 1A2, phone number 250-828-3483, fax number 250-828-3578, or email legislate@kamloops.ca. Written, faxed, or emailed submissions must be received by the Legislative Services Division no later than 4:00 pm on September 14, 2015.

Copies of the Bylaw may be obtained from the Legislative Services Division. For information on the proposed amendment to the program, please contact E. Beach, Planning and Development Supervisor, 105 Seymour Street at 250-828-3759 or ebeach@kamloops.ca.