BC government rolls out two-part plan to sell liquor in grocery stores
Ed. Note: The following is a press release issued by the B.C. government: The B.C. government has outlined a unique, two-part model for liquor sales in grocery stores that will ensure convenience and choice for consumers, promote B.C. products and create jobs. Following the B.C. Liquor Policy Review - one of the B.C. government's...
Local officials see mainly positives in proposed four-year election terms
A new law is in the works in the Legislature that would see British Columbians vote in municipal elections every four years, instead of the current term of three years – a move that’s generally seen as positive by Nelson area officials, but not without some potential pitfalls. The new law planned for introduction this year ...
Mayor/councillor say four-year term is a mixed bag
It's official – B.C. will now be the final province in Canada to adopt four-year terms for municipal councils, mayors and school district representatives. Castlegar Mayor Lawrence Chernoff, himself a council veteran completing his third term as mayor and having served on council since 1987 (with a three-year hiatus) said it's...
Nelson Landing development, city financial plan, composting, residential development near golf course, and more: Nelson City Council March 3, 2014
The lead-up to Monday’s council meeting was very sociable, with about 40 people in the usually nearly empty public seating area. The crowd had the mood of people on a mission. But they weren’t there long. Mayor John Dooley, ten minutes into the meeting, announced that the development permit variance application for Nelson...
Silver Alert needed in BC
It’s time for B.C. to implement comprehensive measures to help locate and protect missing seniors with dementia, says Selina Robinson, MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville. On Tuesday, Robinson introduced the Silver Alert Act in the legislature. The bill would create a program which would alert the public of a missing person who...
BC Gov looks to reform local elections to include four-year terms
Mayor John Dooley leading Nelson into the year 2018? That's on the horizon for Nelson voters as the B.C. government looks to introduce legislation during the current legislative session to change local elections from a three-year to a four-year cycle beginning with the 2014 elections. The change, which must be passed in the...
City presents proposed budget with 1.5% property tax increase
The City of Nelson wants to raise property taxes by 1.5% for 2014. That would amount to an increase of $21 per year for a $300,000 home. The increase would allow the city to provide the same services as last year, fund a few new projects, and balance its $40 million budget. The 1.5% increase would generate an additional...
RDCK Directors Pursue Conservation Fund
Kootenay Lake RDCK Directors are hoping to initiate a Kootenay Conservation Fund paid for by the taxpayer to ensure conservation values are protected around the lake. The program would follow a similar successful model in the East Kootenay’s Columbia Valley that raises $230,000 annually through a $20 parcel tax. “We’re in the...
LETTER: Rethink water meters
Dear Editor, Water is of utmost significance to all of us. We are vulnerable if we don't have access to clean affordable water. So, water is worth thinking and talking about. Following are some points I wish to share for consideration: Control the water, and you control the people. Water is needed for survival. And, water...
COMMENT: Income splitting
During the last federal election, Stephen Harper promised that the government would introduce an income-splitting proposal, after balancing the federal budget. Income splitting has the worthy objective of making it easier for two-parent families to choose to have one parent work, or work part time, in order to spend time...
