BC Chambers of Commerce join litigation to stop 'draconian' policy of US border officials
The BC Chamber of Commerce has joined litigation filed in a U.S. court to push back against border measures that pose a serious risk for B.C. businesses and tourists. Currently, British Columbians heading to the U.S. for business or tourism purposes face a border regime that empowers border guards, at their own discretion and...
LETTER: Trail city councillor speaks to lack of Gay Pride events in city
Letter to the Editor: This week is Gay Pride Week in the Kootenays. This is a celebration of love and understanding to millions of people worldwide and, in many cases, the acknowledgment of equal rights for LGBT couples. I am afraid to say that I have been remiss in my duties as a councillor as I did not bring up the topic ...
Support staff strike may disrupt back-to-school season
West Kootenay public school students may be gearing up for a new year of classes, but the support staff who work within those schools are bracing themselves for a potential strike, according to Castlegar's Cherryl MacLeod. MacLeod works as an education assistant as well as serving as president of CUPE Local 1285, representing...
Feds commit more than $.75 million for Castlegar infrastructure
The West Kootenay Regional Airport is set to get more than $600,000 for runway maintenance equipment and systems, the Complex gets $100,000 for a new boiler and the Doukhobor Discovery Centre will receive more than $60,000 for renovations. The federal grant funding was announced at two separate events today, one at the airport...
City and RDCK will collaborate on exploratory composting study
The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) has agreed to help to fund the City of Nelson’s study into municipal composting, and they are also willing to have someone sit on a steering committee that will oversee the study. “They were very receptive to the idea of Nelson moving ahead to better understand the background...
COMMENT: What government work should be done behind closed doors and what should be done openly?
What are we to do with, to, or about our Senate? Was it meant to be a chamber of sober second thought or a retirement home for political hamsters? Recent revelations about senators cashing in on the strength of what may, at best, be considered sloppy financial administration, have renewed calls to reform the Senate or to...
Where the money goes: a snapshot of one month's expenses at city hall
In July, 2013, the City of Nelson spent over $13 million in about 350 separate transactions large and small, not including payroll. Once each month, chief financial officer Colin McClure tables an accounts payable list as part of the official materials at council meetings. His full list for July, 2013, is attached to this...
City council admits it's all about waste
If you are one of the growing number of people who has a smartphone or tablet, you can download a City of Castlegar App that puts garbage, recycling, special waste collection details and much more at your fingertips, anytime you want them. “The City of Castlegar is pleased to announce that we’ve just launched a mobile App...
City council trades favours with developers to increase affordable housing
The City of Nelson’s Affordable Housing Reserve Fund has $59,753 in it. That money has come from developers, such as those that built Amber Bay, Silver Bay and Lake View Village. When developers ask the city for a re-zoning or some other regulatory change that will increase density and therefore the value of the development,...
Support available to hire a student: CBT’s popular School Works Program continues this fall
Businesses and organizations around the Basin can once again get support to hire students through the School Works Program of Columbia Basin Trust (CBT). Applications are available at www.cbt.org/schoolworks starting Aug. 14, and are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis. The program provides a wage subsidy of up to ...
