Nelson’s homelessness stats have not improved in the past year, says new report
The Nelson Cares Society released its 5th Annual Report on Homelessness in June. “A look back through those years is bittersweet,” states the report. “The statistics have not improved.” Those statistics are based on indicators that have been used in successive reports to show change over time. For example: Number of emergency...
COMMENT: Bill C-45 Continues Gutting of the Fisheries Act
The federal Fisheries Act was designed to protect aquatic species, including preventing the dumping of harmful materials into fish-bearing waters. In 2012 Bill C-38, the Budget Implementation Act, began the gutting of the Fisheries Act by the Harper Conservatives in earnest. Four former federal Fisheries ministers were compelled...
Celgar to cut 85 jobs at Castlegar mill
Celgar managing director of operations Kevin Anderson told The Source today that 85 jobs will be cut from the mill over the next five years, most within the coming year. He said no single portion of the mill or the staff base will be targeted, with the workforce reduction taking place mill-wide, across most departments. "We...
Public art, skatepark ceremony, festival of lights: City Council July 8, 2013
The following is a summary of the proceedings of the regular meeting of Nelson City Council held on July 8, 2013. How public art money may be spent As set out in the city’s Art in Public Places Policy, 3% of the city’s building permit fees go to public art. Missing until now has been a policy on exactly how the money may be...
Mayor wants to change process for bargaining with police and fire unions
Nelson City Council will be heading into negotiations with its firefighters and police officers this year, and the mayor thinks the process is biased in favour of the unions. John Dooley’s opinion is shared by the B.C. Mayors’ Caucus which is calling on the provincial government to change the way negotiating is done with the...
City unveils plans for the transformation of Hall Street
Climbing those stairs on Hall Street is not everyone’s idea of a good time. But Robert Fershau wants to change that. As one of the landscape architects re-designing Hall street, he’s hoping to make the best of that 16% grade on the 300 block. “We want to celebrate the grade,” he says. “Why can’t those stairs be fun? We want...
CBT asks residents to rank priorities
People throughout the Basin have given Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) their input on the key social, economic and environmental issues in their region, and how to address them. Now the public—those who completed the first step, plus anyone else who wishes to join the process—is invited to help increase understanding of the region’s...
New bus routes and schedules for Nelson and region start July 2
Transit service will be free on July 2 to celebrate a new system of bus routes, fares, and schedules that will kick in on that day across the West Kootenay region. In Nelson there are significant changes, with separate routes and schedules for Uphill, Rosemont, and Fairview. Connections between Nelson and the rest of the...
Out of Left Field: Premier's response to Alberta flooding lukewarm at best
I was a little startled to read Premier Christy Clark's press release regarding Alberta flooding (see below) - there was no mention of flooding in B.C., no pledge of mutual assistance, nor any statement speaking to assistance already en route ... really, no information at all - I could've been more enlightened by a two-minute...
Recycling changes in the works for Nelson
The city and the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) will be making crucial decisions this summer that will lead to changes to the curbside residential recycling system in Nelson. Starting in May of 2014, Nelson’s taxpayers will no longer have to pay for pick-up or recycling of paper and packaging. The manufacturers...
