News Leader News for March 25, 2008
LOCAL POLICE NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE
Princeton RCMP would like to extend an invitation to concerned citizens of Princeton and surrounding area to participate in a Community Consultative Group (CCG) that the RCMP is establishing.
"The purpose and objective of the CCG is to promote the ideals of Community Policing through information exchange and cooperation between the community and police," says Princeton RCMP Sgt. Gary Macahonic.
"Further, the CCG will strive to identify policing and crime concerns within the community and work with partners to find solutions for problems and assist with the development of policing strategies."
The group will work to develop, promote and implement Community Policing strategies and related programs. This will be accomplished through planning, acquiring resources and promoting the CCG program in Princeton and area.
"The Community Consultative Group will be chosen from a broad range of citizens; elders, business associates, youth, professionals, etc.," Macahonic explains.
"These individuals will be responsible to represent their segment of the community by bringing forward their issues and concerns for discussions and resolution."
Group members will liaise with people in the organization or segment of society that they represent to identify policing issues to be tabled at the CCG meetings. They also will be relied upon to keep the people they represent informed of the groups activities and goals.
"Finally, CCG members will be expected to take an active role in finding solutions to problems and furthering the community policing partnership."
The Community Consultative Group will initially meet every second month and then determine their need to meet to keep abreast of concerns and issues that are current.
"If anyone has any questions about the CCG they are invited to contact myself, Sgt. Macahonic, at the Princeton RCMP office."
The phone number is (250) 295-6911.
COUNCIL REJECTS BIGGER REGION
Victoria is holding a big stick over Okanagan's three regional districts.
Town Council does not want a bigger regional district, but it looks as if it will be forced on them. Councillor Jim Manion had attended a governance conference and reported to Council, on March 17, that Municipal Affairs Minister Ida Chong gave three regional districts until March 31 to come up with a plan for amalgamation or Victoria will do it for them.
The plan would amalgamate the regional districts of North Okanagan, Central Okanagan and South Okanagan-Similkameen. According to Mayor Randy McLean, nobody in South Okanagan-Similkameen is in favour of creating a huge new regional district.
Mayor McLean recalled a time when a local Hospital Board ran the hospital and it worked well. Now that hospital boards have been eradicated by the provincial government, he sees a continuation of problems concerning our local hospital. He said he foresees the same sort of thing happening if the size of the regional district expands.
Councillor Manion foresees "a power struggle between three major cities of the area."
What worries Town Council and Regional District Directors is the further erosion of influence from rural communities as a bigger regional district emerges. They see cities promoting their own agendas without regard for the needs or wishes of rural areas.
COUNCIL HANGS BACK
Friday, November 15, 2008, has been designated as election day for Town Council, School Board and Regional District. This announcement came at the March 17 Town Council meeting.
At the end of the meeting, the News Leader polled Councillors and Mayor as to whether they would run again.
Not one of the members of Town Council would make a commitment at this time.
For some reason, they held to June as a time to make a decision, except for Councillor Ray Jarvis, who said it would depend on his
health.
COUNCIL LIKES HEALTHY HARVEST
Ann Hughes, one of three co-ordinators for Princeton Healthy Harvest Box, attended the March 17 Town Council meeting to explain what the group is doing, and to ask for a little help.
Healthy Harvest Boxes provide about 25 pounds of local fruit and vegetables, mostly organic, to members who pay a monthly fee. The project is supported by the Legion, who have donated the hall, Princeton Crisis Assistance, and Public Health.
Hughes explained the group needs a financial cushion against price fluctuations, and another set of scales. She asked Council if she could work with them through the Healthy Communities Program.
Council was in favour of the project and offered to help.
To date over 100 Healthy Harvest Boxes have been purchased by local residents. The boxes are not going to be available until May, but you can still order yours at the News Leader office Tuesday to Saturday between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
Drop into the office and Brenda Engel will give you all the details or call Brenda at (250) 295-4149.
FAMILY FAIR RETURNS
Once again it is Family Fair time. The 57th Annual Family Fair will be Thursday, April 17th at 1:00 PM in the Princeton Secondary School Gym.
The first Family Fair was held in 1951, put on by the PTA to raise funds for school equipment. It has evolved to be an annual fundraiser for bursaries for each year's graduating class.
Much help is still needed for this year's Family Fair and if anyone can volunteer please call Heather Musgrove at (250) 295-7945, Carol Johnston at (250) 295-0022 or Sandee Blair at (250) 295-3218.
While you are doing your spring cleaning you may find items that you may wish to donate to the Fair. We are looking for books, plants, white elephant items, jewelry, handicrafts, doll clothes and toys, preferably in good, clean condition. As well we need donations of bread, buns, home made candy and baking.
Please send your donations to Princeton Secondary School by Wednesday, April 16 or call Heather, Carol or Sandee for pick up.
