News Leader News for April 10, 2007
USIB SECURES WOODLOT
The Upper Similkameen Indian Band will receive $135,000, establish a woodlot and gain access to more than 256,000 cubic metres of timber through two forestry agreements reached with the Province, Forests and Range Minister Rich Coleman announced last week.
"A major goal of these agreements is to diversify British Columbia's forest industry, while creating economic opportunities for First Nations," said Coleman.
"The Upper Similkameen Indian Band will be able to use its new timber volume to support its existing forestry operations and expand its new furniture-making business."
The band's woodlot volume will total up to 1,624 cubic metres of timber annually. A second short-term mountain pine beetle agreement grants access to 256,480 cubic metres of wood over five years. Timber volumes for both agreements will come from the Merritt Timber Supply Area.
The Upper Similkameen Indian Band is one of the biggest contractors working in the Cascades Forest District, harvesting an average of 200,000 cubic metres of timber annually. It's forestry enterprises include harvesting, engineering, silviculture and archaeological research. It also runs USIB Wood Products, which ships pine furniture to Alberta and across B.C.
"We believe in pursuing every opportunity to improve the lives of our people and to contribute to the surrounding community," said Chief Rick Holmes.
"The agreements recognized today support that vision."
The Upper Similkameen Indian Band has eight reserves and 65 members, most of who live in Hedley.
Since 2002, the Province has reached agreement with 127 First Nations, providing $166.5 million in revenue and access to 24.4 million cubic metres of timber.
TOWN PLANS DYKE REPAIR
The provincial government has expressed concerns about snowpack levels and the potential for flooding during the spring freshet this year. The province has established a fund for flood damage prevention. Although the government left little time to apply for funds and do the work, Town Council has applied.
Due to restrictions, conditions and funding limitations by the government, there is only one area that reasonably qualifies for funding. The dyke area between the New Beginnings building and Highway 5A will receive some upgrade work if the project is funded by the provincial government.
The work must be completed no later than May 15. Typically, the peak of the freshet is on the long weekend in May, although the worst flooding has occurred when spring temperatures remained below normal and then the temperature spiked. Both the 1948 and 1972 spring freshet floods occurred
COUNCIL GIVES THEATRE GROUP APPLAUSE
Princeton Performing Arts was given a big pat on the back at the April 2 Town Council meeting.Councillor Ray Jarvis reported on the activity of the Arts Council during the meeting, making special mention of the theatre group about to make its public debut with a production of The Mousetrap.
Councillor Jarvis remarked on the transformation of the gym at Riverside Wellness Centre, praising the group for the work they have done.
He went on to describe Arts & Culture Week activities and urged Council to attend both the drama presentation and the ballet.
Councillor Pam Jones introduced a motion to have all members of Council attend the play, but the motion was deemed unnecessary, as all planned to attend. Mayor Randy McLean will attend the final performance of The Mousetrap to proclaim the beginning of Arts & Culture Week.
At the end of the meeting, Arts Council President Dawn Johnson reminded Council they had invested (through a grant) in this first theatre group play.
Councillor Jim Manion responded, "Then we have to go to see what our investment is doing."
Council was urged to attend the ballet, too, on April 29.
MP SENDS BOOKS TO AREA SCHOOLS
Alex Atamanenko, MP, and Paul Edney, Director for the We Are What We Do Society in Canada have sent a book to all schools and public libraries in the BC Southern Interior.The book is 'Change the World for Ten Bucks - 50 actions to change the world and make you feel great,' a not-for-profit venture inspiring people to use their everyday actions to change the world and have fun while they are at it.
"As a former teacher, I knew this book would resonate with young people," said Atamanenko.
"It's simple and entertaining and, best of all, there are lots of actions to choose from so there is something everyone can find to do."
Some of the actions included in the book are: decline plastic bags wherever possible (Action #02), hug someone (Action #05), install at least one energy saving light bulb (Action #07), learn to be friendly in another language (Action #18), turn off unnecessary lights (Action #21), turn off the tap while brushing your teeth (Action #31) or write to someone who inspired you (Action #35).
Paul Edney, a resident of Nelson BC, said, "Many of us feel paralyzed when we think of the global issues facing the world; this feeling especially affects children. They think 'What can little me do to make a difference?' Change the World for Ten Bucks empowers kids and adults alike with simple actions they can do. When you multiply these action by many people doing them you get some pretty amazing results."
Take Turning the tap off while brushing our teeth for instance. Leaving the tap on wastes up to 9 liters of water a minute or 26,000 liters of water per family, per year. The book tells us that this means your street alone could fill an Olympic sized swimming pool each year. And in case you were wondering, an Olympic sized swimming pool holds 2,500,000 liters of water.
"Having Alex's support has been fantastic. Not only did he bring the book to attention at a federal level, now he's helping to inspire the kids in his riding to make a difference. I'm very appreciative of his support," added Edney.
"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Paul Edney for making this book available to the public," said NDP MP.
"Hopefully he and I will be able to meet the leaders of our federal parties, including the Prime Minister, in the not too distant future."
