News Leader News
TOWN COUNCIL SHARES FINANCIAL PLAN
Although only 13 people attended the first ever public budget information meeting hosted by Town Council last Tuesday night, they learned a lot about what it takes to run a small community.
"We welcome you to the first time we've ever done this," said Deputy Mayor Jim Manion. "It's also new to us, and hopefully information to you." CAO Patrick Robins added, "This is new, so there's no real rules of engagement here."
He went on to explain that the Town of Princeton is obligated to prepare a financial plan annually as a result of directives straight from the Community Charter. The financial plan becomes a bylaw and the Charter required the bylaw receive three readings from Town Council and final adoption by May 15th of each year.
The financial plan is made up of three different funds: the Operating Fund, Water Fund and Sewer Fund. The Operating Fund Revenues/Expenditures for 2006 amount to $2,818,580 up from $2,019,050 from 2005. Reasons for the increase included property taxes from new inventory (new construction), a 3.5% property tax increase, an estimated $10,000 in building permits, industrial land sales (estimated at $125,000), Provincial Planning Grants ($39,000), a Federal Gas Tax Revenue sharing grant ($45,000), tourism funding ($21,000), a Western Economic Diversification grant ($26,700) and monies from prior years surplus appropriations ($200,000) and from the land reserve ($237,000) and airport reserve ($16,000).
Some of the expenditures for 2006 include an Official Community Plan (OCP) update and town planning costs ($59,000), recruitment costs ($15,000), retirement costs ($30,000), occupational health and safety ($8,000), Fire Hall maintenance ($5,000), an expanded Grant-In-Aid program ($25,500), Fleet maintenance ($17,800), website development ($16,000), Industrial Park and East Princeton water planning ($29,000), Industrial Park land purchase ($281,370), equipment purchases ($30,000), the paving program ($134,000), Parks ($21,000), Personnel ($20,000), Arena upgrade ($75,000) and Land sale contribution to Park reserve ($125,000).
Calling the Financial Plan a living document, Robins went on to outline the Sewer Fund details, which had total revenue and expenditures for 2006 of $223,262, up from $184,600 in 2005. The revenue change included a prior year surplus of $37,000 with expenditure changes of the Culbertson Lift Station ($25,000) and sewer effluent pump ($12,634).
The Water Fund revenue and expenditures totaled $368,050, down considerably from $530,800 last year. The change was attributed to the postponement of the Deerview Water System Upgrade.
Deputy Mayor Manion summed up the process with an observation, "We are a fairly progressive council. We are going to do our best to be accountable to the community, with your input hopefully we'll make less mistakes."
Manion went on to make an important point. "They say transparent. I don't like the word transparent because that means invisible we are trying to be accountable."
LOCAL STAMP UNVEILED
For 63-year old Irene Phillion, last Thursday morning's trip to Princeton's Post Office was a little more than the usual chore of checking her mail.
Phillion's drawing of a scene showing the Similkameen and Tulameen Rivers joining with mountains and sunshine in the background was chosen by local Canada Post employees to represent Princeton on a commemorative cancellation stamp.
The contest produced a total of 27 entries from Princeton area residents and the selection process involved a number of short lists from selected entries. The picks were eventually narrowed down to Phillion's 'Where Rivers Meet' entry.
Aside from the ceremonial act of hand-cancelling a number of post cards and letters with the new cancellation stamp, Phillion was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a 2003 Proof Set of Canadian coins - valued at $83.95 - for being chosen the winner in the local contest.
Phillion, who lived in the area between 1979 and 1993, moved away then came back to Princeton in 1999.
She told the News Leader her inspiration for the design she submitted came from her interest of the outdoors.
"I like the nature aspect of the area and the free flowing of everything. I spend a lot of time outdoors."
To celebrate the occasion, Princeton's Post Office provided coffee and doughnuts to customers throughout the day.
ROTARY CELEBRATES SIXTY YEARS OF SERVICE
Princeton Rotary Club marked it's Diamond Jubilee Saturday night in the Skills Centre with a Dinner for members and guests, awards and the draw for three prizes in the diamond raffle.
The evening, MC'd by Bob Wicks, saw the Installation of the 2006/07 Executive: President Kurt Lozinski, Secretary George Elliott, Treasurer Larry Stevens, Jr., Sgt. At Arms Mike Talarico and Directors Ernie Lawrence (Youth Exchange), Colleen Stevens (Social Activities) and Lawrence Stoochnoff (Director At Large). The next executive will take over the operations of the service club in June.
Presentations made during the evening included the recognition of outgoing President Rob Marshall as 'Rotarian of the Year' and he was also honoured by his club with a Paul Harris Fellowship - the highest honour a Rotarian can receive.
"It's a huge honour for me," Marshall said. "We have an empowered membership and this means a lot to me personally, it really does. I'm very proud of our club."
The evening ended with the drawing of raffle tickets for three diamond prizes provided by Rodan Jewellers of Penticton.
The fundraiser was extremely successful with 395 of the 400 $20.00 tickets selling.
Judy Racicot, owner of Rodan Jewellers, made the draw with Stan Powslowski winning the Third Prize of a $500.00 diamond pendant, Norma Tremblay won Second Prize ($600.00 diamond earrings) and Cathy McNeil won the Grand Prize of a $6,000.00 diamond ring.
