News Leader News for June 03, 2008
WE ARE THE FUTURE' - GRAD 2008
Forty two students graduated from Princeton Secondary School this year, with many good wishes and congratulations from everyone.
The ceremonies opened at noon in the gym with the grand march entry of the grads, with an RCMP Honour Guard. Alyssa Larsen led O Canada, and the guest speakers began telling the grads how proud of them our community is.
Sandee Blair read a congratulatory message from MP Alex Atamanenko. Then MLA Harry Lali brought congratulations from the provincial government, along with a reminder that it takes a whole community to raise a child. He told the grads, "Be proud of your community. The people of Princeton really have the fighting spirit, they get together, they care, ... they passed those values on to you. Princeton people don't take anything lying down."
He urged them to stand up for what is right and oppose what is wrong.
Mayor Randy McLean told the grads they are expected to spread their wings and see everything they can, except for those going into the medical profession, "You don't get to go away and not come back!"
Mayor McLean expressed the community's pride in them, and he was sure these young people "will continue to do our community proud. You have achieved an important goal and can achieve more."
Trustee Dina Slowikowski-Campbell brought congratulations and good wishes from the School Board, and offered advice on how to live happily. She expressed the Board's pride in the "dry grad" activities.
District Superintendent Byron Robbie represented the Ministry of Education and assured the grads they are well prepared for the future.
"British Columbia's public school system is one of the strongest in the world. There is nothing you can't do."
Special guest speaker was Scott Musgrove, who took a light-hearted approach to giving some Opearls of wisdom.' He said it all boiled down to loving one another and caring, and quoted a Beatles song: All You Need Is Love.
Tia Tolmie had prepared a slide show of the growing up years of each grad.
Bursaries and scholarships were awarded (see Page 16), and the Bernice Wardle Award for the most outstanding student went to Julia Halipchuk.
Kaila Musgrove and Kelsey MacDonald were valedictorians who reviewed the school years of the class of 2008, and expressed appreciation to everyone who helped them achieve their certificates. Sandee Blair, Principal Bill Lawrence and Deborah Cappos presented the certificates.
2008 SCHOLARSHIP AND BURSARY WINNERS
- A. R. Meston Memorial Bursary - Jennifer Dunn
- Ambassadors Bursary - Madison Johnston and Meagan Thomas
- CUPE 847 - Blaine Lueke
- Dogwood District Authority Awards (Ministry of Education) - Kevin Alvarenga, Claire Bibby, Julia Halipchuk, Justin Hilton, Kayley Thomas, Tia Tolmie
- Family Fair Bursaries - Kevin Alvarenga, David Ashley, Kimberley Capp, Michelle Derkson, Jennifer Dunn, Cody Edwards, Julia Halipchuk, Madison Johnston, Candace Klassen, Blaine Lueke, Kelsey MacDonald, Sasha McHaffie, Jessica McCarthy, Tiffany Mervyn, Kaila Musgrove, Amber Peppler, Laura Robbins, Ty Senger, Brian Shewchuk, Terence Stadler, Kayley Thomas, Meagan Thomas, Russ Tjernstrom, Tia Tolmie, Jennifer Walton, Samantha Wasylenchuk, Courtney Webb, Chantelle White.
- Fortis BC - Blaine Lueke
- Royal Canadian Legion - Chantelle White, Michelle Derkson
- Grad Legacy - Tia Tolmie
- Jennifer Cusworth Memorial - Chantelle White
- Jim Boyce Memorial - Madison Johnston
- Knights of Columbus - Madison Johnston
- Legion Ladies Auxiliary - Julia Halipchuk
- Lions Club - Blaine Lueke, Russ Tjernstrom
- Michelle Webster Memorial - David Ashley
- Norm Cleven Memorial - Steven Schwarz
- Principal & Vice-Principal's Association - Madison Johnston
- Pepsi Bottling Group - Kayley Thomas
- Teacher's Union - Claire Bibby, Julia Halipchuk, Candace Klassen, Kaila Musgrove (all four are eligible candidates)
- Garden Club - Russ Tjernstrom
- Hospital Auxiliary - Samantha Wasylenchuk
- Minor Hockey - Jennifer Dunn
- Rotary Club - Kaila Musgrove, Blaine Lueke, Jennifer Dunn, Brian Shewchuk
- Senior Citizens Br. 30 - Samantha Wasylenchuk, Michelle Derkson
- S.O. Medical Foundation - Samantha Wasylenchuk Trehearne Family Bursary - Brian Shewchuk
- UBC Community Builders Award - Julia Halipchuk
- Valley First Credit Union - Candace Klassen
CROWD LEARNS COALBED METHANE 101
A capacity crowd filled Princeton Legion Hall May 28th for an information meeting hosted by Save Our Similkameen (SOS) and, in the words of moderator Ernie Lawrence, "was created to have invited guests and the public together to learn more about coalbed methane."
Of the ten panelists invited, only four were able to attend (Princeton Mayor Randy McLean, Councillor Jim Manion and guest speakers Karen Campbell and Gillies Wendling). The six who were not in attendance included Councillors Pam Jones, Maria Sadegur and Ray Jarvis, Environment Minister Barry Penner, Energy & Mines Minister Richard Neufield and Petrobank Vice President Gregg Smith.
Each were apparently sent invitations to the event by registered mail. While the absence of some of them may have looked suspicious, the News Leader learned that the two Ministers could not attend as they were sitting in Parliament in Victoria, Councilor Ray Jarvis told the News Leader he was not feeling well, Gerri Logan was out of town and Gregg Smith of Petrobank told the News Leader he did not receive his invitation and indicated an interest in attending.
The format for the evening was simple: presentations followed by a question period.
Karen Campbell of the Pembina Institute presented her 'Eight Questions To Answer Before Coalbed Methane Proceeds in the Similkameen Valley.'
Before getting to the questions she presented a short explanation of what coalbed methane gas exploration is and how it is done. Campbell made the comparison between coalbed methane gas exploration and conventional oil and gas exploration saying the impact on land in the former can be measured in the size of a baseball diamond with the latter leaving more of a football field size impact. She also noted that drilling for coalbed methane gas is toxic and produces toxic waste products stating water removal has become a big issue with an estimated 1.89 million gallons of water (the size of 3.5 Olympic swimming pools) removed before production.
"Petrobank says the gas banks in Princeton are dry so not as much water would be used."
Key points of Campbell's review of oil and gas versus coalbed methane exploration included water disposal issues, the fact that wells must be spaced closer, the average well life is longer (often up to 40 years) and methane migration issues.
As for who gets to use the end product Campbell explained the majority of oil and gas production in Canada is exported to the US. The same for British Columbia exploration.
The 'Eight Questions' were:
Will coalbed methane change the landscape?
Campbell says, yes it will with well pads, roads, compressors and pipelines in a province where environmental assessments are not required.
Will coalbed methane change my community?
Campbell again says yes. She says there will be an impact on property values and well setbacks are currently "as near as 80 metres from homes."
How many wells will there be?
Campbell answered with, "We don't know" then added there is currently no limit to the number of wells that can be drilled, but government regulations may be a factor in well spacing.
Will my drinking water be safe?
Again, Campbell offered a 'we don't know' saying methane gas can migrate along coal seams and said there were cases where landowners had tap water they could set on fire.
Will the law protect our water?
Another 'we don't know' although Campbell did say there were government regulation coming that would affect where water had to be reinjected, it is a costly measure she thought many gas companies may not want to do.
What toxics will be used and how will they be disposed of?
"There's a lot of uncertainty to this industry," Campbell said with her 'we don't know' answer.
"Oil and gas production is a toxic process and companies are not required to truck waste off site or fence from wildlife."
Will the government take care of you?
"Don't count on it," says Campbell.
The final question was Money Talks. Is it worth the price? This final question was aimed at landowners who may be working on surface lease agreements. Campbell's answer was 'it's up to you' and pointed out that there has been no set standard for lease agreements and information available revealed a huge range.
Gilles Wendling of GW Solutions gave his presentation 'Aquifers and Groundwater in the Princeton Area' which was followed by a question period.
SCHOOL BOARD COVERS FULL AGENDA
How parents can complain
School District #58 has adopted two methods for parents to complain if they think their child has been treated unfairly. A complaint, or an appeal, may be launched if a student has been suspended or otherwise disciplined, and parents feel such discipline was unfair or unduly harsh.
The initial complaint requires a parent to go directly to the person responsible for the decision and attempt to reach an understanding. Failing this, a parent may begin the appeal procedure. Parents may request the complaint or appeal procedure information from a trustee or an administrator. School Board defines election process
Under the BC School Act, school boards have a number of options as to how an election may be conducted. At the final public meeting of this school year, in Princeton, the Board of School Trustees for School District #58, gave three readings to an election bylaw. The terms of the bylaw will apply to both general elections and by-elections.
Princeton will elect three trustees. The minimum number of nominators is two. One advance poll will be held 10 days before the election date. The Chief Election Officer will designate the location, date and voting hours for the advance poll and the general election. One scrutineer per candidate will be allowed for each ballot box in use.
Nomination documents will be posted on the district website until 30 days after the election. Campaign financing disclosure documents may be posted for one year. School Board looks ahead to job loss
School trustees and administrators for Princeton and Merritt are part of a committee looking at potential forest industry job loss in the future. The disastrous escalation of beetle killed timber is expected to result in loss of forest industry jobs in the next few years. The school district will work at providing retraining opportunities for displaced forest industry workers. Funding is expected to be available through Western Diversification. Board reviews hiring techniques
Trustees of School District #58 had a brief lesson in the newest method of selecting new teachers and other employees.
It is based on behaviour. Assistant Superintendent Wendy Hyer took trustees step by step through techniques she had given administrators in a recent workshop.
Work standards topped the list of what to look for in prospective teachers, things like reliable preparation of lesson plans, and student records. Class management was important, along with interpersonal skills and the ability to work with others as a team.
The techniques are used by 70 percent of corporations. What the employer really wants to know is how the prospective employee will behave when hired. Board approves agency for student insurance
If your child has a tooth knocked out during gym class, do not expect the school district to pay for repairs. You are expected to buy student accident insurance for your child. Trustees for School District #58 have approved Reliable Life Insurance Company as a student insurance agency. Insurance information will be available to parents through district administration services in September. Board okays new school calendar
The 2008-09 school calendar was approved at the school board public meeting held in Princeton May 28. Schools will open September 2 from 10:00 AM to noon for registration.
Schools will close for statutory holidays, and the last day of school for 2008 will be December 19. After the Christmas break, schools will re-open January 5, 2009. Spring break will be from March 16 through March 20. Schools will be closed for Easter weekend, April 10 through April 13. Schools will close June 26.
