News Leader News
LIONS INSTALL NEW EXECUTIVE
Princeton Lions Club welcomed three new members at their annual Installation Night on June 3rd.
Gord and Tami Daw, sponsored by John Sandness and Ross Yates, sponsored by Joe Houben, officially became Lions following their Induction Ceremony conducted by Guy and RoseAnne Oliver of Penticton Lions Club.
The 2006/07 Executive was installed by Past Zone Chairman/Vice District Governor Brian Chadsey of Osoyoos and includes President Keith Olsen, Secretary Nancy Houben, Treasurer Sandy Harrop, 1st Vice and Past President Penny Lott, 2nd Vice George Judd, Two Year Directors Matt Delaram and Joe Houben, One Year Directors Doris Hamilton and Wayne Passey, Tail Twister John Haayer and Lion Tamer Wayne Harrop.
A number of awards were also presented during the evening recognizing various members for past service.
The Lions Club Award program also has proven to be a great morale builder within the local group.
- Lions Trout Derby Winner Wayne Harrop
- Auction Awards Sandy Harrop, Fern Goudreau, Doris Hamilton, Nancy Houben, Olga Judd, Anne Passey, Paulette Boyd, George Judd, John Sandness, Ed Goudreau, Keith Olsen, Les Kinsey, Wayne Passey, Wayne Harrop, Bill Lott and Joe Houben.
- Pat on the Back Awards Gord Daw and Ross Yates.
- President Appreciation Awards Ed Goudreau, Fern Goudreau, Wayne Harrop, George Judd.
- Treasurer Award Nancy Houben
- Past Secretary Pin Sandy Harrop
- Lion of the Year Nancy Houben.
FOREST SERVICE OFFERS FREE FIRE TRUCK
"A free fire truck? This sounds too good to be true," Councillor Jim Manion remarked.
BC Forest Service has offered to put a fire truck worth $250,000 to $300,000 in Princeton's Fire Hall at no cost to the Town.
There is one condition: the Town must agree to provide two firemen to respond with the truck when required by the Ministry of Forests. The firemen will be paid by the ministry. Council could not refuse the offer, and accepted with smiles.
As is customary in preparation for the annual summer forest fire season, Town Council agreed to extend fire response boundaries as the fire hazard level increases.
The Fire Department received the nod from Council to expand the duty roster through use of retired Fire Department personnel during periods when the regular crew may be called out of town with the BC Forest Service truck or on a mutual aid response.
There are two mutual aid agreements in place, one with the Forest Service and one with Regional District.
In Town fire hazard
Fire Chief Eric Gregson told Council an evaluation had been done of forest fire hazards within the Town of Princeton. The areas of concern are the heavily wooded slopes such as the slope below Mayne Avenue and between Similkameen River and Highway 3 west. To reduce the hazard, brush, low branches and dead trees must be removed from these areas. No schedule was proposed for this work.FIRE DEPARTMENT MARKS 100 YEARS
On February 16, 1906, there was a hotel fire that launched the first organized fire department in Princeton.There had been three years of talk about a volunteer fire brigade, and some efforts toward acquiring equipment and doing some training, but the hotel fire was the start of a recognized fire brigade. One hundred years later, Fire Chief Eric Gregson appealed to Town Council on June 5 for funds to recognize the centennial.
There are plans to put four mural panels on the fire hall wall facing Vermilion Avenue at a cost of between $3,500 and $4,500.
In addition, decals will be put on every fire truck. Council insisted decals must be placed on the antique truck used in parades.
The major project is a plan to build a combination hose tower and bell tower, and the original fire bell would be placed in the tower.
This bell is currently on the Museum grounds. The cost of the project is estimated at $30,000 to $40,000.
Council did not give Gregson a commitment on this portion of the project.
MUSEUM MANAGER OBJECTS TO GUIDE
A booklet called The Similkameen Valley 2006 Official Visitor's Guide raised hackles of Museum Manager Nick Mills.He brought the matter to Town Council on June 5.
The Guide is a publication of The Review, a Keremeos newspaper, and the Guide is all about Keremeos, and does not include anything west of Hedley, not even on the map of the Similkameen Valley.
Although Mayor Randy McLean did not want to enter into any disputes with The Review, other Councillors did comment that it could be brought to the attention of Similkameen Valley Planning Society that the need to work together should include combined promotional materials.
On examining the Guide, the News Leader found it was using the logo paid for by Similkameen Valley Planning Society which is to be used for promoting all of the valley.
The only Princeton inclusion is the Princeton and District Chamber of Commerce phone number and website address.
