News Leader News for June 24, 2008
PETROBANK PLANS LOCAL 'TOWN HALL' MEETING
As part of its commitment to open and honest communication about its proposed coalbed gas (CBG) evaluation near Princeton, Petrobank Energy and Resources is working with community leaders to organize a public town hall meeting on the issue.
Although a date has not been set, the event is expected to take place in late July. The town hall meeting will be moderated event that will give attendees the chance to ask questions and receive answers about CBG in British Columbia, CBG technology and practices, and Petrobank's proposed small evaluation project in the area.
"Over the past month, we've been speaking with a number of people in the community who still have questions about our proposal," says Gregg Smith, Vice President Canada, Petrobank. "There are a lot of rumours and misinformation about CBG the facts out there for everyone."
Petrobank is proposing to drill two wells (one north and one south of the Town of Princeton) and the town hall follows an open house hosted by Petrobank in April. The proposed small evaluation program is the continuation of an earlier study of the local CBG basin that began with a test well 4.5 km southeast of Princeton in 2004.
"We now understand that the timing of our last open house was inconvenient for people in the community," says Smith. "We are planning the July town hall for a time when we hope most people can attend. We will also be inviting a variety of speakers so that people can get information from sources other than Petrobank."
The details about the timing, location and confirmed panel of guests at the town hall will be published in the local newspapers once the event details are finalized.
"It is important to us that we create opportunities for an open, positive and factual dialogue about CBG and our work in the community," says Smith. "And that dialogue needs to be two-way. We need to create an environment where all parties involved have a chance to have their say and be heard."
While the town hall is being planned, the company will continue to provide the Princeton media with news releases, interviews, and information advertisements. Petrobank maintains a dedicated toll-free call service (1-866-764-4571) for Princeton residents to ask questions about CBG and the company's role in the community. Petrobank also posts information about the project on its website www.petrobank.com/princeton.
Further information about CBG can be found through the Canadian Society for Unconventional Gas at www.csug.ca. Petrobank operates under the British Columbia Coalbed Gas Code of Practice which can be found on the Ministry of Environment website through www.gov.bc.ca.
ARTS GROUPS REMAIN ACTIVE
Princeton District Community Arts Council met June 18 at Riverside Centre. This is the last meeting before the AGM, and polling the members showed most of the 2007-2008 officers are willing to let their names stand for another year. The AGM will take place on July 16 in the Arts Council room at Riverside Centre. Councillor Ray Jarvis will conduct the election. Grant applications
All groups are expected to present a brief written report of their activities during the year. These reports should be accompanied by any newspaper articles, pamphlets and photographs showing group activities. These items provide a foundation for the application for provincial grants. Grant applications must be submitted by September 1 to Nick Mills.
The Arts Council member groups have been making good use of the former Goldion Restaurant, and have spent money to improve the appearance for art shows.
Thanks to a donation of paint from Ernie Lawrence and Irly Bird, as well as volunteer painters, the concrete retaining wall at the bottom of the zigzag has a fresh coat of paint in a downtown beautification encouraged by the Arts Council and promoted by Del Hall. Planning ahead
At the September 17 meeting, all groups are expected to be present and give a short report of the activities planned for the 2008-09 year.
Princeton Garden Club is still discussing a community garden at John Allison Elementary School. The annual club plant sale was a success. The club has many ideas for using the Arts Council grant. Vermilion Artists
This group enjoyed a good turnout for the student art show featuring Kelsey MacDonald and Hannah Donahoe, who received art bursaries from Vermilion Artists.
The annual art show will be held in conjunction with Racing Days weekend. The former Goldion Restaurant has become the downtown display area, and it will feature another art show in July by artists Bob Cormack and David Reid. Princeton Concert Society
The Hayley Simons concert was good, but with low attendance. The Concert Society hopes to have Simons on the new stage next year, attracting a bigger audience. Kelowna Ballet is booked for Arts & Culture week next year on April 19. Vermilion Forks Field Naturalists are enjoying their usual active spring and summer. A recent field trip and lecture involved hummingbirds. Three species of hummingbird were found locally. Several were netted and banded. The Field Naturalists will be going on a Hudson Bay Trail hike at Jacobson Lake on July 26 as part of Treasures of The Tulameen historic celebration.
Work continues at Swan Lake, with some help from the fire suppression crew who are clearing some trails. The Field Naturalist meetings are adjourned for the summer but will resume in September.
Princeton Potters has had a great winter season and is working now on a mural to donate to Riverside Centre. They hope to put it in the foyer of the building. The group was disappointed in not receiving a grant from Community Forest but will try again next year.
Princeton Museum Society has four student employees this year. The museum is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and will have a float in the Racing Days parade. The students will be dressed in historic costumes. Operations Manager Nick Mills will be giving a brief introduction of the historic significance of the Klootchman Race at the race meet this Friday.
A celebration tea party is planned to celebrate the museum's 50th year, but there are other anniversaries to celebrate.
Overwaitea is 75 years old, and the old Overwaitea teapot sign will be on the museum lawn for the event. It is Billy's Restaurant's 30th anniversary, and the Chamber of Commerce marks 95 years. The Museum Society wants to know if there are any more business or organization celebrations who would like to be in on the tea party. Contact Nick Mills at the museum, 295-7588.
During August, which is Heritage Month, there will be displays in shops around Princeton highlighting B.C.'s 150th anniversary since founding. The former Goldion Restaurant will have a major display.
The ore cart has been mounted on a concrete pad in front of the museum. Visitor numbers are up this year.
Princeton Traditional Music Society received an $5,000 grant from Heritage Canada, and with other grants, will decide how to best use the money to put on the Traditional Music Festival to be held August 16 and 17. The society is producing a CD of traditional music done by Jon Bartlett and Rika Ruebsaat which includes a 24 page historic outline. The CD will be available August 1.
AIRPORT DAY WAS A HUGE SUCCESS
For a first-time event, Airport Appreciation Day was a great success. Town Council was delighted with the turnout of approximately 600 people, and everyone was impressed with the Fraser Blues formation flying and the CF18 flypast.
The Fraser Blues had a good time in Princeton, but problems going home. They went as far as Hope and had to turn back, refuel in Princeton, and try an alternative route to go home. Mayor Randy McLean said their experience pointed up the importance of having fuel in Princeton.
Councillor Pam Jones praised everyone who was involved in organizing and carrying out the work for this first of annual Airport Appreciation Days.
