News Leader News for August 19, 2008
MUSIC FESTIVAL BECOMES NEW LOCAL TRADITION
In the words of Deputy Mayor Maria Sadegur, it doesn't matter how you define traditional music "as it sounds like a lot of fun and you are encouraged to participate."
Sadegur was speaking during the ceremonies that officially opened the first annual Princeton Traditional Music Festival August 16 and 17.
BC Southern Interior MP Alex Atamanenko brought greetings from the Parliament of Canada and plugged the local economy with, "For those who have come from afar, don't be afraid to spend your money."
Atamanenko encouraged participants to explore the many businesses in Princeton.
One of the event organizers, Rika Ruebsaat, thanked the community for the overwhelming support in hosting the Traditional Music Festival.
She said her first visit to Town Council to promote the concept of the event was met with such enthusiasm that she was more encouraged than ever with the project.
Over 80 performers - many from out of the valley - sang, danced and played over the two day event at three venues downtown.
FUNDING ASSISTS BEETLE CHALLENGES
SBC Firemaster Ltd. will purchase equipment to construct a wood pallet manufacturing facility in Princeton, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada.
Federal funding of more than $93,000 was announced August 11th by Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources.
Funding is provided, on a repayable basis, under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.
"This will enable the region to develop innovative solutions to improve the local economy," said Cannan.
"Purchasing the equipment will add value to manufactured wood products and help the community become less reliant on the forestry industry."
"The project announced August 11 is an example of how the Government of Canada is addressing the needs of communities affected by the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation," said Minister Lunn.
"Through this support, our government is helping impacted communities turn challenges into economic opportunities."
Funding will help SBC Firemaster Ltd. to purchase equipment to start the production of wood pallets using beetle damaged lumber sawn by the Upper Similkameen Indian Band. The facility will use low-grade discoloured lumber for the manufacturing of pallets, which will replace those currently purchased from the Lower Mainland. Since this will be the only regional facility, it is expected that this will create new employment opportunities.
"This funding will assist in further combating the beetle problem," said Brent Wiren, CEO of SBC Firemaster.
"We are pleased that Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Government of Canada are providing assistance to a small business that has been negatively impacted by the downturn in the forestry sector."
Managed by Western Economic Diversification Canada, CEDI will invest more than $33 million over two years towards projects in communities most at risk from the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation. The program supports a wide range of projects that further economic growth, job creation and future community sustainability.
The CEDI program is part of the Government of Canada's $200 million comprehensive response to mitigate the short- and long-term effects of the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation on BC's forestry sector. This federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program is led by Natural Resources Canada, in collaboration with Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and Transport Canada.
Western Economic Diversification Canada is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy and to represent the interests of the West in national decision-making.
For more information on the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program, please visit this website:
http://mpb.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca
VOLUNTEERS PREPARE FOR FAIR AND BULLS
Work on fairgrounds improvements continues, with the main focus now on preparations for the upcoming Princeton & District Agricultural Fall Fair which takes place September 6 and 7.
The new powerhouse is ready for interior finishing, the new ticket house needs only a few more finishing touches, and work on the heritage display area is being stepped up. Improvements will be made to the poultry display area.
Thanks to Genron Painting, the floor of Building #2 has been painted and Wayne is now working on new stain for the exterior. Numerous small tasks were done in a recent work party weekend, and there will be more volunteer work done as the fair nears.
The weekend after the Fall Fair, Princeton Rodeo Club and the Princeton Exhibition Association (PXA) host the BC Bullriding finals.
At the August 12 PXA meeting, President John Bey asked that volunteers turn out during the week after the fair to clean the grounds so the bullriding finals will have a good first impression.
The bullriding finals are expected to be a really exciting event, with cowboys for sale, and a barbecue on Saturday evening. The barbecue is open to the public, and tickets will be on sale during the bullriding events.
