News Leader News for September 25, 2007
TOWN HOSTS PUBLIC OCP WORKSHOP
Over eighty Princeton area residents attended the public meeting and Official Community Plan (OCP) workshop hosted September 19th at the Skills Centre by the Town of Princeton.
"I've overwhelmed by the number of people who have taken the time to come out tonight," Mayor Randy McLean said.
"The OCP, in my mind, is a vehicle to give Council direction from the residents of the community."
The meeting consisted of a brief overview by Urban Systems on what an Official Community Plan is and does.
The meeting/workshop is the first step in what will become a ten to twelve month process, which will produce the OCP, a document that will contain the long range (ten to fifteen year) vision of the community. It will also contain the steps required to make the vision happen, including regulations and bylaws to ensure the vision is possible.
The present OCP dates back to 1993 and changes in the community, such as demographics and economics, has rendered that document out of date with the current Princeton.
The OCP is also an approach to new development containing the most critical part of the plan a land use planning tool. Infrastructure planning, such as where major roads will go, water mains and sewer mains, are also part of the document.
Other types of policies normally included relate to environmental sensitive areas; hazardous areas; community revitalization; the form and character of commercial, industrial and residential development; temporary commercial and industrial uses; areas requiring special development approval and heritage conservation areas.
The OCP may also contain information related to social needs and well being; maintenance and enhancement of farming; natural environment and ecosystems; a regional context statement and housing issues (affordable, rental and special needs).
The workshop part of the evening saw everyone in attendance participate in groups formed by the tables they sat at. Each table had a total of four questions to answer with all data collected at the end of the exercise for consideration in the development of the OCP.
The questions were: What are the things you like best about Princeton and what would you like to keep? What is special about Princeton? (Answers included: affordability; small business opportunities; friendly atmosphere; safe; outdoor recreation; natural setting; reasonable property values; moderate taxation). What are the things you do not like and want to see changed? (Answers: improved health care services; lack of residential homes; full recreation complex; single theme downtown; inconsistent bylaw enforcement; improved parking; lack of youth opportunities).
Other questions were: What future trends will affect Princeton? What are some opportunities for the future? What may stand in the way of these opportunities?
If you have answers for any of these questions and would like to have your thoughts and suggestions considered as part of the OCP process, contact Town Hall for information on how your answers can be accepted.
COUNCIL PONDERS SINGLE BUSINESS LICENCE
Councillor Maria Sadegur attended a seminar on the proposed single business licence which would allow mobile businesses to avoid paying business licences in every municipality in which it does business.
She reported to Town Council on September 17, but after hearing her report, Council could not reach a decision as to whether to support the proposal.
The way the concept would work could mean that municipalities could lose money.
For example, if a trades person bought such a licence, the fee would go to the municipality in which the business was established as a taxpayer. The trades person would then be licenced to operate in any municipality in B.C. This would be an advantage to construction companies as well as self-employed trades people.
The other side of the issue is that people who establish a business in one location and pay taxes there could be in competition with people who have a single business licence but pay taxes to some other municipality.
Councillor Pam Jones said she sees another possible example of small communities being "gobbled up" by larger communities.
The News Leader questioned the link to TILMA, an agreement between Alberta and B.C., which would mean an Alberta company could buy a single business licence and operate anywhere in B.C. Would this mean a municipality would have no control over what kinds of businesses operate in the community?
Councillor Sadegur replied that the businesses would still need Council's permission, and the minute the company established a location by renting, leasing or buying property, the mobile single business licence would no longer apply.
Ed Muckle was given permission to speak, and suggested the mobile licence might be a good thing for Princeton businesses who find it is often difficult to get trades people for projects.
The single business licence will be an issue discussed at this week's Union of B.C. Municipalities annual convention. Mayor Randy McLean and one councillor will attend.
PRINCETON TRANSIT CELEBRATES 25th
The official beginning of Princeton's Transit System was on April 1st, 1982.
It was during that year that the Town of Princeton and BC Transit finalized an agreement to fund the operating costs for what would become known as Princeton ParaTransit System.
The partnership also included Regional District Areas G and H, as they contributed funding, and Princeton & District Community Services Society, which operated the system.
In June 1983 a Walk-A-Thon raised $17,000 for the purchase of a new van.
The 11-passenger, lift-equipped 1984 Ford Econoline Van was purchased and brought the paratransit system up to date.
In 1987 Princeton was chosen as having one of the most successful transit services in rural Canada.
A CBC TV crew from the "Best Years" program even filmed the Princeton system in action!
"Princeton, a very small mining town picked up the cudgel and filled a need for the elderly and handicapped," the CBC said.
"It's wonderful and it works!"
The total number of rides per year are impressive.
Records show 4,283 riders in 1982/83, up to 6,100 riders in 2001/02 with a peak of 8,396 riders in 2006/07 bringing the total number of riders from 1982 to 2007 to 133,051!
Other vehicles arrived over the years: a 1990 Ford Princeton Para Transit Service 10-passenger van in 1990 with accommodation for two wheelchairs; a 1996 Ford Polar Minibus arrived in 1996 with room for 20-passengers and four wheelchairs; a 1992 Ford Van, with room for 10-passengers, arrived in 2000 to be used as a spare vehicle and in 2001 BC Transit delivered a 2001 Ford Polar 20-passenger minibus.
In 2005 Interior Health Authority provided funding to cover an extra trip to Penticton on Fridays which greatly enhanced the already busy travel schedule.
Currently residents from Princeton and area use paratransit for a variety of reasons.
Around the community Transit picks people up for medical appointments, grocery shopping and visiting.
Princeton paratransit also takes residents to and from Penticton and various stops between.
Transit Driver Debbie Thomas, who has been in the driver's seat for the past 19 years, takes residents on the road four days a week and says the people she services are so important to the success of the service.
"Everyone's so grateful to have the service. You get attached to some of the riders. They become very special."
On the provincial level, BC Transit's Municipal Systems Program transit systems carried a record 20.3 million riders in 2006/07, an increase of 5% over the previous year.
The municipal systems program includes 75 transit systems across British Columbia, outside Greater Vancouver and Victoria.
"BC Transit experienced strong growth in market demand, with ridership increasing at a rate of almost double the national average," said Kevin Mahoney, chair of BC Transit.
Conventional Transit:
The 24 conventional transit systems carried 18.9 million passengers; an increase of almost one million passengers (6%). compared to the prior year.
Among the 37 paratransit systems, Kimberley, Nakusp, Nelson and Area, and Princeton & Area experienced increases of more than 20% and Clearwater & Area, Creston Valley, Nelson - Slocan Valley, Powell River, Quesnel and Shuswap Regional, Smithers & District exceeded 10% growth.
In total, 11 paratransit system recorded double-digit ridership increases.
EXHIBITION ASSOCIATION LOOKS AHEAD
Plans for coming months took up most of the discussion at the September 18 meeting of Princeton Exhibition Association (PXA). This group manages the fairgrounds, including facilities used by Princeton Fire Department, Fall Fair, Racing Days and Rodeo Club, as well as facilities for horse owners and for 4-H. The facility is owned by the Town of Princeton but managed by PXA, a volunteer group.
Future plans include the upcoming Halloween bonfire and fireworks. Fire Chief Eric Gregson announced there will be no Spook House this year. He explained that setting it up takes up to five practice evenings, and cuts into training time. The Fire Department does not have enough volunteers to set up the Spook House this year.
There will still be a bonfire, fireworks and candy bags, as well as hot chocolate. Anyone wishing to help, or to donate to the kids' fun, should contact Eric Gregson.
Peter Ruoss reported nearly everything has been cleaned up and put away after the Fall Fair, but there are some pens that need to be put under cover. This will have to be done before winter.
Terry Inglis noted there is a lot of heavy material, such as picnic tables and pens, to move around the grounds. If a "retired" tent trailer could be located, he offered to modify it to be used to move these things.
John Bey said he is interested in buying a tractor for the grounds to do a lot of the work required. He has been donating use of his own tractor, but feels it is too much to expect on a regular basis.
An appreciation dinner for all user groups was proposed by President John Bey. He suggested each user group could help pay costs, and time would be allocated to each group to make presentations to volunteers and sponsors. A dinner with entertainment is planned for sometime in October. Details will be announced at a later date.
The crew that has run the concession for this year's events will not be available next year.
This crew worked very hard and made money for each group putting on an event at the fairgrounds, and will be sorely missed as they did an excellent job.
