News Leader News for September 30, 2008
COMMUNITY SERVICES RECEIVES ACCREDITATION
Members of Princeton and District Community Services Society met September 22 for the annual general meeting. President Joanne Gabriel reported on another successful year of operation, and thanked employees and the community for helping to keep Community Services "a solid organization".
Derek Schreurs, of KMPG chartered accountants, presented the financial report for 2007/08, showing Community Services is maintaining solvency. In fact, Community Services is operating very well financially. Schreurs advised the Board not to become too concerned about the crisis in the American financial institutions, as Canadian institutions are more regulated.
Administrator Lynn Pelly gave an overview of the past year's activities, with emphasis on the accreditation process. Community Services received a three year accreditation. What Community Services does
Community Services provides housing and care services for developmentally disabled adults. A two bedroom house, six self-contained apartments, and a four bedroom house offer independent living, with care support.
Community Services has a long term loan wheelchair service, and Adult Day Centre for seniors who live in their own homes, and the New Beginnings Day Program to assist people with developmental disabilities.
Vermilion Court is a large residence for low income elderly and physically handicapped persons. The 18 unit complex provides housing, meals, assisted personal care, and security.
Meals on Wheels is another form of care for disabled and elderly who reside at home. This program operated every day.
The Home Support Program is a means of keeping elderly, disabled and handicapped living at home.
In partnership with BC Transit and the Town of Princeton, Community Services operates a 20 passenger wheelchair lift equipped minibus. Those wishing to use the service must first register with Community Services and discuss their needs with the dispatcher.
In special needs cases, Community Services partners with Community Living BC to offer one on one support for individuals to develop self-help skills to encourage and support independent living.
Families and caregivers can have temporary respite care through Community Services.
Aspen Court, comprised of 15 three bedroom family housing units for low income families, is owned by BC Housing but managed by Community Services.
The Accessibility Committee, which encourages the Town and local businesses to make changes to provide greater accessibility for the disabled, is part of Community Services' Board of Directors.
As the meeting concluded, there was some discussion about the need to increase low income housing for seniors. The Board of Directors will address this issue in coming months to find whether Community Services has a role to play in solving the problem.
TEACHERS CELEBRATE WORLD TEACHERS' DAY
World Teachers' Day was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1994 to raise awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the challenges facing teachers and the work they do every day.
"On October 5, teachers in Princeton will join educators around the world in millions of classrooms to celebrate the role teachers have in our communities," said Robert Tarswell, President of the Princeton District Teachers' Union.
"The world community set aside this day to recognize teachers and the central role they play in nurturing and guiding children and youth."
One of the key goals of World Teachers' Day is to mobilize communities to ensure the needs of future generations are met by passing knowledge from one generation to the next. Here in British Columbia, teachers work hard every day to do just that.
"This World Teachers' Day, we want parents, students, and educators to think about the role standardized testing has in education," said Tarswell.
"Teachers know that learning is much more than standardized tests and we cannot undervalue the benefit of a broad education. Princeton teachers are concerned about a growing focus on testing," said Tarswell.
"There is too much emphasis on ranking schools and not enough support or resources to make a difference when there are challenges like class size and class composition."
This school year, British Columbians will also have the opportunity to vote in three elections. Here in Princeton, teachers will build on World Teachers' Day to raise awareness about public education issues and how voters can make a difference.
"Teachers in Princeton know the year ahead is an important one for public education," said Tarswell.
"We will be working with parents to ensure the students in our classrooms get the resources and the support they need to reach their full potential."
RESIDENT RAISES DIKE ISSUE
Local resident Mary Masiel wrote to Town Council to ask that they take action to ensure public access to the dikes along both the Similkameen and Tulameen Rivers. She pointed out how important these walkways are to local people, and how good they could be as tourist attractions.
Mayor Randy McLean responded to the letter at the September 15 Council meeting, saying Council agrees with Masiel's desire to have the dikes open to public access. At the same time, he pointed out that Council cannot force private property owners to allow access.
Mayor McLean said a portion of the grant for diking will allow for a survey to establish exactly where private ownership is located and where it is not.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM FOCUSES ON OSPREY LAKE
Seventeen enthusiastic volunteers took part in the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup on Saturday, September 20th.
National Cleanup Week was September 20 to 28 this year and this was the first year Osprey Lake was the Otarget' in the TD Cleanup program which marks it's 15th anniversary across Canada.
The purpose of the cleanup is to keep shorelines clean and healthy for the animals, birds and plants that rely on them.
Participants met at Tellier's Fisherman's Cove then combed the shoreline of Osprey Lake looking for litter. Many different methods were used to gather garbage, which included walking, using kayaks, boats, a motorized raft and an ATV with a trailer.
All debris was taken to Tellier's where it was sorted. Data cards are used to record and summarize the items collected. The event ended with a barbeque and campfire hosted by Terry and Greg at Tellier's Fisherman's Cove.
Items found along the shoreline and in the shallow water are a direct result of human activity including:
a) shoreline and recreational - plastic bags, cans, cups, toys
b) waterway - bait containers, fishing line, tarps
c) smoking-related - cigar tips, cigarette butts
d) dumping - batteries, car parts, tires
e) medical/personal hygiene
Any sized article can have serious consequences for our waterways and marine life. Fish, amphibians and even small rodents can perish as a result of swallowing cigarette butts. The material does not break down and can block their digestive tract.
During the cleanup event, some campers at Osprey Lake reported a mallard duck with fishing line entangled around its wing. The volunteers were unable to rescue the bird but report it could still use both wings.
The floor of an abandoned ice fishing hut lodged in an important bird breeding area was removed as well as metal roofing and part of an axle.
Organizers thank all volunteers who helped with the Osprey Lake Cleanup. It is up to all of us to do our part to keep our shorelines free of litter and healthy for all to enjoy.
For more information or to become involved next year visit www.vanaqua.org/cleanup.
