News Leader News for October 23, 2007
PETROBANK POSTPONES OPEN HOUSE
Petrobank Energy and Resources Ltd. has decided to postpone its community open house.
The company's two planned coalbed gas (CBG) exploration wells are now scheduled for drilling in early 2008 and the associated open house will be moved to be closer to periods of activity.
"We've always worked to carefully manage this project and our communication with the community," says Gregg Smith, Vice President Canada, Petrobank.
"Our decision to postpone the open house reflects our interest to ensure we share accurate, up-to-date information near the times we intend to be more active in the community."
Smith adds, "Petrobank's plans for two new coalbed gas (CBG) exploration wells near the Town of Princeton are behind schedule due to the timing of approvals for our drilling activity and the availability of drilling equipment."
The open house was originally scheduled for the afternoon of Tuesday, October 30th. Petrobank will run ads in 2008 to announce the new date for an open house about its continued CBG exploration plans. In the meantime, the company will continue to share information with the community about CBG through advertising, news releases and meetings with local community leaders.
"We continue to be proud of our track record in this community," says Smith.
"In all our operations, we have always said what we were going to do and then done exactly that. Changing our timelines is a fact of life in this industry, and we feel it makes sense to share our plans near periods of activity."
The company maintains a dedicated toll-free line (1-866-764-4571) for Princeton residents to ask questions about CBG and the company's role in the community. The company also posts information about the project on its website at 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 COUNCIL LOOKS AT PROJECTS
Members of Princeton & District Community Arts Council have a lot of projects underway. Member groups reported their progress at the October 17 meeting. The Performing Arts Society is preparing for a play next spring, and the Traditional Music Society is planning a folk music festival for mid-August.
Traditional or "folk" music was the theme of a concert held on Sunday, October 14. Attendance was good and the concert was excellent.
Vermilion Forks Field Naturalists hosted a showing of Jeff Turner's documentary, Bears of Kamchatka, featuring Charlie Russell. The show drew 130 people who were awed by Russell's work with orphaned grizzly bears. Russell was on hand and offered his book for sale. The audience was delighted to meet him.
Sue LePoidevin reported her children's pottery classes are well attended, and six adults have signed on for lessons. The Potter's Guild is planning a clay mural for Riverside Centre. It is to enhance the artistic vision of Riverside Centre, focussing on the beauty of the Tulameen and Similkameen Valleys.
The group plans a mural workshop early in 2008, employing an expert in the field. The workshop will be advertised throughout the region and billets will be provided for out of town participants.
Vermilion Artists are sponsoring two workshops, November 10 and 17, for watercolours and drawing. The classes are fully booked with waiting lists.
The Princeton Waits, a group planning wassailing songs for the Christmas season, welcomed six members to their first meeting. The second meeting is this week on Wednesday at 7:00 PM at 154 Halliford. Anyone interested in joining the fun is invited to attend. The group will sing traditional English wassailing songs, not Christmas carols as we know them. Sue Alton suggested the group look at her collection of antique clothing to add to the ambience of the group.
Princeton Community Band plans a concert at Princeton Secondary in early November.
Vermilion Forks Field Naturalists are planning the annual Christmas Bird Count for December 22. This is a community-wide event in which local volunteers go out and count how many birds they see and record the species. Those who know little about birds but would like to participate will be partnered with a knowledgeable person.
The Arts Council meeting concluded with a discussion about improving the exterior appearance of Riverside Centre. A group will be formed in the spring to plan and execute beautification projects.
The next meeting of the Arts Council will be on Wednesday, November 14, at 7:00 PM. All Arts Council meetings are held in the Arts Council room at Riverside Centre. Anyone interested in the arts is welcome to attend.
TOWN DROPS PARKING SPACES
The owners of Belaire Restaurant petitioned Town Council for a variance in the parking bylaw, and got their wish. The Belaire, which burned down several months ago, was supposed to have 24 parking spaces to serve the restaurant. The number of spaces required has been reduced to five.
Councillors and Mayor Randy McLean stated they wanted to move forward and see the town grow. They felt that the bylaw restricted development and intend to make exceptions where possible, as in the case of Belaire.
The church neighbouring the Belaire property objected to the variance due to complaints regarding transport trucks making deliveries to Belaire.
The church members found that the trucks often blocked access to the rear entry of the church. The Belaire made some changes to provide a loading zone at the rear of the restaurant, so the objection was resolved.
WELCOME TO COMMUNITY LIVING MONTH
October is Community Living Month. Across BC, organizations and persons with disabilities take this opportunity to celebrate the great strides that have been made in community inclusion and promoting awareness of the unique challenges that face people with disabilities.
Our community has a long history of providing phenomenal support to persons with disabilities. Support services in our community include activities of daily living, residential, transportation, self-help skills and day programs. Community integration is out primary focus.
Everyone belongs. However, as advocates our work is never done and there is always room for improvement. We can enhance the programs we offer and support greater inclusion.
Our role is to educate, promote and remain responsive to the feedback provided by the community with respect to the continued integration of all people into mainstream community living. Unfortunately, we are often far more tolerant of questionable behaviour from non-disabled people than those with disabilities. A disability should not define the person.
Focus on a person's abilities rather than their disabilities. This year our focus has been on employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and the business people of Princeton have responded admirably.
Several of our program participants have been working in meaningful jobs, with or without a job coach, earning money and gaining valuable work experience. As with any employee, an employer must evaluate the worker, identify the particular strengths of an individual and use them to achieve the greatest return on their investment. We strive to achieve workable solutions for both the employer and employee to address any challenges that may arise during the course of employment.
It is often the first job for many of the program participants and presents a significant learning curve for some. However, the smiles, joy and pride that accompany that first pay cheque are most gratifying. We would like to take this opportunity to publicly recognize the businesses that have taken an opportunity to support persons with abilities. Your willingness to give individuals a chance and then work with them to be successful is commendable. We hope that the experience has been as rewarding for you as it has been for those you have employed. A sincere thank you to: Sandman Inn, Princeton Golf Course, Shirley's Place, Bob Wick's Law Office, Cut Above, Mini Mike's Automotive, Princeton Posse, Similkameen News Leader, Fields, Little Folk's Preschool, Princeton Arena, PWP, Tolko, Dairy Queen, Legion, The Hut, Booster Juice, Town of Princeton Summer Camp Program and a number of private individuals who have hired people for small jobs! If I have missed anyone, my deepest apologies. If you are interested in hiring any of the persons we serve, please contact our office at (250) 295-6666. Opportunities for persons with disabilities are growing by leaps and bounds. Preconceived ideas about their limited abilities are being disproved daily. Their role in the community is expanding, becoming more meaningful and more satisfying. They are more inclined to express their opinion, demand respect and believe in themselves.
Everyone belongs. This is not a one-way street and to be true community members, they must generate respect, listen to other opinions and learn from their mistakes.
To be equal, everyone must be treated equally just as you would anyone else. If their behaviour is inappropriate, tell them. If their attitude is unacceptable, let them know. If they need a word of encouragement, give it. Include them in community life and extend the compliment of equality. Celebrate Community Living Month with us by making a difference, one person at a time.
