News Leader News for November 11, 2008
TOWN RECEIVES CASH
The Town of Princeton was the recipient of a lot of cash in October. First, the gas tax rebate, which is managed through the Union of BC Municipalities.
The Bridge of Dreams project received approval for $95,000, Princeton Recycling Centre Improvements and Solid Waste Update received approval for $40,000, and Princeton Ground Water Management Planning received approval for $59,000.
Terasen Gas franchise fees totalling $60,318.24 were paid to the Town. Terasen pays three percent of the gross revenues from the sale of natural gas in Princeton. This payment was for 2007.
In essence, these tax rebates are initially charged to the consumer, then returned to the municipality as a source of revenue to the Town.
MAYOR LEARNS OF RCMP DRUG PROJECT
In the past, the RCMP in B.C. has focused its drug fighting efforts on major busts on drugs coming into Canada at seaports. In a meeting with an RCMP Deputy Commissioner, Mayor Randy McLean learned there is a new option under consideration for small towns.
Mayor McLean has learned that Princeton, like so many other small communities in B.C., may be able to access undercover RCMP officers to combat the drug trafficking problems in the community.
The undercover officers work the local scene for some time without making any arrests until they can make a clean sweep and arrest everyone involved in the drug trade. This technique worked in a northern B.C. community and resulted in the arrests of 50 people.
Mayor McLean said he is hopeful Princeton will have access to this service in the near future.
COUNCIL TALKS TO DEVELOPER
Mayor Randy McLean announced, at the November 3 Town Council meeting, that Council has had discussions with a developer interested in Princeton. Privacy legislation prevents Council from revealing any details of discussions which involve land and/or property negotiations until a deal has been made.
However, Mayor McLean did add that Council and the developer did discuss all kinds of housing, including affordable housing.
THEATRE OPENS TO MOVIES
Princeton Recreation is negotiating a deal to have movies shown at the new theatre facility at Riverside Centre. Nadine McEwen attended the November 3 Town Council meeting to explain how the deal will work.
For $1,200.00 a year, Princeton Recreation can bring movies to Princeton twice a month, to be shown at the new Riverside Performing Arts Centre. The movies are fairly up to date, shown three months before being released in video stores. The movies are not free, and admission will be charged.
The quality of sound will be up to the standard of a regular movie theatre, as the new sound system in the Performing Arts Centre was installed to accommodate many forms of theatre productions.
Town Council was pleased with the news. Mayor McLean noted that young people have wished for a movie theatre for years.
"This is great!" Mayor McLean said. "It's been a long time coming."
First show is expected next month.
McEwen added that the fall recreation program involves many more things for adults this year. She is preparing for the winter leisure guide, and advised the deadline for submissions is November 15.
She hopes groups planning recreational activities for the first quarter of 2009 will get in touch with her. She will have the new guide on the street in January.
