News Leader News for November 13, 2007
TOWN RECEIVES $1.7 MILLION FOR WATER SYSTEM
The Town of Princeton will receive more than $1.7 million in federal and provincial funding to extend and upgrade its water system, and improve water quality and fire protection.
Ron Cannan, MP for Kelowna-Lake Country, and Rick Thorpe, MLA Okanagan-Westside, announced the funding under the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF) at an outdoor ceremony at Princeton Town Hall on November 9th.
"Through the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, our Government is investing in infrastructure that supports a growing economy, a clean environment and more prosperous communities," said Mr. Cannan, 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.
"The extension of Princeton's water system will enable the East Princeton Waterworks District and Airport/Jacobsen Road area to lift recent boil water advisories and improve fire protection through the installation of new fire hydrants."
The project involves the construction of a 700-cubic metre reservoir, installation of approximately 4.5 km of new water main, upgrades to the existing distribution system and installation of fire hydrants. This project is conditionally approved pending the successful completion of an environmental assessment.
"Our government is committed to investing in environmentally sustainable infrastructure that ensures British Columbians have safe and clean drinking water," said Thorpe.
"We are pleased to work with the federal government and the Town of Princeton to improve water quality and help remove boil water advisories in this area."
Under the initial CBCMRIF Agreement signed in June 2006, the federal and provincial governments each committed $51 million to the fund, with participating local governments expected to make up the remaining costs. This year, the Government of Canada and the Province of B.C. have each provided an additional $23.5 million to the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund as part of their commitment to help smaller communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs. This additional funding brings the total federal and provincial investment and matching local government contribution in CBCMRIF projects to over $220 million.
The majority of the funding is targeted towards communities of fewer than 250,000 people and at least 60 per cent of the funding will assist with Ogreen projects' such as drinking water supply, treatment and distribution needs as well as wastewater and energy efficiency projects. The remaining funds will be dedicated to other projects like tourism, recreation and other infrastructure.
More details on the program are available through the Canada-British Columbia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund website, at
www.canadabcmrif.ca.
COUNCIL LIKES MUSIC FESTIVAL
Town Council is in favour of a proposed traditional music festival for next summer.
At the November 5 Town Council meeting, Del Hall and Rika Ruebsaat presented the plan and asked for Council's contribution of $2,000 toward publicizing the event. Hall reminded Mayor Randy McLean of a remark he made in the past when he said communities are successful if they are culturally diverse.
Mayor McLean said the festival would be a great addition to the community.
Rika Ruebsaat, Arts Council President, presented Council with a draft budget for the event. Because the festival will be free to those who attend, the Traditional Music Society is applying for a heritage grant in the amount of $19,000. In order to meet the conditions of the grant, Town Council must sign a form giving approval. Council was willing to do this, adding a letter of support.
The request for $2,000 will go to the 2008 budget process.
LEGION PLANS TO REBUILD CENOTAPH
The Cenotaph monument is breaking down. The base is crumbling. Princeton's Legion members want it repaired, and there is a Royal Canadian Legion grant to do it. Legion President Sharon Paterson, along with Bud Sadegur, attended the November 5 Town Council meeting to iron out who owns the monument.
Sadegur told Council the Legion has tried to find out who built the Cenotaph but there is no record that it belongs to the Legion, nor even any date when it was constructed, although it was in place in 1927.
To complete the grant application forms, there must be a clear statement of ownership.
Sadegur asked Council for a letter clarifying Legion ownership, and asked for support for the project when it is being done. He suggested the Town could haul away the rubble.
Town Council will write a letter stating the Cenotaph monument is owned by the Legion.
