News Leader News for November 18, 2008
HERE ARE THE ELECTION RESULTS
The 'preliminary' election results were released at 1:30 AM November 16th by Chief Election Officer Patrick Robins for the general local election held in the Town of Princeton.
In the race for the Mayor's seat, incumbent Randy McLean was re-elected with a total of 371 votes (53 cast in the November 5th Advance Poll, 318 on General Election Day).
Jim Manion and Esther Donovan tied with 252 votes and Maria Sadegur earned 161 votes. Of Manion's total, 48 came from the advance poll, Donovan had 35 advance votes and Sadegur totaled 28 votes from voters choosing to cast ballots November 5th.
In the vote for Councillor (4 to be elected) Frank Armitage led the polls with 658 votes. Jason Earle followed with 596, incumbent Ray Jarvis finished with 458 and Marilyn Harkness earned 385 votes.
The results for the other candidates are as follows:
383 - Dina Slowikowski-Campbell
343 - Solana Allison
159 - Kim Maynard
131 - John Babiak
122 - Bob Hart
117 - Jon Bartlett
100 - Jim Bernard
97 - Randall Gibson
81 - Richard Hudson
75 - Douglas Rebagliati
53 - Tom Guerster
43 - Darrell Dobie
In the RDOS (Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen) there were a couple of races of interest to note.
Unofficial election results released just before 12 Midnight on November 15th by RDOS Chief Election Officer Tracey Batton show the race for Electoral Area Director for Princeton Rural (Area H) was won by Brad Hope who collected 273 votes. Incumbent Gerri Logan finished 13 votes behind with 260.
In Keremeos Rural/Hedley (Area G) Elef Christensen was elected with 271 votes. Incumbent Joe Nitsch finished with 164 votes and Holly Tilstra earned 140 votes.
In the Village of Keremeos, preliminary results released at 11:30 PM November 15th by Chief Election Officer Joni Heinrich indicate that incumbent Mayor Walter Despot was reelected.
OPEN BURNING PROMPTS FIRE REPORT
Smoke and visible flame from open burning has prompted hundreds of fire reports from concerned residents of the Thompson Okanagan.
Since open burning restrictions were rescinded September 25th, the Kamloops Fire Centre dispatch office has logged more than 1,500 fire and smoke report calls. Most of these calls are a direct result of local residents and highway travellers observing open flame or smoke emanating from authorized burning.
The current fire danger rating remains at low to very low throughout the entire fire centre area which makes it extremely difficult to ignite and maintain a wildfire.
It is a normal practice at this time of year for forest industry personnel to use open fire to dispose of logging debris, along with debris from backyard cleanup. As well, BC Forest Service fire crews are currently engaged in fuel reduction activities in the interface areas of local communities.
People are reminded that, as a condition of authorized open burning, registrants are required to be on site at the burn at any time there may be threat of an escape. Should you see large amounts of smoke from one source, it is likely that there are people with appropriate equipment on the ground, ensuring no escape of fire to the surrounding forests.
However, should you feel that the situation is out of control, do not hesitate to call the BCFS fire reporting line at 1-800-663-5555.
The BC Forest Service thanks the public for their cooperation. For further information, call 1-888-3FORESTS or visit the Protection Program website at
www.bcwildfire.ca.
HUNTING SEASON GOOD FOR DEER
The weather this hunting season has been really good from the deer's perspective. According to Conservation Officer Al Lay, hunters going after the big bucks have been disappointed due to the weather being too warm.
The moose season has been typical, and although elk numbers are up, the harvest was the average for most years.
Lay says there were not too many problem hunters this year, and charges for violations have been average.
The game animals are in good condition as they go into winter, thanks to more rain last summer and good feed throughout the district.
