News Leader News for December 11, 2007
RCMP AID PLANE IN DISTRESS
Princeton RCMP responded to a call around 5:10 PM on Wednesday, December 5th of a pilot in distress attempting to land a small aircraft at Princeton Airport.
"The pilot apparently was having difficulty with orientation in the dark and with fog starting to roll in," says Princeton Detachment Sgt. Gary Macahonic.
"In case of the necessity of an emergency landing, RCMP members placed their police units - with emergency lights activated - at each end of the runway."
Vancouver Flight Control was contacted and they advised they were communicating with the pilot of the plane. Vancouver Flight Control directed the pilot to head to Penticton to land at that airport.
"Penticton Flight Control was contacted and they advised that another plane was in the Princeton area headed to Penticton and that the first plane could follow the second to Penticton Airport."
Macahonic says that at about 5:45 PM Penticton Flight Control confirmed that both planes were about to land and did so without incident.
"Neither pilot or aircraft were identified to Princeton RCMP," Macahonic states.
COUNCIL ANNOUNCES GOOD NEWS FOR DOCTORS
Princeton doctors are going to get some relief help this Christmas season. Three locum doctors will be coming here to help out for Christmas.
Councillor Pam Jones announced the good news at the December 3 Town Council meeting in her report on the progress being made by the committee for recruitment of health professionals. Interior Health Authority is working with the committee and helping in any way it can.
Councillor Jones showed a pamphlet about Princeton. This will be distributed in locations where it can do the most good.
Interior Health Authority has promised to provide assistance, and to keep the ER open as long as local doctors are willing to be on call.
Councillor Ray Jarvis had a complaint from a nurse who was here temporarily from Alberta. She did not like the motel in which she stayed and had no transportation. Councillor Jones had some good news for locum doctors and nurses: a local person has donated a car for their use, and Council agreed to insure it.
Billy's Restaurant will donate one meal a day, free of charge, to any doctor or nurse coming to Princeton to help out on a locum basis.
At Councillor Jones recommendation, Council agreed to a $500 per month fund to assist locum doctors driving here.
It will be used for mileage if needed.
Council will also provide back-up funding for accommodation for families who have volunteered to make space for a doctor or nurse coming here as relief help.
RIVERSIDE WANTS TO GO STRATA
The owners of Riverside Motel have applied to Town Council for a change in the Official Community Plan and a zoning change from commercial to medium density residential. The owners want to make the cabins available for purchase under strata title.
The Riverside Motel owners have submitted detailed plans to Town Council about changes they plan to make. There will be a public hearing on January 21, 2008, for the public to express whether the change is in the best interests of the community.
Councillor Jim Manion had some concerns about the proposed changes and wanted to be clear that approving the bylaw would not constitute a commitment to approve the request. He was assured that, if the public hearing raised cause for alarm, Council could deny the application.
APPLICATION MOVES TO SECOND PHASE
Princeton moves one step closer to receiving money to develop the industrial park land northeast of downtown Princeton across from the fairgrounds.
Mayor Randy McLean reported to Town Council that he had been advised Princeton's application for money for the project had moved into a second phase of approval. Money is available to communities in southern B.C. Interior to compensate for expected economic downturn as a result of pine beetle damage to local forests.
Princeton's initial application competed with many other communities. After initial screening, Princeton's application has moved up closer to final approval, although it is still competing with other communities.
If final approval is granted, the funds will be used to provide water, storm sewers and lighting for the industrial park area closest to Highway 40.
