News Leader News for December 16, 2008
LOCAL MAN MURDERED
Excitement around Princeton last week focused on a residence located at 133 Bridge Street following the discovery December 9th of a decomposed body.
On December 12th RCMP released the identity of the victim. 44-year old Willard Bruce McInroy, who was known to local police, had only just moved into the building November 1st.
McInroy's body was discovered when police began searching for him after he became the subject of a missing person's report.
When the body was recovered, it was in an advanced decomposed state, which police say suggests it had been there for a while. An autosy was required to identify the victim and to determine the cause of death.
Although police have not yet revealed how McInroy died, they confirm he had met with foul play.
RCMP are referring to the murder as an isolated incident and state residents have nothing to worry about.
Princeton Mayor Randy McLean says a murder in a small town is big news.
"When you get something like this happening in a small town, it's pretty spooky."
The last murder recorded in Princeton was a decade ago when the body of Joseph Keneth 'Phen' Drushka was found in his home on December 5, 1998.
A TRIBUTE TO COUNCIL FROM THE MAYOR
Princeton Mayor Randy McLean gave this tribute to past and present elected members of Town Council during the inaugural meeting on December 2nd.
"This evening we bring to a close a working relationship that I will not soon forget.
The pleasure of working together with four people who had nothing but the best intentions for the Town of Princeton was truly a pleasure. People who tried to bring positive and progressive change to their home town. People who were willing to put an endless amount of time and effort into that objective.
Councillor Pam Jones who brought common sense and compassion to a governance position and breathed consideration for others into every decision we made.
Councillor Maria Sadegur who brought her ability to enlist and delegate individuals and groups and her capacity for making them and our Council enjoy the long hours of making things happen.
Councillor Ray Jarvis who was the voice of experience and reason who used so few words but who provided a resilient assurance that we were moving in the right direction.
Finally, Councillor Jim Manion who was a mentor, who could sway an entire Council with his astute reasoning and yet be absolutely able to completely adjust his direction upon hearing an opinion that may alter his own. You can appreciate that I call that a talent and a skill.
Together we will miss the interaction and comraderie of working together as well as the relationship we had with a staff that was able to bring many of our dreams and aspirations closer to reality. Let me be very careful in saying once again that as a member of three of the last four Councils our aspirations and our methods of pursuing funding were no different than past years, yet we had a staff that was experienced in maneuvering through the ridiculously intricate maze that is senior government funding.
I think that our Council would all agree that a major reason why we feel so positive about our three years is because of them.
So for all the accomplishments that we share and for all the enjoyable hours we spent together working to try to improve our town let me say it was an unqualified honour and a pleasure.
To all those who ran for public office thank you for stepping up for your community and to those who were successful, Councillor Jarvis and I and staff look forward to the opportunity to work with that enthusiasm and conviction that is so self evident. We look forward to making Princeton a better place for everyone.
For myself I am filled with an excitement, an anticipation and an anxiety of the vast array of responsibilities that we as a new council will face. I know as well that I have received a great burden of a mandate, I have been selected from a group of mayoral candidates that included immense experience and expertise and I feel an absolute obligation to carry the torch of their aspirations and prove that I warranted the trust that people have bestowed on me."
THE BEST GIFTS COME FROM THE HEART
The most precious gifts are those that are unexpected and are given from the heart. Princeton & District Community Services received such a gift recently and it has the potential to be a gift that continues to give for years to come.
It started with a phone call and a simple inquiry. If a person were to make a donation to Community Services, how would the money be used? Was there a pressing need in one of our programs? These questions definitely elicit a quick response from an executive director of a non-profit agency! The wheels were spinning from the word donation!
Our society operates a variety of programs under one umbrella. Our funding sources are diverse but primary government based. There is never enough funding to meet all of our goals and we're always searching for grants, subsidies and donations. Since the inception of Community Services in 1973, we have been very fortunate in securing funding for many projects - the initial van for BC Transit, Mary Anne Court, Vermilion Court, Victoria House, the office building on Halliford. None of these projects would have been possible without funding from donations.
Following the phone call, I met with the prospective donor and we discussed some ideas. The one that had the greatest appeal for the donor was to purchase the vacant lot adjacent to the Vermilion Court property (Community Services already owns the 82 Fenchurch property which adjoins the Vermilion Court complex). The Society had attempted to purchase this property in the past but had not been successful and, as property prices increased, the opportunity faded. But with the possibility of a donation to assist in the purchase, it again became a possibility. The property owners were contacted and were receptive to selling the property, particularly as it would be used for senior's housing. An offer was made, an agreement for sale negotiated and the papers signed. Almost a done deal.
The land is $110,000.00. We have a commitment from the donor for $50,000.00. We need to raise the remaining $60,000.00. It is the Society's hope that we can raise this money through charitable donations and grants, rather than impact the current resources of the Society.
We are a registered charity and all donations are acknowledged with a charitable receipt for income tax purposes. Donations for this project will be earmarked expressly for this land purchase. We are confident that the community will recognize this as a great opportunity to acquire land that would enable the future expansion of Vermilion Court. Affordable and accessible housing for seniors is in short supply in Princeton. Increased capacity at Vermilion Court, either as assisted or supportive housing, would be a great asset for the community.
The community has never failed us before and I am confident that there are people out there who recognize the need in our community and who will support our efforts to secure this parcel of land for future housing opportunities. Our primary donor has given us a gift of opportunity. The donation is a reflection of a family's commitment to the community, their belief in our ability to provide suitable housing for seniors and their wish to leave a visible legacy in their community. Our sincere thanks to them and to those of you who will help us reach our goal.
Donations may be sent to: Princeton & District Community Services, PO Box 1960, Princeton, BC V0X 1W0 or hand delivered to 47 Harold Avenue (the former health unit building) during regular office hours. All donations are tax deductible.
