News Leader News
TOWN TAX RATE DROPS
There is more in the 2005 budget but the mill rate is down. Property owners will be pleased with this yearıs property tax picture.At the April 18 Town Council meeting, Council gave first, second and third readings to three bylaws related to the 2005 budget, the mill rate, and the financial plan for the next five years. This yearıs budget increases to $3,188,850, a small percentage over last year.
Administrator Cornie Froese said the total tax base has expanded, assessments are up, and the Town had a good year last year. This keeps the mill rate down (the amount per $1,000 of assessment) while the budget increases.
Goodies included in this yearıs budget include a splash park ($40,000) and $75,000 worth of paving and improvements to the industrial park.
Not all of the property tax money collected by the Town goes into Town coffers. The Town collects taxes for the school district and hospitals, for a total of $1,100,000.
The Town mill rate for residences is 5.0448. For utilities it is 39.5911, major industry pays 33.1122, light industry pays 15.2796, business pays 16.1243, recreation and non-profit pay 8.1915.
Hospitals take an additional bite, and Regional District takes another small bite, to give the final total mill rate. For a residence, this would total $6.0325 per $1,000 of assessed value. Industry, utilities and business can add a little over two mills to their totals.
ARTS COUNCIL LOOKS AT SCHOOL PLAN
This is Arts and Culture Week in Princeton, and Vermilion Artists are holding an art show at the cultural centre featuring the work of a variety of local artists. The show is on April 29 and 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Leftovers Studio is participating as well with displays and activities.Vermilion Forks Field Naturalists will host an art show and sale during the Meadowlark Festival on the May long weekend. They invite local artists to display their work for sale. The show will be held May 20 and 21 from noon to 4 p.m. Ten percent of the proceeds from sales will go to Vermilion Forks Field Naturalists or other Arts Council groups. If you would like more information, contact Del Hall at 295-3266.
Princeton Writers Group has launched their annual Youth Writing contest and once again, Princeton Light and Power will provide the prizes.
Members of the Arts Council will participate in the survey made possible by the Arts Now grant. A professional will be hired to do a survey of all of the arts and cultural activities in Princeton area along with a survey of the number of artists of all media within the district.
Princeton Community Arts Council has reviewed a plan for the empty Riverside School and likes the plan. The plan was drawn up by Lyle Thomas on behalf of Regional District, and calls for complete utilization of the building as a community wellness centre. The Arts Council and its member groups see high potential for the building as a place for people to get together to express their talents and interests in arts and culture. Although this would be just a small part of the building's use, the Arts Council is prepared to support the concept.
Members of the Arts Council have decided to leave the Cultural Centre due to the high costs of utilities for the building. Treasurer Nick Mills reviewed the small usage the building had during the winter months and the very high heating costs. Members voted to explore other locations on a rent-by-use basis. The Town of Princeton has been notified.
LOCAL PAIR TO WALK FOR CANCER
Two local women will be taking part in the annual Weekend to End Breast Cancer in Vancouver this Summer.Dianne Rainer, whoıs best friendıs mother is a cancer survivor, says enough is enough.
"We can fly to Mars and live in space why can't we cure cancer?"
Barb Gagnon, a cancer survivor, participated in the 60-kilometre, two-day event last year when she lived in the lower mainland.
She moved to Princeton two months ago and is going to participate in the August 19th to 21st event again.
"I'm a ten year survivor, but at the same time I lost a sister to breast cancer and my other sister had colon cancer. My mother is a 20-year survivor."
There's no doubt these two are committed to the challenge.
"The more people you tell the more stories you hear," Rainer says.
"Being a survivor myself, I believe Iım here for a reason," Gagnon reasons.
To prove their commitment to the Weekend to End Breast Cancer, both women must raise a minimum of $2,000 each.
For comparison, last years event attracted a total of 2,101 walkers, each bringing in no less than $2,000 each. A total of over $7-million was raised at that single walk.
Fundraising is how both Rainer and Gagnon intend to raise their minimum requirement.
So far they have planned a Yard Sale at Leftovers Studio on May 7th with all proceeds to go to Breast Cancer research. On July 1st there will be an Arts & Crafts Sale and Silent Auction. All local artisans are welcome to participate by either donating something or by paying a table rental.
Cash donations are also being accepted at both Leftovers Studios and Princeton Brewing Company.
Tax receipts are issued for donations over ten dollars and donations are also accepted online at www.endcancer.ca.
Once on that site you can navigate to whichever Weekend to End Breast Cancer walk site you'd like to support, and then locate a walker youıd like to sponsor.
For more information on how you can get involved by helping either local woman call Dianne at 295-3173 or 295-7626 or Barb at 295-4050 or drop into Leftovers Studios at 121 Vermilion Avenue.
