KUHN CHALLENGES COUNCIL
Fred Kuhn, manager of Princeton's branch of Weyerhaeuser, appeared before Town Council on February 21 to criticize the lack of progress in Princeton. He pointed the finger directly at Council, saying he is disappointed.He had received a glossy pamphlet for the Similkameen, and discovered Princeton was not in it. This inspired his visit to Council.
"People can't seem to work together to get things done in this town," Kuhn said.
Kuhn asked whether there is a long term plan for growth, as he sees other towns growing but not Princeton.
Mayor Keith Olsen admitted there is no long term plan.
"Are we moving ahead? Are we falling behind?" Kuhn asked Council.
Mayor Olsen responded by saying the town is not moving ahead, but is in the process of moving ahead. He explained the Similkameen Valley Planning Society hired Michael McLaughlin to work on an agenda set by the society to look for other opportunities for economic development.
As for the pamphlet on the Similkameen, Mayor Olsen said there was a problem "getting a buy-in locally". He said there is a pamphlet "in the works" for the Princeton area.
Mayor Olsen revealed there is an expert coming to work with Princeton people. He is Hugh Culver, and he has worked successfully with other communities. He will be in Princeton this week to negotiate a contract with Council.
Other members of Council were not so positive. Councillor Esselink thought industry was moving ahead slowly, but not tourism. Councillor Clement said "there is lots of room to grow". Councillor Jarvis said there are small businesses moving to Princeton, and the Chamber of Commerce reports a lot of interest in Princeton. Councillor Coyne said the town is not moving ahead, and there are roadblocks that need to be removed.
Fred Kuhn described Princeton as having the finest recreational opportunities, a world class trail system, and "we don't market it". He pointed out there are 10 million people only 4.5 hours from Princeton and the recreation must be marketed.
Referring to his impression of people not working together, he said, "Get rid of the Chamber of Commerce if necessary, but get people together to do something. Princeton is viewed as not wanting to change, and not progressive."
He went on to mention the empty Riverside School which was offered to the Town for a dollar a year, and which a local group wants to develop, and the efforts of Vermilion Trails Society to make progress.
"If you don't move ahead, you die," Kuhn said. "You guys need to drive it."
Mayor Olsen described previous efforts, and mentioned the town did not receive funding. Kuhn said his boss would call those "excuses".
"How do we get results?" Kuhn asked. "If we're not successful at getting funding, why not? It's time to do something. I worry about this town. It's time we got rolling."
ARENA PROJECT NEEDS PUBLIC SUPPORT
Do you want to see an expansion of Princeton's Arena which will bring close to $4-million dollars into the community annually?This could become reality in a very short hurry.
An application to the Canada / British Columbia Infrastructure Program has already been submitted for an expansion to Princeton's multi-purpose arena.
The project, which would see local contractors getting most of the work, has a timeline for construction from April to September 2006.
The project costs total $528,000 and would include a 109' x 24' steel addition erected at the North end of the existing building totaling $233,000; a new roof worth $150,000 and an 108' x 15' addition to the East wall to accommodate additional seating worth $145,000.
The Infrastructure Program grant would cover 2/3 of the cost of the project (approx. $350,000), an additional $100,000 is currently in the Arena Operational Budget (in reserve) having been set aside over a number of years for roof repairs, and all that's needed for the expansion to take place is $75,000.
Where will that come from?
There is a possible funding source already in place in Princeton.
The Community Forest Corporation has close to $1-million dollars in their bank account. The mandate of the CFC is to put money into community recreation development.
What does the arena expansion mean to Princeton? Recreation Director Lyle Thomas says the project would become very valuable to Princeton.
"It's a two-fold project," Thomas says.
"First, it's important to our current users as we see them today and as economic generators in the future."
Thomas says the arena - in it's current state - brings nearly $700,000 of outside money into the community each ice season.
The figure comes from events such as tournaments bringing families to the region spending money on local accommodation, meals, fuel, etc.
"Second, I believe in making some renovations to our building we can increase our programs."
Thomas says extending the ice season to a year round schedule would allow for a Summer Hockey School program and the development of a training facility.
"The expansion would bring in about $4-million of outside money annually."
It's all based on funding being available at the Federal/Provincial level, and Thomas is confident the project will be approved.
"We would become one of the larger economic generators in town."
The attraction of a top notch, quality ice facility would benefit the community in many ways.
"Recreation is one of the cards we can play in our economic hand."
A presentation on the complete project will be made at the March 7th Town Council meeting at 7:30 PM.
If you want to see Princeton start to grow, this could be one of the first steps.
If the Federal/Provincial funding grant is not approved, the project could possibly be funded entirely by the Community Forest Corporation.
The committee would have to view the arena expansion proposal to determine what benefits such and expansion would be for the community before releasing any of their available funds.
You can support the project by attended the March 7th meeting.
SCHOOL BOARD DISAPPOINTS PARENTS
Parents were visibly and vocally disappointed on February 23 when the Board of School Trustees turned down French Immersion for Princeton youngsters.French Immersion programs are not merely about students learning French, they are about students learning all subjects in French. This requires a separate stream of students, almost like having a separate school.
Discussion by trustees has been ongoing and it was clear they did not reach their decision lightly. Trustee Ken Heuser expressed his doubts about the sustainability of a program that would require laying off one teacher in order to hire another who could teach all subjects in French. He expressed concern about what would happen if the district attempted to continue French Immersion into secondary school, as it is difficult now, due to a shortage of students, to offer some courses required for university entrance.
Board Chair Gordon Comeau had concerns due to declining enrollment.
Districts receive funding based on the number of students in the district, and this number is dropping steadily (30 percent in the past eight years).
Trustee Dina Slowikowski-Campbell had misgivings based on the sustainability of French Immersion. She asked if there were other ways of teaching French in elementary schools, and District Superintendent Robert Peacock assured her there are.
These were the trustees representing Princeton, but two Merritt trustees expressed concern. Trustee Bert Wiley said he did not like the idea of laying off a teacher currently in the district in order to make room for French Immersion. Trustee Gordon Swann said he could not justify taking funding from the majority of students to pay for the wishes of a minority.
Superintendent Peacock said he had consulted other school districts and found Hazelton, which is comparable in population to Princeton, regrets their decision to have French Immersion. He quoted a Hazelton official as saying, "It's killing us."
Dr. Peacock said finding a qualified teacher would be a problem, and he would not settle for less than an excellent teacher.
There were many other points to consider, such as another reorganization following the recent changes in elementary schools in Princeton. However, it was clear the number of students (and consequent funding for the district) was the major concern. The other was sustainability: should the district spend a lot of money to launch the program, lay off a teacher, hire a different teacher, and then see the number of students in French Immersion dwindle in a couple of years?
During question period, parents levelled criticism at the trustees, saying there was no definitive answer as to what constituted sustainability and no real look at public interest in French Immersion. Two parents asked what it would take to have the Board reconsider the decision, but this was not answered, as it was not open for discussion.
This may not be the end of the French Immersion proposal. The Board voted not to proceed at this time, and parents showed signs of an intention to pursue the matter.
SECOND TERM HONOUR ROLL ANNOUNCED
Princeton Secondary School's Term 2 Honour Roll has been released.Grade 12 Principal's List: Nathan Howe, Cyrielle Bon and Ricki Weissbach.
Gold List: Rene Kovacs, Nicholas Klassen, Renee Cleven, Jacob Greening, Natalie Ihlen, Kaylie Gibb, Rylan Mogge, Kimberley McInroy, Christopher Harry, Patrick LePoidevin, Kerri Ihlen, Diane Wentland, Mathew Obey, Stuart Purves, Clifford Mare and Danielle Hilton.
Honourable Mention: Joline Verbakel, Morgan Desabrais, Justin Scott-Walker, Jessie Beaupre, John Laska and Ashley Dore.
Grade 11 Principal's List: Cullen Smart, Lewis Smith, Peter Newman and Bianca Maritz.
Gold List: Renee Willis, Jana McKenzie, Shelby Carlson, Shaine Martini, Nicole Thomas, Amanda-Jean Hobson, Samantha Bertucci, Kassondra Crimmon, D. J. Wilson, Tanner Gunn, A. J. Doyle, Natalie Desrochers, Nadine Price, Jerrid Lay, Vincent Pontaletta, Justine Pelly and Rebecca Donohoe.
Honourable Mention: Blake Tarswell, Taylor Henry, Jeremy Buhler and Ashley Folk.
Grade 10 Principal's List: Ian Stout and Amy Burke.
Gold List: Josh Brooks, Steve Kovacs, Denis Gutierrez-Orrinc, Bradley Haigh, Kandice Simpson, Dylan Bertucci, Jennifer Bailey, Lyle Markin, MaryAnn Campbell, Miranda Grigg and Charmaine Aiken.
Honourable Mention: Alex Rempel, Tyler McInroy, Beau Wilkinson, Keith Vinthers, Sheldon Bothe and Clifford Lindley.
Grade 9 Principal's List: Claire Bibby, Julia Halipchuk, Madison Johnson, Chantelle White, Blaine Lueke and Kaila Musgrove.
Gold List: Russ Tjernstrom, Brian Shewchuk, Matia Tolmie, Cody Leonard, Courtney Webb, Michelle Derkson, Tara Plecas, Clint Freeman, Kelsey MacDonald, Braydon Scarpelli, Meagan Thomas, Amber Peppler, Cassandra Morin, Cody Edwards and Kristie McIvor.
Honourable Mention: Steven Schwarz, Daralynn Ballard, Marcel Lamoureux, Ty Senger, Hannah Donohoe and Philip Langstroth.
Grade 8 Principal's List: Rachel Jung, Elizabeth Szekely, Laila Massoudi and Rachel Vinthers.
Gold List: Allana Garton, Carley Brewer, Brittani Clifton, Aaron Peterson, Joanna Larson, Clint Cook, Thomas Smyth, Katelyn McInroy, Jenny Laska, Kristy Jack, Katelynn Simpson and Kaylie Whincup.
Honourable Mention: Dawn Campbell, Scott Schwarz, Sydney Jensen, Shawn Hearty and Amanda Buhler.
