The Gang's All Here

This time of year is always exciting at Elizabeth Lake as feathered friends return to join the few who have hung around all winter.  Coots, Mallards, Tree Swallows, Bald eagles, Flickers and Canada Geese, of course, are all regulars in the Elizabeth Lake breeding ground and flyway.

Photos Stewart Wilson

Nakusp jobs partnership turning Fire Hall into Farmer's Market

Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation

December 2014

Nakusp jobs partnership turning fire hall into farmers’ market

NAKUSP – The old Nakusp fire hall will go from code red to green thumbs as it’s reborn as a year-round farmers’ market, thanks to a $130,000 in partnership funding from the Government of B.C.

Four people are getting work experience through a Job Creation Partnership renovating the fire hall that was built in 1949. The quartet of unemployed workers will help transform the classic building with the false front into a year-round market and agricultural hub that will also be headquarters for a local weavers’ club, theatre rehearsal space and a teaching space for courses on food production. It will also provide post-harvest storage for fruit and vegetables and a tool library from which local farmers and gardeners can sign out equipment like tractors, tillers and tools on loan from other farmers and gardeners.
Workers will get job experience in carpentry, construction and renovations, while learning about safe working practices over 28 weeks, ending May 29, 2015.
Job Creation Partnerships are part of the Employment Program of BC’s Community and Employer Partnerships, which fund projects that increase employability and share labour market information. To date, more than 480 job seekers have benefited from work experience and more than 120 projects have been funded throughout the province.
The Community and Employer Partnerships program is featured in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint that helps align training and education with in-demand jobs and provides more support to people who are struggling to gain a foothold in the job market or who face unique challenges. 

Regarding Fire Hall No. 1

Letter to the Editor

March 28, 2015

                                                     Arts and Culture

“ I support the arts and culture” became a well-worn phrase during Cranbrook’s municipal election in the fall of 2014. The first real test of that “support” is now in front of our recently elected Mayor and Council.

The Cranbrook and District Arts Council (CDAC) want to turn historic Fire Hall No. 1 into a vibrant new home for Arts and Culture, which would also continue the revitalization of our downtown. Our newly elected municipal government has a great opportunity to make this happen. How?

Take the notion of selling the Fire Hall off the table. This is an important piece of our history and our culture - it should remain as a public building.

Lease the Fire Hall to the CDAC and structure the lease so that if the Arts Council ever becomes insolvent, the building and all of the improvements return to the city without any compensation. A new roof, improved access for those with disabilities, and a greatly improved interior are not future liabilities for taxpayers.

If there are deficiencies in the CDAC’s Business Plan, have city staff work with them to correct the deficiencies and improve the Plan. This is common practice and demonstrates a partnership approach to improving our community. Improve proponent’s proposals is an important role for staff.

Include funding in the 5 Year Financial Plan to support the CDAC and their efforts to secure a long-term home. This demonstrates to potential grant funders and donors that Cranbrook really does support the arts. As a community we have borrowed and invested millions of dollars in recreation facilities to support healthy bodies. There is much to be said for investing in supporting creativity and healthy souls. 

There are hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants available in support of arts and culture. If that money doesn’t come to Cranbrook it will go to other communities. Having it come here supports our economy at no additional cost to local taxpayers.

There is a real opportunity here to ensure that “I support arts and culture” aren’t just hollow words…

Wayne Stetski

Earth Hour is TODAY. Please turn off your lights and electronics at 8:30pm. Make a statement.

Cranbrook did not even rank last year.  Will we care any more this year?

http://www.bchydro.com/news/press_centre/news_releases/2014/earth-hour-results-2014.htmlMar 30, 2014

Earth Hour: B.C. saves equivalent of turning off 1.4 million lights

Public encouraged to lower electricity usage year-round

VANCOUVER — British Columbians saved 65 megawatt hours of electricity and reduced the provincial electricity load by one percent during Earth Hour last night — the equivalent of turning off about 1.4 million lights.
Earth Hour encourages individuals to turn off unnecessary lights and electronics to demonstrate support for climate change reduction efforts. Earth Hour is an annual global event hosted by the WWF.
BC Hydro customers can view their energy use for Saturday evening by logging onto MyHydro — their online account at bchydro.com/myhydro. They can get an hourly breakdown of their electricity use.
BC Hydro provides tools, resources and incentives to help people conserve year-round. For more tips on how to be smart with your power, visit bchydro.com/powersmart. Since 2007, BC Hydro’s Power Smart programs have saved close to 4,300 gigawatt hours per year of electricity – enough to power 390,000 homes annually.
Earth Hour savings by year:

• 2014: 65 megawatt hours or 1 per cent reduction in overall provincial load
• 2013: 136 megawatt hours or 1.95 per cent reduction in overall provincial load
• 2012: 121 megawatt hours or 1.67 per cent reduction in overall provincial load
• 2011: 117 megawatt hours or  1.8 per cent reduction in overall provincial load
• 2010: 64.6 megawatt hours or 1.04 per cent reduction in overall provincial load
• 2009: 72.67 megawatt hours or 1.1 per cent reduction in overall provincial load
• 2008: 125 megawatt hours or 2 per cent reduction  

B.C. city-by-city savings 2014

• Whistler 6.0%
• Esquimalt 5.8%
• Lytton 4.6%
• Lumby 4.0%
• Victoria 3.7%
• Oak Bay 3.3%
• One Hundred Mile House 3.3%
• Saanich 3.2%
• Sidney 3.2%
• North Vancouver City 3.0%
• Prince George 3.0%
• North Vancouver District 3.0%
• View Royal 3.0%
• Highlands 2.8%
• North Saanich 2.7%
• Coldstream 2.6%
• Ladysmith 2.5%
• Powell River 2.5%
• Sooke 2.4%
• Richmond 2.3%
• Port Coquitlam 2.3%
• Campbell River 2.2%
• Port Alberni 2.2%
• Metchosin 2.1%
• Colwood 2.1%
• Langford 2.1%
• Sayward 2.1%
• Enderby 2.1%
• Spallumcheen 2.1%
• Squamish 2.1%
• Vancouver 2.1%
• Sicamous 2.0%
• Bowen Island 2.0%
• Burnaby 1.9%
• Langley City 1.9%
• Port Moody 1.8%
• Coquitlam 1.8%
• Lake Country 1.7%
• Vernon 1.7%
• West Vancouver 1.7%
• Nanaimo 1.7%
• New Westminster 1.7%
• Parksville 1.7%
• Salmon Arm 1.7%
• Anmore 1.6%
• Belcarra 1.6%
• Mission 1.6%
• Delta 1.6%
• Fort Nelson 1.5%
• North Cowichan 1.5%
• Comox 1.5%
• Courtenay 1.5%
• Peachland 1.3%
• Summerland 1.3%
• West Kelowna 1.3%
• Qualicum Beach 1.3%
• Central Saanich 1.3%
• Sechelt 1.2%
• Lantzville 1.1%
• Chilliwack 0.9%
• Kamloops 0.9%
• Surrey 0.9%
• Duncan 0.8%
• Maple Ridge 0.7%
• Langley District 0.7%
• Tofino 0.7%
• Ucluelet 0.7%
• Pitt Meadows 0.6%
• Abbotsford 0.1%

What's Happening...

Saturday March 28th

Mini Book Sale
Manual Training Building next to Library
9:00am - 4:00pm

Farmer's Market
Ktunaxa Gym
10:00am - 1:00pm

Sunday March 29th

Celtic Tenors at Key City Theatre
7:30pm

Monday March 30th

Shayne Koyczan
"Silence is a song I know all the words to."
Spoken word  artist, poet
7:30pm

Travelogue
Far Above the Clouds
COR Lecture Theatre 7:30pm
Gebhard and Sabine Pfeiffer and Patriocia and David Stock

How to Revive a Neighbourhood with Imagination, Beauty and Art

Supporting the Trans Canada Trail

part of the most recently developed part of the trail east of Cranbrook

Post Notes for the Council Meeting of March 23rd 2015

Councillor Popoff absent.

Public Hearing re Bylaw No 3819
OCP land use - light industrial to heavy on Theatre Road.
No presentations.

Delegation

5.1 Cranbrook and District Arts Council,  Sioban Staplin and Bill McColl.  Proposal to develop Fire Hall No 1 into an Arts Centre and Gallery
A considerable time was devoted to questions after this presentation.  Please refer to the report on eKnow for this item.

http://www.e-know.ca/news/arts-council-seeks-new-mou-old-fire-hall/

Bylaws

6.1 Bylaw 3817

To consider "City of Cranbrook Leisure Services Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3817, 2015", which adjusts Leisure Services Fees and Charges to reflect Council's direction to abolish the resident non-resident fee structure.
Adjustments to the Leisure Services fees and charges will result in a decrease to revenues of approximately $35,000 to $40,000 annually. Approximately $20,000 of this amount is reflected in Sports Pass purchases,while the remainder represents the additional fees non-residents paid for services such as aquatic admissions. It is expected that over time, increased usage from non-residents will gradually increase revenues, offsetting some of this initial budget impact.
The movement to abolish this system has been worked on for a number of years by the previous council.
Three readings. Carried.

6.2 Bylaw 3819
To consider third reading and adoption of a proposed amendment of the Official Community Plan to redesignate part of a property located on Theatre Road from a "Light Industrial" designation to a "Heavy Industrial" designation.
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=4645
Adopted

6.3 Bylaw 3820 Zoning
for above

6.4 Bylaw 3822

For Council to repeal Motor Control Center (MCC) Replacement - Spray Irrigation Facility Loan
Authorization Bylaw No. 3812, 2014 so that staff can proceed with a second alternative approval
process as set out in section 86 of the Community Charier to obtain elector approval on a borrowing
not to exceed $700,000.
Upon expiration of the statutory quashing period (which extends for one month after the adoption of
the bylaw), an application was made to the Inspector of Municipalities for a Certificate of Approval.
Unfortunately, the statutory requirement of having the deadline for submission of elector responses
be at least 30 days after the second newspaper publication was not met, being one day short.
Therefore, as the bylaw does not meet statutory requirements, it is prudent that the Motor Control
Center (MCC) Replacement - Spray Irrigation Facility Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 3812, 2014 be
repealed.
Staff is bringing forward, under a separate report recommendation, a new loan authorization bylaw
to initiate the second alternative approval process.
This item was first discussed and voted on in a January Council Meeting.  At the time the need for a new pump and contributing infrastructure was considered urgent.  Council was then informed the item was not as urgent as first thought but the pump still required replacement.  The pump cannot be replaced at this late date as spraying in the sewage irrigation fields begins in May. The City has used the Alternative Approval many times to approve this kind of loan. This time the requirements for submission were not met and the process must be repeated.  Councillor Graham suggested that the funds be found in a surplus account as the City does have healthy surpluses.  CAO explained that the surplus accounts are within recommended guidelines and such things as the 'Sinkhole Sunday' event, (partly casued by a pressure reducing fault and partly by aging water mains) including the severing of a high speed internet cable require surplus funds to be in place.  The estimated cost of severing the cable (alone)was estimated to be $25000. This item resulted in considerable discussion between CAO Staudt, Director of Finance Charlotte Osborne and Councillor Graham. 
Three readings to initiate the AAP process once more by repealing the original bylaw carried.

New Business

8.1  CBK Youth Project
To obtain Council's authorization to continue the City's partnership with the Cranbrook Youth Project, under the oversight of the United Way East Kootenay; and to enter into a contribution agreement with the Columbia Basin Trust for years 3 and 4 of the Cranbrook Community Directed Youth Funds project.
Carried

8.2 Finance and Computer Services
To appoint one member of Council and two alternate members of Council as Municipal Insurance
Association of BC (MIABC) voting delegates.
Councillors Wes Graham and Tom Shypitka.

8.3 Library Board Appointments
Sandy Zeznik and ?

10.1 Administration Update
Urban Deer, Media Release, North Star R2T, Damage to Fibre Optic Public Works, Sink Hole repairs
Please see:

https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=4652

Correspondence
 beginning:

12.1  https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=4654

Advance Council Notes for the Meeting of March 23rd, 2015, Council Chambers 6:00pm

Delegation

5.1 Cranbrook and District Arts Council,  Sioban Staplin and Bill McColl.  Proposal to develop Fire Hall No 1 into an Arts Centre and Gallery

Bylaws

6.1 Bylaw 3817

To consider "City of Cranbrook Leisure Services Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3817, 2015", which adjusts Leisure Services Fees and Charges to reflect Council's direction to abolish the resident non-resident fee structure.
Adjustments to the Leisure Services fees and charges will result in a decrease to revenues of approximately $35,000 to $40,000 annually. Approximately $20,000 of this amount is reflected in Sports Pass purchases,while the remainder represents the additional fees non-residents paid for services such as aquatic admissions. It is expected that over time, increased usage from non-residents will gradually increase revenues, offsetting some of this initial budget impact.

6.2 Bylaw 3819
To consider third reading and adoption of a proposed amendment of the Official Community Plan to redesignate part of a property located on Theatre Road from a "Light Industrial" designation to a "Heavy Industrial" designation.
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=4645

6.3 Bylaw 3820 Zoning
for above

6.4 Bylaw 3822

For Council to repeal Motor Control Center (MCC) Replacement - Spray Irrigation Facility Loan
Authorization Bylaw No. 3812, 2014 so that staff can proceed with a second alternative approval
process as set out in section 86 of the Community Charier to obtain elector approval on a borrowing
not to exceed $700,000.
Upon expiration of the statutory quashing period (which extends for one month after the adoption of
the bylaw), an application was made to the Inspector of Municipalities for a Certificate of Approval.
Unfortunately, the statutory requirement of having the deadline for submission of elector responses
be at least 30 days after the second newspaper publication was not met, being one day short.
Therefore, as the bylaw does not meet statutory requirements, it is prudent that the Motor Control
Center (MCC) Replacement - Spray Irrigation Facility Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 3812, 2014 be
repealed.
Staff is bringing forward, under a separate report recommendation, a new loan authorization bylaw
to initiate the second alternative approval process.

New Business

8.1  CBK Youth Project
To obtain Council's authorization to continue the City's partnership with the Cranbrook Youth Project, under the oversight of the United Way East Kootenay; and to enter into a contribution agreement with the Columbia Basin Trust for years 3 and 4 of the Cranbrook Community Directed Youth Funds project.

8.2 Finance and Computer Services
To appoint one member of Council and two alternate members of Council as Municipal Insurance
Association of BC (MIABC) voting delegates.

8.3 Library Board Appointments

10.1 Administration Update
Urban Deer, Media Release, North Star R2T, Damage to Fibre Optic Public Works, Sink Hole repairs

Correspondence
 beginning:

12.1  https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=4654

Water

World Water Day

I always remember a local person telling me, "Oh, we will never run out of water in Cranbrook."   I did not pursue the statement by asking for clarification but once the question becomes, "Water to drink?" "Clean water?" "Water to power the dams year round?" "Water to put out the fires?" "Water enough for food crops?" there is much more to consider.  We do indeed live in an idyllic place but by ignoring situations such as the California drought and fracking contamination in Alberta, it is not hard to see water issues are all around us. While we may be lucky enough to have clean water coming out of our taps every day, Cranbrook is not without its water issues.  One only has to look at the community's budget to see the large sums of money that must be spent every year to feed our water habit and keep the life sustaining need flowing.  An abundance of water does not mean that water, will continue in the future, to be available to us in the consumable forms most of us take for granted. Capturing it, filtering it and disposing of the contaminated effluent for twelve months a year costs time and money and the system will likely never be perfect and the task will only become more difficult.  

http://time.com/3753332/world-water-day-un-warning/

The World’s Water Supply Could Dip Sharply in 15 Years

·        

 Alice Park @aliceparkny March 21, 2015.

A warning ahead of World Water Day

Global water resources may soon meet only 60% of the world’s water demands, the United Nations warned in a dire new report.

The World Water Development Report, issued ahead of World Water Day on Sunday, says demand for water around the world will increase by 55% over the next 15 years. With current supplies, that means only 60% of the world’s water needs will be met in 2030.

The reason for the shortfall include climate change, which causes irregular rainfall and dwindling underwater reserves. The results of the shortage could be devastating to agriculture, ecosystems and economies. With less water, health could also be compromised.

New policies that focus on water conservation, and more optimal treatment of wastewater, could alleviate some of the shortfall.

“Unless the balance between demand and finite supplies is restored, the world will face an increasingly severe global water deficit,” the report says.

H2O keeps us all alive.  We in turn must keep clean water alive. 

A splash of Spring outside The Gallery

Primula and pansies - tough plants that can handle some cold temperatures.
















No matter how small the splash, it does remind us that Spring always arrives.

What's Happening....

Saturday March 21st

Cranbrook and District Arts Council
1:00- 3:00pm
In house Gallery Concert with
Randy the Gypsy Musician
Admission by donation

Locals Coffee House
7:30pm
Tickets at Lotus Books
Daren Welch, Vested Interest, Gitanes 5, Sophia Haglund, Josh norgard, Janine Grieve

Sunday March 22nd

Old Man Luedke
Two time Juno winner
Studio Stage Door
7:00pm
Tickets $30 the Paw Shop

Monday March 23rd

Council Meeting
City Council Chambers
6:00pm

Wednesday March 25th and Monday March 30th

Free Family Swim
6-7:00pm

College of the Rockies Lecture Theatre
7:00pm
Gebhard and Sabine Peiffer and David and Patricia Stock
Hiking in Nepal
Far Above the Clouds

Friday March 27th

Mini Book sale
Manual Training Building
for current Friends of the Library only
4:00pm - 6:00pm

Economic Development Officer Recommended Sale of Publicly Owned Heritage Fire Hall

UPDATE
This agenda item has been removed as of sometime in the am of March 20.

https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=4651

Cranbrook Report Recommendation

TITLE/SUBJECT, Options for the future use of Fire Hall #1

DEPARTMENT, Economic Development

COUNCIL DATE, March 23, 2015

SUBMITTED BY, Kevin Weaver

Options for the future use of Fire Hall #1

Economic Development

March 23, 2015

APPROVED BY CAO,

PURPOSE,

To seek Council's direction regarding the future use of Fire Hall #1 located at 37_11 th Avenue South(the "Property") and the proposal from the Cranbrook and District Arts Council (CDAC) for repurposing the property as the future home of CDAC and an arts centre for Cranbrook.

RECOMMENDATION BY, Staff

That Council direct Administration to have Fire Hall #1 , located at 37-11th Avenue South (the property), listed by the City's realtor for sale at fair market value on the MLS system.

ALTERNATIVE,

1) That Council direct Administration to issue a call for proposals to determine the level of

interest from organizations in addition to the Cranbrook & District Arts Council, including the private sector, for redevelopment and repurposing of Fire Hall #1 .

2) That Council direct Administration to draft, for Council's consideration, a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Cranbrook & District Arts Council (CDAC) to allow for a comprehensive assessment of the requirements for restoration and repurposing of Fire Hall #1 (including detailed costings) and refinement of the CDAC's proposed business plan.

3) That Council direct Administration to draft, for Council's consideration, a lease agreement

with the Cranbrook & District Arts Council (CDAC) for the leasing of Fire Hall #1 to CDAC at market rates based on:

a. 25 year term,

b. Lessee will pay market rental rates staring one year after the lease is signed

(estimated at between $16,000 to $20,000 annually) plus utility fees and annual

taxes,

c. Lessee will be responsible for all funds required for property restoration, repurposing

and operating costs of the proposed Arts Centre,

d. Restoration and repurposing of the property must be completed within two years of

signing the lease.

4) That Council direct Administration to draft, for Council's consideration, a lease agreement

with the Cranbrook & District Arts Council (CDAC) for leasing of Fire Hall #1 to CDAC at FIVE DOLLARS ($5 .00) per year based on:

a. 25 year term,

b. Lessee will pay $5.00 plus utility fees and annual taxes,

c. Lessee will be responsible for all funds required for property restoration, repurposing

and operating costs of the proposed Arts Centre,

d. Restoration and repurposing of the property must be completed within two years of

signing the lease.

5) That Council direct Administration to explore options for repurposing of the Property for

municipal use, for Council's consideration.

BUDGETARY IMPACT,

The budgetary impact of the Recommendation (sale of the property at market value) may generate revenues of approximately +/- $350,000 (less costs for relocation of the City's network data centre located in Fire Hall #1) plus annual taxes.

Alternative 3 (Leasing the property to CDAC at market rates) is estimated to have a net positive budgetary impact to the City of between $1,400 - $2,000/month ($16,800-$24,000 annually), plusannual taxes and utility fees.

Alternatives 1, 2, 4 and 5 are estimated to have no net positive budgetary impact and may have small administrative costs for the City to varying degrees depending on the Alternative.

Note: in the alternatives associated with restoration of Fire Hall #1 for CDAC's purposes

(Alternatives 2, 3 and 4) it is assumed that the City will bear no costs for restoration, repurposing and ongoing operations by CDAC of the property.

Governance for Non-profit Organisations - Workshop Opportunities

This April, join us in Cranbrook for two workshops tailored to not-for-profit organizations and transform your organization’s governance practices.

LEADING-EDGE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

April 10 & 11, 2015

Manual Training School

(Cranbrook Public Library)

SESSION 1: Board Fundamentals: Role & Responsibilities

This three-hour workshop will focus on board members’ key responsibilities and moves boards out of operations and into the “big picture”. 

Details: April 10, 2015, 3:00pm – 6:00pm l Manual Training School, 1212 2nd Street N.

SESSION 2: Board Fundamentals: Awesome Board Meetings & Strategic Recruitment

This workshop will focus on learning concrete tools to create engaging meetings, plus techniques and strategies to recruit new board members who are qualified and committed to your organization. 

Details: April 11, 2015, 9:00am - 12:00pm l Manual Training School, 1212 2nd Street N.

COST:

Session 1 - $110.00
Session 2 - $110.00
Sessions 1 & 2 - $175.00 

Vantage Point is a Vancouver-based, not-for-profit organization. We convene, connect and equip not-for-profit leaders through interactive learning that is immediately applicable and lifts organizational capacity.

Contact Information:

Nareena Switlo

Education Specialist, Vantage Point

T: 604.637.8297 | nswitlo@thevantagepoint.ca

If you would like to learn more about Vantage Point and the workshop series I would be happy to speak with you.

Please feel free to share with anyone that you think may be interested!

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you,

Helen Mirren on Kandinsky

Members' Newest Work at The Gallery

The window in the painting behind Clara and Kylie
 made this their favourite work, 'Prized Treasures' by Maria Maryniak

Cranbrook and District Arts Council latest exhibit is titled, "Members' Newest Work". 

With  school classes regularly visiting the Gallery for various exhibits, it was not surprising today to find two Grade Seven students visiting the gallery in their holiday to explore the latest selection of paintings. 

Their discussion around the exhibited paintings was educated and thoughtful including references to the media used to create the paintings and the points of interest within their favourite work.


A book of thanks can also be found within the gallery, from a class of elementary students who visited the' Let Them Run Salmon' exhibit. 

 

Wayne Stetski Well Endorsed as NDP Candidate

On Sunday March 15th Wayne Stetski was endorsed as the NDP candidate for Kootenay East by a well rounded group of people, Alex Atamanenko MP  BC Southern Interior, Michelle Mungal MLA Nelson Creston, Ed Conroy former MLA, Katrine Conroy MLA Kootenay West, Norm Macdonald MLA Columbia River Revelstoke, Ann Edwards, former MLA, Dr, David Schindler, Norma Blissett, Cranbrook City Councillor, Gerry Taft, Mayor District of Invermere, Paul Galbraith, Rancher, Gerry Wilkie, Regional Director RDEK, Dr, Suzanne Bayley, Crystal Green and Carley Eldred.

A packed room listened as all endorsers presented their reasons for supporting Wayne Stetski as the NDP candidate for our riding. Prior to the speeches guests contributed to broad discussions and recorded notes about their issues of concern and importance for this next upcoming election.

Juan Lee Sunn and Peter Alex Warland in the Gallery Saturday March 21st

ABOVE A WHISPER IN HOUSE GALLERY CONCERT SERIES

CRANBROOK & DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL

SAT MAR 21^ST 1PM TO 3PM                       #104-135 10^th Avenue South

ADMISSION BY DONATION                    Cranbrook, BC                       

Hailing form Nelson, BC and parts unkown He will be joined on stage by Cranbrook Legendary Musician Peter Alex Warland on bass and possibly a mystery guest on keyboard.

Pressure Reducing Station Failure Saturday Caused Multiple Water Main Breaks Across City

large hole close to Gordon Terrace School

From the City Website:

Cranbrook, BC (March 16, 2015) – Public Works water crews are expecting to be back on the scene of the last few water main breaks to wrap up the repair work today.

Crews had water restored to all the affected residents around 10:30pm Sunday night and will be working today to complete the repairs and backfill the excavated holes.  However, with the return of winter weather overnight, some crews have been allocated to snow removal operations and it could be late today before the additional staff is available. 

Four full water crews and machinery worked all day Sunday to restore water service after a failure in a pressure reducing station overnight Saturday which caused 8 separate water main breaks across the City and a serious sinkhole.   The cause of the failure was determined to be a faulty part, which has been replaced.

Some of today’s additional repair work may require crews to turn the water off for a short time.  Residents are reminded that as the water service is restored and the water turned back on, you could experience dirty or discoloured water. This is due to the water pressure stirring up sediment in the water lines. The discoloured water is not a health concern. Simply run your cold water tap until the water runs clear.

Birds are back

photos - Stewart Wilson

An ungainly heron balances on bended branch

Killdeer's distinct shrill cry is often heard before the bird is seen racing about on shore or grassland

Another Osprey nest appears to have been usurped by Canada Goose

Warner's Potluck Corner

Time to end the medical pot travesty

Perceptions by Gerry Warner

So Cranbrook is going to get a new industry. About time, you say and I agree except I’m not so sure about the industry being talked about, namely medicinal marijuana or “pot” as we called it in the good ol’ 60’s and we got high on it and never thought of the alleged health benefits.

However, Cranbrook Council, and the one before it for that matter, appears to be quite high on the prospect of making the Key City the pot capital of the Kootenays and taking the dubious distinction away from Nelson. But do our well-intended, if somewhat naïve councillors, have any idea of what they may be tripping out on? I don’t think so.

Is there money in devil weed? You might as well ask if the sky is blue or water wet. Health Canada estimates medicinal pot will be a $1.3 billion industry by 2024 and this has launched a veritable “greenwash” across Canada with producers from Halifax to Victoria chasing the elusive pot of gold. Not to mention Cranbrook’s idea to stick a pot factory in an industrial park somewhere with the mayor cutting a green ribbon on opening day.

But don’t throw your baggies away just yet because there’s an awfully big fly in this medicinal ointment because Health Canada is a bureaucracy, and like any government bureaucracy, has laid down some stringent rules for hemp entrepreneurs wanting to get in on the greenwash. So far, out of more than 1,000 applications from coast to coast, only around 20 have been approved as authorized producers of medicinal Mary Jane and the application process can take as long as two years. “They (Health Canada) are really an unfortunate bureaucracy under siege,” said Umar Syed, president of Cann-Mart Inc. in a CBC interview last June. Syed said would-be pot purveyors like him are “all dressed up and nowhere to go” as Health Canada struggles with a “tsunami” of applications. And the agency is rejecting many applications as it did last week with CEN Biotech which is seeking to build the world’s largest marijuana factory in Ontario and is accused in an investigation by the Toronto Globe and Mail of having “numerous misrepresentations” in its application and misleading investors. CEN Biotech then issued a statement saying said it will hash the matter out in court with Health Canada.

As of October, 2014, Health Canada refused 226 applications and issued only 22 licenses to producers with 291 still going through the tortuous process. The delays are hurting the companies wanting get in on the potrush. “They’re burning through money like crazy,” said Ottawa lawyer Trina Fraser in a CBC interview last November. “Everybody’s going bananas, out of their minds, frustrated with the process.”

Then there’s the little matter of whether the estimated 500,000 or so medicinal pot users in Canada, 80 per cent of whom are estimated to live in BC, are really toking up for the health benefits of the still-illegal drug or just recreational users of BC Bud and its numerous pale imitators. Shortly after April 1, 2014 when Health Canada issued its new regulations for medicinal marijuana producers the Canadian Medical Association issued the following statement:

“The CMA still believes there is insufficient scientific evidence available to support the use of marijuana for clinical purposes. It also believes there is insufficient evidence on clinical risks and benefits, including the proper dosage of marijuana to be used and on the potential interactions between this drug and other medications.” 

Hmmm. Not exactly a ringing endorsement, is it?

Despite this, the pot tsunami continues to crest on the Left Coast with illegal but tolerated marijuana emporiums springing up all over the Lower Mainland like pot plants after a summer rain. Vancouver alone has 20 storefront pharmacies offering services like cannabis oil massages, WiFi vapour lounges (sure to be a hit on Baker Street), and hemp juice bars. “We’d like to educate people that you can heal yourself without pharmaceutical drugs,” Matteo Suleyman, manager of the Sea to Sky Alternative Healing Society told CBC News after opening his second location on the east side of Vancouver complete with an in-house naturopathic doctor and a medicinal marijuana smoothie bar.

In a CBC interview, Const. Brian Montague said Vancouver police aren’t in a rush to bust so-called marijuana “pharmacies,” but the drug is still illegal and things could change. “While these dispensaries are not a priority, it does not mean they can’t become a priority if public safety becomes a concern.”

Public safety indeed! Don’t you think it’s time to end this farcical travesty and just legalize this dubious drug and its questionable health benefits and let people decide for themselves if  they want to inhale it, bake it, drink it or rub it into their skin? All we’re doing now is making lawyers rich and entrepreneurs greedy.

Gerry Warner is a retired journalist and a non-smoker of anything, including pot.

What Goes Around Comes Around

Same discussions fifty years later!  In which direction are we really moving?

Cranbrook Courier September 24th 1959

What's Happening.....

Ongoing
Cranbrook and District Arts Council Gallery
Members Latest Work
135, Tenth Avenue South
Hours Tuesday to Friday 11:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday 10;00am to 2:00pm

Saturday March 14th

St Patrick's day Tea
Senior Citizens hall
1 - 3:00pm
Judy 250-426-2436

Monday March 16th

Cranbrook Garden Club
'Gladioli' with Andy Krajewski
Christ Church Anglican Hall 6:30pm
Everyone welcome
1-778-517-1222

CARP The Canadian Association of Retired Persons
Informational meeting for beginning a new local chapter
10:00am Senior Citizens Hall

Tuesday March 17th

The Arrogant Worms
7:30pm
Key City Theatre

Wednesday March 18th

Go Go Grannies Travelogue
'Penguins' presented by Denise and Allister Pedersen
COTR Lecture Theatre 7:00pm

March 16 to 20

Theatre Boot Camp for kids between 9 and 15
Register at Key City Theatre or www.keycitytheatre.com

Bill C -51

Cranbrook’s Day of Action Against Bill C­51 will take place at noon on Saturday, March 14th on 2nd Street North between Kootenay Street and Cranbrook Street. 

From the Tyee:

http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2015/03/11/C-51-Six-Things-To-Know/

Six Things Protesters Need to Know about Bill C-51

Preventative arrest? Secret police? Rights lawyers break down anti-terrorism law.

By Alyssa Stryker and Carmen Cheung, 

At over 60 pages, Bill C-51 -- the Anti-Terrorism Act -- is a heavy read. The bill proposes a myriad of radical changes to Canadian law and to Canada's national security apparatus, many of which seriously jeopardize the rights and freedoms of Canadians while promising little improvement to public safety.Canada's privacy commissioner, ex-CSIS officials, former prime ministers and international whistleblower Edward Snowden have all raised alarm about the bill's impacts on Canadians' freedom and privacy. Lawyers at the B.C. Civil Liberties Association have gone over the bill paragraph by paragraph, and we've outlined the parts of this document that concern us most.

1. Bill C-51 drastically expands the definition of 'security.'

When you think of being secure, you likely think of being safe from physical danger. But Bill C-51 defines security as not only safeguarding public safety, but also preventing interference with various aspects of public life or "the economic or financial stability of Canada." With this definition, a separatist demonstration in Quebec that fails to get a proper permit, a peaceful logging blockade by First Nations, or environmentalists obstructing a pipeline route could all be seen as threats to national security.

For the entire article go to the link above.
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