City Experiences Water Main Breaks

As reported to CBC by Chris Zettel

Corporate Communications Officer
City of Cranbrook

The fact that Public Works needs to repair 5 water main breaks in one day appears to be a bizarre occurrence to most people, but considering the age of the City’s infrastructure overall, our Public Works staff tell me it is not all that strange. The fact that the leaks occurred after a period of quite cold weather giving way to much warmer conditions is really just a fluke.

Three of the breaks are actual water mains, out under the street; two of the leaks are in fact service lines into individual properties and both are suspected to have been occurring for some time.    In fact is it is a much more common occurrence in the wintertime, because if a service line to a home leaks then, the water will bubble to the surface faster due to ground frost and the water has nowhere to go but up.   In the summer with no frost to contend with the service line to a home can leak all summer and no one would know.

In 2012, the City commissioned an Asset Management Investment Plan to look at costs around replacing our entire infrastructure (water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, road infrastructure).  The report places the total cost at about $463.5 million.  (This figure is likely overinflated because it takes into consideration the need to replace all the Pressure Reducing Stations (PRV’s) around the City and to completely replace the dam at the Phillips Reservoir which provides all the potable water the municipality needs).  That means the City of Cranbrook’s  overall infrastructure has decreased in value by $271.8 million, which mean the estimated cost just to bring our infrastructure up to where standards should be today, would be about $191.6 million.  

Cranbrook is not unique in its challenges in dealing with infrastructure deficiencies.  It is very common knowledge that every municipality across North America is dealing with failing infrastructure – some are in a much worse situation than Cranbrook – some are much better.   The biggest challenge is finding the necessary funding to deal with the issue – and that is something every level of government is trying to come to terms with.

Graham Bell skiis the Sochi Downhill

Happy Family Day

Thank You Stewart for your photos demonstrating all creatures are similar in many ways!

Flathead Wild, Conservation Meets Art

The reception for the Flathead Wild Exhibit was held on Friday February 7th at the Cranbrook and District Arts Council Gallery in Cranbrook.  Artists Laura Nelson, Simon Haiduk and Joseph Cross were in attendance and enlightened the many there about their wild painting experience.

This beautiful exhibit is on show until the end of February.

Laura Nelson with her painting 'Current Directions'

Simon Haiduk with his painting 'Roses Canyon Wild'

Marisa Phillips chatting with Robyn Duncan of Wildsight .  Wildsight initiated this project.

Joseph Cross with his pastel, 'Swimmers at Roses Canyon'

'Just Around the Bend' oil by Tara Higgins

Why not attend the Cranbrook and District Arts Council Valentine Tea on February 15th 11:30 am to 1;30pm and enjoy the exhibit at the same time.

Out and About with Stewart

Wrong Place Wrong Time

Stewart Wilson

On Sunday while the Rocky Mtn. Naturalists were on a geocaching walk at E.L. to learn about some of the history of the area, a Virginia  Rail was spotted feeding at the outflow. This was a great surprise because they are not typically found so far north in winter. The following day there was a pair but it was noticed that one had an ice build up on its beak but appeared able to feed. On Tuesday there was only one bird and even it seemed to be experiencing difficulty between cold and ice build up. Neither bird has been seen since. We wonder if both have been able to survive the extreme cold and have found a sheltered spot with open water?

If any one spots either one or two of these birds, we and the Rocky Mountain Naturalists would be happy to know.

Michael's Musings

Cranbrook and Castlegar move forward on health care as Feds get 'close to zero' grade on reducing wait times.

By Michael J Morris

As Cranbrook moves toward having a new medical centre, and Castlegar launches a family doctor recruitment program, the Harper government receives a grade of "close to zero" on reducing wait times for Canadians to see a regular family doctor.

According to news reports, it will be called the Baker Street Professional Centre as New Dawn Developments has formed a new business to take over the Baker Street Mall, formerly the Cranbrook Mall in the downtown area.

Reportedly it will contain two clinics for family practices, a physiotherapy practice and a pharmacy with space for other family doctors who wish to locate in Cranbrook. It is expected part of the plan will be in effect later in 2014.
Good news indeed as the centre will provide space for health care providers but it is also located in the downtown which needs revitalization.

Meanwhile, over in Castlegar the City and Regional District of Central Kootenay (Areas I and J) are each putting $10,000 into a fund to begin proactively recruiting doctors to the area, according to a report on castlegarsource.com retweeted by Kootenay Business, this week.

Apparently an ad hoc group took the initiative and a meeting was held with the the Chamber of Commerce, Castlegar mayor and council, and RDCK directors for Areas I and J.  Castlegar city councillor Florio Vassilakakis  said they will take “a whole different approach to the issue”, castlegarsource.com reported. Apparently it will follow a successful program undertaken in Creston.

Castlegarsource,com reported that Chamber of Commerce executive director Tammy Verigin-Burk said the money will be used primarily for promotional material, and to hire a recruiter working with Health Match BC, a service for doctors looking to relocate to our province.  “They screen for qualifications (ie: for international candidates) to help get doctors into BC towns,” she said. “That's often where it all falls apart."  She added, "hiring the recruiter means taking that extra step and ensuring the lifestyle and amenities here are a good fit for the candidate in question, so they'll be willing to stick around for the long haul and invest years in the community."

That's potentially more good news on the health care front in southeastern British Columbia along with the recent announcement that Selkirk College has created the Rural Pre-Medicine Advanced Diploma and Associate Degree Program to be offered at its Castlegar Campus. The program will offer students, not limited to Castlegar wanting to pursue a career in medicine a three-year opportunity to learn at a rural college starting in September 2014.

The developments on the medical front in Cranbrook and Castlegar are certainly most welcome, and show serious action is being taken. For the over 1,000 Cranbrook citizens who received a letter recently advising they would no longer be able to see a family doctor at one clinic, it's a sign that the situation may improve.
It seems that in many rural areas now, hospital emergency rooms are becoming "walk-in clinics", but in some hospitals service is reduced because they don't have enough  doctors to staff them 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

John Geddes reported in Maclean's magazine online on February 7 that as Stephen Harper's government marked eight years in power, the Health Council of Canada released a report that placed Canada dead last, among 11 prosperous countries surveyed, when it comes to how quickly patients can get an appointment with a regular family doctor.

Although Rona Ambrose, the federal health minister, issued a statement pledging to work with provincial and territorial governments on the wait time issue, Mr. Geddes says that  John Abbott, the council’s chief executive officer, described the Harper government’s level of engagement on the problem as “close to zero.”
Mr. Geddes adds a quote from Harper in the House of Commons in 2006: “In this country, there is a deal between the state and its citizens...  If they pay their taxes into a public insurance system, they are supposed to get necessary medical treatment when they need it.”

He also promised  “to act right away to make things better and faster.” 

The result eight years later: Canada Dead Last among 11 prosperous countries surveyed.

I wish those involved in the Baker Street Professional Centre in Cranbrook well with its plans, and much success to Castlegar on its initiative.   Hopefully, more will become involved in ensuring adequate health care for all citizens.  My email is  mj.morris@live.ca

Full disclosure: I am not now and never have been a member of the Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society; however, I did conduct a workshop for its members for which I was paid.

Business without Borders- Workshop Opportunity

It is not too late to arrange a workshop for your business.  Business Without Borders, a Welcoming Communities Project funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia, is offering workshops at no cost until March 31st 2014.

Every business owner or manager knows that competitive pricing is only part of what encourages customer loyalty. The entire shopping experience and working environment created by employers and staff can establish your business as the top choice for consumers.

College of the Rockies  partnered with the Cranbrook and District Chamber of Commerce and the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy for a free Business Without Borders Workshop for local business owners and managers, which was held on Wednesday, February 5th.

The Benefits of a Diverse Workforce and the BFOR Criteria, which helps to reduce employee turnover, are only two of the topics discussed and explored through group activities. Other topics include improving staff communication, developing loyalty and commitment as well as considering new Canadians in your succession plan.

Those interested in broadening business strategies to include finding and learning new ways to increase clientele and staff communication must register  to participate by calling the Cranbrook and District Chamber of Commerce at (250) 426-5914 or by email to businesswithoutborders@cranbrookchamber.com

Business Without Borders, a Welcoming Communities Project funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia, is offering workshops at no cost until March 31st 2014.

What's Happening.....

February 6,7,8.

Two One Act Plays
"Next" and "The Exquisite Hour"
Studio Side Door
Tickets Lotus Books
$15 non members $13 members

Friday February 7th

Reception for the Flathead Wild Art Exhibit
Meet some of the artists from this stunning exhibit
7:00pm -9:00pm
Refreshments
The Gallery
135. Tenth Av. S.

Ongoing

Cranbrook Library
Art Display with work
by the late Jimmy Warland

Tuesday February 11th

Romeo and Juliet
Ballet Jorgen
Key City Theatre
Tickets at the key box office or call 250-426-7006

Funtastik Singers
Sing a long with others who just like to sing
at:
The Gallery
135 Tenth Av S.
6:45pm - 8:15pm

So How Corrupt Are We Perceived to Be?

Click on to move around.
http://www.transparency.org/cpi2013/results

Penticton Deer

CBC News Posted: Feb 05, 2014 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/deer-droppings-lead-to-artistic-protest-in-penticton-1.2523625

Someone in Penticton, B.C., made and dropped off this deer scat sculpture on the steps of city hall. The Okanagan city has been overrun by urban deer, and approved a $15,000-project to relocate the deer, rather than instituting a cheaper cull. (City of Penticton)