Skip to content

RDOS directors discuss regional issues in casual discussion

Bits of information exchanged at RDOS board meeting Feb.16

 

Keremeos Director Manfred Bauer informed the regional district board that employment services in Keremeos had been reduced to the point where only $300 dollars per month had been allocated for office rental. He asked the board to put forward a letter outlining his concerns with the budget cutbacks that would result in inadequate employment service delivery. Other directors agreed with the request.

Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes told the board that recent RCMP walkabouts in the town’s main street business section was being well received by residents. The walkabouts were “going  very well” and did not require much effort, but were much appreciated by townspeople.

Area “D” Director Tom Siddon commented on the future regional benefits of last week’s announcement by the province of a correctional facility to be located north of Oliver. He told the board that it would be a tremendous economic benefit up and down the valley and commended Chief Louie on his vision to have a correctional facility on reserve land for the first time, and for the new programs he is contemplating.

Siddon told board members that increasing north - south traffic in the  South Okanagan as a result of the new facility could be used as leverage by local governments to solicit funds from higher levels of government to improve infrastructure in the area.

Oliver Director Ron Hovanes added levity to board discussions by jokingly suggesting that the Town of Oliver would be changing their slogan from “The Wine Capital of Canada” to: “Oliver  - A Place to Stay For Two Years, Less a Day.”

Summerland Director Janice Perrino told the board that she had discussed the jail site selection with ministry officials, who assured her the site selection was based on the fact that Senkulmen had existing infrastructure, noting that the Senkulmen Industrial Park contained adequate flat and serviced land for the facility.

 

Penticton Director John Vassilaki put forward a director’s motion requesting the regional board to draft a letter to representatives of the provincial and federal government requesting that consideration not be given to the Prime Minister’s recent statements with respect to increasing the age of eligibility for old age pensions to 67 years of age. Vassilaki requested a postponement of the motion for the March 1 meeting. Discussion indicated a desire on the part of the board to hear from MP Dan Albas regarding the matter, if possible.