First in the new year...

Greetings everyone,
     Happy New Year to all, this posting is a short one for this month.  Another may be added as information or issues arise at the next meeting.  It is scheduled for January 24th.  Any comments or inquiries are welcome.  May this year be prosperous for all.  Stay tuned...

Wow the end of 2011 is near...

It's already December, and this post will have a few items...
First, Season's Greetings and Warm wishes for the Holiday Season. As it is seemingly approaching quite expediently. Best of luck to all in the new year.
Second, congratulations to all those who were elected in the recent municipal elections. Thanks to those previous representatives who served on various councils or in their jurisdictions. We look forward to working with the present and newly elected representatives, in the next year.
Regional District: http://www.rdno.ca/

City of Vernon: http://www.vernon.ca/

Municipality of Coldstream: http://www.districtofcoldstream.ca/

Others can be included in comments, if anyone feels like some were missed.
Of course, comments and suggestions left below are passed on to the directorship.
We welcome all comments, regardless of subject.

Fall Update and Minutes

Hope everyone is enjoying the vibrant fall foliage colors. 

The Annual General Meeting minutes are available to view here for all who are interested.  If you would like a copy emailed to you, please email bxslca@hotmail.com and the corresponding secretary can process your request.

Don't forget to set your timepieces back 1 hour this evening, for Pacific Standard Time. 

November "Rememberance Day" ceremonies will be held the 11th of this month.  Our condolances to all who have lost members of families, past and present.  Comments are welcomed on these or your own topics.

Municipal Candidates Election Workshop 2011

Greetings:  Hope everyone has had an enjoyable summer (despite the varied weather).  The information below is presented for people interested in participating in local government.

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2011 Prospective Electoral Area Director Candidates Information Session
The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) is hosting an information session for individuals who may be interested in running as an Electoral Area Director candidate in the November 19, 2011 General Local Election.
The information session will be held as follows:
Date: Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Place: RDNO Boardroom, 9848 Aberdeen Road, Coldstream, BC
RDNO staff and the Board Chair will be available to provide an overview of the responsibilities of an Electoral Area Director and to answer any questions.
For further information regarding this information session please contact:
Christy Malden
Deputy Corporate Officer

250-550-3752
christy.malden@rdno.ca
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Congratulations to the "Interior Provincial Exhibition" on another successful year of activities and festivities.  We look forward (with anticipation) to next year's fair.

Also, We would appreciate comments (on this blog) regarding the local trails, their conditions, your use of them and anything else you would like to share.  This link below lists the trails (and parks).
http://www.greatervernonrecreation.ca/parks_trails/

Thanks.

July 5th, 2011 Emergency Management Info.

Hello all,

Here is some information to all residents who live in the Area C, Area B and BX/Silver Star Mountain Corridor. Pertaining to assorted natural disaster preparation. The following website can explain more in better detail. http://www.pep.gov.bc.ca/index.html

Association publication information: Also, the 2011 (unapproved) minutes will be posted when available. Here is some infomation on another bee species. The name of them is 'Blue Orchard Bee' that are very beneficial to orchardists and all 'flower lovers' as they are efficient pollenators. Link is below http://www.al.gov.bc.ca/apiculture/factsheets/506_osmia.htm

Some other general information on bees, wasps, etcetera can be found here (link is below) There are more websites available through an internet search.) http://www.thebeehunter.com/types-of-bees.html

AGM Minutes ...

Since the Annual General Meeting, there have been comments about the availability of the AGM minutes. Below this are the minutes of the 2010 AGM. The 2011 minutes of the AGM will all be posted when they become available. ****************************************************** Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the B.X./Swan Lake Community Association held March 24th 2010 at 7.00p.m at the B.X. Elementary School.Chair: Ray Ivey Present: Members of the executive, Electoral Area B rep Mike Gavinchuk, Electoral Area C rep Mike Macnabb, Speakers Dale Sibilleau (B.X firehall), Karmen Morgan (waste management RDNO), Anthony Kittle (Coordinator of Regional Growth Strategy project) and 35 -40 members of the public. 1.Call to order at 7. 00 p.m. 2.Guests introduced, Agenda presented. Question procedure explained. 3.MSC agenda be approved (Marg Bomford, Paul ) 4.MSC Minutes from AGM March 4th 2009 were approved as circulated.(Paul ? /Dennis?) NEW BUSINESS 5.Dale Sibilleau from B.X Firehall showed new address signs. Numbers are larger and stand on a stake on the roadway at the end of a driveway by. Can be ordered cost $ 40.00 including tax. Monies raised by the sale will be used to purchase an Automated Defibrillator 6.Mike Gavinchuk spoke to his past 15 months as the Electoral Area B Representative and upcoming projects particularly the installation of fire hydrants. He noted that many issues he has been dealing with have been going on for many years. 7.Mike Macnabb, Rep. for Electoral Area C outlined the major issues of concern at present – possibility of water devolution, and devolution of the parks in the area. Mike spoke to the concerns of constant annexation by the City of Vernon of areas within the electoral areas. Explained the electoral areas have no power to prevent the annexation while it is undermining the areas tax base etc. He stressed the need for local residents to have a voice in their community and he needs to hear their concerns. 8.Annexation. Mike Macnabb explained the process. The City of Vernon determines whether annexation can proceed. The City is using a “bundling process” and does not adhere to its stated annexation policy. B.X/Swan Lake residents have no voice since the governance structure favors the City. This City expansion is at the expense of the electoral areas while also penalizing City of Vernon taxpayers. Mike intends to take the initiative and after gathering solid data on the economic costs to the electoral areas will present the data to the Provincial Govt. Meanwhile he asked people to write letters and talk to their friends if they are opposed to annexation. Only other option is to incorporate. 9.Regional Growth Strategy. Anthony Kittle explained the project was designed as an action plan for the next 20 years. Phase 1 completed, Phase 2 2/3rds completed, Phase 3, the bylaw approval process is scheduled for 2011 completion. Several B.X./Swan Lake Association directors participated in various working groups. 10.Composting/Recycling. Karmen Morgan talked about composting. Earth Machine composters can be pre-purchased after March 26th and picked up April 24th. The cost will be $35.00. Any not sold will be available that day for $40.00. There is a free composting workshop May 1st at Xerindipity Gardens. RDNO has purchased a Styrofoam Densifier which reduces material 90 to 1. The end product is saleable. There will be drop off locations once the machine is in operation. 11.Greater Vernon Water Summary. Ray outlined history of water amalgamation since 2000 referendum. Goal was a single water utility delivering the same quality of water at the same cost to all residents of City of Vernon, Coldstream and electoral areas B and C. 2006 City of Vernon requested a service review due to dissatisfaction with water issues and lack of control. Indicated they wanted to withdraw from water distribution outside of the City. Matter went to arbitration. Arbitrator determined that he could not rule on partial devolution. City of Vernon has initiated a judicial review of the Arbitrator’s ruling. 12.Ray’s Rant. Ray fervently expressed his concerns re waste of taxpayers’ dollars in this water situation. Also the City of Vernon’s constant annexation of Areas B and C properties and lack of adherence to its own policies and bylaws. Ray requested residents bring issues and concerns to the Association. 13.Question Period. A variety of issues were raised and answered. 14.A.G.M. Business. Financial Report. Emmy submitted a report (on file). Balance on hand as of December 31st 2009 was $2,266.06. MSC that the unaudited financial statement for the period Dec 31 2008 to Dec 31 2009 be accepted.(Wayne Duncan/Al Bylsma) MSC that the Association not appoint auditors (Wayne Duncan/A Bylsma) MSC that existing Directors be reinstated. (Wayne Duncan/Karl Peter). Call for people interested in becoming Directors. 15. Meeting adjourned at 9.15p.m. ******************************************************

Websites for garden and agriculture information

(1) http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/gardens/article1602890.ece (2) http://www.growveg.com/growguides/growing-in-small-spaces.aspx?gclid=CLzt48WDpagCFSYZQgod3V9GHg (3)http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/growing-vegetables-in-a-small-garden-plot/ (4) http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/busmgmt/budgets/index.htm