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

NOTICE OF OUR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The BX-Swan Lake Community Association will be holding their Annual General Meeting. Where? Hillview Elementary School Gym 1822 Francis St When? April 28 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Information will be provided on the following; Water Rates Parks, Recreation and Culture Drought Response Growing Your Own Food Followed by Question period and AGM business.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH PARKS?

The BX/Swan Lake Community Association represents residents of Electoral Areas B & C and we believe there has been a lack of clarity in the information provided by/to the press regarding parks. We have been gathering public information about the current situation regarding the Greater Vernon Parks, Recreation and Culture Service (GVPRC) and trying to understand what issues prevent the service review from resolving these issues and constructing an agreement that will work for all four participants, those being The District of Coldstream, The City of Vernon, and Electoral Areas B & C. From the information we gathered as recorded and presented by Allen Neilson-Welch who has been the facilitator for the service review which has been on-going for a year now, there are ten categories that have been identified. There is general consensus on some of these categories, there is qualified consensus on some and then there are deal breakers. Because the City of Vernon has not responded to us we have not been able to determine The City of Vernon’s position on some of the categories which has resulted in a lack of clarity. The remaining three participants have responded and indicated their positions on all of the following categories: 1)Service Scope, 2)Local Parks, 3)Recreational Facilities, 4)Arts & Culture Facilities, 5)Arts Culture &Youth Programs, 6)Scheduling & Programming, 7)Service Governance, 8)Service Operation, 9)Service Costs, 10)Deal Breakers. The District of Coldstream along with the Electoral Areas B & C have indicated that in order for negotiations to continue, there has to be agreement on the future voting structure of the GVPRC Service Conversion and Service Establishment bylaw #1648. Currently, Coldstream and Electoral Areas B & C each have one vote, while The City of Vernon has 3 votes. As a result, currently, no one participant has control. However, if the 2011 Census determines Vernon’s population to be 40,000 or greater, then The City of Vernon will receive one more vote for a total of four. This fourth vote creates an imbalance that will force a detour away from the spirit of the original agreement . If all four of the representatives from the City of Vernon vote the same way, the City could control the outcome of every motion that required a vote. It is the wish of Coldstream and Electoral Areas B & C to introduce a method whereby fairness and a balance of power would be maintained throughout the life of the Service. If a sense of fairness and a balance of power can not be achieved, the service as we know it will probably cease to exist. No relationship will last without a sense of fairness, be it corporate, governmental or personal. The Excel spreadsheet with all categories and the positions of each participant that we were able to determine can be downloaded by clicking on "What's Wrong With Parks"

NOVEMBER ELECTIONS WILL BE HERE SOON!!!!

As you all know, in November we will have the opportunity to vote for our individual choice of who we want to represent Electoral Areas B & C. Currently, Area B is represented by Director Mike Gavinchuck while Area C is represented by Director Mike Macnabb. Each Director appoints an Alternative Director to take his place when the Director is unable to attend for whatever reason. Currently, the Alternate representative for Area B is Dale Winskowski and for Area C, is Leith Skinner. Come November, we may find that all or none of our current representatives wish get back into the harness for another term. The functions in these positions are not easy and they are time consuming. They require people with good sound practical logic, devoid of personal interests. They require people that understand the wishes of their Area residents and bring those wishes and positions to the Regional Board table with clarity. They must also be team players when required to do so, while also being able to act alone. They must possess a sense of fairness. Again, this is not easy, however it is VERY important. This next term is a crucial one with both Parks, Recreation and Culture, along with the Water Service facing the possibility of devolution. We think is is VERY important to get people informed and interested in these positions as quickly as possible so that there will choice amongst capably qualified individuals to assume these positions. If you are interested or if you know someone that is interested, please contact us at bxslca@hotmail.com or hivac@hivac.com and leave the appropriate contact information so we can get be in touch with you. Please give this very serious consideration so we will be prepared in November!!!!!!!!

FREE!ONLINE LOCAL FOOD DIRECTORY OPPORTUNITY!

FREE!ONLINE LOCAL FOOD DIRECTORY OPPORTUNITY! www.foodaction.ca This spring, Food Action is launching a Local Food Directory for the North Okanagan region. This Directory, which will be promoted widely, will feature listings of local food-related businesses that can easily be entered and updated by the business owners themselves, as well as a Map showing their location. The Directory is located at the Food Action website: www.foodaction.ca. In advance of this launch, we are contacting local food producing and processing businesses, to ask you to sign up for a free listing on this Directory. Food Action will be holding a training session for people interested in learning how to add and manage their own business listing on this Directory. This session will run from 9:00-10:30 am, on Thursday, March 17th, at the North Okanagan Employment Enhancement Society (NOEES) on 102-3201 30th Street (across from the Vernon Library, beside Service BC). If you would like to attend, please RSVP by Friday, March 11 to: Mary Stockdale/Shayne Wright Tel: 250-503-2506 Email: fasnowebsite@gmail.com If you cannot attend the training and/or would like to know more about this Directory, please contact us about how we can support you in getting your listing up and running. Membership to the Food Action Society not required, however we would welcome your support as we strive to improve food security in the region. Thank you!

The Regional Growth Strategy

The Regional Growth Strategy Bylaw No. 2500, 2011 received first reading from the RDNO Board of Directors on Feb. 16, 2011. RDNO will officially begin public consultation on Feb. 25, 2011. Links to the RGS Bylaw, the news release that will be going out tomorrow and the public consultation schedule will be available soon. The Regional Growth Strategy is available at www.rdno.ca/rgs and the survey will be up by Feb. 25, 2011 on the RDNO website