Photo contributed

Cash results of Annual – Oliver Fire Department – drive thru Breakfast

Star Fish Pack – food to home program for weekends
It provides 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners and snacks for children over the weekend. Cost is just $575 to feed a child for a whole school year.

We greatly appreciate any donations and all funds go directly to the child. A backpack is filled up with food; it is then delivered to the school to go home on Friday with the necessary food for the weekend. Teachers find that many kids come to school Monday morning not having had dinner the night before, breakfast that morning or an adequate lunch for the day. This makes learning challenging for the student and for the teacher.

The first backpacks will go out on December 6th at a local Elementary School.

More information about the program can be found at Starfishpack.com. If you would like to make a donation please contact Sam Marsel at oliverstarfish@eastlink.ca
Sam Marsel

Credit Levi Hodson

Dear Mayor and Council:

On behalf of the Wine Country Racing Association (WCRA) we would like to appear before the Committee of the Whole December 2nd.

The Wine Country Racing Association is a registered non-profit society that was established in 2002 to give automotive enthusiasts a legal outlet to race their cars as opposed to street racing.

On June 2, 2006 the first ever agreement was signed with the Town of Osoyoos for 1/8 mile drag racing at the newly paved Osoyoos Airport. To date the WCRA has successfully completed 13 years of drag racing at the Osoyoos Airport with an average of 5 events per year. We would like to meet with the Mayor and Council to provide an update on WCRA as well as seeking opportunities for the future development of WCRA.

Asks:

1. Concern regarding proposed development at the Airport area that would deviate from a “Multi use” facility. As a stakeholder of the Osoyoos Airport we would like to be better involved and informed.

2. Develop a working plan to operate a 10 year agreement between the Town of Osoyoos and WCRA without obstructing the principal function of the Osoyoos Airport.

3. Change layout of Airport lands to make efficient and safe use for race car parking, return lane and spectators.

David Sabyan
Blair Ogilvy
Wine Country Racing Association

OVERVIEW

Prior to January 2019, elected officials were able to receive a non-accountable allowance for work expenses that were not taxable. RDOS Bylaw 2621, 2013 under 3(c) covered this allowance. The one third income tax exemption for this allowance has been eliminated effective January 1, 2019 as per the 2017 Federal Budget and Bill C44.

Income Taxes and CPP premiums are now payable on this amount, resulting in a significant reduction to Board Members stipends. A large number of Regional Districts were contacted and they have either implemented pay increases or are in the process now.

Independent committee of citizens appointed to review the facts and compensation elsewhere in BC with result below

Mule Sense

About 80 years ago M.R. DeHaan was invited to conduct a meeting in a remote Kentucky mission station. After alighting from the regular train he transferred to the cab of a logging train that wound around hills and boulders and over rickety bridges. His nervousness was lessened by the engineer who convinced him it would be a safe trip. He made the run daily. When they got within three miles of the mission station he was told that the balance of the trip would be on the back of a mule. He was warned not to use the reins are try to guide the mule. The mule knew the road best. Furthermore, by then it was so dark that Dr. DeHaan couldn’t even see the trail. He simply had to trust the mule.

When it was time to return the missionary took him back down the same trail in daylight. M. R. DeHaan almost fainted when he saw what it was like. It was a narrow, dangerous path along the side of the mountain. One misstep could send them 100 feet down into a chasm. He would have been very reluctant to go if he had seen it before on the way up. But the mule was confident and able.

It is best to trust the one who knows the way. Sometimes what we perceive as the way to go is not the wise choice.

The Lord will not lead us on the wrong path.

Henry Wiebe

Drop in and see what is left in stock

We don’t want to bring them home…everything needs to go. We’ll consider reasonable offers.  open 11-4 Monday to Friday this week

Open 11-4 Monday to Friday this week only –  till everything is gone.

Oliver Place Mall 1400 5955 Main Street
Oliver
Phone 498-3448

A recent judgement from the Tax Court of Canada reaffirmed the strong case to be made for creditor proofing your investments with segregated funds.

Earlier this year, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) attempted to seize the death benefit of a segregated fund account that was paid to the two daughters of an individual who had passed away. The two daughters were named beneficiaries of their father’s account that was invested entirely in segregated funds.

While this account was used solely for investment purposes, being a segregated fund means that it falls under the insurance act of Canada and not the bank act. Therefore, when it comes to taxation and estate matters, it is treated as a life insurance policy for tax purposes.

In its submissions, the CRA relied upon subsection 160 of the Income Tax Act which states, among other things, that when someone transfers property to a non-arm’s length person (such as a child) without proper consideration, the recipient may be on the hook for income taxes owing by the transferor. When assets pass outside of the estate of a deceased person, the CRA will often use section 160 to attempt to pursue the funds to pay taxes otherwise owing.

However, in this case the investment assets were held in segregated funds and as mentioned above, they are treated in the same manner as the proceeds from a life insurance policy. With that in mind, the court found that the money paid out to the two daughters constituted life insurance proceeds payable to named beneficiaries and they did not form part of the father’s estate nor were they subject to pursuit through the section 160 clause.

This decision proves as a great reminder of the benefits of segregated funds and helped reaffirm the legal status of segregated funds and the features that they possess. In addition to providing creditor protection (whether from the CRA or an outside party), they also bypass the estate as a whole which can greatly reduce estate and probate costs. And let’s not forget about the guarantees they provide as well.   For non-registered investments, they can also provide some additional tax savings and reduced accounting costs as well.

Like most other investment options, segregated funds can be purchased in a wide variety of options and properly understanding the type of investments and fees involved is important. While some segregated funds carry substantially higher fees, others can have the exact same fee structure as comparable mutual funds – which means you get the added benefits of creditor protection and tax savings for free!

Make sure you speak to a Certified Financial Planner, properly licensed to advise you on segregated funds.  Before investing in something new, do your research and don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions to ensure it is the right decision for your situation.

This column is written by Michelle Weisheit CFP, IG Wealth Management and presents general information only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any investments.  Please contact your own advisor for specific advice about your situation.

About 9 km east of Oaxaca is one of the biggest, if not THE biggest, trees in the world, El Tule.

It was measured in 2005 to be about 116 feet high, but with a circumference of 128 feet, and a diameter of 46 feet.

It’s a Montezuma cypress, and could be 2000 years old–or so.

Publisher: Still looking for a big tree closer to home

Oliver man charged for Indecent Act

Oliver

File # Oliver RCMP 2019-4744

A 32 year old man has been charged with sex related offences after an incident at an Oliver park in August 2019.

On August 21, officers from the Oliver RCMP were approached by a young person who reported they were at Lions Park when a man who appeared intoxicated exposed his genitals to the young person and their friends. The young person provided a description of the man and officers immediately conducted a search of the area. Within minutes, officers located the man who was arrested for public intoxication and for performing an indecent act.

The BC Prosecution Service has charged Dexter Makortoff of Oliver with one count each of exposing genitals to a person under 16 and committing an indecent act in a public place.

The Oliver RCMP commend the young person for immediately reporting the incident to police and providing a good description of the man. This allowed for a very quick arrest of what appears to be an isolated incident, said Sgt Jason Bayda – Penticton South Okanagan Similkameen Regional Detachment Media Relations Officer

Where?

Can you find me a bigger tree to shoot? (that’s pho-tag talk)

PENTICTON – Today, in Ottawa, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh announced that MP Richard Cannings (South Okanagan—West Kootenay) would return as Critic for Natural Resources in the shadow cabinet. Cannings has also been appointed Deputy Critic for Transport.

“It’s a privilege to continue serving in our caucus and I’m very pleased that Jagmeet has trusted me to take on these two important roles,” said Cannings. “In terms of priorities, we want to make sure that people are set up for success in a low-carbon future. That means we need to ensure that workers aren’t left behind during necessary transitions and proper investments in re-training and job creation in clean energy sectors are being made.”

Cannings’ role as Critic for Natural Resources combined with his involvement on the Transport file uniquely positions him to be a champion for addressing climate change. Working toward innovative solutions like ensuring energy efficiency in buildings, homes, and public transit are priorities for the new NDP caucus. Forestry is also an important priority in the Natural Resources file at this difficult time for that industry, and Cannings hopes to promote value-added opportunities that would support both domestic and export markets.

“We recognize that people are worried about the climate crisis but they’re also concerned about making ends meet and looking after their families. We want to make sure that we’re helping everyone build a good life while taking care of the environment for future generations,” said Cannings. “We have a really great team and I’m confident we’ll work together to get results for Canadians.”

Cannings was first elected in 2015 and served as the Critic for Natural Resources in the previous parliament.

50+ vulnerable families; only 36 sponsors = a lot of sad kids this Christmas

With just a month to go until Christmas, kids all over town are joyfully and excitedly counting down the sleeps until the big day. The Kiwanis Club of Oliver needs your help to make sure that Oliver’s most vulnerable kids get to celebrate the season too.

For the past many years, our local Kiwanis Club has run ‘Share the Spirit’, a gift-giving program that matches sponsors (individuals, families or groups) with families in need. We’re desperately short of sponsors this year. Last year, we matched sponsors with 46 families in need. The need keeps growing: this year, we expect more than 50 families to qualify for sponsorship. So far, only 36 sponsors have stepped forward. If we can’t find more, kids from more than a dozen vulnerable families could find the Christmas season bleak and gift-less.
Who can sponsor and what’s involved?

You can be a sponsor! Or you and your family, you and some friends, you and some colleagues. Sponsoring is a meaningful way to support community, a great opportunity to think about what really matters at Christmas, and a huge learning opportunity for kids.

Sponsors are given a family-specific wish list, focused mostly on gift ideas for the children in your adopted family. The financial commitment can be whatever you feel able to offer. All gifts must be dropped off at the Air Cadet hanger on Saturday, December 14th and will be delivered by volunteer drivers to sponsored families on Sunday, December 15th.

Who can be sponsored?

All families chosen for sponsorship are carefully screened and referred by the Food Bank, Desert Sun Counselling Services, the Oliver Boys and Girls Club or a local school. Many of the sponsored families are single parents; some are physically or mentally compromised and unable to work; many are working poor making minimum wage and struggling to get by. All are sponsored anonymously.
Show us your heart, Oliver: Please volunteer today to help Share the Spirit! We are trying to confirm all sponsors by Monday, December 2nd.

For more information or to sign up, call June at 250 498 3264 or email Benita at mbbaerg@telus.net.

Photo by earth-mover Paul Johnson

Skiff of Ice on Ox-bow
Thicket
North end of Lion’s Park

School District 53 South Okanagan Similkameen

The Ministry of Education has released the six-year completion rates for 2018/19 for our district. The Board is pleased to see improvement with Indigenous learner completion and anticipate an even stronger completion rate for 2019/20. Reported six-year completion rates for Indigenous learners is 65.4% – up from previous year of 56.3%.

Board of Education Report November 20, 2019

Following are some highlights of items discussed at the regular Board of Education meeting held on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. District staff reported on a number of field trips that occurred over the last few weeks. Included in these trips were the SESS Grades 10-12 Photography and French trips to Camp Tulahead in Princeton and the OSES and OSS trips to We Day in Vancouver. The Board would like to thank the teachers leading these trips for exposing the students to these varied experiences and learning opportunities.

The Ministry of Education has released the six-year completion rates for 2018/19 for our district. The Board is pleased to see improvement with Indigenous learner completion and anticipate an even stronger completion rate for 2019/20. Reported six-year completion rates for Indigenous learners is 65.4% – up from previous year of 56.3%. This is the highest rate of completion in the past five years. There will be further information on this item presented at the December Board meeting.

Superintendent Young, Secretary-Treasurer Paliappa along with Teacher Melia Dirk attended the first multi-ministry (Education, Health, MCFD, Provincial Child Care Council) Early Learning Summit on November 8th. The purpose of this summit was to demonstrate the Ministry of Education’s leadership in early learning, present the current research and evidence on social and financial benefits of investing in early learning, discuss school-age childcare and listen to school district/community stories. Superintendent Young also had the privilege of sitting on a panel to share the District’s story on the seamless extended day and our partnerships with third-party providers.

The Board was pleased to hear that on November 14 the Ministers of Health, Finance, and Education made an important announcement concerning vaping regulations and an education campaign in BC. The new regulations target product access, flavours, nicotine content, packaging, and advertising, and intends to increase taxes on vapour products, to protect youth from risks associated with vaping.  The Board would like to thank the many other Boards of Education and the BCSTA who joined with us in advocating for these changes.

We are pleased to have once again received a grant to support action plans and capacity building in the area of mental health and well-being. This grant is in the sum of $30,500 and will support several areas including Social Emotional Learning, Trauma Informed Practice and Mental Health Literacy. These initiatives will be further developed through district counselors and administrators.

Rob Zandee, Chairperson School District No. 53 (Okanagan Similkameen)

High resolution picture
Use mouse to enlarge to full screen

“British Columbia is the first province in Canada to enshrine the human rights of Indigenous peoples in law. Bill 41, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples act, passed unanimously on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019.

“The legislation establishes the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the foundational framework for reconciliation in B.C., as called for by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The provincial government developed Bill 41 in collaboration with the First Nations Leadership Council, which was acting on the direction of First Nations leaders throughout the province. A commitment to adopting the Declaration is a component of the Confidence and Supply Agreement between the B.C. government and the BC Green Party caucus.

“This legislation advances a path forward to true reconciliation for all of us in B.C. that will uphold Indigenous rights and create stronger communities, stable jobs and economic growth.

“It is time we recognize and safeguard Indigenous peoples’ human rights, so that we may finally move away from conflict, drawn-out court cases and uncertainty, and move forward with collaboration and respect. Ensuring that Indigenous peoples are part of the policy-making and decision-making processes that affect them, their families and their territories is how we will create more certainty and opportunity for Indigenous peoples, B.C. businesses, communities and families everywhere.

“Any future changes to bring provincial laws into harmony with the UN Declaration will be done in consultation and collaboration with Indigenous peoples, with opportunities for engagement with local governments and stakeholders such as business and industry. Changes won’t happen overnight – this will be a gradual, step-by-step process over time.

“The development of an action plan – in collaboration with Indigenous peoples – with regular reporting to monitor progress will provide a transparent and accountable path forward on reconciliation in B.C.

“Working together, we have made significant progress in the past two years and we have seen critical advancements with affordable housing, child welfare, language revitalization and revenue sharing. This legislation will help us build upon this progress and make a real, meaningful difference in the lives of Indigenous families and everyone in B.C.”

Signed:
Scott Fraser, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation; Regional Chief Terry Teegee, BC Assembly of First Nations; Cheryl Casimer, First Nations Summit; Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Union of BC Indian Chiefs; and Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands and member of Tsartlip First Nation

Joint Grant with RDOS – Indigenous Cultural Safety & Cultural Humility Training –
Council supports a joint grant application with the RDOS to the UBCM Indigenous Cultural Safety &
Cultural Humility Training program. The Indigenous Cultural Safety & Cultural Humility Training grant is to support emergency management personnel with cultural safety and humility training
so that they may effectively partner with and provide assistance to Indigenous communities during times of emergency.

2020 Water Rates Amendment Bylaw
Council gave three readings to the Water Regulation Amendment Bylaw 1351.06. The bylaw increases rates by 4%, with 2% allocated to the Gallagher Low Head Siphon repair and 2% allocated to water operations. The bylaw will be adopted in December with the rate increase effective January 1, 2020.

Gallagher Lake Water Siphon Loan Authorization Bylaw and Temporary Borrowing Bylaw
Council gave three readings to the Gallagher Lake Water Siphon Loan Authorization Bylaw 1391 and Temporary Borrowing Bylaw 1392. Council is proceeding with the Gallagher Lake Low Head Siphon Repair, with an estimated cost of $11.48M. The repair will be offset by a $5M grant from the Provincial Government. In order for the Town to access the $5M from the Province, a borrowing bylaw must be adopted for the Town’s portion of the Gallagher Siphon project. The Temporary Borrowing Bylaw provides short-term working capital for the Town while the project is under construction. The project is expected to take 20 months to complete and commence in mid-2020.

Development Variance Permit – 5717 Sawmill Road –
Council approved Development Variance Permit 2019-029. This application received a variance from 90.0m2 to 145.0m2 to construct an addition to a garage that will be used as a hobby room with a small bathroom.

Temporary Use Permit – 5829 Sawmill Rd –
Council approved Temporary Use Permit 2019-23. This application received a two-year temporary use permit to operate an animal shelter.

Bylaw Adopted

1. Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw 1370.02 and Zoning Amendment Bylaw 1380.10 – Vacation Rentals
2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 1380.11 – 312 Chardonnay Avenue – to rezone

Unanimous vote taken -against this idea.

Mayor Martin Johansen says:

“Topics of discussion around the request included future tax exemptions, benefits to the developer, impact on rental rates etc. One item of concern centered around the current DCC Bylaw review. As this review is not complete, we do not have the information to know if our DDC projects are properly funded moving forward and if we were to approve this request what would the impact be on future DCC levels. Based on the discussions and that answers to many of these questions are unknown, Council choose not to support the staff recommendation at this time.”

Initial recommendation from staff that went before council:

That Council direct Staff to bring forth amendments to Development Cost Charge Bylaw No.1172 to provide a 50% reduction for not-for-profit rental housing and for-profit affordable rental housing under the provision of a housing agreement registered on title.

Development Cost Charges are paid by a developer through the creation of new parcels via subdivision and during construction of a multi-family, industrial, or commercial building. The purpose of DCC’s are to assist local governments in the capital costs associated with providing, constructing, altering or expanding sewage, water, draining and highway facilities as well as providing and improving park land.

The affordable housing project at 5931 Airport Street is requesting a waiving or reduction of the $225,000 DCC’s payable at time of building permit issuance. The current DCC Bylaw No. 1172
does not have provisions for waiving or reducing DCC’s for affordable housing buildings, or any of the “eligible developments” listed in Section 563 (1) of the Community Charter. The Town of
Oliver is in the process of drafting a new DCC bylaw which could see provisions included for reductions or waiving of DCC’s for these types of projects. The Airport Street development is set to commence in early 2020, prior to the adoption of the new DCC bylaw in mid to late 2020.

Staff are seeking Council’s direction on the appetite for reducing or waiving DCC’s for affordable housing, which will in turn give the BC Housing project team some further comfort in their
budgeting process. Staff will work on the details of the bylaw amendment based on the recommendation from Council. At this time, Staff do not recommend waiving or reducing DCC’s for supportive living housing or the subdivision of small lots designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or for developments that are designed to result in a low environmental impact. This is primarily for the reason that these options have not been thoroughly explored at this time.

Staff are recommending amendments to the DCC bylaw to include provisions for reducing DCC’s by 50% for non-for-profit rental housing or for-profit affordable rental housing projects with a
housing agreement registered on title. This agreement would ensure that the form of tenure of the housing units are limited to rental tenure. This agreement would require that housing units
be rented for an initial monthly rate that is less than the median market rent levels most recently published by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The agreement will also be required to be valid for at least 20 years. Staff considered that a 50% reduction is a win-win, in that it assists and encourages necessary affordable housing projects in our community, while
also continuing to provide funding for future capital projects.

Randy Houle, Director of Development Services said this amendment to the bylaw would result in a decrease in DCCs received by the Town, which help fund future capital projects.

“That being said, this amendment can be viewed as the Town’s contribution to much-needed affordable housing projects,” he said.

Council heard discussion that the DCC bylaw needs to be reworked and revised and until such time that that project complete…council should not be granting relief.

Houle noted the new affordable housing project at 5931 Airport Street is requesting the waiving or reduction of the $225,000 in DCCs.

The bylaw currently has no provision to waive these fees.

Houle said staff do not recommend waiving or reducing DCCs for supportive living housing or developments that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

But Houle indicated that staff could consider a 50 per cent reduction as a win-win situation that assists and encourages affordable housing projects in the community.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

Report

B.C. firm delivered microtargeted political ads without consent

AggregateIQ failed to meet its obligations under Canadian privacy laws when it used and disclosed the personal information of millions of voters in British Columbia, the United States and the United Kingdom, an investigation has found.

AggregateIQ Data Services Ltd. (AIQ) is a Victoria-based company that provides election-related software and political advertising services. AIQ has been linked to Cambridge Analytica, a company caught up in a global scandal involving the microtargeting of voters in various political campaigns.

The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada jointly conducted the investigation, which focused on whether AIQ was meeting legal obligations relating to consent and safeguarding personal information in connection with work it performed for certain political campaigns.

The two offices found AIQ failed to ensure appropriate consent for its use and disclosure of the personal information of voters. The company did not take reasonable steps to ensure that consent obtained by its international clients was valid for its practices in Canada. As well, the company did not take reasonable security measures to protect personal information, leading to a privacy breach in 2018.

“It is imperative that the activities of tech companies operating across borders respect privacy obligations in all jurisdictions in which they operate,” said Michael McEvoy, information and privacy commissioner for British Columbia. “That is especially the case when it comes to handling sensitive information like the psychological profiles described in this investigation report.”

Daniel Therrien, federal privacy commissioner, said, “The AIQ investigation shows how sensitive personal information can be used by political campaigns to sway voters. This highlights once again the urgent need for law reform to protect democratic processes and the fundamental human right to privacy. The federal government has said that Parliament should study how to bring federal parties under privacy legislation. We urge the government to move quickly with this review and amend the law.”

The AIQ investigation was launched after media reports raised concerns related to that company’s involvement in the 2016 Brexit referendum on the U.K.’s membership in the European Union. Subsequent reporting linked the company to political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica and SCL Elections Ltd. (SCL), its parent.

AIQ worked with SCL on various U.S. political campaigns between 2014 and 2016. These included midterm elections and a presidential primary campaign.

OK River Boys. Picture taken at the Legion – Date unknown  in the 50’s – recorded a song.

Picture surfaced from Marlene, daughter of Cec Byer

Guess: – Red Hoffman – far left

The bass player in back is Harold Thompson, Byer’s brother-in-law.

Cecil Scott Photograpy – used to be located at Wilcox corner and home on either side of the street.

“Early 50s called the Okanagan River Boys. They started in 1948, and cut a record in Oliver that I would love to get a copy of.

Clyde Billups; Guitar and sang (standing with black hat)
Ed Glasier – Drummer
Archie McGlivery – Violin
Roy Degenstern – Accordion
(Boy) Johnny?- Singer
Vern Dowart – Piano
Red McGellen –
Guitar Harold Tompsin – Base

above in quotes supplied by
Gerry Roberts,
Michael Gluckner website Vanishing BC and Bonny Billups

Thanks to all for the info and the story that continues to unfold
If there is an inconsistency in spellin’ it is the way the info came in.

Radiation fog occurs when the warm earth starts to cool at night, producing cold air near the surface and warmer air above it.

Advection fog occurs when warm, moist air moves into an area of colder air.

How about a guess?

What time will it lift?

9:30am – blue skies returned – trees frosted – waiting for cooler temps

Starting December to the end of February, landfills in Penticton, Oliver, Okanagan Falls and Keremeos will have reduced winter hours.

Over winter, all landfills will be closed all statutory holidays and Boxing Day.

The Oliver Landfill opens later on weekdays in winter. From December 1 st to the end of February the Oliver Landfill is open Noon to 3:45 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 3:45 pm on Saturday.

The Okanagan Falls Landfill will be closed Saturdays over winter but remains open from 10 am to 1:45 pm on weekdays.

“smokin’ in the valley”

Heather Rose has been appointed as District Principal of Student Support Services School District No. 53 (Okanagan Similkameen effective January 1, 2020.

Ms. Rose comes to us from School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha). She holds a Master of Education degree in Administration and Leadership as well as certificates in Transformative Educational Leadership and Violent Threat Assessment Level 3. Ms. Rose is currently Principal at Trout Creek Elementary School. She has previously been the Principal at Kaleden Elementary School and Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia Okanagan.

The Board of Education welcomes Ms. Rose as district principal and wishes her success in her new role.

No picture supplied

Recommendation:

That the Town of Oliver participate in a joint grant application with the RDOS to the UBCM Indigenous Cultural Safety & Cultural Humility Training program; and That Council supports the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen to apply for, receive, and manage grant funding on the Town of Oliver’s behalf for Indigenous Cultural Safety & Cultural Humility Training

The Indigenous Cultural Safety & Cultural Humility Training funding stream is being offered by the UBCM to support emergency management personnel with cultural safety and humility training so that they may effectively partner with and provide assistance to Indigenous communities during times of emergency.

The program offers increased opportunities to educate emergency personnel on the history of Indigenous Peoples, as well as the concepts of cultural safety, cultural humility and the relevance to Indigenous Peoples. Learning outcomes would be in the context of emergency management and could include such subjects as:

• recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ unique connection to the land and the concept of Indigenous worldviews and knowledge
• identifying key historical events marking the history of Crown-Indigenous relations in Canada.
• recognizing the concept of inter-generational trauma and resiliency and how it affects contemporary Indigenous Peoples
• improved individual and collective abilities to work effectively with Indigenous Peoples
• identifying, discussing and addressing individual and structural barriers to reconciliation

As with the housing needs grant and community child care questions recently before Council, it may be beneficial to submit a joint application with the RDOS to offer the training regionally, and to qualify for the maximum grant of 100% funding in the amount of $25,000.

Recommendation:

That Council direct Staff to bring forth amendments to Development Cost Charge Bylaw No.1172 to provide a 50% reduction for not-for-profit rental housing and for-profit affordable rental housing under the provision of a housing agreement registered on title.

Development Cost Charges are paid by a developer through the creation of new parcels via subdivision and during construction of a multi-family, industrial, or commercial building. The purpose of DCC’s are to assist local governments in the capital costs associated with providing, constructing, altering or expanding sewage, water, draining and highway facilities as well as providing and improving park land.

The affordable housing project at 5931 Airport Street is requesting a waiving or reduction of the $225,000 DCC’s payable at time of building permit issuance. The current DCC Bylaw No. 1172
does not have provisions for waiving or reducing DCC’s for affordable housing buildings, or any of the “eligible developments” listed in Section 563 (1) of the Community Charter. The Town of
Oliver is in the process of drafting a new DCC bylaw which could see provisions included for reductions or waiving of DCC’s for these types of projects. The Airport Street development is set to commence in early 2020, prior to the adoption of the new DCC bylaw in mid to late 2020.

Staff are seeking Council’s direction on the appetite for reducing or waiving DCC’s for affordable housing, which will in turn give the BC Housing project team some further comfort in their
budgeting process. Staff will work on the details of the bylaw amendment based on the recommendation from Council. At this time, Staff do not recommend waiving or reducing DCC’s for supportive living housing or the subdivision of small lots designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or for developments that are designed to result in a low environmental impact. This is primarily for the reason that these options have not been thoroughly explored at this time.

Staff are recommending amendments to the DCC bylaw to include provisions for reducing DCC’s by 50% for non-for-profit rental housing or for-profit affordable rental housing projects with a
housing agreement registered on title. This agreement would ensure that the form of tenure of the housing units are limited to rental tenure. This agreement would require that housing units
be rented for an initial monthly rate that is less than the median market rent levels most recently published by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The agreement will also be required to be valid for at least 20 years. Staff considered that a 50% reduction is a win-win, in that it assists and encourages necessary affordable housing projects in our community, while
also continuing to provide funding for future capital projects.

Recommendation:

To grant a temporary use permit for a pet shelter

The subject property is zoned RS1 (Residential Low Density One) and is designated by Official Community Plan 1370 as LR (Low Density Residential).

The subject property is approximately 1,350m2 (14,531ft2) in area and has a single family dwelling and two accessory buildings constructed on it. The subject property is located in the southeast corner of the Town and currently has a business licence issued for a home occupation (animal grooming). The surrounding pattern of development is a mix of low density residential and industrial uses. Earlier this year it was brought to Staff’s attention that the owner is also operating an animal shelter/rescue on the subject property without proper zoning in place allowing for the use. The intent of the proposed application is to formalize the use on a temporary basis. This will ensure that the animal shelter remains a proper fit for the neighbourhood prior to approving a site specific zoning amendment to allow it on a more permanent basis.

Proposal: The applicant is proposing to utilize existing structures on the property to operate an animal shelter. Animal Control Bylaw No. 1224 places a maximum of two cats and two dogs over 6 months in age per residence.  Given the number of cats and dogs that may be situated on this property, a temporary use permit to permit an animal shelter in the RS1 (Residential Low Density One) is required.

Prompt:  He had found something that would mean he’d never be poor again—but there was a catch.

THE HORN OF ENOUGH

Wading through the surf of the Adriatic, on the island of Coscu, he stumbled as his foot hit on a sharp object.  He bent down to retrieve it so no other bather would be bothered by it.  Through the few inches of surf he saw a pointed bone-like thing.  He dug around in the soft sand, and soon it was released in its entirety—a six inch horn-like shape, with a metal base.  He held it up to look more closely and rubbed sand from it.  When he touched it, the metal base fell open and Drachmai coins began to spill from it.

They looked like the ones he had been spending.  So he picked them up.  And so began Sam McCuchkin’s tale of the Cornucopia of Coscu.

After World War II, Sam resigned from the Canadian Navy.  He was now a Merchant Marine, sailing from St. John’s Newfoundland.  He was serving as the second mate on a freighter out of Halifax that had just landed in Athens to offload its cargo of Durham wheat.  The ship’s company had three days shore leave, so Sam, not one for the bars of port towns, had booked a trip on an interisland ferry, and here he was on Coscu.

Sam was perhaps uneducated in the generally accepted sense.  But he was smart.  He knew the horn was most likely an artifact, a really old one.  Perhaps Roman.  Perhaps Greek.  Whatever, it was treasure, and as such the government of Greece had a claim to it.  So he took it to a seedy second-hand shop near the harbour.  But a shop with credibility.  All of the sailors went there if they found something.  The owner, one Ionescu, treated them fairly.  As far as they knew.

Ionescu was a small man, dapper in a white linen suit with a bandana tied around his neck.  He touched the horn with reverence, opened the base gently, and looked inside.

“Yes…” he breathed.  “Lovely.  There is an inscription on the reverse of the base.”  He nodded into his half-lens glasses.  “As there should be.”

“So,” said Sam.  “What does it say?  And how old is this thing?”

“The verse is written in an ancient form of Greek.”  Ionescu smiled.  “Or should I say ‘curse’?  I love it when I can rhyme in a foreign language.”  He smiled even wider.   Ionescu was a second hand dealer in a Greek port, but he had enjoyed an extensive liberal arts education and seldom got a chance to exercise that area of his expertise.  He really was a frustrated classical scholar.

“I can translate.  But to make it meaningful, I will need time.”

“Why?” asked Sam.

“Because poetry needs reflection.”

The next day Sam, with the horn, met with Ionescu.  The Greek had worked from a copy of the inscription.  “So.  I could read you the Greek, ancient as it is.  I believe this is a cornucopia—you are familiar with that word?—from the fifth century BCE.  But it is a jest.  A joke.  Cornucopiae were made from the largest bull horns, representing plenty.  This is one of the tiniest horns, from the female capra ibex.  So delicate.”  Then he smiled at Sam slyly.  “Small, as in not a horn of plenty.  In any case, I have a translation for you.  The inscription says, give or take for the oddities of ancient Greek:

‘You, Hornfinder is blessed to be hale and healthy.

You will never be poor.  But you will never be wealthy.’

“Ooh,” said Sam.

Ionescu grinned.  “Not the worst fortune in the world.”

“And not the best,” said Sam.  “Anyway, what do I owe you?  I appreciate…” he paused.  “Your poetry.”

“To be honest, you should never part with the relic.  The inscription is not a curse.  And how about $50.00 American?”  Then he slapped himself on the forehead.  “Wait.  Who am I dealing with?  $100.00.” He smiled.  “You will always be able to afford that…or anything.”

Back in Port McLeod, on the western edge of Newfoundland, Sam McCutchin enjoyed a fine and early retirement.   When he drew down his savings account to purchase a cabin on the shores of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, just beyond the township, he paid, and then, within minutes, the money was returned to his account.  Depositor unknown.  When he handed a five dollar bill to a hobo, he found another in his wallet.  So he began giving out twenties, then fifties.  He donated to every village charity.  He single-handedly ensured that the Christmas hampers were filled beyond their capacity; the local school teams finally had the funds to go to sports finals in St. John’s; the town medical centre became a hospital.   And deserving high school graduates had their tuition and related costs paid for their attendance at Dalhousie, in Nova Scotia.   Sam always donated anonymously, but the townsfolk knew.

Sam McCutchin was still healthy and active at ninety-eight years old when his heart gave out.  The village grieved for its benefactor of some sixty years.  In memorium, they named a park that included a children’s playground and the local museum, after Sam.

The little capra ibex horn, with some other memorabilia from Sam’s seafaring days, sits demurely in a case in the McCutchin Museum.  Strangely, that museum is always adequately financed through visitor donations.

1954
I was 7
The mint printed a one hundred dollar bill shortly after Elizabeth became Queen

So where is this scene from…..?

Thanks to my old pal – Steve Arstad

Let us set the scene
Sunday 11:30 am – someone decides they need gas

Not fully aware of the signage, the grade of the hill down to the pumps  – we proceed anyway

Yes officer, I agree we have a large truck, a heavy boat on a very long trailer….but we need gas.

Thanks to No. 5 for the tip

Them not You

I’m in pain and I’m blaming you. Well, not exactly you, but them.

For thirty years I took a small dose of an over the counter mild anti-inflammatory every morning and it was enough to keep my arthritis at bay and allow my body to function. Then – under doctors’ orders – I had to stop. Their logic made perfect sense.

Six weeks later I was off to see a specialist for an unrelated matter. She was surprised to see me struggle to get out of the waiting room chair and make my – obviously painful – way to her office. I explained. She authorized a prescription anti-inflammatory drug.

Within days I felt much, much better. One of the other doctors said to me, you will regret this.

Fast forward through ten months of freedom of movement, strength, and agility – and no pain. And because we were renovating, I was working from sunrise to sunset with no problem. Life begins at seventy.

And then it happened. OK. I get it now. And yes, I regret it. But I had things to do and I did them and for that I have no regret. OK. I regret the time I have lost since. OK. I regret costing the health care system such expense.

So, where does that leave me?

The doctors say, ‘take acetaminophen’ (ie Tylenol) and I say that does nothing for the inflammation and stiffness and they say they know that but it will keep me out of the hospital.

Given that probably eighty per cent of the people who die do so in a hospital, I want to stay out.

I’m willing. I acquiesce. I accept. I am compliant. If it keeps me out of the hospital, I’ll take it.

BUT – great, big, capital BUT. You, well maybe not you, but them, are making this difficult.

On the rare days when a few extra-strength Tylenol were not enough, I would move up to T-1’s. A little bit of codeine but no prescription needed. Most of the time, that worked. And for the really bad days, doc had prescribed some T-3’s – a little more codeine. I hardly ever took one; a few would last forever.

But you can’t get T-1’s anymore. I’ve been told that they are no longer made.

But you can’t easily get T-2’s or T-3’s by prescription anymore because the government has put up a paper wall. Besides, I don’t want to take that much – I just need a little bit of relief.

So, on days when I really hurt and I am really irritable and I am in a mood, I blame you.

Well, not exactly you, but them.

You know them – every policy wonk and legislator who thinks one more requirement, one more rule, one more regulation, and one more restriction will solve all the problems of society and not create any unintended consequences.

They – them – can’t feel our pain, can they?

Stuart Syme

We are looking to give away some money to a local somebody needing assistance with schooling.

Women of Oliver for Women Society (WOW)

Education Award

Women of Oliver for Women Society (WOW) sponsors an Education Award to adult women residing in the South Okanagan who have a financial need and are currently enrolled in a vocational/skills training program or an academic degree program. Application deadline is November 30, 2019. For more information and application forms check out our website.

Saturday we will be going to restaurants around town to promote “bring your own to-go box” campaign,  and hopefully the restaurants will want to put up stickers.

The campaign is more about a customer bringing their own to- go container in order to reduce single use containers at restaurants. Thus reducing waste but would also save the restaurant money.

Sets moving to Frank Venables Theatre

SOAP Theatre’s Christmas production, Bob’s Your Elf, by Canadian playwright Norm Foster, brings both new and familiar talent from Oliver and Osoyoos to the Venables stage starting November 29.

Norm Foster, an Officer of the Order of Canada, is considered Canada’s most produced playwright. An extremely prolific writer, Foster has had more than fifty plays produced on professional stages. Other well-known plays of his that have been produced by SOAP in the past include The Melville Boys, The Long Weekend and Old Love. Frequently compared to American playwright Neil Simon, Foster pens plays that are known for their humour, accessibility, and insight into the everyday tribulations of life.

Seasoned director, Denny Kaulback is piloting his first performance since moving to Oliver from Revelstoke two years ago.  He tells us that “In today’s social climate, with division and discord coming from all directions, it is theatre’s role to provide essential relief from tension and to support the ideal of tolerance and acceptance.  This is Bob’s lesson. Bob is a stubborn elf, set in his ways, who is sent by Santa to learn co-operation, team spirit, and how a group of individuals can accomplish great things if they all pull together.” Denny is ably assisted by Assistant Director, Lyn Kaulback, whom some will remembered from her roll in SOAP’s 2018 production of Old Love, also by Norm Foster.

New actor, Joe Rupcich, takes on the role of Bob, the ornery elf who is ‘bumming out’ the rest of the North Pole crew. What can Santa (Bertie Barens) do to teach Bob a lesson about compassion and cooperation? How about exile in the small Canadian town of Thithleville to help a less-than-competent group of thespians stage their Christmas play that needs some serious work? Bob soon finds himself among a strange assortment of defective, home-town characters, starting with an officious stage manager, Les Banter (Connie Mythen) and an exasperated show director, Gordon Ford (Nathan Linders). Add in a couple of Thithleville actors with their own baggage, Fiona Putzle (Donna Macbeth) and Amber Faircastle (Chelsea Cameron-Horner), and we get a perfect teaching opportunity for Bob!

Can Bob save the Thithleville Thespians from pending theatrical disaster? Can he learn his lesson about cooperation and compassion? ​There will be laughs, silliness, confusion and some tender moments before we know the answers in time for Santa’s big night.

Bob and the crew are supported by the SOAP Bubbles, a children’s Christmas choir put together by Nathan Linders specially for this performance! “It is a great joy to see youngsters come out for theatre; and maybe, just maybe, we will see some of them in future plays,” observes Director Kaulback.

“It takes a great deal of talent, hard work and commitment to bring a theater play to production,” adds recent SOAP recruit and show producer, Clem Jones. “I am proud to present this Christmas production and I would like to thank our cast and crew, along with all our sponsors and volunteers and the business folks who allowed us to place our posters in their business windows.”

Bob’s Your Elf plays five performances at the Frank Venables Theatre in Oliver: Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:00 pm from November 29 through December 7, plus a 2:00 pm matinee on Sunday, December 1.  Reserved seating tickets are available online at www.venablestheatre.ca, at the Ticket Office (6100 Gala Street) or by phone (250-498-1626). Some tickets are also available at Your Dollar Store With More in Osoyoos. Buy tickets early for best seat selection and for discounts off the regular, day-of-show prices.

We look forward to seeing you all at this whacky family comedy! Merry Christmas!

THE INCONVENIENCE OF THE HUMAN BODY                      

As my body ages I find it is getting a will of its own.  It no longer responds to all the commands I give it and I find it is very frustrating to not be in total control of all its functions.

I recently moved into a nice condo which is very convenient, except for one thing, I have no private yard.  Gone are the days when, upon crawling out of bed, I could open the door and let the dogs out into the yard to perform their morning duties.  Nowadays, after seeing to my immediate bathroom needs, I leash my little dog and take her outside while she does hers.

As this first outing takes place around 7.30 am, I put on a rather ratty, fleece robe, adorned with polar bears, and head to the great outdoors.   Fortunately, my third floor suite is opposite the door to the stairs, so down the thirty six steps we go, to the back door.  Baggie in hand, I lead Daisy to the edge of the property so she can perform her duties off site.

The dog is not daft, she knows that as soon as she squats, she will be taken back inside, so she likes to sniff around and take her time, while I cool my heels and all other body parts, as the wind whistles round my legs.  Once duties have been performed, we head back to the door.  This is where my legs take one look at the steps and immediately rebel.  Each of the thirty six steps taken quickly, on the way down, now seem to have increased in height and number for the journey back up.  I stagger up, hanging onto the stair rail and finally reach the top of the steps and the sanctuary of my own front door.

My breakfast consists of two cups of Keto coffee. The diet I am on does not allow bread or indeed any cereals, so breakfast consists of two large cups of coffee, each one containing a teaspoon full of butter and some whipping cream. Yes I know it sounds weird, but it is working for me.  This fills me up until lunchtime.  The trouble is that coffee acts as a diuretic so I always need to know the location of the nearest bathroom.

My bladder has been my enemy for as long as I can remember but the older I get the more of a traitor it becomes.  This is a problem for many women who have borne children so I know I am not alone in this problem.  Why then do they not put more stalls in women’s washrooms?  Women’s needs are very different from those of men, we do not have a handy hose that we can whip out for convenient quick relief, so the line up in women’s washrooms is usually long enough to strike up conversations in.

One of the worst problems with a weak bladder is public transport, especially plane journeys.  For long journeys, I take a window seat so I do not get my head banged with passing carry on luggage.  I can also take a nap against the window and have the added convenience of being able to tuck my purse, books, etc, down between my feet and the aircraft wall.

The fun begins when my bladder alerts me that it is ready to be emptied.  Smiling apologetically to my seat partners I excuse myself and climb over all their accumulated paraphernalia which is lying all over their seats and the floor.  Once out in the aisle, I take a minute to arrange my legs into the walking position, this takes longer as I age and unless I want to stagger down the aisle like Quasmodo, I need a few seconds to get going.

There is undoubtedly a long line up at one end of the plane, as many people decide they also need to go at this particular time, I turn to go the other way but find the drinks cart on it’s way, blocking the aisle in that direction.  I stagger in the original direction, lurching into sleeping heads that are lolling off seatbacks and into the aisle, apologising as I go, I manage to wake up several passengers.

I join the waiting throng who are all looking longingly at two engaged signs on the toilet doors.  Slowly, the line edges forward then we are alerted by a tinkling of a bell and the dulcet tones of the hostess informing us that we are experiencing turbulence and need to return to our seats.  A couple of the diehards, including myself, pretend we do not hear the message, hoping to get to the bathroom.  Another sterner message comes over the speaker and the man in front of me gives up and turns to go.  I really do not care at this point if the plane is about to crash land, my bladder can resist no more and I defiantly enter the stall.  The relief is wonderful and I frankly don’t give a darn about the voice outside the cubicle admonishing me to return to my seat.  If we crash, I will not be identified as the woman with the wet pants, and that is very important to my self esteem.

I honestly don’t know why there is not an option to pay for a seat with a built in toilet, like a commode chair.  How comfortable I would be sitting on my throne, drinking as much liquid as I care to and not having to make the nightmare journey to the restroom.  I could just go in my seat and nobody would be any the wiser except maybe for the smug smile on my face.

A new tradition

Despite any roadblocks – the “lit” went off without a hitch. Busy downtown, multi-venue presentations, great bonfire and fireworks

To Mary, Petra and Linda and many more I did not know about – a job well done. The choral groups, pictures with Santa, CIBC, Interior Savings, Dance Studio, H and R Block and the great little party in the Oliver Hardware building at Oliver Shoes, a brand new store and the Art and Photo Gallery inside.

May the new venue for the “Christmas Village” grow over time. May more merchants head to Main Street to set up shop. And to light up.

Special mention to the Oliver Fire Department and the crews at the Oliver Parks and Recreation… and let’s not forget about Santa…..