Archives for May 7, 2020

Canada’s National Firearms Association demands the immediate removal of Bill Blair as Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and further, a public inquiry into the rationale and actions leading to the recent sweeping firearms ban.

Speaking from Prince George, BC, NFA President Sheldon Clare said, “From our analysis of yesterday’s regulation banning hundreds of thousands of semi-automatic firearms, and from the briefing with representatives from stakeholders, Public Safety, CBSA, Global Affairs, the R.C.M.P. and Justice, it is clear that the regulations were rushed through, and are ill-considered, unfair, and will cause harm. The Minister is either malicious or incompetent, and either reason warrants his dismissal.”

“The government has been arbitrary and vindictive in the way in which this was done. Last minute enabling changes to the law regarding what may and may not be classified are cause for grave concern about process and purpose,” stated Sheldon Clare, President and CEO of the NFA. “These regulations were clearly a rush job, and possibly violated international agreements regarding notice of significant changes affecting international trade. The rationale for this action is highly suspect and simply unsupportable on the facts. There was no emergency here – this is clearly a matter of social engineering and ideology, rather than sensible public policy,” Clare continued.

The NFA will also assist with any legal challege in federal court.

Does this now “illegal” pump action 12 guage shotgun seem like it fits the “military style assault weapon” category?

The gun is a Hatsan field escort 12 pump action shotgun for hunting.

Editor’s note – thank Earle

What is it?

The principal models being prohibited:

• M16, AR-10, AR-15 rifles and M4 carbine
• Ruger Mini-14 rifle
• US Rifle M14
• Vz58 rifle and CZ858 rifle
• Robinson Armament XCR rifle
• CZ Scorpion EVO 3 carbine and pistol
• Beretta Cx4 Storm carbine
• SIG Sauer SIG MCX and SIG Sauer SIG MPX carbines and pistols
• Swiss Arms Classic Green and Four Seasons series rifles

Which gun(s) (listed above) are the choice of hunters for deer, moose, bears and cougars?
Like to hear from guides and those in the business

The summer concert series at Tinhorn Estate Winery has been cancelled

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Freakin’ Farmer at Coverts and will not happen this year and organizers say last year
was the final year for it.

press to enlarge

Creeks, streams and rivers being monitored but the only report of flooding in the Faulder area west of Summerland. Some creeks running well – some dry, not wet, or weak flow.

As a public service ODN monitors creeks in our area – watching for any unusual activity.

“This website, at www.OkanaganFloodStory.ca is the culmination of two years of flood mapping in our valley. And it’s very clear that through state-of-the-art modelling that the potential for flooding is increasing with climate change. These maps are the first step in understanding and reducing our flood risk,” Anna Warwick Sears of OBWB stated.

In addition to the new flood maps, visitors to the website will find historical information on flooding in the Okanagan, how climate change is effecting flooding, as well as how residents and local government can reduce risk, prepare, respond, recover, and more.

“It’s definitely something we all need to pay attention to, as local government and as residents – we need to address this together,” added Sue McKortoff, OBWB Chair and Mayor of Osoyoos. “As we like to say at the OBWB, we are all part of ‘One valley. One water.’ What happens in one part of the valley, affects the next. And we all have a responsibility as Okanagan residents to build flood resilience.

“I know people like to live down on the water with the views, and be able to jump in their boats. But you know, there’s a reason why Osoyoos Indian Band didn’t build on the water. They knew what would happen,” McKortoff noted. “It’s too easy for people to be guided by their hearts and not their heads, until it’s too late. Having updated mapping, and concrete information that says ‘here are the best practices,’ will help residents make the right decisions, as well as local governments and even provincial and federal officials.”

Editors Note – map is of my home, the Mayor home, the MLA’s home and a lot more. Try it and see if you can make it work for you. Despite the words of the man on the TV it is not an easy interface for public information.

Former Kaleden resident makes second major donation to PRH

The number of hip surgeries performed at Penticton Regional Hospital could almost double thanks to a key piece of medical equipment acquired through a major donor’s gift.

Douglas Dewar has donated $235,000 to the South Okanagan Similkameen (SOS) Medical Foundation for a “C-Arm” to be used in tandem with the recently-acquired second specialized hip surgery table at PRH.

Erin Robitaille, a medical radiation technologist, explains that a C-Arm provides surgeons with a continuous Xray-like view of the surgical area.  “It essentially serves as the eyes for the surgeon in the operation room,” she said. 

The additional C-Arm and operating table allows for two hip surgeries to be conducted at roughly the same time in separate operating rooms.  The new David E. Kampe Tower at PRH has five operating rooms, compared to three previously.  As a result, surgical wait times are decreasing.

This is not the first time Dewar has made a major gift to the hospital.  In 2015, he donated $500,000 towards the new rooftop helipad at PRH.  Dewar was among the owners of Okanagan Helicopters, which evolved into Canadian Helicopters (now HNZ), and served as a company director from 1967-81. His family for many years owned the Banbury Green campground property in Kaleden.

Carey Bornn, Executive Director of the SOS Medical Foundation, said he’s obviously thrilled about Dewar’s latest gift.  “His donation reflects the incredible support our entire community has shown for PRH,” he said. 

Construction of Phase 2 of the hospital’s $312-million expansion, including a major upgrade to the Emergency Department, is due to be completed by the fall of 2021.

Erin Robitaille, a medical radiation technologist at Penticton Regional Hospital, demonstrates a C-Arm imaging unit used in many hip surgeries at PRH. 

Both the Oliver Chronicle and the Osoyoos Times have merged editorial content into one

newspaper and will begin to collect $1.25 for each copy – but it seems….. only at there offices.

We wish them the best.