THURSDAY
S I N C E
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MARCH 8, 2012 Vol. 117, Issue 48
Arson suspected in Grand Forks fires
110
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INCLUDING H.S.T.
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF
ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALM SALMO
Rossland among five bids for future home to ski museum BY GUY BERTRAND Times Staff
Rossland has been listed as one of the five locations vying to become the next home of the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame and Museum. In an interview with the Revelstoke Times Review, Chris Edgell, director of the museum, said that Rossland along with Revelstoke are among the four B.C. locations bidding to house the museum. Mont Tremblant, Que., joins Revelstoke, Rossland, Whistler and Grouse Mountain as the suitors hoping to provide a new location for the collection valued at $1.5 million. “Rossland and Revelstoke have an advantage in a way (because) they are museum oriented,” Edgell said in a telephone interview with Times Review editor Aaron Orlando. “You’re going to have a better ability to be precise with your budget.” Edgell, who is also leading the committee for the new location, said the deadline for interested parties to come forward was March 1. Rossland Mayor Greg Granstrom said the next step for Rossland is to establish a committee “to proceed with the development of a proposal.” “Rossland has had an effective and sustainable museum since the mid-1950s,” he added. Edgell explained to the Times Review that several factors would go into the final decision. “The collection will go to the best presentation, the best situation to sustain the collection and let it grow and get it in front of as many visitors as possible, “We’re remaining very flexible in terms of what each area can offer,” Edgell said. “I think that’s an important piece of the puzzle because everybody has a different view as to what the whole thing should look like. We’re looking for sustainability for the future.” He added the winning bid would likely involve a corporate sponsor. And that fits right into Rossland’s plans. “Rossland is extremely fortunate to have a great relationship with Teck Metals,” said Granstrom. “Cominco and now Teck have been active participants in the (Rossland) museum since its inception. Currently the city, the museum board and Teck Metals Limited are exploring the feasibility of adding a totally new dynamic to the museum.” Granstrom added that history is a cornerstone of the Golden City.
See FUNDING, Page 2
VALERIE ROSSI PHOTO
About 200 people from various local unions gathered at the Trail Cenotaph Wednesday prior to walking over to School District 20’s board office in support of teachers rallying against pending back-to-work legislation.
Unions rally against Bill 22 BY VALERIE ROSSI Times Staff
A group preaching “just say no to bully Bill 22” held a moment of silence at the Trail Cenotaph Wednesday to show their respect for those who’ve given their lives to defend Canadian rights and freedoms. Rights that are being violated with the pending bill that legislates teachers back to work, according to the Kootenay Columbia Teachers Union (KCTU). Andy Davidoff, KCTU president, calls it “ironic” that the Education Improvement Act attacks fundamental Charter of Rights and Freedoms and paves the way for major contract stripping
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and union busting. “This is not just about teachers anymore, this is about every public sector union in the province waking up and realizing that this is a test that the government is performing to see if they can see this through with teachers,” he said. “If they do, then every single one of them is going to feel the same sting of legislation.” About 200 people attended the event “highlighting the government’s lack of support for public education in B.C.,” which was led by the local teachers’ union but was supported by a number of other unions, who spread the same message as they marched through downtown to rally
outside School District 20’s board office. “Solidarity for all the unions – together we’re power,” said Ed Evans, Canadian Union of Postal Workers local 842 president for Trail and Rossland. “The same situation happened to us so we feel that we’re being undermined by provincial and federal governments now.” Evans is referring to the nation-wide postal strike last year that ended with back-towork legislation. The impeding Bill 22 will force an end to Phase 1 teacher job action and impose a six-month cooling off period, during which time a mediator will be brought in and
See TEACHERS, Page 3
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