B.C. BUDGET | Mixed reactions to province’s financial plan and degree of family support [A6]
Morning gStar
The
Friday, February 19, 2016
P R O U D L Y
S E R V I N G
O U R
N O R T H
O K A N A G A N
w w w. v e r n o n m o r n i n g s t a r. c o m
C O M M U N I T I E S
F O R
2 7
Y E A R S
2012 CHEVROLET VOLT STK# 16-142A
Only 40,500 kms!
$
*PLUS DOC FEE & TAXES.
26,900*
BANNISTER
4703 - 27th St. VERNON • 250-545-0606
GM DL#9133
PINK THE RINK LISA VANDERVELDE/ MORNING STAR
Derek O’Callaghan, a Grade 5 student from BX Elementary, blows his horn as the Vernon Vipers take on the West Kelowna Warriors during Wednesday’s special anti-bullying early game. Close to 1,800 students from throughout the Vernon School District were at the game at Kal Tire Place, which was held in advance of Pink Shirt Day Wednesday.
Band gets on board with rail trail RICHARD ROLKE
“We want to be part of the trail and the land claim is separate.”
Morning Star Staff
Okanagan Indian Band officials say they’re ready to make a rail trail a reality. The band has joined the inter-jurisdictional development team, which will oversee the planning and construction of the 47.5-kilometre rail corridor from Coldstream to Kelowna. “We want to be a good partner,” said Allan Louis, OKIB councillor. Last year, the band applied for an injunction to stop Canadian National’s sale of the rail corridor to local communities. The Commonage Indian reserve, which includes 22 kilometres of the rail corridor, was created in 1877, but the band says federal and provincial officials eliminated the reserve a decade later. The band insisted that when a portion of
— Allan Louis
the corridor ceased to be used for railway purposes, it should have reverted to band control instead of CN selling the property to the Regional District of North Okanagan, Lake Country and Kelowna. The injunction was denied and, as a result, the band council decided to join the trail development process. “We have chosen to move forward in a new direction to ensure our involvement and demonstrate our desire to engage in positive discussions with our neighbours.
As the cultural gateway to the Okanagan, council seeks to partner on investments that will have significant benefits to the region,” states a release. The band insists, though, that participation in the development team does not affect its title or the Commonage claim. “We want to be part of the trail and the land claim is separate,” said Louis. Some ideas are already being put forward for development of the corridor, including possibly cultural stations. “Some of our historic sites are along the corridor. First Nations have always been here and want to share that,” said Darcy Aubin, OKIB’s director of lands and economic development. It’s expected that the 2.5 kilometres of the corridor within the Duck Lake reserve will look the same as the rest of the trail.
“We’ve been instructed that it won’t cost us any money for construction and there will be fundraising. Perhaps there may be maintenance costs down the road,” said Aubin. The existing members of the inter-jurisdictional development team are pleased to see the OKIB involved. “We’ve always encouraged them to be part of this trail development group,” said David Sewell, Regional District of North Okanagan chief administrative officer. “Their goals and our goals are not mutually exclusive.” Having all of the local communities involved may help with obtaining grants for construction, says Juliette Cunningham, Greater Vernon Advisory Committee chairperson. “The federal and provincial governments like partnerships,” she said.
2016 TOYOTA
VERNONTOYOTA.COM
250-545-0687 3401 - 48TH Ave Vernon
DL# 30382
VISIT US AT
COROLLA CE
Would like to welcome WARREN WOODWARD TO THEIR SALES TEAM!
78 $ 6 3
$ THATS LIKE
LEASE FROM *
*
SEMI MONTHLY
PER WEEK!!
*See dealer for details, OAC. 2016 Toyota Corolla CE, Lease from 1.49%, over 60 month term, with $1,150 down, equal semi monthly payments of $78, total lease obligation $10,562, based on 20,000 KMS per year.
See Our Ad On Pg.
A13