KAMLOOPS THIS WEEK TUESDAY
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SEPTEMBER 16, 2014 | Volume 27 No. 110
TODAY’S WEATHER
Sunny and hot High 30 C Low 13 C
HISTORY AT PLAY THIS FALL
ANOTHER HER COUNCIL CIL CANDIDATE ATE
Mike O’Reilly joins the growing owing list of those seeking a seat
Tale told at Tranquille
A7
B1
Premier Clark and cabinet arrive in Kamloops tomorrow CAM FORTEMS STAFF REPORTER cam@kamloopsthisweek.com
RED BRIDGE CLOSED FOR A MONTH
If you were planning to drive across the Red Bridge this week, it’s time to find another route. From now and continuing for about a month, the span between the city and the Tk’emlups Indian Band reserve will be closed to vehicles as the province performs repairs and maintenance, including resurfacing of the deck. The project’s budget is $500,000. In a press release, the provincial Ministry of Transportation said it wants to have the work completed before the city embarks on its approximately $9-million rehabilitation of Overlanders Bridge, set to begin in 2015. The Red Bridge will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists, but the ministry said there will likely be some daytime delays on the bridge’s sidewalks as well. Cars will be allowed back on the crossing some time in mid-October.
J.WALSH & SONS HEATING & PLUMBING
Kamloops teachers plan to relocate the site of a study session from its original venue at McArthur Island to a location in Aberdeen, across the street from where Premier Christy Clark and members of the B.C. Liberal cabinet will meet tomorrow (Sept. 17) with city business representatives. But, the president of the KamloopsThompson Teachers Association, David Komljenovic, said striking educators are not plotting to shut down the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce luncheon event. Tomorrow’s event is the first meeting of its kind in Kamloops, with most or all of the B.C. Liberal cabinet joining Clark at the Kamloops Coast Hotel and Conference Centre. Cabinet members will be seated at tables with local chamber and industry representatives, who were able to book tables with specific ministers. An official with the premier’s office declined to comment on the event, other than to state in an email message that “cabinet does routinely meet in different parts of the province from time to time.” The luncheon was moved from originally scheduled venue Thompson Rivers University to the Aberdeen hotel. Kamloops Coast owner Ron Mundi donated $15,000 to the party in 2013, the same year Clark appeared at a grand re-opening event at his hotel and conference centre. Kamloops Chamber of Commerce president Aleece Laird said the unprec-
LOOK WHAT’S NEW!
KTW FILE PHOTO
Premier Christy Clark and members of her cabinet will appear at a luncheon in Kamloops tomorrow — and will likely be met by striking teachers if a settlement is not reached in the education labour dispute.
edented opportunity for local business and industry representatives to speak with cabinet ministers recently came available. She said the venue change was at the request of the province and she is not aware of the reason. The event is not a fundraiser and tickets sold by the chamber reflect the cost of lunch as well as the venue, she said. Kamloops-South Thompson MLA and
Transportation Minister Todd Stone said the premier made a commitment during the election to hold cabinet meetings outside of Vancouver and Victoria. Cabinet will meet in the morning, break for the luncheon, and sit again in private in the afternoon. Similar meetings have been held in Prince George and Penticton. Laird said attendees were able to request tables with specific members. The chamber is nearing its goal of selling 300 tickets for the luncheon that will feature a keynote speech from the premier. Komljenovic said teachers are planning to make a statement outside the event. “It’s a rally,” he said. “We’re exercising our democratic right to go out and give the premier our message that teachers want a collective agreement.” Government and union negotiators remained in bargaining late yesterday. Komljenovic said he hopes the study session will instead become a ratification meeting and vote. If it goes ahead, the rally is not designed to stop the event, he added. “We’re not looking at being obstructionist. We’re looking at being respectful. We’ll go there with our rally signs.” Laird is also hopeful teachers can get out their message and the chamber can host the cabinet without a hitch. “I’ve had conversations with quite a few teachers I’m friends with and play soccer with,” Laird said. “It’s a great opportunity for teachers to get their message out, but, I’m hoping things [at the luncheon] will be great and positive. I’m an optimist.”
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