Opinion

Baillie House, City reach new one-year agreement

Robert McAlaster CONTRIBUTOR

On Jan. 25th City Council voted unanimously to extend an agreement between the Nicola Valley Heritage Society (NVHS) and the Baillie House to provide visitor services.

Planning and Development Manager Don McArthur addressed Council at the regular City Council meeting with the proposal. Under the new extension, the City of Merritt agreed to pay the NVHS $52,133.20 for its operating services.

During the council meeting, McArthur explained that the funding amount requested is the same amount paid to the Nicola Valley Heritage Society in 2020 and 2021. “Staff have not included an inflationary increase, at all, being mindful of the city budget, especially post-flood,” McArthur told Council prior to the vote.

“Of note,” McArthur continued, “the city will receive $25,000 from Destination BC.”

To qualify for this grant, McArthur explained further, the city would have to agree to provide “a minimum of 660 hours of in-person Visitor information services during the course of [2022],” demonstrating the need to partner with the NVHS to operate the Baillie house and fill this requirement.

According to the records from the council meeting, city staff were to initially present the report for the proposal at the November council meeting. However, due to the floods and staffing shortages, “staff did not have the capacity to address this prior to the end of the year.” The previous agreement officially expired on Dec. 31st, 2021.

The new agreement will run retroactively from Jan. 1st, 2022, to Dec. 31st, 2022 and will likely be required to secure a further extension prior to the end of the year.

Since 2008, the Merritt Visitor Information Center has been operated by the NVHS. The new extension ensures that the NVHS will continue to provide face-to-face visitor services “alongside online interactions, advertising, video promotions and targeted tourist attraction campaigns.”

The visitor centre is located at 2250 Voght Street in Merritt and is open 10am- 4pm Tuesday-Saturday.

NOMINATE someone today!

Nicola Valley Women in Action CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

March 8, 2022 marks the 18th celebration honouring women in the Nicola Valley. If you have any amazing women in your life that you would like to recognize, please let us know. Our celebration will look different this year to meet the COVID-19 restrictions, but we still believe that it is important to recognize those women in our community who are working diligently to create and support positive changes and a healthy community.

Please nominate those women who have positively influenced your life, the lives around you, or the community. Nominations may be sent to: nvwomeninaction@gmail.com by noon on February 18, 2022. Please include the reason for your nomination, a headshot picture and contact information with your submission. Thank you!

A special something for everyone on your list.

Roses, mixed bouquets, arrangements and dressed up plants and planters.

❤

All for your sweetheart

Book early so you are not disappointed.

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1974 Quilchena Avenue - Merritt, BC

Thank You!

On behalf of the Merritt Library, we would like to thank Megan Gregory for 5 dedicated years of service as Branch Head. We wish Megan a bright future as she continues her excellent work with the TNRL in Kamloops.

Welcome to the team!

We would also like to welcome Claire Sabiston as the new Branch Head of the Merritt Library. Claire was born and raised in the Nicola Valley and recently returned to the area. Claire’s empathy, calm demeanour, and professionalism will serve her well in this busy community hub. Feel free to stop by the library and say hello.

VIEWPOINT

GOVERNMENT ALBAS: Rising interest rates

It was on June 1 of 2021 that the Liberal Government last increased the “stress test” for home buyers taking on a mortgage, which encompasses the vast majority of home buyers.

For those unaware, a stress test requires that a home buyer must qualify at a higher rate of interest to ensure they can still make their mortgage payments if interest rates rise.

In essence a stress test is intended to ensure that a home buyer has some excess fiscal capacity to afford an increase on their mortgage payment if interest rates should increase.

While some may argue that the stress test protects people from potentially higher interest rates, in my experience many who are fortunate enough to pass the stress test and buy a home don’t stop there.

They proceed to borrow to make additional purchases, like home improvement, furniture or car loans.

Why do I raise this now?

As many will know this week it was widely expected that the Bank of Canada (BOC) would raise the key interest rate however this did not occur.

Instead, the current rate was maintained although the BOC did warn that:

“Interest rates will need to increase to control inflation. Canadians should expect a rising path for interest rates,”

This means for those with a variable rate mortgage. their monthly payments will be increasing in the near future.

For those with a fixed DAN ALBAS

VIEW FROM THE HILL

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