Peachland View December 2, 2022

The Wellness Centre’s craft fair took place at the Peachland Community Centre.

Thorne Road proposal gets first and second readings from council

JOANNE LAYH

A proposal to amend the Official Community Plan (OCP) and rezone a Thorne Rd property received first and second readings from Peachland council last week.

Local developer Steve Penich is proposing to subdi vide his Thorne Rd property into an eight-lot single family subdivision.

The .81-hectare lot, located at 6785 Thorne Rd, is in the southwestern-most corner of the district in the Hardy Falls neighbourhood, approxi mately 300 meters southwest of and 30 meters above the Hardy St and Hwy 97 inter section.

To facilitate an eight-lot subdivision, the developer is applying to amend the OCP land use designation for this property from Rural (RL) to Low Density Residen tial (LDR) and to rezone the property from Rural Residential (RR-1) to Single Detached Residential (R-1).

Staff recommended coun cil support the application because of the community

benefits that the subdivision would bring; if Penich’s proj ect goes ahead, the town is currently proposing that he be required to pave Thorne Rd from the existing pave ment to just past Log Chute Rd and provide a sewer main installation from Hardy St to the west end of Thorne Rd, which will provide op portunities for other nearby residents, not just those on

Thorne Rd.

“Thorne Rd is getting paved all the way up to the top anyway, or that’s the proposal. Would it not make sense to just pop the sewer line in there as well before that’s paved so that asphalt never has to be torn up again?” asked Coun. Dave Collins. He suggested to staff that the developer be required to bring the sewer up to the

same point as the paving.

In recent years the town has been making funding contributions toward paving Thorne Rd, so if the develop er assumes the cost, it would save the community approxi mately $400,000.

The poor condition of Thorne Rd has been a con cern to residents for nearly a decade.

When a water main was

installed back in 2013, the municipality tore up the road to put in the infrastructure but didn’t leave the road in the condition they found it. Since then, residents of Thorne Rd have been looking for a rem edy from the municipality.

According to Thorne Rd resident Jim Carpenter, prior to the water main installation the road had a hard surface made of recycled blacktop.

When the item was up for budget consideration last year, Carpenter said the problem has since been compounded by the im mense increase in scope of the nearby orchard and he pressed council to prioritize the project.

Earlier this month Penich held a public open house at the Little School House.

“Most of the comment at that public open house was very positive, according to the developer,” said planning manager Lor Pellegrino.

“I’m familiar with other development that Steve has done around town and they turned out to be quite de sirable subdivisions so my inclination at this stage of the game is to give this my full support,” said Coun. Terry Condon.

“I think this proposal is very suited for that kind of infill development.” said Mayor Patrick Van Minsel.

The next step in the pro cess will be to hold a public hearing. Pellegrino said they are targeting a January 2023 date.

MAP DISTRICT OF PEACHLAND

Premier Eby outlines new public safety plan

ABERDEEN PUBLISHING

Freshly minted B.C. Premier David Eby is taking aim at repeat violent offenders with the launch of a new Safer Commu nities Action Plan focusing on two tracks: enforcement and intervention services.

The new measures are in response to a rise in repeat violent offending which the Province says are linked to “unintended impacts of federal law changes and subse quent Supreme Court decisions.”

B.C. and other provinces and territories continue to pressure the federal government to address the consequences of changes to the federal bail system that have made it more difficult to hold people in custody while they await trial for repeat, violent of fences.

The measures are also in response to the increased mental health and addiction chal lenges brought on by the pandemic and the toxic drug crisis.

In a sign that the Province is hardening its stance on repeat violent offenders, en forcement measures are to be stepped up as will community services.

“Being compassionate, concerned and taking action on mental health and addic tion issues does not mean that we have to accept repeated criminal behaviour or vio lence,” said Eby.

The two-track focus is enabled by what he says will be improved coordination be

tween law enforcement, community service organizations, justice system, health pro viders and people who are recovering from addiction and mental health challenges.

This, he adds, will tap a “collaborative, coordinated approach to address the issues people are seeing in their communities.”

New measures announced include:

• Launching new repeat violent offender coordinated response teams, made up of police, and dedicated prosecutors and pro bation officers;

• Expanding mental health crisis re sponse teams into more communities so police can focus on crime, and people in crisis are met early on by healthcare work ers and community members;

• Taking the next steps in creating a new model of addictions care at St. Paul’s Hos pital so people can seamlessly move from crisis response in the emergency room, to detox, to treatment services, in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health and Prov idence Health Care, with plans to expand this model in the future;

• Opening 10 new Indigenous Justice Centres to provide culturally appropriate support for Indigenous Peoples involved in the justice system to address the root causes of their involvement in the system and help them break the cycle;

• Going after the houses, cars and luxury

Continued on Page 10

5th St road closure won’t be supported

JOANNE LAYH

A proposal from the Peach land Seniors Housing Society (PSSS) to close off 5th Street from Waldo Way to Hwy 97 will not be supported by dis trict staff, council heard at their last regular meeting.

The proposal for Phase 2 of the seniors housing project is to rezone four district-owned parcels (which include the current locations of the Peachland Wellness Centre, Peachland Food Bank, and Peachland Community Po licing) to Mixed Use (CR1) to facilitate the construction of a 73-unit seniors housing

building.

In his quarterly report to council, director of planning and development services Darin Schaal noted that the application also proposes to close a portion of 5th St from Waldo Way to the bottom of the bank below Hwy 97.

“That’s I’m assuming during construction only?” asked Coun. Randey Brophy. “Where do the folks in the existing townhouse on the south side of this street park in the meantime?”

Schaal said when the ap plication was originally submitted they had proposed to close a portion of 5th

Street to consolidate it with the property, so it would have been permanent. The intention of that, he under stood, was to provide on-site parking for phase two of the seniors Residences on 6th.

However, since working with the preliminary review of the application, Schaal noted that they are not in sup port of the road closure and would ask for parking to be provided on site and/or the applicant submit a variance application to address the lack of on-street parking.

“We will not be supporting a permanent road closure in that area,” stated Schaal.

CIVIC GRANTS APPLICATIONS

Local non-profit organizations which contribute to the quality of life in Peachland are invited to apply for a Civic Grant.

The Civic Grants Policy outlines the following:

- The purpose of the civic grant program is to assist citizens in organizing themselves around community issues and projects.

- In the majority of cases, it is anticipated that financial assistance will only be granted for a limited time period, subject to annual review.

- Programs and services will be evaluated on the basis of need, appropriateness, and demonstrated effectiveness.

- All grants are for a period of one year and shall not exceed $1,000.

An application for a civic grant may be submitted by any organization which:

- Has been in operation no less than 6 months in the District of Peachland

- Is based in Peachland

- Has membership from within the District of Peachland or surrounding areas

- Has the majority of its members as voting members

- Is in good standing with its licensing authority

- Has made, at a minimum, an application to the Central Okanagan Foundation, and has received a written response from the COF, or any other granting organization.

Grant applications are considered by Council during 2023 budget deliberations. Approved grants are distributed after July 15, 2023.

Application forms and civic grant criteria may be obtained by contacting the District of Peachland, Legislative Clerk at 250-767-3708 or the District’s website www.peachland.ca. Completed applications must be submitted to the Director of Corporate Services by December 16th , 2023.

MAP DISTRICT OF PEACHLAND

Joanne Layh Publisher / Editor editor@peachlandview.com sales@peachlandview.com

Don Urquhart Contributing Reporter Melissa Morris Production designer@peachlandview.com

5878A Beach Avenue

Peachland, BC V0H 1X7 250 767 7771 published by Aberdeen Publishing Inc. Robert W. Doull, pres rdoull@aberdeenpublishing.com

The Peachland View is a free community newspaper that is distributed each Friday to everyone in Peachland. Anyone who lives outside of the distribution area but within Canada can purchase a subscription at $70 per year + GST.

The Peachland View reserves the right to refuse publication of any advertising or editorial submission at its discretion.

Material submitted by columnists does not reflect the opinions of the Peachland View or its employees.

The Peachland View retains complete and sole copyright of any content, including stories, photographs, and advertisements published in the Peachland View. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission or consent from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

Home heating frustration

within a reasonable period of time.

Immigration backlogs have never been worse and some citizens, to their shock and dismay, discov er supporting documents to their application have literally disappeared from their file.

Air travelers who experi ence immense frustration from travel cancellations have discovered the air passenger bill of rights is not helping them.

of $2,040 for the year.

They also pointed out that close to a quarter of that bill $473 (23 per cent actually) was solely pay ing for the carbon tax.

As this individual is not eligible for the B.C. climate action rebate, (In B.C. individuals earning $79,376 or more are not eligible for this credit) the question was asked how much higher the carbon tax would be next year.

In the following years:

• 2024 $80;

• 2025 $95;

• 2026 $110;

• 2027 $125;

• 2028 $140;

• 2029 $155; and

• 2030 $170.

When I first was elected as a Member of Parlia ment, I fast discovered it was not uncommon for citizens to share person al documents with me on issues they were finding to be challenging to deal with when it comes to the federal government.

While that fact has not changed, what has sur prised me is the extent to how much the list of chal lenges has grown.

Some examples:

Many citizens can lon ger receive a passport

Many citizens in rural areas still cannot receive broadband internet despite promises to the contrary over the past five years.

Increasingly I receive winter gas bills from cit izens who can no longer afford their home heating.

On that note one recent home heating bill caught my attention.

The person who sent the bill to me pointed out that they had to go on the “equal payment plan” in order to afford the cold winter months.

For this individual that means 12 equal payments of $170 a month for a total

This is a good question as on one hand that carbon tax in B.C. is provincial and yet on the other hand when B.C. signed onto the federal Pan-Canadian Cli mate Strategy they agreed to the guidelines will called for the carbon tax in B.C. to rise to $50 per tonne as of April 1, 2022.

$50/tonne is the current rate.

So what happens next?

Prime Minister Trudeau wants to triple the carbon tax here Canada at the fol lowing rate schedule:

The minimum Carbon Pollution Price ($ CAD/ tonne CO2e) for 2023 is $65.

As the Canadian Cli mate Strategy was only in effect until the end of 2022, it is unknown if the B.C. NDP government will continue to follow the Trudeau Liberal govern ment in this direction.

If it does, as you can see for 2023, this would be a 30 per cent increase over the current carbon tax rate.

It is easy to understand why the Bank of Cana da has confirmed that the carbon tax does help to increase inflation here in Canada.

My question this week: Do you support B.C. continuing to follow the federal Liberal govern ment in tripling the carbon tax by the year 2030 to $170/tonne?

I can be reached at Dan. Albas@parl.gc.ca or call toll free 1-800-665-8711.

having an im pact on your Christmas plans?

DAN ALBAS MP

‘23 schedule adopted

At their last regular meeting, Peachland council adopted a regular council meeting schedule for 2023. Regular council meetings will take place in council chambers on the following dates: Jan 10; Jan 24; Feb 7; Feb 21; Mar 14; Mar 28; Apr 4; Apr 18; May 9; May 23; Jun 13; Jun 27; Jul 11; Jul 25 (as needed); Aug 8; Aug 22 (as needed); Sep 12; Sep 26; Oct 10; Oct 24; Nov 14; Nov 28; and Dec 5.

In addition, council ap proved a Dec 2022 meeting to take place on Dec 6.

Westbank First Nation invites Peachland to a Council to Council meeting

JOANNE LAYH

A council to council meeting between West bank First Nation and Peachland will be set up for sometime early spring, Peachland coun cil decided at their last regular meeting.

Westbank First Na tion’s Chief and Council wrote to Peachland’s Mayor and Council just after the election in October to extend an in vitation for a meeting and their correspondence was discussed briefly at last week’s meeting.

Mayor Patrick Van Minsel described Peach land’s relationship with Westbank First Nation as “an important one.”

“My suggestion is to our CAO maybe to have it somewhere in March, early spring, so it gives us a little time as a council

to come together our selves,” said Van Minsel.

In their letter, West bank First Nation leaders referenced a 2018 Memorandum of Under standing (MOU) signed between the two council to represent the mutual commitment to establish a working relationship.

“The MOU was intend ed to establish a lasting, working relationship in the best interests of both communities, based on mutual respect, honour and recognition,” the let ter reads.

“This framework for relationship building is further strengthened through our annual Council to Council meet ing.”

Coun. Keith Thom not ed that eight years ago when he was previously on council, they met with WFN and at that meet

ing Peachland council received a gift but their First Nations community partner did not.

Van Minsel said this would be addressed and there would be a gift to present this time.

“This is something cul tural and we need to do this,” said Van Minsel. “It is important that we have this relationship with them because we have to work together with them on many items.”

PUBLIC NOTICE OF INTENT

To consider a proposed amendment to Council Procedure Bylaw No. 2063, 2013

This is a Notice pursuant to sections 124(3) and 94 of the Community Charter, that it is the intent of the District of Peachland Council to consider an amendment to Council Procedure Bylaw No. 2063, 2013 at the December 6, 2022 Regular Council Meeting, which will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Centre at 4450 6th Street, Peachland. The purpose of the amendment is:

• To amend the start time of all Regular Council Meetings to 6:00PM.

• To amend the procedure for the Annual Designation of a Member to Act in Place of the Mayor.

The proposed amending Bylaw No. 2369 is available for viewing at:

• The District Office at 5806 Beach Avenue, Peachland, B.C. on regular business days (Monday to Friday except for statutory holidays) between normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;

• The District’s website at www.peachland.ca

For more information contact Director of Corporate Services, Jennifer Sawatzky at 250-767-2647.

The peaches chave come down and the Christmas decorations have gone up ahead of the big Light Up and fireworks event at Heritage Park tonight. The official countdown event starts at 6:15 p.m. For the full lineup of events, see the community events calendar on Page 6.

PHOTO JOANNE LAYH

LOCAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

CHRISTMAS LIGHT UP AND FIREWORKS! Friday Dec 2 - Chilcdren’s Party at B&GC 5:15 pm - 6 pm; 6 pm - 6:15 Glow Parade from Boys & Girls Club to Heritage Park; 6:15 pm - 6:30 pm Welcome and Official Countdown to the Light-Up and Fireworks in Heritage Park; 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm face painting, hot refreshments, games, photo booth, visits with Santa.

CHRISTMAS SOCIAL Saturday Dec 3 at the community centre main room. Indoor walking 8-9 am, Christmas sing-a-long 9-10 or 10:45-11:45. Everyone welcome.

MONDAYS

FITNESS ROOM

5 am - 10 pm

Peachland Community Centre

INDOOR WALKING

8 am - 9 am

Peachland Community Centre

50+ FITNESS 8 am - 9 am ($5 Drop In)

50 Plus Activity Centre

ADULT DAY SERVICE

9 am - 3 pm

Residences on 6th

PICKLEBALL LEVEL 3.0-3.5 9:05 am - 11 am

Peachland Community Centre

FITNESS FUSION 9:30 am - 10:45 am

Peachland Community Centre

PICKLEBALL LEVEL 1.0-2.5 11 am - 1 pm

Peachland Community Centre

PICKLEBALL LEVEL 1.0-2.5 1 pm - 3 pm

Peachland Community Centre

BRIDGE 1 pm – 4 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE

ACRYLIC WORKSHOP

1 pm – 4 pm

Peachland Little Schoolhouse CHAIR YOGA 2 pm - 3 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

SPIN, CORE & STRETCH

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Peachland Community Centre

ZUMBA

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

PEACHLAND VARIETY SINGERS CHRISTMAS CONCERT “COMFORT AND JOY” takes place at the 50 Plus Activity Centre. on Dec 11 at 2 pm. Christmas carols and refreshments will follow. Admission by donation.

WATERSHED PROTECTION ALLIANCE CHRISTMAS SOCIAL: COOKIES, CONVERSATION AND CRAFTS Dec 18 1 pm - 4pm at the Peachland Little Schoolhouse. Live music by Lloyd Sotas. RSVP peachlandpwpa@gmail.com

YOGA FOR YOUR BACK

3:15pm - 4:30 pm

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS DINNER the Peachland Wellness Centre wants to ensure no one is alone or goes without a Christmas dinner. Doors open at 11:30 am, dinner served at 12:30 pm at the 50 Plus Activity Centre. Save your space by calling 250 767 0141.

ELDERLY BROTHERS MUSIC at the Peachland Legion Dec 29 5-7pm.

NEW YEAR’S EVE CONCERT FEAT. MARTY EDWARDS includes a salute to the music of Tom Jones, Engelbert, Michael Buble and Elvis plus soft rock, country and rock ‘n’ roll hits from the 60s, 70s,

BARGAIN BIN

12 pm - 3 pm

Peachland Community Centre WOODCARVERS 7 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

TUESDAYS

FITNESS ROOM

5 am - 10 pm

Peachland Community Centre YOGA 8:30 am - 9:30 am

50 Plus Activity Centre

FLOW YOGA 9 am - 10 am

Peachland Community Centre CARPET BOWLING 10 am - 12 pm 50 Plus Activity Centre

THERAPEUTIC YOGA 10:30 am – 11:45 am Peachland Community Centre AA 12 pm 50 Plus Activity Centre

PICKLEBALL LEVEL 3.75+ 1 pm - 3 pm

Peachland Community Centre PASSION 4 ART 1 pm - 4 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre MAH JONG 1 pm – 4 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

MEN’S COFFEE & CARDS 1 pm PWC (downstairs)

Peachland Community Centre PEACHLAND HUB NIGHT MARKET

4 pm – 9 pm Cousins Park

LINE DANCING 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre POUND 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm 50 Plus Activity Centre

COMPUTER LITERACY

By Appointment Call 250 767 0141 Peachland Wellness Centre

WEDNESDAYS

FITNESS ROOM

5 am - 10 pm

Peachland Community Centre INDOOR WALKING

8 am - 9 am

Peachland Community Centre 50+ FITNESS 9 am - 10 am ($5 Drop In) 50 Plus Activity Centre

PICKLEBALL LEVEL 1.0-2.5 9:05 am - 11 am

Peachland Community Centre SPIN, SCULPT AND STRETCH 9:30 am - 10:45 am 1 pm - 3 pm

Peachland Community Centre PICKLEBALL - DROP-IN LEVEL 3.0 11 am - 1 pm

Peachland Community Centre

Peachland United Church

PICKLEBALL LEVEL 3.0-3.5

1 pm - 3 pm

Peachland Community Centre BRIDGE

1 pm – 4 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

LEGION KARAOKE

3:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Royal Canadian Legion #69 MINI KICKERS SOCCER

5 pm - 6 pm

Peachland Community Centre HATHA YOGA

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Peachland Community Centre SPIN, CORE AND STRETCH

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Peachland Community Centre CENTRAL OKANAGAN MODEL RAILWAY CO.

Train modellers + visitors meet 7 pm

Peachland Musum

THURSDAYS

FITNESS ROOM

5 am - 10 pm

Peachland Community Centre YOGA

8:30 am - 9:30 am

50 Plus Activity Centre YOGA FOR YOUR BACK 9:30 am - 10:45 am

Peachland Community Centre

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT  10 am-11:45 am Peachland Wellness Centre

80s and more. Dec 31 at the 50 Plus Activity Centre. Tickets at Peachland Pharmacy or eventbrite.ca ANDY LEESE & BAND at the Peachland Legion Dec 31 7-10pm

NEW YEAR’S DAY POLAR BEAR WALK OR RUN - Jan 1; all ages, choose between a 2K walk or 5K run. Registration required; contact the Peachland Community Centre for details.

NEW YEAR’S DAY POLAR BEAR SWIM Celebrate the new year on Jan 1 with a splash into Okanagan Lake. Free, but pre-event check-in is required from 12-12:45 pm.

PICKLEBALL LEVEL 3.5

10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Peachland Community Centre

IRON AND SILK FIT 11 am - 12 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

BARGAIN BIN

12 pm - 3 pm

Peachland United Church

PICKLEBALL LEVEL 3.75+

1 pm - 3 pm

Peachland Community Centre

PASSION 4 ART

1 pm – 4 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

BEGINNER UKULELE 230 pm - 330 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

MEAT DRAW  3 pm-5 pm Royal Canadian Legion #69 BINGO 5:30 pm (EOW) 50 Plus Activity Centre

FRIDAYS

FITNESS ROOM

5 am - 10 pm

Peachland Community Centre

INDOOR WALKING

8 am - 9 am

Peachland Community Centre

FLOW YOGA 9 am - 10 am

Peachland Community Centre

50+ FITNESS 9 am - 10 am ($5 Drop In)

50 Plus Activity Centre

WE ART HERE

12 pm - 4 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

BARGAIN BIN  12 pm - 3 pm

Peachland United Church

THERAPEUTIC YOGA 12:30 pm - 1:45 pm Peachland Community Centre CANASTA 1 pm 50+ Activity Centre

PICKLEBALL LEVEL 3.0 -3.5 1 pm - 3 pm Peachland Community Centre

SATURDAYS

FITNESS ROOM

5 am - 10 pm Peachland Community Centre

CARPET BOWLING 10 am - 12 pm

50 Plus Activity Centre

BARGAIN BIN  12 pm - 3 pm  Peachland United Church

MEAT DRAW  3 pm-5 pm Royal Canadian Legion #69

SUNDAYS

FITNESS ROOM

5 am - 10 pm

Peachland Community Centre PEACHLAND FARMERS & CRAFTERS MARKET 10 am - 2 pm Heritage Park

PICKLEBALL - LEVEL 2.5-3.5 12 pm - 2 pm Peachland Community Centre

PICKLEBALL - LEVEL 3.75+ 2 pm - 4 pm Peachland Community Centre

Watershed Protection Alliance excited about new avenues to pursue

PEACHLAND WATERSHED PROTECTION ALLIANCE

It’s a wrap-PWPA’s 2022 AGM finds unity in our community commitment to conserve and secure our wa tershed!

The end of the calendar year is a time for reflection. Last week the Peachland Watershed Protection Alli ance (PWPA) held its final business meeting of 2022, the Annual General Meeting (AGM), our sixth annual, and it was a grass roots gather ing of like-minded members, guests, supporters and enthu siasts.

Over 40 participants gath ered at the Little School House. An optimistic fun fact is that local government elected representatives and Healthy Watershed Com mittee members account for about 10 per cent of our guests. Kudos to May or Patrick Van Minsel, and Councillors Brophey, Ingram and Condon for showing some community love!

PWPA’s guest speaker was Dave Gill, general manager of Ntityix Resources since fall 2013. NRLP is a natural resource company owned by Westbank First Nation and ‘title-holder’ of 13 per cent of Peachland’s commu nity watershed by way of a community forest license.

Gill spoke of the new for estry harvesting standards used by his crew, including foresters Damon Lawrence and Coulter Roberts, also in attendance. Gill mentioned having to ‘disobey’ the very low standards of B.C.’s for estry acts to do a better job in our watersheds than the minimum requirements of government.

Reforesting with all na tive species, not just nursery raised conifers, harvesting for wildfire preventions, not just profits, introducing climate change unknowns and not al ways harvesting the volumes that the government quotas want (the Allowable Annual Cut) are a few examples of the better Syilx forestry stan

dards now implemented in our source water areas.

Mayor Van Minsel sur prised PWPA with his remarks; he announced that the district is actively in vestigating the expansion of our jurisdiction, control and say in our water supply and backcountry. This is an excit ing avenue to pursue and we look forward to hearing more about the legal options re searched by council and staff to have more control over something that affects us all so greatly.

It appears, what we all have in common is the love of the land and respect for nature. Whether it is by means of new inventive forestry prac tices that accesses traditional knowledge and wisdom, or by legal jurisdiction and bound ary expansion or by actions including conservation, advo cacy, even civil disobedience, there is a massive commit ment on the part of Westbank First Nation, the District of Peachland, the PWPA and valley residents for continued

watershed ‘C-P-R’: conserve, protect and restore.

PWPA appreciates your volunteerism, enthusiasm and concerns; your donation supports the work happening in communities across our watershed, this Okanagan Valley, and beyond.

We will be back in meet ing mode full swing by mid-January. Until then, you can join us at our ‘’Christ mas Cookies, Crafts, Cocoa and Conservation Conver sations’’ party at the Little School House on Dec. 18, from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Have a wonderful festive season, and excellent New Year and PWPA wishes once again to acknowledge our appreciation, thanks for helping create a swimmable, drinkable, fishable future for everyone.

Dave Gill from WFN Ntityx Resources speaks to a packed house about how traditional ecological knowledge can work with western science to preserve the forests and create jobs.

Mayor Patrick Van Minsel welcomes Peachland residents to the PWPA AGM with remarks about Council’s plans for watershed protection.

PHOTOS PWPA

In memory of John Stuart Watts

February 19, 1941 - November 18, 2022

John lost his long, valiant battle with Parkinson’s Disease while in Palliative Care at the Brookhaven Care Centre in West Kelowna. Born in Hamilton, Ontario to Jack and Betty Watts, the family moved many times, including from England to various locations across Canada with RCAF transfers, finally settling in Calgary when John was 18.

John was an engineer through and through. He graduated from the University of Alberta in 1964 with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering. Until his retirement in 2011, John’s intelligent approach to problem solving, drive and quiet determination guided his career in drilling industries to the top of his field. Originally based in Calgary, he held senior engineering roles, culminating as a VP with Tri Ocean Engineering, Ltd. managing offshore drilling platforms in the Atlantic, Arctic, Gulf Shore and Asia. John was a pioneer in the oil industry, designing hydraulic cranes, pipe racking machines, helicopter transportable rigs and production systems used in Arctic drilling. He also designed and constructed land-based oil and gas producing facilities. In 1986, with the collapse of the oil industry, John relocated his family to the Okanagan. There he established Cascade Drilling Ltd., a water well drilling and exploration company. He was credited with drilling approximately 2,800 wells in BC.

John grew up jiving to 50’s rock and roll and discovered a love for motorcycles in his teens. He enjoyed travel, including weekend trips to the family cabin in Invermere, ski hills throughout BC and Alberta, motorcycle touring with his bike buddies and RVing in his later years. John resided in Peachland for 35 years, where he enjoyed tending to fruit trees on his property with views of Okanagan Lake.

John leaves behind his loving wife, Laurel, his daughters Lynn Watts (Wayne Darlington), Christine Watts (Peter Rigoni) and son John Watts (Paola Juvinao Merino), his beloved grandchildren Maddy, Niall, Tessa, Luca, Spencer and Dominick and his sisters Valerie Alton (Norm Alton) and Elizabeth Watts (Warren Murschell).

John’s physical, mental and spiritual strength will continue to serve as an inspiration to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed by family and friends, and will remain forever in our hearts.

A celebration of John’s life will be held on Sunday, February 19th, 2023 from 1 to 3 pm at Peachland Community Centre. In remembrance, contributions to the Parkinson Society British Columbia (parkinson.bc.ca) would be appreciated.

Eby’s plan includes better brain injury support

of technology to guide po lice in gathering and sharing information with doctors and nurses during mental health crisis situations.

The Province noted that these actions align with recommendations from a number of reports on com munity safety, including the Special Committee on Re forming the Police Act, the First Nations Justice Strat egy and the Investigation into Repeat Offending and Random Stranger Violence.

making changes to bring key groups together to keep people and communities safe – ensuring those who commit violent acts face consequences, and creating as many opportunities as possible for them to address mental health and addiction issues to break the cycle of a life in and out of jail.”

orga nized criminals who profit on misery by introducing “unexplained wealth order” legislation in spring 2023;

• Building public confi dence in the prosecution system with new direction from the attorney general to prosecutors to implement a clear and understandable approach to bail for repeat violent offenders within the existing federal law. The

new policy will take effect on Nov. 22, 2022.

The plan also includes better support for people with acquired brain injuries through overdose or other injury, with a focus on those involved in the criminal jus tice system.

This will be aided by increased funding for the Brain Injury Alliance, more integrated informa tion sharing between justice and community partners to strengthen case manage ment and expanding the use

Other ongoing initiatives aimed at breaking the cy cle of repeat offending and building safe and healthy communities include: com plex-care housing, new and expanded community transition teams for those leaving correctional facili ties, and funding to support work by the B.C. First Na tions Justice Council to develop better, culturally appropriate supports for In digenous people in the legal system.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their commu nity,” Ebay said. “We are

In memory of LEWIS, Allan Michael Mike

Mike passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, at Penticton General Hospital of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

He was born on a snowy day in Victoria, BC just six months before his father was deployed to Europe to serve in WW2. It was three years before Mike and his mother Ethel saw his father George again. Reunited after the war, the family moved to North Vancouver where Mike grew up, developing his lifelong love of music, sports and and collecting athletes’ autographs. For several years he played guitar with the “Loganeers,” a trio he formed with two friends that performed in local venues. Following high school graduation he earned his CGA accreditation, ultimately joining the City of Burnaby where he worked for 32 years.

He married Gail and had two sons, Ryan and Sean, happily spending time coaching their Little League Teams and watching their games. In 1986 he married Ellen and, following Mike’s retirement in 1998 as Burnaby’s Municipal Accountant, the pair left the Lower Mainland for a new life in

In the summer Mike played tennis and softball and in the winter he and Ellen drove their RV through the US Southwest and California, sometimes hitting MLB training camps. They soon expanded their travels to include cruising and road trips through Europe, often with family and friends. France was a favourite destination for Mike and Ellen where they cruised the Canal du Midi, cheered at the Tour de France finish line and raised many a glass of wine from the balcony of a favored rental in Villefranchesur-Mer. Other trips took them as far afield as China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Covid grounded them for a few years but as recently as September they were exploring the rivers and roads of Portugal.

Mike is deeply missed by his wife, Ellen; his sons, Ryan (Gayle) and Sean (Dawn); two granddaughters, Sierra and Montana Lewis; cousin, Patty Pitts; sister-in-law, Marion Mitchell and a network of loving extended cousins and many friends.

Mike was deeply respected and liked by his former colleagues, teammates, friends and family who recognized him as a genuine and caring man. Mike left us while listening to some of his favourite music and hoping his beloved Canucks will make the playoffs.

A Celebration of Mike’s Life will be held in the new year. Those wishing to make a donation in Mike’s memory can do so with the SPCA, Royal Canadian Legion or the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation.

PHOTO LYONEL KOHERTY