PEACHLAND VIEW
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January 6, 2014 / Volume 10 Number 1 / www.peachlandview.com
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2013 Year in Review Joanne Layh / Peachland View
JANUARY
Dog owner appeals Diesel decision Peachland resident Dave Smith filed an appeal to be reunited with Diesel, his German shepherd cross who had been in the custody of the RDCO since March 11, 2011. Several of Smith’s neighbours testified that Diesel was allowed to run free, and had attacked their cats and dogs, once jumping on a 12-year-old girl. In August 2012, the Honourable Judge McKimm of the B.C. Provincial Court ruled that Diesel was a “dangerous dog” and that Smith was “profoundly irresponsible.” Judge McKimm said that the dog could not be returned to Smith and ordered that he be euthanized. Following that ruling the RDCO made a proposal to Smith that Diesel be transferred to a new owner through an anonymous adoption by a dog rescue agency. Smith rejected that proposal and appealed the court’s decision. Stars on Stage variety show debuts On January 20 Stars on Stage held their first variety show at the 50 Plus Activity Centre. A full house led to the event later moving to the larger community centre for future shows. Entertainers Marty Edwards, Pam Ferens, Grant Eisworth, Leverne Prozny, Fred Spinks, Cheyenne and Wendy Roedocker comprised the original lineup.
FEBRUARY JOANNE LAYH
THE NEW YEAR’S DAY POLAR BEAR SWIM attracted a record 218 participants, up from the previous record of 172 set last year.
Property assessments drop throughout Central Okanagan Joanne Layh / Peachland View Along with most other Central Okanagan residents, Peachlanders will see a value decrease on their property assessment notices for 2014. This year the average Peachland homeowner can expect a property value decrease of $15,000, which is a significant change from last year when Peachland values increase by $5,000 for the average homeowner. Central Okanagan property owners were mailed assessment notices this week, and while the average homeowner in Peachland will see a $15,000 decrease in value, non-strat-
ified Kelowna property values have gone up by $8,000. “Most homes in the Central Okanagan region are remaining stable in value compared to last year’s assessment roll,” deputy assessor Tracy Wall said. “Most home owners in the Central Okanagan can expect modest changes in the -5 per cent to +5 per cent range.” Overall, Central Okanagan assessments fell from $40,476,166,781 in 2013 to $40,473,253,289 this year. The assessment rolls in each jurisdiction are as follows: Kelowna: • $488,000 (2013) / $493,000 (2014) Kelowna (strata):
• $234,000 (2013) / $228,000 (2014) Peachland: • $448,000 (2013) / $433,000 (2014) Lake Country: • $515,000 (2013) / $504,000 (2014) West Kelowna: • $476,000 (2013) / $475,000 (2014) Property owners who feel that their property assessment does not reflect market value as of July 1, 2013 or see incorrect information on their notice should contact BC Assessment as soon as possible to speak to an appraiser. The deadline to submit a Notice of Complaint (appeal) for an independent review by a property assessment review panel is January 31.
Visitor centre receives $52,000 federal grant Okanagan-Coquihalla MP Dan Albas attended Peachland to announce the approval of a $52,000 federal Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund grant for the visitor centre. The grant helped the visitor centre outfit the reception and interpretive centre area of their designated space in the renovated primary school building. “This latest grant is really like icing on the cake,” Mayor Keith Fielding said. Combined with a 2012 $50,000 federal grant, a $400,000 provincial grant, and a $200,000 municipal contribution, the grant helped make it possible to bring the primary school renovation project to completion in 2013. Peachland fire chief announces retirement The man who had served as Peachland’s fire chief for the past 10 years announced he would be retiring in June. Grant Topham started as a volunteer with the Peachland Fire Department in 1974, later becoming deputy chief and then chief after former Peachland fire chief Don Wilson retired in 2003. Topham and his crew were widely recognized as heroes of the community in 2012 after the Trepanier Forest Fire swept through Peachland managing only to destroy a few structures, thanks to the efforts of fire fighters and emergency service workers. See 2013 on page 2
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