plv-09-014-2012

Peachland to consider massive water piping option from Peachland Lake PAGE 9

Peachland Lions to host Train Wreck Comedy Show PAGE 8

PEACHLAND VIEW

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SEPTEMBER 14, 2012 | VOLUME 08 | NUMBER 37

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FIRE CREWS SAVE PEACHLAND FROM DISASTER Planes dropped red fire retardent ahead of the fire.

Terry Reimer photo

CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to the August winner of our draw, Inger Dalgleish, who was the lucky winner of two $50 gift certificates for Petro Can and Blind Angler.

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Peachland View

2 NEWS

SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

NEWS

Many homes saved in Trepanier fire Joanne Layh Editor, Peachland View

Huge clouds of smoke could be seen in the Trepanier area just after 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 9.

Helicopters frequently reloaded their buckets in the lake at the end of Buchanan Road.

Richard Smith photo

Staff Photo

Flames came down dangerously close to Peachland Elementary.

Staff photo

Within only an hour of the Trepanier fire being discovered, smoke was seen billowing over the hills in Peachland.

Staff Photo

Four homes were lost in the Trepanier fire this week, but thanks to many courageous firefighters, Peachland was saved from what could have been a much worse disaster.

The fire broke out near Trepanier Linear Park at approximately 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon and quickly spread through Peachland. It wasn’t long before local states of emergency were declared for the affected areas within the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area and in the District of Peachland and as black smoke billowed through the skies many residents began to fear for their lives and property.

Fire crews were on the ground as the airspace over Peachland quickly filled with planes dropping retardant and helicopters providing water bucketing support right up until nightfall. Days later, residents would become accustomed to the sound of choppers overhead and the sight of buckets refilling in the lake as the battle continued.

Within the first hour of the fire flames 30 to 40 feet high came up to what will be the eighth hole on the Ponderosa golf course but because so much fuel mitigation work has been done over the past few years, the fire wasn’t able to travel through.

“The Ponderosa Golf Course escaped relatively unscathed. One of the reasons why is that wildfire interface management became more and more important after the Okanagan Mountain Fire,”Treegroup president Norm Porter told media later in the week.

“It was one of the first things we thought of and it was one of the requirements that the District of Peachland required of us during development and this is a great example of how it worked for us and how it worked for Peachland...I don’t know that we even lost a tree.”

By 5:30 p.m. RCMP had cordoned off the highway to incoming traffic and an evacuation order was in place for properties southwest of the Okanagan Connector including Star Place (located in the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area) and the Trepanier area of Peachland.

An Emergency Social Services reception centre opened that night in both West Kelowna and Summerland, where people and their pets gathered for support.

Within the first hours of the fire the Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre was also activated while BC Wildfire Management and fire crews from West Kelowna, Peachland and Kelowna battled the flames. Not long after, they were joined by Okanagan Search and Rescue, as well as fire crews from Penticton, Summerland, Lake Country, North Westside, Joe Rich, and Ellison.

At 6:51 p.m. the evacuation area was expanded again and at the same time an evacuation alert was put in place for Ponderosa residents as the winddriven fire moved from Trepanier. By 8:25 p.m. the 600 Ponderosa residents previously on alert were given an evacuation order and all properties east of Highway 97 were put on alert, including downtown Peachland and the waterfront area from Princeton Avenue to Robinson Place.

Trepanier Fire 1,550 people on evacuation order 432 people on evacuation alert 227 students displaced 150+ firefighters 17 fire trucks 6 helicopters 4 tankers

SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

Peachland View

3

NEWS

By this time many peoopen to two-way traffic ple had sprinklers set up before 9 p.m. on their roofs prompting Earlier Sunday afterofficials to ask residents noon the fire was estimatto shut off any pre-proed at 100 hectares but by grammed irrigation and 11:10 p.m. the Trepanier not to turn on their irriForest Fire had grown to gation systems in order an estimated 170 hectares to conserve water for the in size. Overnight crews fire fighting operation. monitored the fire while The fire travelled down RCMP maintained checkright behind Peachland points and patrolled the Elementary School, and evacuation area to ensure as a result the school was no residents or others reclosed until further noturned. By early Monday tice. Students would have morning the fire was esto go to George Pringle timated to have grown School in West Kelowna A firefighter works on hotspots to 200 hectares in size. until the smoke could be in the Trepanier area.

Cooler overnight temcleared out days later.

Joanne Layh photo peratures, showers and In total 1,550 people low winds helped slow were affected by the evacuation orders the fire, although winds were increasing and another 832 people were on evacu- again as daylight approached. ation alert.

On Monday morning a media conferResidents with animals were assisted ence was held at the Station 1 Firehall by representatives of the Canadian Di- in Kelowna, where it was confirmed saster Animal Response Team (CDART) that the fire was now 50 per cent conbut it was neighbours and friends who tained. Officials also confirmed that alcame to the rescue of Peachlanders with though there were no injuries to people horses and other large animals, such or animals, four homes were lost in the as Diana Chevallier, who has faced the early stages of the fire. One of those challenge of getting 40 horses to safety. homes was located on the property “All our neighbours and friends were that belonged to Working Horse Winpulling in the yard, doing the same ery until earlier this year. A local couple thing – hauling our horses out. They bought the property several months just turned up,” Chevallier told The ago and have been nurturing neglected View. “When I drove down the driveway vines and renovating the house for the across the road from us was all on fire. last three months. They had only moved The horses were panicking.” into their new home on August 23. A By 8:30 p.m. Highway 97 reopened Coldham Road log house and carriage to single lane alternating traffic and was house just below the former winery

were also destroyed by the fire, in addition to an abandoned Star Place home located just outside the district. A number of outbuildings and vehicles were also impacted by fire.

Firefighting efforts paid off and on Monday night 1,134 residents were allowed to return home and others were taken off alert, leaving 416 people still on evacuation order. By 6 p.m. the fire was 75 per cent contained and by Tuesday morning another 158 people were allowed back home, leaving 258 residents on evacuation order.

At the time The View was going to press on Wednesday, the fire was 85 per cent contained.

Peachland’s fire chief is grateful to the

Phone: 250-767-2647 Fax: 250-767-3433 Web: www.peachland.ca 5806 Beach Ave., Peachland, BC, V0H 1X7

PUBLIC NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX SALE Pursuant to Section 405 of the Local Government Act, notice is hereby given that the following properties will be subject to TAX SALE unless Delinquent Taxes, together with interest, are sooner paid. The 2012 TAX SALE will be conducted in Council Chambers of the District of Peachland, 4450 6th Street, at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 24th, 2012.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION

CIVIC ADDRESS

Roll #318-02031-220 #22 6663 Highway 97 S Lot A Plan KAP50582 DL 221; Edgewater Pines MHP Manufactured Home Reg #19260; Bay #22 Roll #318-02031-242 #24 6663 Highway 97 S Lot A Plan KAP50582 DL 221 Edgewater Pines MHP Manufactured Home Reg #23910; Bay #24

Phone: 250-767-2647 Fax: 250-767-3433 Web: www.peachland.ca 5806 Beach Avenue, Peachland, BC, V0H 1X7

Roll #318-02031-332 #33 6663 Highway 97 S Lot A Plan KAP50582 DL 221 Edgewater Pines MHP Manufactured Home Reg #8626; Bay #33 Roll #318-02061-170 #17 5371 Princeton Avenue Manufactured Home Reg #9141 Pine Hills MHP Bay #17; PINE Roll #318-02061-193 #19 5371 Princeton Avenue Manufactured Home Reg #49877 Pine Hills MHP Bay #19; PINE Roll #318-10003-370 Lot 32, Plan 21426, DL 220

Skate Park Design Open House Come to the open house to view the designs and learn more about the skate park slated to be installed in Lambly Park this fall.

Date: Wednesday, Sept 19 Time: 6:30-8:30 pm Location: Council Chambers, Peachland Community Centre 6th Street For more information about the project or the open house: Call: 250-767-2133 Email: Projects@peachland.ca To add your name to the email distribution list for any updates, simply email us at projects@ Peachland.ca.

Please identify Skate park in the subject.

many firefighters from neighbouring areas who came to help battle the fire.

“They worked quite hard. I was quite worried at some times because I know they were in positions that were not very safe for them but they did save a lot of houses. It was the efforts of the firefighters on the ground that saved a lot of houses and also the air support we got from the Ministry of Forests was incredible...they went low into the smoke where it appeared they couldn’t see where they were going. They no doubt saved many, many homes,” Topham told The View.

At the time The View went to press the cause of Sunday’s fire was still unknown.

4240 2nd Avenue

Roll #318-10033-530 Lot A, Plan 29041, DL 221

6325 York Lane

Roll #318-10044-280 Lot 1, Plan 23666, DL 449

5295 Clarence Road

Roll #318-10045-474 #217-5165 Trepanier Bench Rd Lot 6, Plan KAS3447, DL 449 Roll #318-10045-475 #221-5165 Trepanier Bench Rd Lot 7, Plan KAS3447, DL 449 Roll #318-10059-710 Lot 1, Block 31, Plan 125, DL 490

5968 Highway 97 S

Roll #318-10060-420 Lot 2, Plan 20489, DL 490

5839 MacGregor Road

Roll #318-10060-530 Lot A, Plan 21421, DL 490

5944 Highway 97 S

LEGAL DESCRIPTION

CIVIC ADDRESS

Roll #318-10060-540 Lot B, Plan 21421, DL 490

5948 Highway 97 S

Roll #318-10086-091 Lot 9, Plan 41082, DL 902

4623 Ponderosa Drive

Roll #318-10088-050 Block 7, Plan 407, DL 912

5079 Elliott Avenue

Roll #318-10092-300 Lot A, Plan 22391, DL 1174

4020 Dryden Road

Roll #318-10092-530 Lot 11, Plan 26881, DL 1174

3920 Trepanier Heights

Roll #318-10098-220 Lot 11C Plan 676, DL 1183

6076 Highway 97 S

Roll #318-10098-380 Lot 3, Plan 9587, DL 1183

4672 Princeton Avenue

Roll #318-10099-900 Lot 2, Plan 26851, DL 1183

6013 Ellison Ave

Roll #318-10115-046 Lot 5, Plan KAS3732, DL 1184

#5-6267 Sundstrom Crt

Roll #318-10115-280 Lot 3, Plan 16729, DL 1184

4839 Princeton Avenue

Roll #318-10116-975 Lot A, Plan KAP68961, DL 1184

6239 Renfrew Road

Roll #318-10131-580 Lot 2, Plan KAP46173, DL 1185

5940 Victoria Street

Roll #318-10141-430 Lot 10, Plan 24059, DL 2538 Roll #318-10141-712 Lot A, Plan KAP88090, DL 2538

5252 Pineridge Road 6358 Powell Road

The purchased must pay in CERTIFIED FORM at the time of purchase. The registered property owner may redeem the property within one (1) year and if so, the purchase price will be refunded with interest thereon.

Douglas F. Pryde, CGA Director of Finance

Peachland View

4

SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

OPINION

We have a lot to be thankful for Constance Roth Peachland View

S

unday began as such a beautiful day. Who knew it would turn out to be one of the longest nights of my life?

At a little after 3 p.m. I could smell the smoke.

By a little after 4 p.m. I was up at the top of Trepanier Bench Road, and families were already being evacuated. I spoke with Pam Highstead who had been told to pack in preparation for evacuation. She and her family were ready; she told me they would only be given a five-minute warning.

Suspecting the fire was coming down the valley, I dropped my daughter off at home and drove to Peachland Mall. By the time I got there, the hillside behind Peachland Elementary was on fire.

Heading home, what should have been a twominute drive from the mall took 15. It was the worst 15 minutes of my life. My girl was home alone and I needed to get to her. By the time I got to my corner, the road was closed. How could that be? I was calm, but inside panicking.

One of the men directing traffic hailed a police officer for me and after pleading my case he gave me an escort to our street.

Upon arriving home we packed. It’s funny when it really comes down to it how little of what we own means anything. Some clothes and toiletries, a clock that has been in my family since the 1800s, my husbands urn and a photo of him and our dogs. That’s it. Everything else is replaceable.

I didn’t sleep Sunday night. Wondering if many homes were burning, certain that they were. Not just worried about my family, and myself but about everyone in Peachland. Scared maybe someone would die. Dreading what the morning would bring, and barely able to wait for it to arrive.

There was no relief early Monday morning, however as the day progressed relief was in sight.

Only four homes burned, but no lives were lost. I was beginning to feel better, although exhausted.

Having only lived in Peachland a few short years, I’ve met many wonderful people who I’ve grown to care very much about, and knowing they were all safe made me feel happy.

This whole experience also showed me how unprepared I am for such a disaster. Yes, I’ve heard and read it all before, but until you experience it; I don’t think you are ever prepared for a situation such as this.

Monday evening as I am writing this, and preparing to sleep in my own bed, car still packed, I can’t help but think about the wonderful men and women who are out there protecting us. The firefighters, the police, emergency service workers and the countless volunteers, they deserve our respect and gratitude. I thank you, and pray for your safety and that of your families.

PEACHLAND

VIEW Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

4437 - 3rd Street Peachland, BC, V0H 1X7 Canada Post Contract #41127536

Peachland Views Veggie farmer much appreciated Thank you Jordan Marr for the column Dispatches from the Farm. It’s one of my favourite pieces in the Peachland View. Your writing style keeps me hooked from beginning to end.

I am grateful that you take the time to provide such a readable, funny and interesting column (I read it to everyone in the household that will listen). I always

learn something and it continues to deepen my respect for organic farming practices.

I continue to enjoy your mix of salad greens sold through our local IGA and your column – thanks again.

Brenda Timm, Peachland

Don’t believe local hill shavers I do not know who wrote this blah, blah, blah but do you think that anybody can believe those people who shaved a hill to death and want to build 20 houses and a hotel on a few acres? When we checked it out

we were afraid that some of the building spots will fall over the ridge. For us it’s another disaster trying to cheat obviously blind investors and ruin nature.

John Smith, Kelowna

Investment and job stats in B.C. MLA Bill Barisoff Commentary My thoughts and prayers go out to the community of Peachland and the many families who have been evacuated from their homes on relatively short notice due to the threat of the current wildfire. For many of us, our homes represent more than just our life equity, but also our memories from some of life’s most precious moments. The safety of our loved ones must always come first and I am pleased that current reports to date confirm that local residents and animals have been safely evacuated. I am certain we all share our deepest condolence for those who have suffered the loss of a family home and let us hope the fire will be fully and safely contained in the very near future.

I would also like to pass on a special thank you to the many first responders, volunteers and other professionals who have worked so tirelessly to coordinate and assist those in need and to battle this fire and prevent further damage.

Hopefully by the time many of you read this week’s report this fire will be fully contained if not extinguished.

MLA Bill On a different topic, for those who deal frequently with the B.C. Safety Authority, please be aware of some pending service changes. To date most B.C. Safety Authority enquiries can be made through Service B.C. and through B.C. Online. Currently the B.C. Safety authority is transitioning to be able to directly provide services. For telephone inquiries residents can contact 1-866-5667233. This same number can also be accessed for information on the new online web portal that will soon be able to service customers online as well. If you have difficulty in connecting with the B.C. Safety Authority or any provincially provided service please do not hesitate to contact my office for assistance and also to share any problems you encounter.

Some good news for British Columbia in other areas

Susan Valentine Group Publisher

Joanne Layh

Editor editor@peachlandview.ca

Constance Roth Sales Manager sales@peachlandview.ca

Published by The Community View Publishing Inc. P.O. Box 1150 Peachland, BC, V0H 1X0 Tel: 250-767-7771 Fax: 250-767-3337 peachlandview@shaw.ca www.peachlandvew.com

has been recently reported. Specifically, investment activity in B.C. during the second quarter of this year has risen by 71 per cent compared with the same period last year. This was the largest increase recorded by any Canadian province and demonstrates the importance of competitive taxation and regulatory requirements.

Investments are what lead to employment and it is also noteworthy to recognize Statistics Canada has also recognized British Columbia now ranks first in Canada for the creation of new jobs over the past 12 months. Last month B.C. recorded 15,000 new jobs and a corresponding decrease of the unemployment rate as it has dropped down to 6.7 per cent. Over the past 12-month period in British Columbia, close to 52,000 net new jobs have been created, this is the highest increase among Canadian provinces.

Beyond these numbers, it is also important to recognize the relationship between investment and jobs. As an example, when a significant financial investment was made to increase cross laminated lumber construction in Okanagan Falls, new jobs were created. This was critically important for a community that had lost a major lumber mill.

Barisoff It should also be recognized that one aspect of the HST that was often criticized was that companies would no longer pay a provincial sales tax on some capital expenditures that existed in the PST system. Taxing capital expenditures can serve as a disincentive for investment and was one of the reasons why HST was promoted as being a “job creation” taxation format. I am not suggesting the HST alone is responsible for B.C.’s currently improving employment and investment situation, however it is important to recognize that government fiscal policies can help to attract investment and job creation much as they can serve to drive them away. Let us never take for granted the importance of jobs and the critical need to attract investment that creates those jobs here in British Columbia.

The Peachland View is a free community newspaper that is distributed each Friday to everyone in Peachland.

Anyone who lives outside the distribution area can purchase a subscription at the following rates: Within Canada: $60 per year plus HST

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.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

Peachland View

5

Steve Allison - Re Failed Downtown Revitalization Project To the citizens of Peachland, I must first offer my condolences and best wishes to all those people affected by the devastating Trepanier fire of this past week. Thanks to all our firefighters and emergency services personnel, and those from all over BC who came to help and lessen the effects of this tragic event. It could have been much worse. I actually considered not running the articles I had promised in last week’s View, regarding the conclusion of my failed downtown revitalization attempt, but we felt we needed closure on this issue too, and figured we’d proceed, knowing that as of this minute, things seem to have been contained. There has been some loss of property, which must be very traumatic for those affected, but so far, we can take solace in the fact that there have been no people or animals reported to be hurt, and embrace that good news. However, given the nature of this event, I have decided to limit my written response to just this one edition of the View, and instead, hold an open house next week, to cover the rest of the details in person. This should work out better anyways, as in compiling the volumes of information that I deem relevant, it seems it would take weeks of 2 page articles to bring it all to light, so an open house seems more efficient, and like me, I’m sure at this point we all simply want closure on the matter.

So, I’ll cover some key points in this edition, and all the hard copies and originals will be available for viewing at the open house, along with other supporting documentation and even actual recordings of the APC meeting fiasco, which I can play for you. The truth of who disrespected who will very quickly become apparent to you. I hope you find the information I am providing useful in better understanding the situation that has occurred, and the intricacies of the challenges of downtown revitalization, not only here in Peachland, but in cities and towns all over Canada and beyond. But first, let me clear up some

confusion of the companies involved. TNI has had its name dragged into all this, but TNI is an innocent bystander in all this, nothing more than a prospective tenant in my new building. It’s sad seeing its name dragged through the mud with baseless attacks by those who would stop at nothing to thwart development. With respect to TNI however, I can tell you that I’ve sold some shares to some of my executive team, so we are now a partnership. I’m still the majority partner, and ditto for Effective Printing and some other related companies. But this building project was my own project, through my property management company, solely owned by my wife and I, along with a numbered company that owns the two buildings involved, and a new company I set up specifically for this development, Allison Properties, Inc. However, detractors have attacked TNI’s name and our place in the community, saying some horrible things. To reconfirm, TNI is not involved in this project. TNI rents from my property management company in the current buildings TNI operates in, and was to be a renter in the new building I had proposed, so TNI’s staff could all unite under one roof, in a new building that would have met our needs for the foreseeable future. Given the irrational attacks, and my inability to create the new space we require, then sadly, all roads lead out of town for TNI, but for now, we’re fine to operate in our current buildings and plan to for the foreseeable future. We’ll sit down as a group of partners and discuss all our options, but I can assure you, we have a lot of passion for Peachland. Unfortunately, TNI is not alone in its plight. One of our town’s dentists, Don McRae, has leased space in West Kelowna, and soon, 3 days per week, he and 7 staff members, and all their customers for those days, will not be coming to Peachland, but rather, will be heading to West Kelowna, near the bridge. This is a real loss for Peachland, especially for the downtown merchants, gamely trying

to make a go of things, but the effects will also be felt at the Peachland Mall on Hwy 97, and beyond. Don tells me he made this decision because of the need to grow his business and the lack of commercial space available in downtown Peachland to allow him to do so, and his business’ needs finally trumping his patience for waiting for new space to be built in downtown Peachland.

Regardless, I have no plans to move my family out of Peachland. We all still live in the same house that we’ve been in since we first moved here over 17 years ago, several years before I even started TNI. Sure, it doesn’t even have AC, but to us, it’s home.

It’s where we raised our kids. And, I can’t take my land and buildings out of downtown Peachland, so my interests in downtown Peachland will also continue, whether as rentals, or as possible re-development opportunities, if and when the numbers make sense, and a future council supports it. Through this article and the open house next week, you’ll come to understand that the numbers for revitalization currently don’t make any financial sense at this time.

Of course, I was willing to take the plunge, but that was ignoring the financial abyss and resistance I’d meet. My wish to unite TNI under one roof and to provide some space for my family, including my mother, who is no longer driving, overrode my reticence based on the unfavourable numbers.

But I’ve never had to work so hard to lose money! I think I’ll just wait and potentially be the 2nd in town to revitalize downtown, as that will at least be an indicator that SOMEONE thinks redevelopment in the downtown core could be profitable at the time and is willing to fight through all the resistance and attacks to make it a reality. It’s always riskier to be the first to redevelop. But again, with these delays, and given the unpleasant nature of the process, and the amount of work required, unnecessarily so in my opinion, this is not something I’m prepared to do at this time. My family and my core businesses are more

important to me. Who knows, downtown revitalization might be something my kids want to tackle down the road.

And remember, I wasn’t planning to sell anything. The building was to be all for lease or for rent, so there was no financial payday as my motivation to proceed. It was to be a long term investment in Peachland. Clearly, we need some new commercial space downtown. I feel strongly about that. The PEDC feels strongly about that. The Charrette Report itself calls for all this, which I’ll talk more about further into this article. The benefits to the community would have been many, including a huge tax base increase, which makes the amenity charge seem paltry by comparison. By our estimation, using an intricate spreadsheet, allowing for a 2% annual increase in the tax rates over a 20 year period and allowing for the yet to be confirmed Revitalization Tax Exemption savings, the town stood to see an increase of approximately $2,475,000 in property taxes over that time had my project been approved.

This doesn’t even include the additional charges, such as DCC’s, etc.

Now, I’d like to start rolling up my sleeves and getting into the teeth of the matter. To start, there are some important things I want to share with you. First, I’d like to thank the anonymous donors of some interesting articles from the Peachland View back in 2007. I’d read them all at the time, but had forgotten about our current Mayor, Mayor Fielding’s, intensity at that time against seemingly any development, but in particular, downtown revitalization. Below, I’ll list the titles/categories and dates of some of the ones I have, and I’ll have the original hard copies of these and more available at the open house, along with photocopies if anyone wants to take the articles home. I don’t think this point regarding the mayor’s past can be ignored.

~ Steve Allison

Mayor Fielding’s Anti-Development History 1.

Keith Fielding on his dismay at the nature & pace of development in Peachland, & his group’s movement to stop it: “The nature and pace of development in Peachland” - The Peachland View, April 5th, 2007

2.

Keith Fielding organized the Concerned Citizens of Peachland group, which has morphed over the years and is currently known as the Peachland Residents Association (PRA): “Development In Peachland: Community Meeting” - The Peachland View, May 28th, 2007

7:00pm at the Peachland Community Centre If you are concerned about the nature and pace of development in Peachland (concerned for example about: high rise towers; mega condominium developments; constant rezoning and OCP change applications; area sector studies that serve the interests of developers and are managed by them; taxation increases due to development related infrastructure improvement; environmental degradation; and, insufficient opportunity for public consultation and input, then you are not alone.

A newly established community group (yet to be named, but for now known as Concerned Citizens of Peachland) wishes to open a constructive dialogue with District Council about these matters.

If you share these beliefs, then we invite you to attend the second public meeting of our rapidly growing group: soon to establish itself as a legally constituted Society. We look forward to seeing you on May 28th at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Centre. However, unless you are already on our e-mail/membership list we ask that you first call one of the following people to confirm your attendance.

Suzy Teed 767 9255 (Princeton area)

Ted Worobetz 767 6067 (Beach area)

Keith Fielding 767 2770 (Trepanier area)

3.

Keith Fielding signs up new members and rallies support for his Citizens for Responsible Planning Group - The Peachland View, May 31st & June 7th, 2007

4.

Keith Fielding Speaks out against the Greata Ranch Development: “What Exactly Does “Join” Mean?” - The Peachland View, July 5, 2007

5.

Mayor Reid says Fielding’s statements are inaccurate: “Be Responsible: Do Your Homework” - The Peachland View, July 2007 • “...I would ask Mr. Fielding and his associates in the “Citizens for Responsible Community Planning in Peachland” to be responsible and do their homework before making inaccurate, irresponsible and alarmist statements....” - Mayor Graham Reid

6.

Keith Fielding opposes a proposed golf and camping resort up in the hills above town: “Turning Up the Heat” - The Peachland View, July 12, 2007 PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Peachland View

6 7.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

Keith Fielding campaigns against high density, multi-story blocks downtown, although ironically, as described in his email, its more or less what the Charrette report is now calling for: “Keep Peachland a Village” - Memo to Peachland Residents, November 4th Mayor Waldo, and members of Council, believe that their plan will be good for business (and therefore good for the town) and that there is not enough opposition to their scheme for them to back off.

And, perhaps they are right. Perhaps it’s true that not enough-people want-to save Peachland from the wrecking ball. Perhaps it is time to say good-bye to an historic, tranquil, low key, low rise village.

Perhaps we should hand over the keys of the town to developers and allow them to bury it in concrete albeit designer-coloured concrete. But, perhaps not!!

Call, or write to, your elected representatives and tell them you want to “Keep Peachland a Village” and that you expect a better plan. For example, one that: • limits the height of new buildings to about four storeys; • helps to preserve Peachland’s low key, low rise, village character. “...Don’t let greed spoil Peachland forever. And don’t be fooled by the argument that this plan is an economic necessity. It will cost us dearly. Let your voice be heard.

For more information , or to assist the “Keep Peachland a Village” Committee, contact the co-ordinator, Keith Fielding, by e-mail: twofieldings@cs.com, or by phone: 767-1770”

8.

Keith Fielding opposes Reflections on the Lake - The Peachland View, Nov 29th, 2007

9.

Mayor Fielding opts out of showing up for the new Greg Norman Golf Development press conference: “A Billion Dollar Snub?” - Peachland View, August 21st, 2009 • “...Fielding is the only person out of two councils who voted against the Pincushion/Ponderosa Area Structure Plan and should have been there Monday but wasn’t...”

Community Amenity Contributions - the Real Story On May 11th, 11 days before the 1st and 2nd hearing, Heidi Simpkins from the district sent this email to my builder, Shane: “...Shane: As requested I have attached a draft copy of the proposed report and bylaw for your review, I am still considering these to be a draft as I have not yet had an opportunity to obtain Dave’s final comments on these changes so there may be some, hopefully minor, amendments yet to come in on Monday. I am submitting the report for 1st and 2nd reading for the May 22nd Committee of the Whole meeting at 9:00 am on Tuesday, May 22nd and Council meeting at 7:00 pm the same evening. We will definitely provide you with a final copy on Thursday the 17th. I understand that Doug Allin has been in touch with you and with the District’s engineer with respect to the traffic impact study and those requirements can be addressed following the 22nd meeting. I trust we have addressed all of the items under discussion at our meeting...”

It had two documents attached. One showed this: Council Report, Request For Decision, April 14, 2012: “...Amenity Contributions are not recommended for this project because: • •

tax exemption for revitalization is being utilized downtown revitalization is exempted in some other centres from Amenity Contributions...” (note, this is contrary to what the Mayor said in the August 30th edition of the Daily Courier - Peachland Project in Jeopardy - where he said regarding amenity charges “every municipality has these kinds of charges on new developments”.)

The other showed this: Zoning Bylaw Excerpt: “Density: Notwithstanding that a 1.1 FAR was provided in the C.2 Core Commercial Zone, this maximum shall be increased to 2.5 FAR in this CD Zone on Lots 2 and 3, Plan 44, DL 490; as long as no more than 30% of the developed area used for multiple-family residential development and an amenity cash contribution in the amount of $13,295.00 is provided to the District to be deposited into the Community Amenity Reserve Fund.”

Again, they sent this email to Shane, but they never sent these documents to me. Shane did some few days later, but I was on vacation and in scanning through all the documents, just thought the report superseded the CD zoning document. Not being a developer, this is all new to me. Regardless, they never DID send the final draft promised to be emailed 5 days later. Then, at the 1st and 2nd reading, Dave Smith stood up and announced that an agreement had been reached with the developer regarding amenity contributions (Community Amenity Contributions “CAC”), which to my mind was true, that being that I wouldn’t be charged them. In a few emails after 3rd reading was approved though, a few comments from the district caused us confusion as it seemed that they were thinking that I would in fact be paying the CAC fees. My builder called the CAO, Elsie Lemke, to ask her about it. She told him they’d changed their minds and that I had to pay these CAC’s. My builder, Shane, let me know. On June 26th, 2012, I called Ms. Lemke, and she told me the same thing. She put me over to Dave Smith. He apologized to me for not having told us or asked us about this decision. Later, when I had my lawyer question Mr. Smith on all this, Mr. Smith told my lawyer he had sent Shane an email with the updated agenda, explaining their reversal of their decision not to charge me CAC’s. My lawyer followed up a day later and Mr. Smith finally admitted that he couldn’t find any such email and apparently, he may have forgotten to send such an email. His email to my lawyer on August 21st states: “An email copy of the proposed report and bylaw was not provided to Shane or Steve, although hard copies of these were available at the District Office and were on the website.” We still can’t find the new agenda online on the district of Peachland website, but I guess Mr. Smith figured we’d anticipate their inexplicable reversal of their stated intentions in that council report that had been emailed to us only 11 days prior to the 1st and 2nd hearing, check at city hall each day and see if any hard copies of new agenda minutes happened to be lying around, and then we’d read them in our spare time, notice this inexplicable reversal on their CAC expectations, and then email them and let them know that we were not in agreement. Our failure to do all this would constitute a fair and equitable negotiation and subsequent agreement to pay CAC’s?! When I let the mayor know this when we met on Thursday, August 30th, at a meeting I had phoned him and requested, even he said this was improper behaviour. Once he got back to his office and confirmed the facts, he sent me an email, from which this excerpt came: Dear Steve I apologize for our failure to properly consult with you about retraction of the statement in an earlier version of the zoning bylaw report which had clearly led you to believe that community amenity charges would be waived. I have been unable to find any correspondence or record of a telephone conversation substantiating my statement that you had been notified of the amendment, and with regret I must acknowledge your contention that none exist.

Best wishes, Keith Keith Fielding, Mayor, District of Peachland I thank him and respect him for sending me this written apology for the district’s actions. However, he still insisted I pay these CAC’s, as he feels the district needs these funds, and he doesn’t want to set a precedent that these CAC’s don’t have to be paid by developers. As you know, I won’t pay these CAC’s, because I never agreed to pay them. I was never asked, never told. There was no agreement. Any agreement involving large sums of money is in writing and no such agreement was ever sent to me. The mayor has confirmed all this in his apology copied above. However, earlier in the day, in a report on AM1150.ca from Wendy McLeod on August 30, 2012, it claims that the Mayor said the following: •

“...The applicant has asked us not to do that because he doesn’t want to pay the community amenity charge that is incorporated into the bylaw. Next week we will be getting a report asking that we wave the $13,000 that we are asking for as a community amenity charge...” Fielding doubts that council will wave that fee. “...This is a real priority for us to get this revitalization process moving but we can’t just allow a developer to write his own rules. It establishes a precedent for other developments like the Ponderosa Pincushion and the New Monaco Development...”

In my opinion, I have clearly demonstrated above that my stance on not paying the CAC’s was in no way a developer trying to “write his own rules” and as a matter of fact, I’d say it’s more the opposite, which I find hypocritical and hurtful. And, the 2nd reason I refuse to pay is for that very same reason concerning it becoming a precedent, which the Mayor was concerned about. I too am concerned and wouldn’t pay the CAC’s in fear that it would in fact set a precedent. Developers outside of downtown may be able to afford to pay CAC’s and subsequently agree to pay them, as part of their pursuit of profits, but with the land costs downtown, no developer can afford to pay any additional fees. To support this statement, I am providing the following links to stories and other municipalities’ documents that pertain to special zones they’ve set up as financially sensitive, where they see a great benefit to the community, be it in jobs being created, or critical new services being offered, and accordingly, all the discounts they are offering to attract developers to help PAID ADVERTISEMENT

SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

Peachland View

7

them with their downtown revitalization goals. To my knowledge, NONE of these municipalities charge CAC’s in these economically sensitive areas. Here are the links, and I will have these, and others, available at the open house : 1.

Council Briefing - Downtown Revitalization PEDC submission to council, May 11th, 2011 • Council briefing considers incentives for downtown development

2.

Peachland Economic Development Committee (PEDC) weighs in on Downtown Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw, July 4th, 2012 • PEDC wants to tell developers and businesses: “We want to make downtown Peachland a place that everyone coming into the Okanagan will want to visit. We know it will cost you additional capital and that it will result in higher taxes for you, so we will exempt you from paying these additional taxes completely for 5 years and then implement them for the next 5 years on an incremental basis.”

3.

City of Kelowna Incentives Web link: http://www.kelowna.ca/CityPage/Docs/PDFs/Bylaws/Revitalization%20Tax%20Exemption%20Bylaw%20No.%209561.pdf • City of Kelowna establishes a revitalization tax exemption program in order to encourage redevelopment

4.

Interior Health & Downtown Kelowna partner in development Web link: http://www.kelowna.ca/CM/Page4072.aspx • City of Kelowna helps Interior Health make development possible

5.

Penticton Economic Incentives Web link: http://www.penticton.ca/EN/main/business/economic-development/economic-incentives.html • Penticton offers tax relief, building permit fee & development cost reduction for downtown development

6.

Downtowns Rising from the Dead Web link: http://www.globeinvestor.com/servlet/ArticleNews/story/GAM/20100803/PRDOWNTOWNSATL • London, Ontario establishes downtown incentives for new construction and refurbishing of old buildings • Restrictive Levies and Bylaws no Longer Make Sense • Development Incentives are Crucial

Peer Review Panel (PRP) & Charrette Report As part of the rezoning and building application, we attended the Advisory Planning Committee meeting on June 28th, 2012. My lawyer says that some municipalities don’t even use an APC anymore, and he’s never even heard of a PRP process. Normally, the decision on form and character is simply made by the planning department. That’s what they’re paid for. However, despite rude and menacing outbursts from those in attendance at the APC meeting who were in opposition, who also attacked the APC council members, calling them arrogant, the meeting concluded and the APC having reviewed all the materials, recommended to staff that my proposed building be approved as shown. However, the same people who were disrespectful in the meeting, for which I have a full recording available to play, went to the Mayor and claimed that they felt disrespected in the meeting. The Mayor then decided to install a new hurdle into the process, what he called a Peer Review Panel, flying experts in from out of town to “...review functional and physical design components of the concept plans for the proposed...building in downtown Peachland; ...In light of such review, assist the municipality in Development Permit consideration by offering comment on form and character issues and charrette design...interpretation”. We didn’t need to fly in experts from out of town with tax payers’ monies, when our own council appointed APC committee members already approved the building and its compliance with the Charrette report, and it’s easy to see why. Here are excerpts from pages 46 and 48 of the Charrette report: B.3 Focus commercial development on Beach Avenue first. - Continue to make Beach Avenue the first focus for commercial density. Accommodate 8,000 to 12,000 sq.m. of commercial space in Beach Avenue South.

B.4 Redevelop the Edgewater site.

B.5 Locate residential units above ground-floor commercial space.

B.10 Build zero- and minimum-lot line developments. - Maintain a pedestrian scale downtown by building mixed use and commercial developments to the property line for all frontage conditions.

B.11 Make all new buildings in Beach Avenue South mixed-use. - Make all new buildings mixed-use with residential and office above ground-floor commercial.

B.13 Vary building heights between two and three storeys.

My proposed building clearly met all these objectives in 100% full compliance. Conversely, the FIRST recommendation of the Charrette report, on page 114, under Actions for Implementation, 1.1, states: “Explore fiscal options to support downtown revitalization projects. New development in Downtown Peachland will provide benefits to the entire community”. There are no recommendations suggesting that adding new fees, such as the CAC’s, will help to make downtown revitalization a reality.

The PRP process delayed my proposed building until next year. The next step, which I had commenced after 3rd reading was approved on June 26th and the APC meeting was successfully completed on June 28th, was to do the architectural drawings, a complex and expensive set of drawings that take 2 months to complete. They’d have been finished shortly after the August 14th council meeting, which we were scheduled to be on for both the final vote on the zoning and the building permit application. With the PRP twist thrown in however, where it would be reviewing the form and character of the building, I could not proceed with those drawings. Now, to start in September means the drawings wouldn’t be ready until the end of October, and then the builder still had to get quotes from the trades to make a firm quote to me, and I needed that to go to the bank for approval. We could have done all that in September and demolished, poured the new structure, and finished the building over the winter, but we can’t do that during November, pouring cement in December, so the earliest we could have started was March 2013. And, had I known that, I wouldn’t have turned away the prospective renter that approached us, looking to rent my Aegean Grill building just this past spring, potentially costing me approximately $50,000 in lost earnings. I said, “Sorry, no, I’ll be tearing the building down this fall”. Wrong. And it’s a good thing I didn’t do those architectural drawings, because the PRP did in fact have a few recommendations. Unfortunately, due to some legal challenges that my lawyer brought to light with the district, no one has yet seen or heard a thing of this PRP that was so important as to delay my building, but I recently met with Dave Smith at the city, along with the architect for my project. Mr. Smith outlined a few of the PRP recommendations, none of which made sense for my building in my opinion, and I will only invest in something that I believe in of course. But after this long wait, I can tell you one of the recommendations. Mr. Smith looked me right in the eyes and asked me if I’d consider putting a tunnel through my building. I thought he was joking, but he wasn’t, explaining it would be a pedestrian corridor. I find it laughable. The look would be ridiculous. In a normal rezoning application process, it is normal practice that after 3rd reading the bylaw would be considered accepted by council, subject to MOTI approval, which we subsequently received on July 6th, with only formalities left to finalize before adoption at 4th reading. No new information can be introduced after the public hearing without a new public hearing being required to be held. To suggest a major change like this, at this late point seems unreasonable. I had already paid over $20,000 to have the interior floor plans done up, feeling that things were moving forward. And, the project couldn’t afford to lose any retail rental space. Besides, I think a tunnel like that would be a magnet for graffiti and questionable legal behaviour later in the evening. All I can do at this point is look at the humorous side of it, and to that end, I’ve done up a new drawing for the building, working in some of the recommendations from the building’s detractors, along with this PRP recommendation. Perhaps they can bring this building to fruition. Me, I’m done for now.

To the many people who have come forward in support of this project, whether in the paper, or calls to my home and office, visits to my office, I appreciate all your support. I’m sorry I’ve let you down. I can assure you it wasn’t from a lack of trying.

OPEN HOUSE

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Wednesday, September 19th 1:00pm - 8:00pm 4422 1st Street Boardroom PAID ADVERTISEMENT

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SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

NEWS | COMMUNITY

Regional board meeting highlights – September 6 Contributed Crystal Resort application extension The regional board has approved a six-month extension for the proposed rezoning at the Crystal Ski and Golf Resort. In light of current global economic conditions, the applicant is proposing to reduce the density of the first phase of the development and is working to meet the requirements of the Regional District Applications Procedures Bylaw. The board has previously granted three six-month extensions for the rezoning application.

Kelowna Mountain rezoning application The regional board has approved returning a rezoning application that was submitted for the proposed Kelowna Mountain development. The application is

not considered to be complete as it doesn’t meet the conditions set out in either the Regional District Application Procedures Bylaw No. 944 or the South Slopes Official Community Plan (OCP) Bylaw No. 1304. The board also supports advising the applicant that any future rezoning application and OCP amendment application will be considered in conjunction with the completion of all required components of a neighbourhood plan as outlined in the South Slopes OCP Recreation Resort Study Area for Kelowna Mountain.

Regional emergency service review The regional board has approved the terms of reference for the regional emergency service oversight

committee. It will be chaired by director Gerry Zimmermann with directors Ophus, Fielding, Baker and Edgson as members and will work with the technical committee to provide the board with possible revisions to the regional emergency services program. A report is expected for board consideration later this fall.

Regional board meetings Regional board meetings will take place at the regional district office located at 1450 KLO Road in Kelowna at the Woodhaven Board Room. Residents are welcome to attend.

• Monday, September 17 at 7 p.m.; and • Thursday, October 11 – following the 8:30 a.m. governance and services committee meeting.

Lions to host Train Wreck Comedy Show, Sept. 22 Constance Roth Peachland View Don’t wait, reserve your tickets now for what promises to be an evening full of laughter.

The Peachland Lions Club will be presenting Train Wreck Comedy Saturday, September 22 at the Peachland Community Centre at 8 p.m. The show will be 90 minutes long, with an intermission at the half way mark and will feature 12 stand-up comedians from Kelowna.

Since he first set foot on stage in 1999, host/emcee Jamie Charest has been per-

forming stand-up comedy throughout Western Canada at comedy clubs, theatres and private functions.

For almost three years now, Charest has been performing as part of Train Wreck Comedy. His incredible timing and quick wit has made him a crowd favourite.

Hailing from Kelowna, Caleb Campbell is one of the newest comedians to hit the comedy scene. A must see performer, Campbell has performed in clubs all over the province and placed second in Vancouver’s Funniest Standup Competition.

Due to the fact anyone can edit what

is on Wikipedia, Campbell has added co-headlining at Carnegie Hall with Richard Pryor and space travel to his list of accomplishments.

The evening’s headliner, Rob Balsdon is originally from Ontario but now makes his home in B.C. When “behaviour sometimes distracts others,” was repeatedly written on his report cards he knew comedy was his calling.

Balsdon has worked in radio, both as a producer and announcer. His combination of a quick wit, brutal honesty and a likeable innocence has led him to work with some of the biggest names in Canadian comedy including Brent Butt

(Corner Gas) Gerry Dee (Mr. D and the Score) and Canadian comedy legend Mike MacDonald. He recently opened for film star and SNL alumni Norm MacDonald, one of his idols. His high energy and thought provoking show is sure to bring the audience together with laughter.

This show is an adult only performance with beer and wine available as well as snacks.

Tickets are $20 per person and are available at the Peachland Visitor Centre and Johnson Meier Insurance, or call Gary at 250-767-5258. Seating is limited, so get your tickets early.

Hardy Falls closes due to bears Hardy Falls Regional Park is now closed to public due to increased daytime bear sightings in recent days, the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) announced on Wednesday.

Communications coordinator Bruce Smith says several bears and cubs have taken up residence in the park and the decision to close it was made in order to keep people safe.

Smith says all previously scheduled public and school Kokanee interpre-

Patrick Bell

tive tours and weekend interpretive programming will continue along the creek, adjacent to the washroom area of the park between Renfrew Road and Highway 97.

Anyone found inside a closed regional park could face a $500 fine, Smith warns.

The park will remain closed until the BC Conservation Officer Service is satisfied it is once again safe for public use.

Kathryn Robinson

Joseph Jacoe

• Personal Injury • Wills & Estates • Real Estate • Civil Litigation • Family Law • Corporate Law 13211 N. Victoria Rd. P.O. Box 520, Summerland BC V0H 1Z0

1-800-663-0392 • 250-494-6621 • 250-492-8137

Peachland View

SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

9

COMMENTARY | NEWS

From the Mayor’s Desk: How grateful we are Mayor Keith Fielding Commentary It is the morning of Wednesday, September 12 as I write this article, and Peachland is in its fourth day of an official state of emergency caused by the Trepanier area forest fire. Evacuation alerts remain in place, but most of us who were ordered to evacuate have now been allowed to return to our homes, leaving us optimistic that the remaining evacuees, some 250 of them, will soon find the order rescinded.

I have had an opportunity to speak with homeowners and tenants whose homes were lost in the fire, and to let them know that our hearts go out to them. And, while it must be of small comfort to them at such a difficult time, the wonder is that the scale of property loss is at the low level it is, compared to what it might have been. The emergency is not over, but I do know that we have truly, ‘dodged a bullet’.

In the coming days we will learn more about the resourcefulness and professionalism of those emergency personnel fighting the fire, supporting evacuation efforts, providing emergency social assistance, and coordinating events from the Emergency Operations Centre. However, it is already clear that we have been extraordinarily well served and owe a huge debt of

gratitude to many, many people.

In particular, my thanks go to our fire chief, Grant Topham for coordinating the emergency response, for engaging with air and ground support services from BC Forestry, and for ensuring the effective deployment of our own Peachland Fire and Rescue personnel, as well as the firefighters from West Kelowna, Kelowna, Lake Country, Summerland, Penticton, North Westside, Ellison and Joe Rich.

Many residents have told me how impressed they were with the support they received from the Emergency Social Services volunteers at the Westbank Lions Community Hall, and by the local businesses and non-profit groups that have supported their work. Despite the inevitable delays and hiccups that come with serving so many people in such a short period of time, your efforts on our behalf are truly appreciated.

Our thanks also go to the staff deployed at the Emergency Operations Centre. Coordinated by Peachland chief administrative officer, Elsie Lemke, the team is doing an amazing job of planning, coordinating, communicating, problem solving, managing media relations and answering questions from the public.

And finally, to the RCMP who have overseen the evacuation effort, devoted themselves to ensuring public safety, and who continue to patrol all areas to keep

Study to explore pipeline feasibility Last week district council approved the spending of $14,000 for water testing, equipment installation, and data analysis that will provide the district with more information about the possibility of direct piping water from Peachland Lake.

The district’s water master plan calls for a water treatment plant and filtered water storage reservoir located near the existing Peachland Creek intake facility in order to meet Interior Health (IH) requirements, a project estimated to cost $22 million - in capital costs alone - when the plan was approved in 2007.

However, since then the district has became aware of this piping option to provide high quality water to residents that could include the possibility to harvest energy and reduce further infrastructure investments by possibly not having to build a water treatment plant.

By piping water directly from Peachland Lake the district could save money over the long run, though neither option is cheap.

According to Urban Systems, the estimated capital cost of the raw water direct transmission pipeline together with ultra-violet and chlorine disinfection with treated water storage is $24.7 million. In today’s cost, the water filtration plant option would cost $24.6 million, making the capital costs of each project about the same. However, one factor that makes direct piping a more attractive option is it would cost $128,000 less in annual operational costs than the filtration plant. In addition, the direct 2 The Peachland View

transmission pipeline could also generate an estimated $536,000 in annual revenue through power generation. “Interior Health was quite supportive of the concept, however they want to have more testing done,�

Urban Systems senior planner Dan Huang said. “The biggest benefit is the potential for energy‌ there’s a huge potential here for a sustainable energy source for the long run.â€?

Huang says the energygenerating component of the pipeline option will enhance the district’s ability to get grant funding from other levels of government, giving it a big advantage over the plant option.

Huang says if the preliminary water quality testing meets IH standards, a more in depth study would need to be completed.

Allin says the results of the testing will be available after the next frechette, which will likely be in July of 2013.

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us and our property safe, we thank you too. The image of an RCMP officer, doused in fire retardant, asking if he could use our garden hose to wash himself down while we ran into our house to collect some belongings will remain with me for a long time.

The stories will be told, and the emergency workers will be celebrated. But for now, Peachland thanks you all!

Thank You Thank you to all of the hard working firefighters and emergency services personnel, both locally and from abroad, who came to the assistance of the community of Peachland in our time of need. Please accept our sincere gratitude for all that you have done to lessen the effects of this tragic event.

Peachland Fall Fair Tuesday, September 25

7 pm at Peachland Community Centre Anyone needing to receive their trophy plaque or monies for winning entries, or if you need to pick-up your entries or dishes, please come by at the above time, or email lormact@telus.net.

Thank you for your entries and your support.

We look forward to seeing you next year.

Walk-Ins

Family Practice Same Day Appointments Tourists Welcome

Dr. John Brinkerhoff

March 25, 2011

The strength of the economy is Please call: evident everywhere 250-767-3432

It’s back! The signs are all there. It hit high that is held up by resilient, shock home for me this past week while I was absorbing laminated beams and girders. The doingBeach an announcement at one of Western for the people and the product is Avenue Medical Clinic isdemand located Dr. Praven Chetty Canada’s largest technical institutes. This strong. And we have what it takes right here in Peachland, B.C., 5848 Beach Avenue post secondary training college graduates to supply that demand. about 25aper cent down of all offrom the completed Another sign of our growing economy was block the Gasthaus. apprentices going into a wide range of evident at the annual Hong Kong business professions and occupations right across the dinner in Vancouver this week. As minister country. for the Asia Pacific it was an What they were telling honour to bring remarks to the � WEEKLY COMMENTARY me was good news, but not sold-out event. The mood in the Hours without its challenges. The STOCKWELL DAY, MP room was clearly optimistic.

Mon. - Fri. administration and faculty And it was optimism based on reps said it was starting to look like 9 dĂŠjĂ -vu am - 5hard pmfacts, not simply hope. all over again. The demand forClosed all types of & Holidays Agriculture and energy producers were Weekends trades is unmistakeably surging upwards there, talking about what appears to be longbeachavenuemedical.com Alanna numbers.

Leverrier After again. They said it reminded them of the term growth andDr. demand pressure they felt at the time of major all, as the middle class continues to grow at employee shortages a few years ago. an amazing rate and people move annually

Peachland View

10

SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

AGRICULTURE | COMMUNITY

Dispatches from the farm Jordan Marr Special to the Peachland View Oddly, the first real feelings of angst and unsettledness came a full day after the evacuation order and the two-hour window when there was a significant prospect of the fire reaching our farm.

Before all of that it was a textbook Sunday. Our Peachland Farmers’ Market sales were good but not good enough (for grumpy farmers they never are). It was sunny and hot (again!). The morning had been nice and relaxed - I don’t usually run the stall at the market - and I had just finished picking up the crew and devouring the weekly market gossip they fed me. Back at the farm, I was about to head outside to harvest a couple more items for our weekly veggie box delivery that evening when I smelled smoke. My eyes darted to the oven, home to many absent-minded baking disasters-past. On the way they passed the kitchen window. There was a billow rising somewhere up Trepanier Bench Road.

Minutes later our farm’s apprentice, Claire, reported on her way past my cabin that there was a wildfire and we would probably have to evacuate at some point.

This was a first for me.

To the extent that one can run laps in a 600 square foot, rectangular cabin, I did.

I’m old enough to remember an older format of TV’s Wheel of Fortune (when, let me tell you, Vanna was in her glorious, 1980s prime) when each round’s winners watched the feed of a video camera panning across a room full of prizes, and chose what they wanted until their earnings ran out. That’s kind of how it felt, except that instead of prize money my budget was time. Well Mr. Sajak, I’ll take the passport in the drawer there. Oh, and the filing cabinet full of organic certification records and business receipts. That market cash box looks nice. Hmm. And I guess that signed photo of Neil Diamond. That last one I made up. Oh, if only it were true...

The farm has an evacuation plan, which I learned from my landlord on the fly.

Most of the farm’s residents left. Irrigation was placed strategically to take on the fire, which felt like grabbing a toothbrush to scrub the back of an elephant. Machinery would be placed in the center of the hayfield, and if it came down to it, the On September 6 the lovely ladies at Johnston Meier Insurance matched a $1,000 grant from the Gore livestock would be set free. We were as ready as we could be.

Foundation with a $1,000 cheque from their local office. The Peachland Wellness Centre is able to do what they do thanks to the generosity of community groups and businesses such as Johnston Meyer And then...I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. The fire, judging by the smoke Insurance.

Contributed photo and the increasing buzz of air traffic overhead, seemed to be getting worse, and evacuation seemed likely. Yet I harboured hopes the fire would be put out and I could do deliveries. And I still hadn’t done the last of the harvesting. That’s how I found myself in the odd position of picking eggplants and delicately bundling bunches of sage and thyme together as helicopters, scout planes, and bombers roared overhead as they rushed to dump liquid-hero on the fire and hundreds of people lined up on the highway that looms over our farm to watch the drama. I pretended all of their cameras were being brandished to capture my near-perfect rubber banding technique.

Am I being insensitive to the gravitas of what was taking place along Trepanier Creek? That’s not my intent.

When it comes to buying natural gas, it’s nice to have choice. Compare your I’m trying to convey how surreal the whole incident felt. options: fixed rates and terms offered by independent gas marketers versus a I knew that there was a whole lot of awful happening nearby, and that chances were uncomfortably high that variable rate offered by FortisBC. Customer Choice: it’s yours to make. the farm could be in trouble, but I think it would have taken the flames licking the edges of the farm before it Residential fixed rates (per GJ)* felt like anything other than a movie I was watching Gas marketer Contact info unfold in front of me.

1 yr term 2 yr term 3 yr term 4 yr term 5 yr term Most of you know the story of the wildfire. The wind was really strong and the fire did a lot of damage before 1-877-519-0862 Access Gas Services Inc. $3.89 $4.64 $4.89 $5.39 $5.64 accessgas.com it was contained. It didn’t affect the farm but others just below us weren’t so lucky. Meanwhile, 1,500 of us were Active Renewable 1-866-628-9427 $8.99 Marketing Ltd. activerenewable.com evacuated. I suspect most spent their evacuation as I did.

A little bit confused; a little bit humbled by the steady 1-888-780-3298 FireFly Energy $4.29 $5.33 fireflyenergy.ca stream of calls, texts, and emails from concerned neighbours, customers, and family (and in my case, awesome 1-866-587-8674 Just Energy $3.99 $4.40 $4.40 justenergy.com customers) expressing concern and offering a place to stay; swapping stories and speculations with others af1-866-360-3193 $4.69 $5.19 Planet Energy planetenergyhome.ca fected; grateful for an emergency-response infrastructure and corps I was scarcely aware existed that sprung to ac1-877-222-9520 Summitt Energy BC LP $5.80 $6.99 summittenergy.ca tion without me having to raise a finger; always thirsting for more, more information.

1-866-872-2991 Superior Energy Management $5.20 superiorenergy.ca It wasn’t until well past the threat of danger that any real anxiety set in for me. It was hard to be stressed about something so hard to contemplate, but easy to Local natural gas utility Contact info Residential variable rate (per GJ)** stress about the effect on my business and what to do with myself as the evacuation wore on. So it wasn’t until FortisBC fortisbc.com/choice $2.977 Monday afternoon that I felt any real tightness in my chest, and it was over the small stuff.

Something like this happens, you learn what kind of community you live in. A really tight one, it turns out. *Chart shows gas marketers’ rates for a range of fixed terms, valid as of September 1, 2012.

I’m really grateful for that. Here’s hoping things return Marketers typically offer a variety of rates and options. Check gas marketers’ websites or to normal really soon. My thanks to those who fought call to confirm current rates. **Residential variable rate valid as of July 1, 2012. FortisBC’s rates are reviewed quarterly by the fire, and my sympathy to those who weren’t as lucky the British Columbia Utilities Commission. as we were at the farm.

A gigajoule (GJ) is a metric measurement of energy used for establishing rates, sales and Jordan Marr grows veggies at the Homestead Orbilling. One gigajoule is equal to one billion joules (J) or 948,213 British thermal units (Btu).

The Customer Choice name and logo is used under license from FortisBC Energy Inc. ganic Farm in Peachland and offers home delivery This advertisement is produced on behalf of the British Columbia Utilities Commission. to area residents. For more information visit thehomesteadorganicfarm.ca

Natural gas prices

For more information, visit fortisbc.com/choice.

Peachland View

SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

11

LOCAL ACTIVITIES & EVENTS | SUNDAYS

MONDAYS

Jerry Dober Breakfast, 8am, Peachland Wellness Centre

Take Off Pounds Sensibly, 9:30am, 50+ Activity Centre

Carpet Bowling, 10am, 50+ Activity Centre

Peachland Baptist Sunday School, 9:45am, 4204 Lake Ave.

Peachland Variety Singers, 9:30am, 50+

Seniors Excursions, 11am, Peachland Wellness Centre

Peachland United Service, 10am, United Church Crystal Waters Service, 10am, Little Schoolhouse St. Margaret’s Anglican Church Worship, 10am, St. Margaret’s Anglican Church Emmanuel Church Workship Service, 10am, Peachland Elementary School Peachland Baptist Service, 10:30 fellowship, 11am, 4204 Lake Ave. Meat Draw, 2pm, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #69

TUESDAYS

Morning Coffee, 1011am, Peachland Wellness Centre Computer Literacy, 10am-noon, Peachland Wellness Centre Tai Chi, 12pm, 50+ Activity Centre Needle Arts, 1:15pm, 50+ Activity Centre BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS Tween Scene, 3-5pm, 4th Street Place Peachland Guides 5:15pm, Peachland Rec Centre.

Peachland Sparks (girls 5-6), 5:30pm, Peachland Recreation Centre Wood Carvers, 7pm, 50+ Activity Centre

WEDNESDAYS Aerobics, 9:30am, 50+ Activity Centre Chess, 1:15pm, 50+ Activity Centre

Peachland Toastmasters, 12pm, Peachland Community Centre AA, 12pm, 50+ Activity Centre (2nd & 4th week of the month only) Friendship Tuesday, blood pressure readings 1pm, House Sitter movie 1:30pm, 50+ Activity Centre

Yoga, 1:30pm, 50+ Activity Centre Sunshine Singers, 1:30pm, Peachland Wellness Centre Teen Volunteers, 4-5:30pm, Peachland Wellness Centre Central Okanagan Model Railway Company Group, 7pm, Peachland Museum

editor@peachlandview.ca

THURSDAYS Line Dancing, 9am, 50+ Activity Centre Tai Chi (Wellness Centre), 9:30am beginners, 10am continued level, United Church Hall Bereavement, 10am, Peachland Wellness Centre Iron and Silk Exercise, 11am, 50+ Activity Centre

FRIDAYS Yoga, 10:30am, 50+ Activity Centre Art Class, 1pm, 50+ Activity Centre Ladies Snooker, 5pm, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #69 Potluck, Meeting, or Entertainment, 6pm, 50+ Activity Centre (4th week of the month only)

SATURDAYS Carpet Bowling, 10am, 50+ Activity Centre Meat Draw, 3pm, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #69 Papa Thom LIVE, 8-11pm, Waterfront Grill.

Peachland Rotary Club Meeting, 12pm, Gasthaus Pub AA, 12pm, 50+ Activity Centre

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS Teen Drop-In, 4-6:30pm, Westside Youth Centre *text 250-859-3893 for a ride.

Meat Draw, 4pm, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #69 Peachland Brownies (girls 7-8), 5:30pm, Anglican Church

Tai Chi (Wellness Centre), 6pm, United Church Hall

Bingo, 6:45pm, 50+ Activity Centre

Bridge, 7pm, 50+ Activity Centre

SEPTEMBER 16 SEPTEMBER 17 SEPTEMBER 18 SEPTEMBER 19 SEPTEMBER 13 SEPTEMBER 14 SEPTEMBER 15 Peachland Farmers & Crafters Market, 10am-2pm, Heritage Park.

Kokanee Interpretive Program, 12-4pm, Hardy Falls.

Spawning salmon!

Fall Tracks Walking Club, 9am, Mission Creek Regional Park or Mission Creek Greenway, Kelowna.

Free. Participants will be working toward the goal of taking part in this year’s Mission Creek Greenway Kokanee Walk/Run on Saturday, October 13. Group meets Mon & Wed. To register just drop in to the EECO in Mission Creek Regional Park; call 250-469-6140 or email eeco@cord.bc.ca.

Committee of the Whole, 9am, Council Chambers.

Regular Council Meeting, 7pm, Council Chambers.

Mayor’s Task Force on Climate Change, 1pm, Council Chambers.

This meeting will be open to the public.

Steve Allison Open House, 1-8pm, 4422 1st St. Boardroom

Peachland Economic Development Committee (PEDC), 6:30pm, Council Chambers.

All meetings are open to the public.

Skate Park Design Open House, 6:308:30pm, Council Chambers at Peachland Community Centre.

View the designs and learn more about the park slated for fall install at Lambly Park.

Peachland Ambassador Pageant, 7:30pm, Peachland Community Centre.

The six candidates will be presenting their sponsor appreciation speeches followed by their own entertainment presentation.

After intermission there will be a fashion show by the candidates.

Model Train Display, all afternoon, Peachland Mall (in the former Peachland Video Store).

View model trains and support the Peachland Food Bank with a donation.

Peachland Ambassador Pageant, 7pm, community centre.

The candidates will be presented in their formal evening wear.

Visiting royalty will bring greetings. The awards ceremony and coronation will follow.

Peachland Legion's

Massive Garage Sale

Join us on October 13, 9 am - 2 pm at the Peachland Legion

BBQ, Live Music and Fun! Help the Legion - We’ll pick up those items you no longer need After the Garage Sale, Party On!

Meat Draw, Silent and Live Auctions, Live Music, $10 Food Platter Proceeds to Legion Renovation Fund and The Canadian Cancer Society Phone Scott at 250-859-1516 or the Legion at 250-767-9404 to arrange your donation pick-up and book your party reservation NOW!

Peachland View

12

SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

Winterizing modern roses in the Okanagan Malcom Scott Special to the Peachland View Having moved from the west coast to Kelowna a few years ago, I thought a rose culture re-education might be in order. After all, moving from zone 8 to zone 5 is quite a significant climatic change! What I discovered was for the most part is growing roses in the Okanagan is actually a lot easier. Gone are the weekly sprays for fungus. And the roses grow so vigorously with all that Okanagan sun and heat. After all, roses are real sun lovers and they seem to really enjoy the natural clay loam soil that we have.

The only real concern is winter protection. Many Okanagan winters can be severe enough to significantly damage or even kill many of the modern roses (i.e. hybrid teas and floribundas). The good news is that there are steps you can take to minimize this damage.

So what causes winter damage? Most damage occurs to actively growing canes or new shoots. Our goal therefore, is to ensure the canes are hardened off prior

CLASSIFIEDS | FOR RENT

FOR SALE

For Rent Clean, spacious, recently renovated, 1 bdrm w/semi-private furnished or unfurnished living space. Private bath, shared laundry, gas f/p, storage area. $575 month incl. utilities, cable, N/S, N/P. Call 250-767-2747

For Sale by Owner Peachland home, .89 acres with possible subdivision, with stunning panaramic views. Call 250767-0310.

For Rent Cozy, self contained bachelor cottage, downtown Peachland, $600 including utilities. Call 250-767-6348

FOR SALE For Sale 2001 mobile, many upgrades, fenced, shed, cul-de-sac setting, Peachland flats, 55+ park, small pets okay, $94,500. Call 250-7672753

GARAGE SALES

Garage Sale

Large moving sale Sat., Sept. 15 9am - 4pm 5836 Vicary Road (off Columbia) Collectables, garden items, concrete ornaments, bistro set, tools, antiques and household items

Huge Estate Sale Huge 4 generation estate sale Fri., Sept. 14 8am - 6pm Sat., Sept. 15 8am - 2pm Buchanan Road, Peachland Follow the signs

PEACHLAND VIEW DEADLINES CLASSIFIED ADS by noon Tuesdays

to extreme cold weather and that the rose is not generating any new growth. Perhaps it’s not surprising that the most severe damage occurs in late fall before the canes have hardened off – seldom in the coldest part of winter. As well, damage frequently occurs in the early spring if a hard frost occurs after a warm spell has prompted the sap to start flowing and the roses have begun to bud out. So always keep your rose bushes well protected until the chance of a severe frost has passed.

One of the main tricks is to force your roses into dormancy to harden off the canes. As mentioned earlier, a dormant rose is far less susceptible to winter damage.

To help accomplish this quit fertilizing your roses by the middle of August (foliar feeding is okay). As well, after the middle of September, do not continue to dead head your roses (i.e. allow the roses to produce hips) and minimize any severe pruning. After a few hard frosts your roses will quit trying to grow and should slip into dormancy.

Once your hybrid tea and floribunda roses are dor-

250 767 7771 or sales@peachlandview.ca NOTICES Peachland United Church

BARGAIN BIN

Meets Monday at 7 p.m. (closed meeting) and Friday at 8 p.m. (open meeting).

• Good clean clothing • Household items

Call 250-763-5555 for more info.

We accept donations on days that we are open.

SERVICES

OPEN THURS. - SAT. 9:30 - 3 PM

Painting Services Residential or commercial, New construction or repaint. Interior or exterior. Call G. C. Contracting for a free estimate. 250-767-2701

Peachland Farmers & Crafters Market Heritage Park on Beach Avenue, Peachland Sundays 10AM to 2PM May 27 to Sept. 30 Info: Market Manager 250-317-0407 www.peachlandfarmersandcraftersmarket.ca

DISPLAY ADVERTISING (boxed): noon Mondays

NOTICES: Weddings, engagements birth announcements, cards of thanks, in memoriums, obituaries, and other notices (min. charge) $6.00 plus HST up to 20 words, 15¢ each additional word.

Business display advertising rates on request.

PHONE 250.767.7771 Fax: 250.767.3337 Email: sales@peachlandview.ca or mail your advertisement to: Peachland View, PO Box 1150 Peachland BC, V0X 1X0 PEACHLAND VIEW OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Advertising Regulations: The Peachland View reserves the right to classify ads under appropriate headings and to separate therefore and to determine the page location. The Peachland View reserves the right to revise, edit, classify or reject any advertisement. All claims of errors to advertisements must be received by the publisher within seven days after the first publication.

It is agreed by the advertiser requesting space that the liability of the Peachland View in the event of failure to publish an advertisement or in the event of an error appearing in the advertisement as published, shall be limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for only one incorrect insertion for the portion of the advertising space occupied by the incorrect or omitted item only and that there shall be no liability in any event greater than the amount paid.

PERSONALS

SERVICES

Alcoholics Anonymous Peachland Fellowship

(Must be prepaid, cash, Visa or Mastercard) Email: sales@peachlandview.ca

NEWS COPY: noon Mondays CLASSIFIED AD RATES: Up to 20 words - $8.75; 15¢ each additional word.

Per column inch $8.75 plus HST

mant you should lightly prune the longer canes and then remove all of the leaves from each rose bush (they will snap off quite easily once they have received a couple of heavy frosts). Reducing their height will reduce the harmful swaying action of the cold winter winds and prevent the roses from moving in the soil and thus damaging the roots. Removing the leaves helps convince the roses to remain dormant and also eliminates unwanted fungus or disease (always place the leaves and prunings in your green waste barrel and not your personal compost bin).

The final important step is to mound each rose bush with suitable mulch. I prefer to use fresh mushroom manure, but it’s hard to find in this part of the world – so something like Nature’s Gold will do the trick. Create a conical mound about a foot high around each bush, but do not gather the existing soil from around the bush as this will disturb the roots.

Your roses are now comfortably put to bed and you needn’t worry about them again until spring...more on that later!

Snip, Grip & Rip

Specializing in properties with those “Hard to Reach Places”

Call Scott Hudey at 778-821-4053 “Where Business is Growing Like a Weed”

Renosense Home Repair Ltd. Renovations including dry walling, textured ceilings, etc., decks, tiling, etc. No job too small. Call Eric at 250-767-2593 Roof Rite New, re-roofs and repairs, moss removal & prevention, eavestrough cleaning, shingles, shakes & concrete roof tiles. Todd Smith, 250-767-6603 or 250-718-0641.

Worksafe BC Insured.

PEACHLAND Cheryl & Brian MacKinnon wish to announce the marriage of their daughter, Jessica to Dan Guthrie.

The wedding was held on September 5, 2012 with friends & family in attendance.

The Yard Guise

VIEW

CLASSIFIEDS: 250 767 7771 sales@peachlandview.ca

Thank You Chevallier Arena would like to thank everyone who showed up to help move all our livestock.We appreciate all that you did to help us in our time of need.

- Larry & Diana Chevallier, Sandy Chevallier & Carl Woods

Homewatch Serving Peachland and Westbank * Providing Peace of Mind, while you’re away * Experienced, Reliable and Affordable * Bondable, with References available * Free Home Consultation

For further information please call Derek at 250-767-2892 or email dbunce@telus.net

WANTED Wanted Wanted newcomers and new babies to the Peachland/West Kelowna area. Call to receive your Free Welcome Wagon vist for gifts and information on the area. 1-778-754-0987, yvonnewaines@shaw.ca

Peachland View

SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

13

PEACHLAND SERVICE DIRECTORY Odina Skovgaard • Notary Public

Odina Skovgaard

Mobile Notarial Services Including: • Wills • Powers of attorney • Notarizations • Purchase or sale of real estate • Refinancing

778-479-4706 • odina@lakesidenotary.ca www.lakesidenotary.ca

Jazel Homes

Quality Custom Homes

You Deserve The Best

T 250 768 5799 C 250 469 1451 jazel@shaw.ca F 250 768 5733

Call... LEE THE PLUMBER For all your plumbing needs: Peachland’s own full service automotive facility at “The Old Garage”

• Hot Water Tanks • New Construction • Water Filtration Systems

• Plumbing Renovations • Heating Systems

250-767-6615 5866A Beach Avenue, Peachland

Quality Finishing Carpentry • Bath & Kitchen upgrades Tile Setting • Hardwood Floors • Painting & Repairs

"One call does it all"

Certified Plumber & Gas Fitter

Drop off and Pick-up service available within Peachland

M. Scharer Enterprises

250-767-6018

250-878-7279 or 250-767-9350

ROOFING GUTTERS Div. of 0902577 BC Ltd

Locally owned and operated

1-888-765-3013

CALL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE “Is There a Doctor on the House?”

SOFFIT FASCIA SIDING

Fully Licensed and Insured. WORKSAFE BC REGISTERED

TOPLINE EXTERIORS LTD. • Roofing • New • Re-Roofs • Repairs

CAN’T SELL IT? RENT IT! Property management services Your agent Dave Collins “Local service, superior results”

Jeff Webster Cell: 250-212-0781 Res: 250-767-9565

SERVING PEACHLAND FOR 16+ YEARS

Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty 5878 E. Beach Avenue Peachland, BC p. 250-767-2744 f. 250-767-6771 www.davecollins.ca

Quality Interior & Exterior Painting and Repairs Reasonable Rates • Residential & Commercial “Experience to get the job done right!”

Call for a FREE Estimate

Carl Berardo 250-863-6551 or 250-767-2737 Email: berardo@shaw.ca

PEACHLAND

VIEW

Your NUMBER ONE NEWS SOURCE for the Peachland Community Ph. 250 767 7771 | 4437 - 3rd Street, Peachland, BC

WE DON’T SIMPLY SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY;

We are a MemBer Of it

Peachland View

14

SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

FAITH

Food for the Soul: Stewards of the earth

We are proud to offer the finest wines, the best service and these great specials:

Rev. Elaine Diggle Peachland United Church Special to the Peachland View

Choose One Of These The Next Time You Order! $10.00 off Each Batch of Wine

Receive Bottles at 1/2 Price With Each Batch of Wine

Order Six Batches and get One FREE

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Order your Christmas wines now!

We are the distributors for Vineco & Cellarcraft International Our line of Vineco products includes KenRidge Showcase, Legacy, KenRidge Classic, California Connoisseur, European Select and Niagara Mist fruit wines. Our Cellarcraft wines include the Showcase Collection reds with grape packs, as well as some outstanding Collection whites. We also have the 2012 Limited Edition wines in stock now. Only available while supplies last - we can not re-stock the Limited Editions.

The Peachland

WINE SHOPPE Peachland Centre Mall -

250-767-0067

While driving to Peachland last Sunday it was upsetting to see the car in front of me throw an empty drink can out of the window and onto the road. Who on earth did they think would pick up their rubbish?

And why should someone else have to pick up another person’s roadside rubbish? This led to the questioning thought as to whether those who litter our lovely countryside treat their own homes with the same cavalier attitude. Do they just toss empty cans, chicken bones, and eaten corncobs on the floors of their houses? Our cat knows better than that. He digs a hole in my garden and buries his excrement. Why are there some who have no care for God’s amazing creation that surrounds us?

You might think a measly can is nothing to make a fuss over, but it is symptomatic of an attitude that doesn’t care for our environment. We are busy fracking natural gas – pumping untold millions of litres of noxious chemicals into the ground under our province in the north, cracking rock open in order to free the gas contained therein. But what happens with those chemicals underground? They do percolate into ground water and end up in the water people wash in and even drink. In many areas in the USA where the process has been used for some time, there are people who can light the water coming out of their taps on fire because it is so polluted with gases like methane.

Medical Services Directory Dentists

Pharmacy

Dr. Don MacRae Dr. Phil Kachanoski Dr. Karl Oppenheim Dr. Peter Cormillot Dr. Jeff Krawchuk

Wes Bedford, B.Sc Geoff Davis, B.Sc Garnet Lloyd, B.Sc

Peachland Dental Centre

Peachland Pharmacy

Massage Therapist Elisa McCoy, RMT www.functionmassage. com

250-767-6411

Function Massage Therapy

250-767-2611 250-767-2999

Peachland’s

Health

Professionals

Beach Ave Medical Clinic FAMILY PRACTICE

Walk-In

Dr. John Brinkerhoff Dr. Praven Chetty Dr. Alanna Leverrier

250-767-3432

OPEN Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm Sat (Starting Sept. 8) 10am to 2pm Closed Weekends

Then there is the proposal to build a northern gateway pipeline across northern B.C. to carry a mix of bitumen and solvents to our pristine coastline for tankers to navigate their way out to countries in Asia.

What are we doing to planet Earth? Even our seas are becoming acidic because they are absorbing carbon dioxide at an accelerating pace. Because of the acidity the calcareous bodies of sea creatures are becoming soft, spelling future problems. Then I look out of my window while typing and it is amazing how quickly a garden will grow. Even though planting began early this July, our front yard now has the feeling of a well-established garden. What fascinates and gives so much joy are the little serendipitous things. The colours in the buddleia flowers, lustrous violet purple with red centres, and other little groupings that are happening among the ferns and the greenness. As humans we have the capacity to build, to plant to grow as well as to desecrate.

Recently we read the first 25 verses of the first chapter of the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament. This is a story of creation, of God creating order out of chaos and declaring what is in process of being created into existence, as good. Not only is chaos tamed and brought into positive being, but everything is coming alive through God’s word and continues to burst into more life. Creation was not a one-time act but a continually intricately unfolding of life.

How then should we live? Should we spend all our time just extracting wealth from the ground and cutting down our forests, exporting them until we run out of exportable minerals and trees? Or do we become stewards of planet Earth, treat it as the treasure/gift that it is and husband it wisely for the benefit of our children’s children? Genesis 1:1-25 invites us to join in the reverence of God’s good creation. We seem to be forgetting just what a gift our planet Earth is. It is a gift to cherish, to be thankful for and to nurture in trust for our children’s children’s children to countless generations.

We are called to be thoughtful, careful, and caring, not rapacious, greedy, and wilfully uncaring as to how we are polluting our soils, the air we breathe, and the waters we drink. We need to be able to look at our handiwork and say, “It is good!” It is important to know what we have done has added to the welfare of those around us, to the wellbeing of creation, and has left the world a better place when we leave it than it was when we were born. May we always think to the future, not to what we can plunder solely for our own benefit.

God spoke the first word at the beginning of creation. May our generation not be the last word of God’s good creation.

Peachland

Places of Faith St. Margaret’s Anglican Church

Peachland United Church 4421 4th Street

The Bahá’i Faith In Peachland

Grace Lutheran Church 1162 Hudson Road West Kelowna, B.C. 250-769-5685

Local Contact:

250-767-0129 National Website:

info.bahai.org P.O. 1065 Peachland, BC V0H 1X0

Sunday Services

New Contemporary Worship

Sunday September 16, 2012

Sunday Worship 10 a.m.

Morning Prayer Tuesdays - 9:30 a.m.

Office Hours 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Monday to Friday

Service 10:30 a.m.

Lyn Stewart 250-767-6211 or John Miller 250-767-9270

Sunday School

4th Street & Brandon Ave

Service 9 a.m.

Traditional Worship

10:30 a.m. Ages 2 thru to Grade 6 www.gracelutherankelowna.com

250-767-3131 www.stmargaretspeachland.org

250-767-2206 “Let Us Worship Together”

Ancient Paths - Spiritual Disciplines that Vitalize our Christian Faith

Peachland Baptist Church Sunday school for all ages at 9:45 am Fellowship time with coffee and cookies at 10:30 a.m.

“God’s Word”

Church service at 11:00 am (Children’s church during service)

Derrick Hamre, Lead Pastor

Peachland Campus 10:00 am - Worship Service at Peachland Elementary School 2600 Hebert Road, West Kelowna 250.768.7638 - emmanuelnet.ca

A Friendly Welcome Awaits You At...

Office Hours - Tue, Wed, Thur 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Hall rental contact Doreen 250-767-2132 Sunday Morning Service 10 a.m.

Rev. Elaine Diggle

Pastor John Rankin Join us for: Good Music Bible Messages - Great Fellowship

www.peachlandbaptist.com 4204 Lake Avenue

250-767-9232

Peachland View

SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

15

COMMUNITY

Stand Easy: fall events Jean Saul Editor, Peachland View

WORLD OF WHEELS GIVES BACK World of Wheels volunteers (shown left to right) Russ Paul, committee chair Pam Cunningham, Ashley Schultz, Rob Wilkes and Glenn Hoff present Doris Muhs of the Peachland Wellness Centre with a cheque for $1,500. The Peachland Wellness Centre is an non-profit society dependent on individual and corporate donations, local fundraising efforts, and grants. They strive to address the wellness of the community by providing, referring, collaborating, partnering, and working toward a sustainable organization. They are dedicated to providing services and programs that benefit individuals and the community at large. World of Wheels is a non-profit and whatever money they make they give back to the community. Cunningham praised the volunteers for giving up their long weekend to make sure the thousands of people who attended this year’s show enjoyed the day. Without the antique and classic car owners, the sponsors and the support of the district and the public, especially those who live downtown, this event would not be possible. Cunningham said, “We’re always looking for more help,” adding that the committee likes new ideas, but it’s people who put ideas into action that are really being sought. They look forward to seeing everyone next year at the 16th Annual World of Wheels Show and Shine.

Summer is over and legion members are hard at work organizing event for the next couple of months.

The first annual President’s Barbecue will take place on Saturday, September 29 from noon to 3 p.m. Come on down and join me for this entertaining afternoon. As a member you can get your first burger for free and the next burger or hot dog for $2.

Saturday, October 13 will see the branch host our Massive Garage Sale fundraiser. The garage sale will go from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a bake sale and other fundraising events going on. In the evening the branch will host a silent auction, live auction, entertainment, fun and games, meat draws and present the trophy to the “Best of the Bunch” tournament winners and other fun stuff. If you have grown tired of items around your home that you would like to donate to the garage sale, please call Scott at 250-859-1516 to arrange for pickup of your items. Proceeds of this event will go the continued funding of our lounge renovations and the Canadian Cancer Society.

If you can spare a couple of hours to help at either event, please call the legion office at 250-767-9100.

Our regular general meetings will resume on Monday, September 24 at 7:30 p.m. For those new members that

have recently signed up, this is your opportunity to come down and present your opinions and support your legion.

New members are to be initiated this evening, which puts your membership in good standing and allows you to vote on important issues affecting your legion. If you wish to be initiated during this meeting please let the legion office know.

Remembrance Day is fast approaching. Poppy trays and wreaths need to be distributed throughout the community.

Each member has an obligation to help out the poppy campaign, even if it is a small donation of your time. Remembrance Day falls on a Sunday this year and services will commence at 10.30 a.m. on November 11 at the community centre. We hope to see a good crowd there for this important community ceremony.

The month of August saw many Canadian veterans travel to the beaches of Normandy to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Raid on Dieppe. This battle was a struggle for our Canadian troops and we take this opportunity to thank those who gave their lives and those that survived for giving us the freedom we share today.

If you are interested in joining this great organization and able to volunteer to help us on special occasions, please contact us at 250-767-9100 or email rcl69@telus.net

FRIDAYs

Peachland Lions Club Presents

Direct from Kelowna:

2 CAN WINE & DINE FOR $24.99.

YOUR CHOICE OF 2 ENTREES & A 1/2 LITRE OF HOUSE WHITE OR RED WINE

Friday, Sept 14

SPECIALS

MEXI MONDAYS

CHICKEN AND 1/2 RACK OF BBQ RIBS WITH VEG AND GARLIC TOAST OR SALMON IN DILL BUTTER WITH RICE AND VEG.

$4.50 CORONA AND PALM BAY’S $6.99 CHICKEN QUESADILLA AFTER 4 PM

TOONIE TUESDAYS $3.99 BURGER & FRIES $2.99 PINTS OF BIG E'S $2.99 HIGH BALLS

WINE-NOT WEDNESDAYS

CRASHING AT PEACHLAND COMMUNITY CENTER SEPTEMBER 22, 8:00 P.M. TICKETS ( 19+): $20 PP Available @ Peachland Visitor Centre, Johnston Meier or call Gary at 250-767-5258 No Host Bar

GLASS OF HOUSE RED OR WHITE FOR ONLY $4.00 $5.00 APPIES, INCLUDES YOUR FAVOURITES LIKE WINGS, DRY RIBS, POTATO SKINS & MORE

THIRSTY THURSDAYS $4.75 BOTTLE'S OF MGD 25¢ PRAWNS $10.95 JD BBQ RIBS W/CAESAR SALAD and FREE POOL

250-767-1958 Peachland Centre Mall

SATURDAYS $12.00 PITCHERS OF SLEEMAN'S HONEY BROWN

$3.99 PINTS & 25¢ PRAWNS $7.99 STEAK SANDWICH W/ FRIES +35¢ WINGS AFTER 4PM

$6.00 SUNDAYS JAGERBOMBS & DOUBLE CAESARS ONLY $6.00 EACH! FISH & CHIPS $9.99 JUGS OF BIG E’S $12.00 DON’T FORGET FREE POOL EVERY SUNDAY!

Hip Replacements Friday Sept 21st!

UFC 152

Sat., Sept 22 @ 7 pm

Peachland View

16

Looking for the Perfect Home?

One of these fine Realtors® might have a suggestions or two!

Call the Peachland View to Advertise Today!

We are always happy to custom design your ad.

250-767-7771 NEW LISTING

#233-3996 Beach Ave. - Lakeshore Gardens - Open floor plan, 1,400 sqft 3 bdrm 2 bath condo in beautiful Peachland. Granite counters, maple cabinetry and a 3-way gas fireplace. Large master with full ensuite and deck access. Walk to restaurants and shops, and the lake is just across the street! THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL CONDO.

$59,900 Trepanier Creek MHP - #9 5432 Childley Road Peachland’s finest 55+ MHP - Trepanier Creek - short walk to everything. This rare offering is situated directly across from Trepanier Creek. Private and majestically maintained yard boasting 16x16 wired/insulated shed & u/g irrigation.

MLS®10049591

“Our” Community “Your” Realtor

• Director’s Platinum Award • President’s Gold Award • Master Sales Award

Website: www.kelownaokanaganrealestate.com

5878E Beach Avenue

Experience & Enthusiasm Serving Kelowna & West Kelowna for over 33 years

5065 Elliott Avenue • $539,000 Beautiful 4 bdrm, den & 4 bth home with lake & orchard views. Active B&B, sep. entrances to 2 suites.

Large gym/games room, dry sauna & hot tub. Quiet, flat area w parking for 15 cars/RV/boat MLS®10052646

6044 Jackson Crescent • $359,000 Beautiful rancher with lots of parking for boat or RV 1742 sq ft approx 3 bdrms 2 baths formal living & dining family room, large master bdrm 3 skylights, large covered back patio & fenced yard MLS®10041739

Larry Guilbault Peachland, BC VOH 1X7

00 ,9 9 4 $4

5234 Sutherland Road, Peachland - DARE to COMPARE! Lake views with a quality home at a great price. Unique design marries the architecture of the home to the topography of the slope, you have a basement walk up with an extra lofted master bedroom/ensuite/ bath and bedroom above main living area. Walk out your master bedroom to rear garden with fruit trees and grapes.

MLS®10052653

Dave Collins 250-870-1444

www.davecollins.ca dcollins@coldwellbanker.ca

KELOWNA

bryonknutsen@royallepage.com

4456 Trepanier Creek Rd • $699,900

SO LD !

Beautiful home on a flat 8.45 acres, a creek running through, rancher with a large 3 bdrm suite, vaulted ceilings, open concept, gas F/P your own sandy beach at the creekside easy 2 family home.

MLS®10051720

3925 Desert Pines Ave • SOLD

SOLD!

Unique .49 acre lakeview lot with U/G irr, one level rancher 1480 sq ft, sunken living room with wood burning F/P, with detached heated studio, out buildings open parking for boat & RV ++ MLS®10052271

For all your mortgage needs...

CURRENT RATE SPECIALS 5 yr 3.09% 3 yr 2.89% 10 yr 3.89% 5 yr variable (Prime – 0.35%) 2.65%

Let us negotiate for your best mortgage!

Sold in less than 2 -1/2 months

Award Winning Service, in 2011 Cecile Guilbault was the #1 realtor in B.C. for total production with Coldwell Banker Call for your free market evaluation

5236 Clarence Road - Lake View home tastefully redone from top to bottom. Located in Peachland this 3 bed 3 bath home offers large open concept.

Custom kitchen has been designed for entertaining while looking over Lake Okanagan

Cecile Guilbault

250-212-2654

Stone

Sisters Group

Lara Cody 250-868-7114 laracody@invis.ca

www.cecileguilbault.com

cell: 250.470.2075 Office: 250.717.5032 Plenty Parking Address: of #100-1553 Harvey Ave, Kelowna

REDUCED

PEACEFUL LIVING ON 10 ACRES! $

ED

JUS

0

4950 Trepanier Road, Peachland – If you have dreamt of a home in the country, look no further! Wake up to gorgeous mountain views on this private & picturesque flat acreage with 5 bed/ 3 bath family home located just outside of Peachland. Great outbuildings include huge heated detached workshop, hay shed with corral, boat and storage shed and more! Presently zoned A1 and allowing for accessory building. CALL TRACEY FOR A FREE MARKET EVALUATION! MLS® 10030394

Now only

$650,000

5724 Beach Avenue N, Peachland - Semi-waterfront home, charming little gem of a house.Just steps from the water and recently updated, this home shows a 10 out of 10! Hardwood floors, newer kitchen and fresh paint,new shed and roof as well as stand alone in law suite behind the main house.

MLS®10047276

www.KelownaRealEstateGroup.ca Kelowna Westside

Troy Fischer 250.878.0626

Integrity without compromise

Leanne Cody 250-215-5028 leannecody@invis.ca

ST T LI

,00

5 93

$729,000 • 5831 Columbia Avenue

The Cody Sisters!

Some conditions apply. Rates may change at any time.

MLS ® 10050028

Elegant, Custom Design, Contemporary Style 4 bdrm, 3 bth home w soaring 26’ ceilings & large picture windows showcasing stunning view of lake & mountains! Open plan features Brazilian cherry hrdwd, modern style gas F/P, granite counters throughout, Italian tile kitchen MLS®10051072 flr, and top-end Electrolux S/S appliances.

MLS®10051739

250-826-2047

Derek Personal Martin 250-878-1555 Real Estate Corporation Charles Martin 250-717-7000 info@TeamMartin.ca

Sweeping lakeviews from Kelowna to Penticton, grade level entry 3 bdrms, 2 full baths, .27 acre private fenced yard with grapes, U/G irrigation, detached single garage some updates.

MLS®10046667

(250) 863-1282

5973 Victoria Street, Peachland - Beautiful cozy 3 bedroom home with peek-a-boo lake view, nicely landscaped, air conditioning, fish pond, RV parking, cleanout & hookup, fruit trees & garden, detached garage/ workshop, gas fireplace & stove, a must see. Tour this home today!

$349,000

Lakeview, vineyard views, double lot 1/2 acre, grade level entry, fully contained 1 bdrm suite + 3 more bdrms + den beautiful hardwood flrs 2 gas F/P heated garage U/G irr, 10 appliances MLS®10049720

6132 Wilson Avenue • $349,000

$369,000 MLS®10054059 Bryon Knutsen

More Great Homes: www.TeamMartin.ca

KELOWNA

5250 Pineridge Road • SOLD

!

D L O S

SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

Darcy Elder 250.869.2345

$459,000 6148 Davies Crescent - This lake view walk out Rancher is in a quiet area on a cosy corner lot. Immaculate with many updates including roof, furnace, hot water tank, paint, flooring, kitchen & bath fixtures. All appliances & window coverings.

MLS®10054111 Sewer is prepaid!