West Kelowna News

More than 1,100 West Kelowna residents will see their properties connected to the district's sewer system, thanks to a $5.1 million joint funding announcement.

MLA Ben Stewart, MP Stockwell Day and Mayor Doug Findlater announced the funding Friday for Phase 2 of the West Kelowna Sewer Services project. The total value for the project will top $8.8 million.

The project will improve the reliability of wastewater treatment and eliminate the on-site impact on local soils and Okanagan Lake. The Governments of Canada and B.C. will each invest $2.55 million in the second phase of this project, and the District of West Kelowna will contribute close to $3.7 million.

Phase 1 of the project received $6 million in joint federal/provincial funding in March 2009.
 
Stewart called the investment an important one for the residents of Glenrosa and Casa Loma-Lakeview, who will be the primary recipients of the new sewer systems.

“This funding means that while the District’s priorities will temporarily shift to accommodate this work, it will resolve a significant part of our inherited infrastructure backlog by completing our Sewer Servicing Program, creating over 1,400 new connections," says Mayor Findlater. "But thankfully, it will be now be done without a tremendous financial burden on our citizens.”

On February 4, 2010 West Kelowna RCMP responded to two separate pedestrian motor vehicle crashes.

The first occurred at 6:07 pm on Old Okanagan Hwy, West Kelowna, near the Westbank Shopping Center when an eastbound vehicle driven by a 46 year old male was turning off Old Okanagan Hwy into the mall.

The driver of the vehicle had waited for on coming westbound cars to pass and began his turn. As the driver entered the crosswalk a 22 year old female pedestrian had stepped off the curb and was bumped at low speed.

Witnesses to this crash advise that the pedestrian was dressed totally in black, walking on an unlit sidewalk and stepped into the crosswalk/driveway without looking up or checking for any traffic.

No injuries were sustained by the pedestrian and no charges are being laid.

The second crash occurred at 9:22 pm at the intersection of Webber Rd and Lyon Rd, West Kelowna, when a 10 year old male pedestrian was crossing in front of a private bus and went onto the roadway without making certain it was safe and clear to cross.

The male was stuck by a northbound vehicle driven by a 17 year old female.

The pedestrian received minor injuries to his leg and head and is staying the night in Kelowna General Hospital for observation.

No charges are being laid in relation to this crash.

The bus was not equipped with flashers and there was no obligation for traffic not to pass.

West Kelowna Council is inviting the public to join a discussion about the Draft 2010-2014 Financial Plan.

Everyone is welcome to take part in a working session with Council.

The open discussion will take place Monday, February 8, 2010, 6 p.m. at Constable Neil Bruce School Gymnasium.

The session will provide the public with the chance to take part in one-on-one discussions with Council and senior staff about the budget.

Council wants to hear what the public has to say about its Draft 2010 budget.

The District is anticipating the following budget consideration schedule:

February 8 – Public presentation of budget

Early March - date and location to be determined

March 23 – Financial Plan and tax rates to Council for first three readings

April 13 – Financial Plan for adoption

Members of the public are welcome at all budget deliberations.

The Draft Financial Plan is now available on the District’s website at www.districtofwestkelowna.ca.

For more information, call (778) 797-8860.

Want to play around (a round) with Rachel, Cori, Jaimee or Holly?

Thanks to a West Kelowna man - now you can.

Mike Caldwell, a 63-year-old, semi-retired author from West Kelowna has created Tail of the Tiger Golf Balls, 'The Mistress' Collection.

There are a dozen golf balls in the boxed set, each one emblazoned with the likeness of one of Tiger's 12 mistresses, including Rachel, Cori, Jaimee and Holly, among others.

Tiger Woods made headlines around the world when he crashed his SUV into a tree while fleeing his home after an argument with his wife near the end of November.

Stories quickly began circulating about various women he has had relationships with while married.

Caldwell says he said he got the idea while having coffee December 21 and 29 days later had a prototype ready to go.

"I saw a need here. There are millions of golfers around the world who are sad and shocked at what Tiger has done," says Caldwell, referring to Woods' admission of infidelity.

"They need something to laugh about, a product that is funny, and I think what I've come up with will do that."

Caldwell says just two days after creating the prototype, he was on a plane to Orlando, Florida for the annual PGA Golf Show.

"The reaction was 95% positive and with 80% of those it was downright laughter. The biggest shock for me was women. I thought they would give me the most grief but even they loved it."

While the product has been turned down by one U.S. distributor, Caldwell says the product is flying off the shelf.

"I set up my website for the product five days ago and I've already had $45,000 in sales."

Caldwell won't reveal how much it costs to produce each set, but says at $44.95 each, he has had no complaints regarding the price point.

Before venturing too far into the project, Caldwell admitted he hired a lawyer to ensure he and his product are 'bulletproof' as far as legal action is concerned.

"I haven't heard from Tiger's camp. You know if there was a problem, they would be all over me."

To further protect himself, Caldwell hired an artist to draw likenesses of the 12 women instead of using photographs.

"You'll notice Tiger's name and image are nowhere on the product. I spent good money to obtain a picture of the tail of a Bengal Tiger. If you think of Tiger Woods, well, that's your choice."

Caldwell is currently looking for exclusive distributors to sell the product in 15 countries around the world, including here in Canada.

He says he has been amazed at how well the product has been received. Caldwell says he has received orders from all around the world.

"I thought it would do well, but it has gone way beyond what I thought it would do. If I don't sell any more, I've made my money back."

He adds he is trying to strike now while the iron is hot.

"I figured this would have a shelf life of three to six months, but a very smart man told me this thing will have legs through Christmas."

Caldwell is certainly making the most of his '15 minutes of fame.' He has been featured in stories in the New York Daily News, on FOX Television, Inside Edition as well as newspapers in Scotland.

Woods, who has taken an indefinite leave from the PGA Tour, is allegedly seeking treatment at a sex-therapy centre in Mississippi.

Link: Link to website

Like it or not, West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater received a pay raise of 4.75%.

What Findlater ultimately does with the additional $2,762 is still up in the air. He did not take part in the debate surrounding the raise, saying he was embarrassed and felt there was a conflict of interest.

The same report which provided the mayor with a 4.75% increase also recommended a remuneration increase of .75% for each of the six councillors.

That amounts to an increase of $153 a year per councillor.

Contacted at his office Wednesday, Findlater says he is waiting for more information before deciding what to do.

"I am trying to get more information on how to do that without being penalized," says Findlater.

"If I did decline it, whether I can simply stay at the same level or do I have to receive it and pay it back and get taxed on the higher rate, which is not really acceptable to me, to pay higher income tax on it. I have asked about that."

What he won't do is accept the raise and donate the difference to charity.

"That doesn't do anything for the taxpayer of West Kelowna. If I were to do that, I'm sure I'd have every charity in the Central Okanagan coming to me."

Findlater also reiterated the raise is for the position, not the person.

"I have to make a very clear distinction. This is they mayor's salary as opposed to Doug Findlater's salary. I could have a heart attack and somebody else would be mayor, then that's their salary."

Secondary to the raise is just how the municipality goes about determining the salary for mayor and council.

It is policy that every year, staff research salaries from six predetermined communities in the province, three with larger populations (Langley, North Cowichan and Port Moody) and three with lower populations (Vernon, Penticton and Campbell River).

The City of Kelowna and Regional District of Central Okanagan appoint an independent citizens committee which looks at salaries and makes recommendations every three years.

Findlater says the policy needs to be revisited by council.

"I think council has to look at that again. Is this the correct way to do it? It is a totally anomalous result that is out of sync with the times we are in. I think we have to take a look at it."

Whether council has the appetite to do so is another matter.

"You were there and I wasn't (Monday's debate)and they reaffirmed the policy. It did seem odd to me and I think it should be looked at again."

As it stands now with the increase, the mayor will receive $60,853 a year while councillors are set to receive $20,654 each per year.

The Okanagan will be a key part of the medal ceremonies at the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, utilizing wood from the Westbank First Nation Community Forest being used to construct the podiums.

"This is an incredible opportunity to participate in the Olympics, to have a local connection to the games and showcase our world-class forest industry," says Westside-Kelowna MLA Ben Stewart.

The Westbank First Nation Community Forest donated lodgepole pine for the podium to be used during freestyle skiing and snowboard medal celebrations at Cypress Mountain.

The podium measures 478 centimetres long, 171 cm deep, 50 cm at its tallest point and assembled from 241 pieces.

Premier Gordon Campbell unveiled the medal podiums Tuesday.

It appears a third man is ready to plead guilty to the 2005 murder of Jody Mitchell Elliott.

According to prosecutors, Ranoncito Veijon will plead guilty to manslaughter on Thursday. He will also be sentenced that day.

Elliott, 26, was shot twice at a home in Westbank First Nation near the old ferry docks in November 2005.

He was transported into the woods where he was beaten and his body dismembered. His body was discovered off Bald Range Road.

Police say Elliott's murder was drug related.

Four men are charged in Elliott's murder.

Two of those charged, Grant Fralic and Robert Juker, have already pled guilty and are serving lengthy sentences.

A fourth man, Daniel James Mader, is currently free on $400,000 bail while he awaits trial.

West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater was granted a raise of nearly $3,000 Monday, however he wasn't around to hear the news.

Findlater excused himself from chambers and passed the gavel to acting mayor Gord Milsom, stating a conflict of interest.

A staff report called for a raise of 4.75% for the mayor and .75% for each of the six councillors.

"It is a lopsided result which is uncomfortable for me," Findlater told councillors in stating his reasons for excusing himself from the meeting.

"I should not be seated here because I have a pecuniary interest."

A report on councillor remuneration is presented to council once a year in accordance with a policy set out by the previous council in August, 2008.

According to the policy, the Mayor and Councillors are paid according to the median paid to councils in six similarly-sized B.C. municipalities, including Langley, Port Moody, North Cowichan, Vernon, Penticton and Campbell River.

The report suggested a pay raise of $2,762 (to $60,853) for the mayor and a raise of just $153 (to $20,654) for each of the six councillors.

The raise is automatic and does not require a vote of council, however, it can be rescinded or amended on council's approval.

Councillor Rosalind Neis made several motions in an attempt to get the raises eliminated or to have the policy amended.

None of those motions received a seconder.

"The mayor does a great job and receives a good salary here. He also receives a salary from the Regional District," says Neis.

She also suggested Findlater receives a salary as a director with Interior Savings Credit Union, a position she claimed he said he would leave once becoming mayor.

"He does not need this. I don't feel comfortable getting an increase and no one else should either."

Neis also suggested that council approve a 2% pay hike across the board. Councillor David Knowles was willing to second the motion, however, it received no further support.

"It would be easy for us to take the high road, which in this case would be to approve no pay raise for anyone," says Councillor Bryden Winsby.

"We owe it to our taxpayers to investigate who gets paid for what. We need to follow the policy. It shows leadership and backbone."

Winsby suggested that the mayor and council started with a very low remuneration when the municipality was first established.

West Kelowna Council provided its taxpayers with an early Christmas present Monday.

During 2010 tax deliberations, council unanimously agreed to return $234,000, earmarked as discretionary council spending, back to the taxpayers in the form of a tax break.

This means that instead of the forecast 5% tax increase in 2010, taxpayers will see an increase in the range of about 3.8%.

"We need to do this," says Councillor Duane Ophus.

"The $234,000 has not been allocated so it should be used to reduce taxes."

West Kelowna CFO, Jim Zaffino, says the $234,000 came through efficiencies.

"Some departments did not ask for and did not need as much money as they needed in prior years. They do different things in different ways," says Zaffino.

"Also, it came from one time requests in 2009 that did not carry forward because the job was done and there was no need for that. Council was able to look at the discretionary fund and fund the supplemental requests."

Council still has a reserve of $330,000 for discretionary spending in the bank which has been carried over from 2009.

Last year, council only spent about $1,500 in discretionary spending.

Zaffino says the current amount of discretionary funds would be considered a lot for an established community but not a lot for a new municipality such as West Kelowna.

He says the municipality is evolving from a rural area to an urban community, and that requires money.

"There are more unknowns that can happen and there are more requests so council can use that in a number of way. They talked about an economic development plan. There is a lot more that has to be done to get us up to speed."

Council spent close to seven hours debating the financial plan, which will require about $21.7 million from taxation.

Total expenses for 2010 are expected to be about $62.2 million, down about $200,000 from 2009.

Council approved a little more than $4.2 million in capital expenditures along with nearly $90,000 in grants-in-aid to various community groups.

Changes can still be made to the 2010 budget before the document must be submitted to the province by the middle of May.

About 50 protesters descended on West Kelowna municipal hall Monday, asking again that the name Westbank be preserved.

West Kelowna Council was in the midst of 2010 budget deliberations at the time of the protest.

"We want council and our mayor to know that there is still strong support in the community for having Westbank remain with its name and its traditional boundaries within the District of West Kelowna, similar to how Fort McMurray is a town within the District of Wood Buffalo in Alberta," says group spokesperson, Loreta Learmonth.

"The traditional boundaries are the Electoral Area H Westbank boundaries and the V4T area of Westbank, simply because it was the last postal code designation that carried the Westbank name which has been a postal designation in Westbank for over 100 years."

The Westbank group has brought its case before West Kelowna Council in many forms over the past year.

Learmonth says while Westbank may not be a town as defined by the provincial government act, in the minds of the people who shop here and have gone to school here, Westbank is a town.

"We want to keep our town, we want to keep it within the District of West Kelowna. We don't want to change the name of the district over to Westbank, we just want to be a town within the district which honours its history and continues its future."

She says Westbank has a rich history which needs to be preserved, furthered and promoted.

When asked what the Westbank group wants, Learmonth says it is all about keeping the name alive.

"Not letting Westbank die. On every map, every phone book in the hearts and minds of the people."

Learmonth says they want the town name recognized.

"We would like West Kelowna Council to recognize Westbank in a way that the residents don't have to keep coming out time after time. What would be the best thing for them to do would be to hold a public meeting and listen to the residents' concerns."